AUTHOR=Huang Chunli , Dong Changsheng , Zhu Yanan , Yu Yang , Jin Huizi , Zhang Yan 

TITLE=Duhaldea pterocaula (Franch.) Anderb. Attenuates Nociception and Inflammation via GABAA Receptors

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.753128

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2021.753128

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Duhaldea pterocaula</italic> (Franch.) Anderb, also known as <italic>Inula pterocaula</italic> Franch (<italic>I. pterocaula</italic>), is a folk medicine of the Yi nationality in China. The Inula plants display various biological activities, including anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. <italic>I. pterocaula</italic> has been traditionally used for the treatment of bronchitis, vasculitis, and dizziness. However, very few studies have been reported on the pharmacology of <italic>I. pterocaula</italic>. The present study aims to characterize the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of <italic>I. pterocaula</italic> and explore the underlying mechanism. <italic>I. pterocaula</italic> was extracted by 95% ethanol and further portioned with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate (EA) and n-butanol, sequentially, to obtain corresponding factions with different polarities. The EA fraction (IPEA) was found to be one of the most effective fractions. It demonstrated potent analgesic effects in both acute and inflammatory pain mouse models, and caused no anti-nociceptive tolerance. Furthermore, IPEA improved the tolerance of mice to morphine. IPEA also showed potent anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced septic mice. BIC, a GABA<sub>A</sub>R antagonist, reversed the effects of IPEA in pain and inflammation models. Collectively, GABA<sub>A</sub>Rs play a key role in the pharmacological effects of IPEA. <italic>I. pterocaula</italic> may be useful as a complementary or alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of pain and inflammation.</p>