Differential Antinociceptive Efficacy of Peel Extracts and Lyophilized Juices of Three Varieties of Mexican Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i> L.) in the Formalin Test
José Antonio Guerrero-Solano,
Mirandeli Bautista,
Josué Vidal Espinosa-Juárez,
Luis Alfonso Moreno-Rocha,
Gabriel Betanzos-Cabrera,
Liana Claudia Salanță,
Minarda De la O Arciniega,
Elena G. Olvera-Hernández,
Osmar Antonio Jaramillo-Morales
Affiliations
José Antonio Guerrero-Solano
Institute of Health Sciences, Academic Area of Nursing, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Circuito Ex Hacienda La Concepción S/N Carretera Pachuca Actopan, San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Mirandeli Bautista
Institute of Health Sciences, Academic Area of Pharmacy, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Circuito Ex Hacienda La Concepción S/N Carretera Pachuca Actopan, San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Josué Vidal Espinosa-Juárez
School of Chemical Sciences, Autonomous University of Chiapas, Carretera Panamericana Km. 2.5 S/N, Ocozocoautla de Espinosa, Chiapas 29120, Mexico
Luis Alfonso Moreno-Rocha
Biological Systems Department, Autonomous Metropolitan University, Xochimilco Unit, Calzada del Hueso 1110, Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, Mexico City CDMX 04960, Mexico
Gabriel Betanzos-Cabrera
Institute of Health Sciences, Academic Area of Nutrition, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Circuito Ex Hacienda La Concepción S/N Carretera Pachuca Actopan, San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Liana Claudia Salanță
Faculty of Food Science, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Mănăştur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Minarda De la O Arciniega
Institute of Health Sciences, Academic Area of Pharmacy, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Circuito Ex Hacienda La Concepción S/N Carretera Pachuca Actopan, San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Elena G. Olvera-Hernández
Institute of Health Sciences, Academic Area of Pharmacy, Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo, Circuito Ex Hacienda La Concepción S/N Carretera Pachuca Actopan, San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo 42160, Mexico
Osmar Antonio Jaramillo-Morales
Life Sciences Division, Nursing and Obstetrics Department, Campus Irapuato-Salamanca, University of Guanajuato, Ex Hacienda el Copal, Km. 9 Carretera Irapuato-Silao, A.P. 311, Irapuato 36500, Mexico
Pharmacological treatment of pain often causes undesirable effects, so it is necessary to look for natural, safe, and effective alternatives to alleviate painful behavior. In this context, it is known that different parts of pomegranate have been widely consumed and used as preventive and therapeutic agents since ancient times. For example, it has been shown to have an antinociceptive effect, however, there are many varieties. Each part has been found to display unique and attractive pharmacological activities. The content of the active phytochemicals in pomegranate depends on the cultivar, geographical region, the maturity, and the processing method. In this context, the effects of various pomegranate varieties and other parts of the pomegranate (e.g., peel and juice) on pain behavior have not been examined. The aim was to evaluate and compare the antinociceptive effect of ethanolic extracts (PEx) and lyophilized juices (Lj) of three varieties of pomegranate in the formalin test. In addition, computer-aided analysis was performed for determining biological effects and toxicity. Peels were extracted with ethanol and evaporated by rotary evaporation, and juices were filtered and lyophilized. Wistar rats (N = 48) were randomly distributed into 8 groups (n = 6) (Vehicle, Acetylsalicylic Acid, PEx1, PEx2, PEx3, Lj1, Lj2, and Lj3). The formalin test (2%) was carried out, which consists of administering formalin in paw and counting the paw flinches for 1 h, with prior administration of treatments. All samples have an antinociceptive effect (phase 1: 2.8–10%; phase 2: 23.2–45.2%). PEx2 and Lj2 had the greatest antinociceptive effect (57.8–58.9%), and bioactive compounds such as tannins and flavonoids showed promising pharmacodynamic properties that may be involved in the antinociceptive effect, and can be considered as a natural alternative for the treatment of nociceptive and inflammatory pain.
