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Geraniol Induces Antinociceptive Effect in Mice Evaluated in Behavioural and Electrophysiological Models
Author(s) -
La Rocca Viviana,
Fonsêca Diogo Vilar,
SilvaAlves Kerly Shamyra,
FerreiradaSilva Francisco Walber,
Sousa Damião Pergentino,
Santos Priscila Laise,
QuintansJúnior Lucindo José,
LealCardoso José Henrique,
Almeida Reinaldo Nóbrega
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
basic and clinical pharmacology and toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.805
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1742-7843
pISSN - 1742-7835
DOI - 10.1111/bcpt.12630
Subject(s) - electrophysiology , geraniol , nociception , pharmacology , chemistry , medicine , neuroscience , biology , receptor , botany , essential oil
Abstract Geraniol (GER) is a monoterpene alcohol with various biochemical and pharmacological properties present in the essential oil of more than 160 species of herbs (especially the Cymbopogon genus). In this study, we evaluated the antinociceptive activity of GER in behavioural and electrophysiological in vitro experimental models of nociception using male Swiss mice. GER (12.5, 25 or 50 mg/kg i.p. and 50 or 200 mg/kg p.o.) reduced the number of writhes induced by acetic acid. The opioid antagonist naloxone (5 mg/kg s.c.) administered in mice subsequently treated with GER (25 mg/kg i.p.) did not reverse such antinociceptive activity, suggesting a non‐opioid pathway for the mechanism of action. GER (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg i.p.) reduced paw licking time in the second phase of the formalin test. Also, in the glutamate test, GER when administered 50 mg/kg i.p. reduced paw licking time, probably modulating glutamatergic neurotransmission. GER blocked reversibly components of the compound action potential (CAP) recorded in isolated sciatic nerve in a concentration‐ and drug exposure time‐dependent manner: 1 mM to 120 min. for the first component and 0.6 mM to 90 min. for the second component. The IC 50 was calculated for the peak‐to‐peak amplitude (PPA) at 0.48 ± 0.04 mM. The conduction velocity was also reduced by exposure to GER starting from the concentration of 0.3 mM for both components of the CAP. In conclusion, it is suggested that GER has antinociceptive activity, especially in pain related to inflammation, and in part related to reduced peripheral nerve excitability.