63: Picralima nitida seed extract attenuates nociception via central and peripheral pathways in mice

Topic: Basic Science
Subtopic: Non-specific to any diagnosis (including studies in healthy animals), Drug development

Background and Aims: Nociception is one of the characteristics of neurological disturbances. Some edibles seed like Picralima nitida have been used in traditional medicine for the management of metabolic and pain-associated disorders due to their bioactive phytochemicals. However, there is a paucity of data on Picralima nitida seed validation in nociceptive studies. Hence, the study investigates the antinociceptive potential of the ethanol seed extract of P. nitida (PNEE) and its mechanisms in mice.

Methods: Picralima nitida seeds were purchased at the indigenous market in Oje, Ibadan, and were authenticated at the Botany Department, University of Ibadan (UIH-23376). The seeds were pulverized and cold-extracted with ethanol. Phytochemical characterisation was performed using GC–MS. Twenty–five male Swiss mice (20–30 g, 10–14 weeks old) were divided into five treatment groups (n=5): control (10 mL/kg), MEBC (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, p.o.) and pentazocine (1 mg/kg, i.p) for preliminary nociceptive activity, and was assessed in acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test. Mechanistic studies involving pre-treatment with naloxone, atropine, propranolol, haloperidol, and prazosin before PNEE administration were evaluated.

Results: GC–MS analysis revealed 18 compounds, with benzenepropanoic acid as the most abundant. PNEE treatment (50–200 mg/kg) groups produced a significant, dose-dependent reduction in abdominal writhes compared to control. Antinociceptive effects were reversed by atropine, propranolol, and naloxone, indicating contributions of cholinergic, adrenergic, and opioid pathways in pain modulation of the present study

Conclusions: The findings from this study showed that Picralima nitida seeds inhibited nociception, which may be attributed to the synergistic activity of the active compounds as revealed by GC-MS, and the mechanism(s) of action seem to mediate via peripheral and central pain pathways.

References: 1. Sneddon L. U. (2019). Evolution of nociception and pain: evidence from fish models. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 374(1785), 20190290. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0290
2. Volkow, N. D., and Collins, F. S. (2017). The Role of Science in Addressing the Opioid Crisis. The New England journal of medicine, 377(4), 391–394. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr1706626
3. Raskovic, A., Milanovic, I., Pavlovic, N., Milijasevic, B., Ubavic, M., and Mikov, M. (2015). Analgesic effects of rosemary essential oil and its interactions with codeine and paracetamol in mice. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences, 19(1), 165–172.

Presenting Author: Lawrence Dayo Adedayo
Submitting Author: Lawrence Adedayo

Senior Author: Lawrence Dayo Adedayo

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: Yes

• Idowu Elijah Omidoyin: MBBS/BSc Physiology - Bowen University Iwo
• Deborah Inaolaji: BSc Physiology - Bowen University Iwo
• Timothy Olusegun Emmanuel: MSc Physiology - Bowen University Iwo, Nigeria
• Victor Oluwatomi Adeagbo: MSc Physiology - Bowen University Iwo, Nigeria
• Olubayode Bamidele: MSc Physiology - Bowen University Iwo, Nigeria
• Olajide Olukayode. Akande: MSc - Bowen University Iwo, Nigeria