Korean J Pain.  2012 Oct;25(4):221-227. 10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.221.

Evidence for the Participation of ATP-sensitive Potassium Channels in the Antinociceptive Effect of Curcumin

• De Paz-Campos MA
• Chavez-Pina AE
• Ortiz MI
• Castaneda-Hernandez G

• KMID: 2278162
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2012.25.4.221

Abstract

BACKGROUND
It has been reported that curcumin, the main active compound of Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, exhibits antinociceptive properties. The aim of this study was to examine the participation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels (KATP channels) and, in particular, that of the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP-KATP channel pathway, in the antinociceptive effect of curcumin.
METHODS
Pain was induced by the intraplantar injection of 1% formalin in the right hind paw of Wistar rats. Formalin-induced flinching behavior was interpreted as an expression of nociception. The antinociceptive effect of oral curcumin was explored in the presence and absence of local pretreatment with L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, ODQ, an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, and glibenclamide, a blocker of KATP channels.
RESULTS
Oral curcumin produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the 1% formalin test. Curcumin-induced antinociception was not altered by local L-NAME or ODQ, but was significantly impaired by glibenclamide.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm that curcumin is an effective antinociceptive agent. Curcumin-induced antinociception appears to involve the participation of KATP channels at the peripheral level, as local injection of glibenclamide prevented its effect. Activation of KATP channels, however, does not occur by activation of the L-arginine-nitric oxide-cGMP-KATP channel pathway.

Keyword

antinociception; Curcuma longa; curcumin; potassium channels; turmeric

MeSH Terms

Curcuma
Curcumin
Formaldehyde
Glyburide
Guanylate Cyclase
KATP Channels
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Nociception
Pain Measurement
Potassium Channels
Rats, Wistar
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
Curcumin
Formaldehyde
Glyburide
Guanylate Cyclase
KATP Channels
NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Potassium Channels
Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Flinching behavior observed after the intraplantar injection of 1% formalin in the right hind paw of Wistar rats in absence (black symbols) of in presence (open symbols) of 100 mg/kg oral curcumin. (B) Area under the number of flinches-against-time curve of the second phase of the formalin test observed in Wistar rats in presence of increasing doses of oral curcumin. (C) Percent of antinociception observed in the second phase of the formalin test in presence of increasing doses of oral curcumin. Data are presented as mean ± SEM of six animals. *Denotes a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) with respect to the effect observed in absence of curcumin.

• 

  Fig. 2 Antinociceptive effect of 100 mg/kg oral curcumin in the second phase of the formalin test in Wistar rats submitted to local pretreatment with increasing doses of L-NAME (A), ODQ (B) and glibenclamide (C). Data are presented as mean ± SEM of six animals. *Denotes a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) with respect to the effect observed in absence of glibenclamide.

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