chlorophyll-a and Pain

Faveleira (Cnidoscolus quercifolius) is an emerging Brazilian plant, with seeds rich in edible oil. This study investigates physicochemical properties, chemical composition, thermal and oxidative stability, in vitro and in vivo toxicity, antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of faveleira seed oil. It was observed that the oil has low acidity, value of peroxide, chlorophyll, carotenoids, β-carotene and high concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids. In addition to presenting thermal and oxidative stability and high total phenolic content, with vanillin, eugenol and quercetin were predominating. The oil showed no toxicity in vitro and in vivo, and presented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. These findings provide relevant and appropriate conditions for processing of faveleira seed oil as functional food.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Antioxidants; Brazil; Carotenoids; Cell Survival; Chlorophyll; Euphorbiaceae; Fatty Acids; Male; Mice; Pain; Phenols; Plant Oils; RAW 264.7 Cells; Seeds

Phytol is a diterpene constituent of chlorophyll and has been shown to have several pharmacological properties, particularly in relation to the management of painful inflammatory diseases. Arthritis is one of the most common of these inflammatory diseases, mainly affecting the synovial membrane, cartilage, and bone in joints. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6, and the NFκB signaling pathway play a pivotal role in arthritis. However, as the mechanisms of action of phytol and its ability to reduce the levels of these cytokines are poorly understood, we decided to investigate its pharmacological effects using a mouse model of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritis. Our results showed that phytol was able to inhibit joint swelling and hyperalgesia throughout the whole treatment period. Moreover, phytol reduced myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and proinflammatory cytokine release in synovial fluid and decreased IL-6 production as well as the COX-2 immunocontent in the spinal cord. It also downregulated the p38MAPK and NFκB signaling pathways. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that phytol can be an innovative antiarthritic agent due to its capacity to attenuate inflammatory reactions in joints and the spinal cord, mainly through the modulation of mediators that are key to the establishment of arthritic pain.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Chlorophyll; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Edema; Freund's Adjuvant; Hyperalgesia; Inflammation; Interleukin-6; Mice; Molecular Structure; NF-kappa B; Pain; Phytol; Synovial Membrane; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Cobra neurotoxin (CNT), a peptide isolated from snake venom of

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain; Chlorophyll; Cobra Neurotoxin Proteins; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Light; Mice; Nanocapsules; Pain; Particle Size; Photosensitizing Agents