Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Sipunculus nudus L. extract

Sipunculus nudus has long been employed as traditional Chinese medicine in folk remedies for the treatment of carbuncles, tuberculosis and nocturia, regulating the functions of stomach and spleen, as well as for the restoration to health in debilities caused by various pathogens and aging. Decoction of Sipunculus nudus has traditionally been used to remedy sternalgia in folk medicine.

This study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of the water extract from Sipunculus nudus.

The water extract from the body wall of Sipunculus nudus was obtained with the yield of 14.1%. The anti-inflammatory effect in six animal models and anti-nociceptive effect in two animal models of the water extract were evaluated by oral for the study.

Pretreatment with the extract (at the dose of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) produced significant dose-dependent anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. At 200 mg/kg dose, the inhibition ratio of the extract on carrageenan-induced rat hind paw oedema, dextran-induced rat paw oedema, cotton pellet granuloma in rats, carrageenan-induced peritonitis and acetic acid-induced vascular permeability were 59.2%, 51.0%, 53.1%, 42.5%, 50.8%, better than that of indomethacin (5 mg/kg) 49.5%, 50%, 44.4%, 37.6%, 46.8%, respectively. The inhibition ratio of the extract (200 mg/kg dose) on xylene-induced mouse ear oedema was 61.5%, lower than 63.7% for indomethacin (5 mg/kg). At 200mg/kg, the extract decreased number of writhing 52.3% in acetic acid-induced writhing model and increased the response latency 25.24% in hot plate test.

The water extract from the body wall of Sipunculus nudus possesses excellent anti-inflammatory activity as well as peripheral and central analgesic properties.