Tonantzitlolone B Modulates the Endogenous Opioid System to Promote Antinociception in Mice

J Nat Prod. 2023 Nov 24;86(11):2514-2521. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00731. Epub 2023 Nov 10.

Abstract

Tonantzitlolone B (TZL-B) is a diterpene isolated from the roots of Stillingia loranthacea. Its antinociceptive effects were investigated in male Swiss mice using the following models of pain: formalin test, inflammation induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA), tail flick test, and cold plate test. The influence of TZL-B on the opioid system was assessed in vivo, using opioid antagonists; in silico, investigating the chemical similarity among TZL-B and opioid agonists; and ex vivo, measuring preproenkephalin (PENK) gene expression in the spinal cord by RT-qPCR. TZL-B (10-1000 μg/kg) promoted antinociception in the four experimental models without impairing mice's motor function. TZL-B did not alter paw edema during CFA-induced inflammation. The antinociceptive effects of TZL-B in the tail flick and cold plate tests were diminished by the opioid antagonists naloxone (5 mg/kg), NOR-BNI (0.5 mg/kg), naltrindole (3 mg/kg), and CTOP (1 mg/kg), indicating the involvement of κ-, δ-, and μ-opioid receptors. TZL-B showed no significant chemical similarity to opioid agonists, but the treatment with TZL-B (1000 μg/kg) increased PENK gene expression in the spinal cord of mice. These data suggest that TZL-B promotes antinociception by enhancing the transcription of PENK, hence modulating the endogenous opioid system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid* / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Diterpenes* / pharmacology
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Narcotic Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • tonantzitlolone
  • Diterpenes
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa