Nieves Baenas1, María Eva González-Trujano2, Omar Guadarrama-Enríquez2, Francisco Pellicer2, Cristina García-Viguera3, Diego A Moreno3. 1. Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Natural Products, Neuroscience Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente", Av. México-Xochimilco 101, Col. Sn Lorenzo Huipulco, 14370, México, D. F., Mexico. evag@imp.edu.mx and Phytochemistry Lab, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, Campus de Espinardo 25, 30100 Murcia, Spain. dmoreno@cebas.csic.es. 2. Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Natural Products, Neuroscience Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente", Av. México-Xochimilco 101, Col. Sn Lorenzo Huipulco, 14370, México, D. F., Mexico. evag@imp.edu.mx. 3. Phytochemistry Lab, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, Campus de Espinardo 25, 30100 Murcia, Spain. dmoreno@cebas.csic.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Broccoli is a rich source of health-promoting glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, minerals and vitamins, which might have potential to alleviate pain. AIM: To explore the antinociceptive effects of a broccoli sprout aqueous extract (BSE) in experimental models of pain and an opioid mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the BSE was administered to mice and rats that were subjected to the writhing and formalin tests, respectively. Gastric damage or sedative-like response, as adverse effects observed in anti-inflammatory non-steroidal and opioid analgesic drugs, respectively, were also explored. RESULTS: Antinociception, but not sedative or gastric injury response, was observed in a significant and dose-dependent manner with the BSE (50-500 mg kg-1, i.p. and 500-2000 mg kg-1, p.o.) in comparison to the control group; these effects resembled those observed with the analgesic tramadol (30 mg kg-1, i.p.) in writhing and formalin assessments. Blockage of opioid receptors by naloxone (1 mg kg-1, i.p.) produced partial inhibition of the antinociceptive effect of the BSE in both assays. CONCLUSION: This study gives evidence of the potential activity of broccoli sprouts in pain therapy.
BACKGROUND: Broccoli is a rich source of health-promoting glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, minerals and vitamins, which might have potential to alleviate pain. AIM: To explore the antinociceptive effects of a broccoli sprout aqueous extract (BSE) in experimental models of pain and an opioid mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: the BSE was administered to mice and rats that were subjected to the writhing and formalin tests, respectively. Gastric damage or sedative-like response, as adverse effects observed in anti-inflammatory non-steroidal and opioid analgesic drugs, respectively, were also explored. RESULTS: Antinociception, but not sedative or gastric injury response, was observed in a significant and dose-dependent manner with the BSE (50-500 mg kg-1, i.p. and 500-2000 mg kg-1, p.o.) in comparison to the control group; these effects resembled those observed with the analgesic tramadol (30 mg kg-1, i.p.) in writhing and formalin assessments. Blockage of opioid receptors by naloxone (1 mg kg-1, i.p.) produced partial inhibition of the antinociceptive effect of the BSE in both assays. CONCLUSION: This study gives evidence of the potential activity of broccoli sprouts in pain therapy.