In in vivo evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of compound Muniziqi granule in experimental animal models

Abstract

Background: Compound Muniziqi granule (MNZQ), a traditional Uighur medicinal preparation, comprises 13 species of medicinal plants. MNZQ is traditionally used for regulating body immunity, modulating inflammation and pain, detoxification, and inhibiting tumor growth. This study aims to scientifically evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of MNZQ, support its clinical use and further research with scientific evidence.

Methods: The analgesic activity of MNZQ was evaluated using hot plate test and acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test. Acute inflammation was evaluated using xylene-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema models, while chronic inflammation was evaluated using cotton pellet-induced granuloma model.

Results: MNZQ exerted analgesic activities with a significant dose-dependent increase in latency in the hot plate test. The percentage inhibition suggested that MNZQ exhibited analgesic activities in the central nervous system. Meanwhile, MNZQ at 0.8, 2.4, and 7.2 g/kg strongly inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing response by 25.22% (p < 0.01), 44.60% (p < 0.001), and 49.41% (p < 0.001), respectively. MNZQ also exerted analgesic activities in the peripheral nervous system. Moreover, MNZQ was demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory effect against xylene-induced edema in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage inhibition was 22.24% (p < 0.01) at the highest dosage of 7.2 g/kg. MNZQ at 1.62 and 4.86 g/kg significantly reduced carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema by 82.43% and 84.32% (p < 0.001), respectively, 1 h after injecting carrageenan, and the inhibitory effect lasted for 5 h. MNZQ also exerted a significant anti-inflammatory effect against cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation. MNZQ at 1.62 and 4.86 g/kg could inhibit granuloma formation by 17.07% and 17.60%, respectively, whereas the percentage inhibition of diclofenac was 33.12%.

Conclusions: The results obtained suggest that MNZQ possesses potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. This study provides a scientific basis for the use of MNZQ in alleviating pain and treating inflammatory disorders.

Fig. 1

HPLC fingerprinting of MNZQ (a) and chromatogram of standard references (b) (1. chlorogenic acid, 2. caffeic acid, 3. ferulic acid, 4. liquiritin, 5. harmaline, 6. harmine, 7. apigenin 7-O-glucoside, and 8. isoliquiritin)

Fig. 2

Effects of MNZQ on hot plate analgesic test in mice. The time between the placement of mouse and its shaking or licking of the hind paws on a hot plate for 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after administration was recorded as reaction time. Vehicle control mice were administered with distilled water, and ASA (100 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 8) of the reaction time in seconds. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 were considered significant when compared at the same time with the vehicle control (distilled water) after administration

Fig. 3

Effect of MNZQ on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice. Frequency of writhing within 15 min (a) and the latent period (b) after intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid. Vehicle control mice were administered with distilled water, and ASA (100 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 8) of the reaction time in seconds. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 were considered significant when compared with the vehicle control (distilled water) after administration

Fig. 4

Effect of MNZQ on xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Mice were administered with MNZQ orally 1 h before xylene (30 μL/ear) was applied to the right ears of the mice. Vehicle control mice were administered with distilled water, and ASA (100 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 8) of the percentage inhibition of edema. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 were considered significant when compared with the vehicle control (distilled water) after administration

Fig. 5

Effect of MNZQ on carrageenan-induced rat hind paw edema. Rats were administered orally with MNZQ 1 h before carrageenan injection to the right hind paw. Vehicle control mice were administered with distilled water, and diclofenac (5 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 8) of the percentage inhibition of edema. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 were considered significant when compared with the vehicle control (distilled water) after administration

Fig. 6

Effect of MNZQ on cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rats. Weight of moist granuloma (a) and dry granuloma (b). Vehicle control mice were administered with distilled water; diclofenac (5 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. Results are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 8) of the percentage inhibition of edema. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001 were considered significant when compared with the vehicle control (distilled water) after administration

Fig. 7

The body weight growth curves of rats after administration MNZQ. Vehicle control was administered with distilled water