Wnt signaling is involved in crotalphine-induced analgesia in a rat model of neuropathic pain.

The aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin and atypical Wnt/Ryk signaling pathways in the spinal cord is critical for the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Crotalphine is a structural analog to a peptide first identified in Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, which induces antinociception by activating kappa-opioid and CB cannabinoid receptors. Consistent with previous data, we showed that the protein levels of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin and the atypical Wnt/Ryk signaling pathways are increased in neuropathic rats.

Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Mediates Morphine Induced-Delayed Hyperalgesia.

The use of morphine, the standard opioid drug, is limited by its undesirable effects, such as tolerance, physical dependence, and hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity). Clinical and preclinical studies have reported development of hyperalgesia after prolonged opioid administration or after a single dose of intrathecal (i.t.

Frontline Science: Blood-circulating leukocytes fail to infiltrate the spinal cord parenchyma after spared nerve injury.

The development of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury involves neuroimmune-glial interactions in the spinal cord. However, whether the development of neuropathic pain depends on the infiltration of peripheral immune cells, such as monocytes, into the spinal cord parenchyma after peripheral nerve damage remains unclear. Here, we used a combination of different techniques such as transgenic reporter mouse (Cx3cr1 and Ccr2 mice), bone marrow chimeric mice, and parabiosis to investigate this issue in spared nerve injury (SNI) model.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Doxycycline on Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a group of chronic, progressive disorders characterized by the gradual loss of neurons that affect specific regions of the brain, which leads to deficits in specific functions (e.g., memory, movement, cognition).

The NOD2 signaling in peripheral macrophages contributes to neuropathic pain development.

Neuropathic pain is one of the most important types of chronic pain. It is caused by neuronal damage. Clinical and experimental studies suggest a critical role for neuroimmune interactions in the development of neuropathic pain.

The spider toxin Phα1β recombinant possesses strong analgesic activity.

The native Phα1β - a Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel (VGCC) blocker - and its Recombinant Version - were both tested in rodent pain models with an intraplantar injections of capsaicin or formalin, a chronic constriction injury, and melanoma cancer related pain. The formalin nociceptive behaviour in the neurogenic phase was not affected by the toxin pre-treatments, while in the inflammatory phase, Phα1β and the Recombinant form caused a significant reduction. The nociception that was triggered by capsaicin, an agonist of the TRPV1 vanilloid receptor, was totally blocked by 100 pmol/site, i.

Doxycycline Suppresses Microglial Activation by Inhibiting the p38 MAPK and NF-kB Signaling Pathways.

In neurodegenerative diseases, the inflammatory response is mediated by activated glial cells, mainly microglia, which are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. Activated microglial cells release proinflammatory mediators and neurotoxic factors that are suspected to cause or exacerbate these diseases. We recently demonstrated that doxycycline protects substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in an animal model of Parkinson's disease.

7-epiclusianone, the natural prenylated benzophenone, inhibits superoxide anions in the neutrophil respiratory burst.

Despite defenses by polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the host against invading agents, overproduction of oxidant species by phagocytes can lead to damage in the surrounding tissues. Several benzophenones have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. The effect of the natural benzophenone 7-epiclusianone isolated from leaves of Garcinia brasiliensis was investigated by using in vitro antioxidant and ex vivo anti-inflammatory assays, focusing on the neutrophil respiratory burst and on the biochemical pathways involved.

Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of 7-epiclusianone, a prenylated benzophenone from Garcinia brasiliensis.

7-Epiclusianone, a natural prenylated benzophenone, was extracted from Garcinia brasiliensis Planch. & Triana (Clusiaceae), a native plant commonly known as bacupari and used in traditional Brazilian medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. As a result of the wide spectrum of biological activities attributed to polyisoprenylated benzophenones, the aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of 7-epiclusianone using two animal models.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the stem bark of Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Byrsonima intermedia A. Juss. is popularly known as "murici pequeno" and is native to the Brazilian Cerrado.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Garcinia brasiliensis.

Aim Of The Study: In Brazilian folk medicine, the leaves of Garcinia brasiliensis are used to treat tumors, inflammation of the urinary tract and arthritis as well as to relieve pain. Nevertheless, scientific information regarding Garcinia brasiliensis is limited; there are no reports related to its possible anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects. This study employed in vivo inflammatory and nociceptive models to evaluate the scientific basis for the traditional use of Garcinia brasiliensis.

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC.) Bureau roots.

Aim Of The Study: Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC.) Bureau has been used to relieve general pain, painful joints and kidney stones in Brazilian folk medicine. Nevertheless, scientific information regarding this species is scarce; there are no reports related to its possible analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.