Analgesic effect of Chinese herbal formula Hua-Jian-Ba-Du ointment on visceral pain in mice induced by acetic acid.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Visceral pain is one of the most important pains caused by cancer or other diseases, and most of the medications may lead to tolerance, addiction, and toxic side effects. Hua-Jian-Ba-Du Ointment (HJBDO), which is a commonly used conjugate based on traditional Chinese medicine theory, has been effective against visceral pain. Here, we verify the efficacy and underlying mechanism of HJBDO in an acetic-acid induced visceral pain model.

METHODS:

Mice were subjected to acetic acid with or without HJBDO. Hua-Jian-Ba-Du Ointment at low (7.5 mL/kg•d), moderate (15 mL/kg•d), and high (30 mL/kg•d) dosages was applied on the abdomen, 3 times per day for 3 days. The acetic acid writhing test was used to evaluate antinociception. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) in serum, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in peritoneal fluid were detected by ELISA. 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and β-endorphin (β-EP) were examined by high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay, respectively. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR1) and c-fos expressions in both rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) and spinal dorsal horn were determined by western blot.

RESULTS:

Hua-Jian-Ba-Du Ointment at 3 dosage levels produced dose-dependent antinociception and shortened the latent time. Hua-Jian-Ba-Du Ointment at high or moderate dosage inhibited the release of TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2, as well as increased the release of IL-2. Hua-Jian-Ba-Du Ointment could also increase NE and 5-HT contents and decrease the NE content. No effect of HJBDO at 3 dosages on the DA system was detected. Furthermore, HJBDO could suppress the expressions of NMDAR and c-fos in both RVM and spinal dorsal horn.

CONCLUSION:

Our results exhibited the analgesic effect of HJBDO on visceral pain in mice, and this effect might be mediated by the regulation of inflammation and neurotransmitters.

• Authors: Shaojun Ma, Ying Zhang, Xiaojiang Li, He Zhang, Yingjie Jia
• Journal: Integrative cancer therapies (Integr Cancer Ther) Vol. 14 Issue 3 Pg. 282-90 (May 2015) ISSN: 1552-695X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25601969 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2015.

Chemical References

• Analgesics
• Cytokines
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Ointments
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
• Acetic Acid

Topics

• Acetic Acid (toxicity)
• Analgesics (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Ascitic Fluid (enzymology)
• Brain (metabolism)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Cytokines (blood)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (therapeutic use)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Male
• Medicine, Chinese Traditional
• Mice
• Ointments
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos (metabolism)
• Radioimmunoassay
• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (metabolism)
• Visceral Pain (chemically induced, drug therapy, metabolism)