Vol 15, Issue 3
Pages 44–59
Published: 01 Sep 2025
Ericka Lorleil Mayindza Ekaghba1,2, Noreen Orianna Koumba Madingou1, Manon Grenet3, Pierrick Gandolfo3, Olivier Perruchon2, Corinne Loutelier-Bourhis4, Isabelle Schmitz4, Carlos Afonso4, Patrice Lerouge2*, Line Edwige Mengome1*
Article Information
Citation: Ericka Lorleil Mayindza Ekaghba, Noreen Orianna Koumba Madingou, Manon Grenet, Pierrick Gandolfo, Olivier Perruchon, Corinne Loutelier- Bourhis, Isabelle Schmitz, Carlos Afonso, Patrice Lerouge, Line Edwige Mengome. Phytochemical Profile, Biological Activities and Potential Involvement of Opioid Receptors in Antinociceptive Effects of a Canarium Schweinfurthii Engl. Stem Bark Aqueous Extract. International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences. 15 (2025): 44-59.
DOI: 10.26502/ijpaes.4490177
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Abstract
The decoction of barks of Canarium schweinfurthii (DCS) is used by the Gabonese population against roundworms, colic, stomach and intestinal pain. However, compounds and biological mechanisms involved in its effect on pain are not known. The aim of the present study is to investigate the safety, the phytochemical profile and the analgesic activities of DCS, as well as the involvement of opioid receptors in its antinociceptive effects. The phytochemical composition was determined by spectrophotometry, gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Phenolic compounds were revealed by spectrophotometry and many secondary metabolites were identified by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS, including quinic acid and its derivatives. DCS did not exhibit any cytotoxicity in vitro on two human cell lines. Antinociceptive activity were investigated using the tests of acetic acid-induced torsion and of formaldehyde-induced leg licking. This decoction was demonstrated to exhibit a dose-dependent antinociceptive property in the two tests, while quinic acid has a central effect only in the formaldehyde test. Moreover, these effects were inhibited by naloxone. Together, these results show that DCS exhibits antinociceptive opioid-like activities which attenuate effects of pro-inflammatory and neurogenic mediators. This supports its potential medicinal for the treatment of pain in the traditional medicine of Gabon.
Keywords
Canarium schweinfurthii; Phytochemical; Quinic acid; Cytotoxicity; Antinociceptive
Canarium schweinfurthii articles; Phytochemical articles; Quinic acid articles; Cytotoxicity articles; Antinociceptive articles
Article Details
Abbreviations: DCS: Decoction of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. barks; NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug; HEK-293: Human Embryonic Kidney Cells; hCMEC/D3: human Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells; GAE: Gallic Acid Equivalent; QE: Quercetin Equivalent; TAE: Tannic Acid Equivalent; GC-EI-MS: Gas Chromatography Coupled to Electron Ionization Mass Spectrometry; UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS: Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry; IPHAMETRA: Institute of Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicines; TA: Tannic Acid; Ac: Absorbance of Blank; As: Absorbance of Extracts; PBS: Phosphate Buffered Saline; D0: Average Writhing Response of the Control Group; Dt: Average Writhing Response of the Drug-Treated (indomethacin, quinic acid or plant extract); m/z: Mass-to-Charge Ratio; Ara: Arabinose; Rha: Rhamnose; Fuc: Fucose; Xyl: Xylose; GalA: Galacturonic Acid; Man: Mannose; Gal: Galactose; Glc: Glucose; nd: not determined; FA: Formic Acid; Exp: Experimental; Cal: Calculated; MSD: Mass Selective Detector; SD: Standard Error; COX: Cyclooxygenases; TNF-α: Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha; VCAM-1: Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; VSMCs: vascular Smooth Muscle Cells; NF-κB: Nuclear Factor-Kappa B; QA: Quinic Acid; NHG: National Herbarium of Gabon; TRPV1: Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member 1; TRPA1: Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1; RT: Retention Time; ANOVA: Analysis of Variance