Emodin Reduces Inflammatory and Nociceptive Responses in Different Pain-and Inflammation-Induced Mouse Models

Different nociceptive models induced with heat and chemicals were used to assess the potency of emodin in alleviating pain. The anti-inflammatory properties of emodin at different doses were also assessed using different anti-inflammatory in vivo models.

Pain management is a global problem nowadays, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to assuage inflammation and alleviate pain. Prolonged usage of these NSAIDs triggers various adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The dose-dependent effect of emodin was assessed by treating mice with three different doses (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg bwt) of emodin.

The effects of emodin in various nociceptive and inflammatory models were assessed. The anti-nociceptive potential of emodin was evaluated with the hot plate and tail immersion tests. The effects of emodin on acetic acid-, glutamate-, capsaicin-, and formalin-stimulated pain models were examined. The anti-inflammatory potency of emodin was examined in a carrageenan-induced inflammatory model. The sedative effect of emodin was assessed by an open field test.

Emodin potentially prevented the nociception provoked by thermal stressors during the hot plate and tail immersion methods and from chemical stressors such as acetic acid, formalin, capsaicin, and glutamate. The anti-inflammatory action of emodin was evidenced by carrageenaninduced paw edema and peritoneal leukocyte penetration. The open field results confirmed that emodin induced a mild sedative effect on the treated mice.

Our overall results obtained from this study confirmed that emodin exhibits potent anti- nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects.