Influence of Rhizophora apiculata Flavonoids on Chemical and Thermal Induced Nociceptive Models

Aims: Rhizophora apiculata is a traditional medicine used to treat pain, ulcer, and inflammation in southeast coast of India without scientific evidence. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate antinociceptive effect of R. apiculata to chemical and thermal induced nociceptive models.
Place and Duration of Study: Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India, between June 2012 and September 2012.
Methodology: Albino mice received 10, 15, 20, or 25 mg/kg of alkaline chloroform fraction (Alk-CF) by orally and dose-dependently decreased the writhing numbers (P<0.01) compared to control, also potent antinociceptive agent with the involvement of opioid receptors.
Results: Myricetin was identified as a potent major component of Alk-CF using HPLC and docked with protein cyclooxygenase. Myricetin articulated more interaction and produce number of hydrogen bonds with cyclooxygenase.
Conclusion: These results suggested Alk-CF posses both peripheral and central analgesic activities with the involvement of opioid receptors might be the action of Myricetin.