Antinociceptive efficacy of Clerodendrum petasites S. Moore, a Thai medicinal plant, and its CNS safety profiles

Hasriadi; Anusara Jongchanapong; Wisuwat Thongphichai; Peththa Wadu Dasuni Wasana; Suchada Sukrong; Rutt Suttisri; Surattana Amnuoypol; Pasarapa Towiwat

doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2022.11.001

Antinociceptive efficacy of Clerodendrum petasites S. Moore, a Thai medicinal plant, and its CNS safety profiles

J Tradit Complement Med. 2022 Nov 12;13(1):81-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2022.11.001. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Authors

Hasriadi¹, Anusara Jongchanapong¹, Wisuwat Thongphichai², Peththa Wadu Dasuni Wasana^{1

3}, Suchada Sukrong^{2

4}, Rutt Suttisri⁴, Surattana Amnuoypol⁴, Pasarapa Towiwat^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Bangkok, Thailand.
² Center of Excellence in DNA Barcoding of Thai Medicinal Plants, Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 103300, Thailand.
³ Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology Program, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 10330, Bangkok, Thailand.
⁴ Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 103300, Thailand.
⁵ Center of Excellence in Natural Products for Ageing and Chronic Diseases, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract

Background: Clerodendrum petasites, an herbal plant in Thailand, has been used for many years in folk medicine. However, scientific evidence regarding CNS safety pharmacology and antinociceptive activity of C. petasites (CP) has not yet been well characterized.

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess the CNS safety pharmacology and antinociceptive and antiinflammatory effects of CP extract.

Methods: The effect of CP extract on CNS safety pharmacology was assessed using LABORAS automated home cage monitoring and rotarod test. Its pharmacological activity was evaluated both in-vitro, and in-vivo using hot-plate, acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin, and carrageenan-induced paw edema models.

Results and conclusion: CP extract significantly improved thermal and chemical nociceptive behaviors and acute inflammatory pain at all doses: 300, 600, and 1200 mg/kg, p.o. The antiinflammatory effect of CP extract in inflammatory pain models was comparable to the effect of positive control: indomethacin 10 mg/kg at all dose levels tested. Further, the CP extract at 600 mg/kg dose significantly inhibited 82.3% of carrageenan-induced total edema. In-vitro, CP extract at 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/mL concentrations significantly reduced the expression of LPS-induced nitric oxide, IL-6, and TNF-α expression in both RAW 264.7 macrophage and BV-2 microglial cell lines. In addition, CP extract did not show any potential effects on the CNS, indicated by no significant effects on motor coordination, spontaneous locomotor activity, general behaviors, and well-being compared to vehicle-treated mice (p > 0.05). Overall, the present study evidences the potential antinociceptive, antiinflammatory efficacies of CP extract with a favorable CNS safety profile.

Keywords: %MPE, % maximum possible effect; Antinociceptive; CNS safety pharmacology; CNS, central nervous system; CP extract, Clerodendrum petasites S. Moore ethanolic extract; Clerodendrum petasites; IACUC, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; NSAIDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Thai herb.