Analgesic and Anti‐Inflammatory Activities of Sophocarpine from <i>Sophora viciifolia</i> Hance
F. L. Wang, Huanjiong Wang, J. H. Wang, Dongge Wang, Yi Gao, Bo Yang, Huiyan Yang, Yu Ji, Guosong Xin
Abstract
Sophora viciifolia Hance is an edible plant used in traditional Chinese medicine. Sophocarpine, a tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid, is one of the most abundant active ingredients in Sophora viciifolia Hance. Here, we study the analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects, as well as the acute toxicity of sophocarpine from Sophora viciifolia Hance in mice. Sophocarpine (20, 40, and 80 mg/kgbw) significantly prolonged the delay period before a hot plate reaction occurred (all P < 0.05), and the delay before a tail‐flick response was induced by a warm bath ( P < 0.05; P < 0.01). Sophocarpine (40, 80 mg/kg) resulted in dose‐dependent inhibition of the writhing reaction induced by acetic acid in mice ( P < 0.05; P < 0.001, respectively). Sophocarpine (80 mg/kg) reduced the total duration of a formalin‐induced pain response ( P < 0.05). Sophocarpine prolonged the foot‐licking latency of mice after the hot plate reaction, and this effect was antagonized by calcium chloride and enhanced by verapamil. Sophocarpine (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) significantly inhibited xylene‐induced ear edema ( P < 0.01; P < 0.001; P < 0.001, respectively) and the penetration of acetic acid‐induced dye into the peritoneal cavity ( P < 0.01; P < 0.01; P < 0.001, respectively). It also reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐1 β , IL‐6, and prostaglandin E2 ( P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001) and those of serum nitric oxide ( P < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that sophocarpine possesses certain analgesic and anti‐inflammatory activities, which may be related to calcium and inhibition of the secretion of inflammatory factors.