1. Academic Validation
  2. Antinociceptive effect of (-)-epicatechin in inflammatory and neuropathic pain in rats

Antinociceptive effect of (-)-epicatechin in inflammatory and neuropathic pain in rats

  • Behav Pharmacol. 2018 Apr;29(2 and 3-Spec Issue):270-279. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000320.
Geovanna N Quiñonez-Bastidas 1 2 Jorge B Pineda-Farias 3 Francisco J Flores-Murrieta 1 4 Juan Rodríguez-Silverio 1 Juan G Reyes-García 1 Beatriz Godínez-Chaparro 2 Vinicio Granados-Soto 3 Héctor I Rocha-González 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Section of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politecnico Nacional.
  • 2 Department of Biological Systems, Division of Biological Sciences and Health, UAM-Xochimilco.
  • 3 Neurobiology of Pain Laboratory, Department of Pharmacobiology, Cinvestav, Sede Sur.
  • 4 Pharmacology Research Unit, INER, Ismael Cosio Villegas, Secretaria de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive potential of (-)-epicatechin and the possible mechanisms of action involved in its antinociceptive effect. The carrageenan and formalin tests were used as inflammatory pain models. A plethysmometer was used to measure inflammation and L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation as a neuropathic pain model. Oral (-)-epicatechin reduced carrageenan-induced inflammation and nociception by about 59 and 73%, respectively, and reduced formalin- induced and nerve injury-induced nociception by about 86 and 43%, respectively. (-)-Epicatechin-induced antinociception in the formalin test was prevented by the intraperitoneal administration of antagonists: methiothepin (5-HT1/5 receptor), WAY-100635 (5-HT1A receptor), SB-224289 (5-HT1B receptor), BRL-15572 (5-HT1D receptor), SB-699551 (5-HT5A receptor), naloxone (Opioid Receptor), CTAP (μ Opioid Receptor), nor-binaltorphimine (κ Opioid Receptor), and 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (δ1 Opioid Receptor). The effect of (-)-epicatechin was also prevented by the intraperitoneal administration of L-NAME [nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor], 7-nitroindazole (neuronal NO Synthase Inhibitor), ODQ (guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive K channel blocker), 4-aminopyridine (voltage-dependent K channel blocker), and iberiotoxin (large-conductance Ca-activated K channel blocker), but not by amiloride (acid sensing ion channel blocker). The data suggest that (-)-epicatechin exerts its antinociceptive effects by activation of the NO-cyclic GMP-K channels pathway, 5-HT1A/1B/1D/5A serotonergic receptors, and μ/κ/δ opioid receptors.

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