Evaluation of anti-migraine potential of Areca catechu to prevent nitroglycerin-induced delayed inflammation in rat meninges: possible involvement of NOS inhibition.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Areca catechu nut extract is a popular folk remedy for the treatment of migraine in Kerala and Tamil Nadu states of India.

Aim Of The Study: In order to prove the claimed utilization of plant, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Areca catechu nut (ANE) was investigated in nitroglycerine induced inflammation in rat meninges. In these models infusion of nitric oxide donor glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) produces augmented plasma protein extravasation (PPE) in dura mater, provides an important substrate for the development of migraine in rats.

Materials And Methods: The effect on plasma protein extravasation was assessed in both the models of intravenous and topical GTN application following oral administration of ANE (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) in both curative and preventive treatment and compared with that of control positive. The l-NAME (15 mg/kg, i.v.) was used as reference standard. Plasma protein extravasation was measured using fluorescein as marker and was measured using a Perkin-Elmer LS-30 luminescence spectrometer.

Results: Expression of iNOS in the spleen after intravenous injection produced PPE into the dura mater in control positive group was significantly (P<0.01) reduced to 1.553±0.02499 and 1.398±0.01887 by preventive treatment with ANE at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg, orally, respectively. The extravasation produced by topical GTN due to expression of iNOS in dural macrophages was also reduced to 1.555±0.03384 and 1.425±0.01204 by preventive treatment with ANE at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg, orally, respectively. While ANE do not showed any significant results in curative treatment in both the models of i.v. and topical GTN application.

Conclusion: These findings collectively indicate that the extract exhibited significant inhibition of iNOS, which may be the probable mechanism for its anti-migraine activity, providing evidence, at least in part, for its folkloric use.