Korean J Physiol Pharmacol.  2010 Oct;14(5):285-289. 10.4196/kjpp.2010.14.5.285.

Antinociception Effect and Mechanisms of Campanula Punctata Extract in the Mouse

• Park SH
• Sim YB
• Lim SS
• Kim JK
• Lee JK
• Suh HW

• KMID: 2071695
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4196/kjpp.2010.14.5.285

Abstract

In the present study, the antinociceptive profiles of Campanula punctata extract were examined in ICR mice. The Campanula punctata contain a large dose of saponin. Campanula punctata extract administered orally (200 mg/kg) showed an antinociceptive effect as measured by the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. In addition, Campanula punctata extract attenuated the writhing numbers in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, the cumulative nociceptive response time for intrathecal (i.t.) injection of substance P (0.7 microgram) was diminished by Campanula punctata extract. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) pretreatment with yohimbine (alpha2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) attenuated antinociceptive effect induced by Campanula punctata extract in the writhing test. However, naloxone (opioid receptor antagonist) or methysergide (5-HT serotonergic receptor antagonist) did not affect antinociception induced by Campanula punctata extract in the writhing test. Our results suggest that Campanula punctata extract shows an antinociceptive property in various pain models. Furthermore, this antinociceptive effect of Campanula punctata extract may be mediated by alpha2-adrenergic receptor, but not opioidergic and serotonergic receptors.

Keyword

Campanula punctata; Anti-nociception; Inflammatory pain; alpha2 adrenoceptor

MeSH Terms

Animals
Campanulaceae
Methysergide
Mice
Mice, Inbred ICR
Naloxone
Reaction Time
Saponins
Substance P
Yohimbine
Methysergide
Naloxone
Saponins
Substance P
Yohimbine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. The antinociceptive effect of Campanula punctata extract administered orally in the tail-flick and hot-plate tests. Mice were administered orally with either vehicle or 200 mg/kg of Campanula punctata extract and the tail-flick (A) or hot-plate (B) response was measured at 30 min after treatment. The vertical bars denote the standard error of the mean. The number of animal used for each group was 8∼10 (∗p<0.05, ∗∗p<0.01, compared to the vehicle-treated control group of mice).

• 

  Fig. 2. Effect of Campanula punctata extract on the nociceptive response induced by various pain models. Campanula punctata extract (200 mg/kg) was administered orally and then, 0.25 ml of 1% acetic acid solution was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after treatment. The number of writhing was counted for 30 min following acetic acid injection (A). Campanula punctata extract (200 mg/kg) was administered orally for 30 min prior to the substance P (0.7 μg per 5 μl) injection intrathecally (B). The cumulative response time of licking, scratching and biting episodes was measured for 30 min. The vertical bars indicate the standard error of the mean. The number of animal used for each group was 8∼10 (∗∗∗p < 0.001, compared with control group).

• 

  Fig. 3. Effect of naloxone (A), methysergide (B) and yohimbine (C) injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) on inhibition of the writhing response induced by Campanula punctata extract administered orally. Naloxone, methysergide, or yohimbine (5 mg/kg) was pretreated intraperitoneally for 10 min, before oral administration of vehicle or Campanula punctata extract (200 mg/kg). Campanula punctata extract or vehicle was administered orally and then, 0.25 ml of 1% acetic acid solution was injected i.p. 30 min after treatment. The number of writhing was counted for 30 min following acetic acid injection. The vertical bars denote the standard error of the mean. The number of animal used for each group was 8∼10 (∗∗∗ p<0.001, compared with control group and only antagonist group).

Reference

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