Comparative study of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of diterpene alkaloid songorine obtained from Aconitum barbatum and its cell culture

Introduction: The study was aimed at a comparative analysis of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of diterpene alkaloid songorine obtained from Aconitum barbatum and its cell culture. Materials and Methods: Experiments were performed on 60 male mice of the CBA line. The object of the study was the diterpene alkaloid of songorine (25 µg/kg) isolated from Aconitum barbatum, as well as obtained from the callus culture of cells. Comparative study of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the alkaloid obtained from different sources was carried out under conditions of the formalin test and abdominal constriction test. Diclofenac sodium (10 mg/kg) and paracetamol (85 mg/kg) were used as comparison drugs. Control animals received distilled water. All substances were administered to mice per os for 5 days, the last time – 1 hour before the onset of the damaging effect. Results and Discussion: Under the formalin test conditions, the analgesic activity of songorine from both sources was manifested in the second phase of pain response. The anti-inflammatory activity in this model of both “standard” and ”culture” songorine was comparable to that of diclofenac sodium. Probably, pharmacological activity of alkaloid in the formalin test is provided by suppression of proinflammatory mediators and TRPA1-receptors. In the abdominal constriction test, all investigated substances showed a pronounced analgesic effect maximum under the action of songorine in vitro. In addition, songorine from both sources, in contrast to the reference drug, provided a reliable phlogolytic effect. Probably, the pharmacological activity of songorine in this model is provided by its suppressive action against endogenous mediators of pain and inflammation and of TRPV1-receptors. Conclusion: Comparative analysis of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of songorine (25 µg/kg) from Aconitum barbatum after a 5-dose regimen demonstrated comparability with “culture” songorine (25 µg/kg).