Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (β-lapachone)

• Published in: Inflammation research Vol. 62; no. 1; pp. 107 - 113
• Main Authors: Sitônio, Marília Maria, de Carvalho Júnior, Carlson H. R., Campos, Ingrid de A., Silva, José Bruno Nunes Ferreira, de Lima, Maria do Carmo Alves, Góes, Alexandre J. S., Maia, Maria Bernadete Sousa, Rolim Neto, Pedro J., Silva, Teresinha G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Allergology; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Arthritis, Experimental - drug therapy; Arthritis, Experimental - immunology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Dermatology; Edema - drug therapy; Female; Immunology; Interleukin-6 - analysis; Male; Mice; Naphthoquinones - pharmacology; Naphthoquinones - therapeutic use; Neurology; Nitric Oxide - analysis; Original Research Paper; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rheumatology; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Arthritis; Inflammatory mediators; Cytokines; Leukocyte migration
• ISSN: 1023-3830; 1420-908X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00011-012-0557-0

Objective and design The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of 3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1,2-b]pyran-5,6-dione (β-lapachone; β-lap) and to elucidate its probable mode of action. Methods Carrageenan-induced paw edema, cell migration evaluation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and nitric oxide were used for this study. Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritis was used as a model of chronic inflammation. β-Lap was tested in doses of 40 and 60 mg/kg, orally. Results In the paw edema test, the dose of 60 mg/kg gave a higher percentage inhibition of edema (49.3 %) than control. β-Lap inhibited neutrophil migration and reduced concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in peritoneal exudates of animals with peritonitis. In the arthritis test, β-lap inhibited edema and NO production in the serum of treated animals. Conclusion Significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities were observed in animals treated with β-lap. The effects of β-lap can be attributed in part to immunomodulation with reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and NO.