Planta Medica International Open 2017; 4(S 01): S1-S202
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1608306
Lecture Session – Phytopharmacology/Extract Pharmacology I
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Baccharis dracunculifolia decreases nociception, depressive-like behaviour and supraspinal activated microglia in rats with experimental monoarthritis

I Laranjeira
1   CITAB-Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710 – 057 Braga, Portugal, Braga, Portugal
,
E Apolinário
1   CITAB-Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710 – 057 Braga, Portugal, Braga, Portugal
,
D Amorim
2   Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710 – 057 Braga, Portugal, Braga, Portugal
3   ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal, Braga, Portugal
,
A Silva-Filho
4   Faculdade de Farmácia e Bioquímica, Departamento Farmacêutico, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG – Brasil, Braga, Portugal
,
F Pinto-Ribeiro
2   Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710 – 057 Braga, Portugal, Braga, Portugal
3   ICVS/3B's – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal, Braga, Portugal
,
A Dias
1   CITAB-Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710 – 057 Braga, Portugal, Braga, Portugal
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2017 (online)

 

In arthritic disorders both inflammation and the progressive degeneration of joints persistently activate nociceptors, in periarticular structures, leading to the development of persistent pain and comorbid emotional impairments. Arthritis-induced peripheral sensitization leads to increased release of nociceptive molecules by primary afferents that activate neurones e glial cells in the spinal cord and supraspinal pain modulatory areas such as the amygdala (AMY) and the periaqueductal grey matter (PAG).

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae) (Bd) is a medicinal shrub from the brazilian flora, popularly known as “Alecrim do Campo”, considered to be an important source of active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive compounds. Adult 8 weeks old ovariectomized female rats (Rattus norvegicus, vr. Albinus, Wistar) weighting 210 ± 17 g were divided in four groups (n = 6 per group): (i) SHAM, (ii) ARTH, (iii) ARTH treated with B. dracunculifolia (50 mg/kg), and (iv) ARTH treated with B. dracunculifolia (100 mg/kg).

Mechanical hyperalgesia in ARTH animals was assessed using the pressure application measurement apparatus, anhedonia using the sucrose preference test and learned helplessness using the forced swimming test. Activated microglia was stained with IBA-I and quantified in a subset of brain slides containing the target areas, the amygdala and the periaqueductal gray matter.

A three-week oral treatment with Bd extract reversed ARTH-induced mechanical hyperalgesia and partly reserved depressive-like behaviour. Concomitantly, Bd treatment decreased the number of activated microglia in the AMY and PAG of ARTH animals.

This study was supported by grants from INTERACT project – “Integrative Research in Environment, Agro-Chains and Technology”, no. NORTE-01 – 0145-FEDER-000017 and the Portuguese North Regional Operational Program (ON.2 – O Novo Norte) under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), in its line of research entitled ISAC.