Objective: To assess the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of Armadillidium vulgare (AV).
Methods: The antinociceptive effect of AV (400, 600 and 800 mg/kg) was investigated in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced nociceptive, and hot plate tests. Phlogogen-induced paw edema using carrageenan, dextran, or compound 48/80 as phlogogen was used as inflammatory models to evaluate AV's anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, the bioactive substances glucosamine (GLcN) and taurine in AV were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.
Results: Oral treatment of the mice with AV (600 and 800 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhes in the acetic acid-induced writhing test (P<0.01) but not the hot plate test (P>0.05). All doses tested significantly inhibited paw-withdrawal during the second phase of the formalin-induced nociceptive model (P<0.01). AV demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory effect in all those inflammatory models (P<0.05).
Conclusions: AV has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, providing scientific evidence of the efficacy of its traditional use in pain treatment. Furthermore, GLcN and taurine contribute, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity of AV.
Keywords: Armadillidium vulgare; glucosamine; inflammation; medicinal animal; nociception.