# Antinociceptive and Anti‐inflammatory Effect of Nicandrin B Isolated From Datura ferox in Zebrafish

**Authors:** Jéssica Bezerra Maciel, Hortência Ribeiro Liberato, Antônio Wlisses da Silva, Maria Auxiliadora Solange Silva Gondim Pereira, Emanuela de Lima Rebouças, Francisco das Chagas L. Pinto, Matheus Nunes da Rocha, Maria Kueirislene Amâncio Ferreira, Janaina Serra Azul Monteiro Evangelista, Izabel Florindo Guedes, Marcia Machado Marinho, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Andreia Ferreira de Castro Gomes, Otília Loiola Pessoa, Jane Eire Silva Alencar de Menezes, Hélcio Silva dos Santos

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202501221 · 2025-07-05

## TL;DR

Nicandrin B, a compound from Datura ferox, shows pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects in zebrafish without toxicity.

## Contribution

Nicandrin B's antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory mechanisms via TRPA1 and TRPV1 are demonstrated in a zebrafish model.

## Key findings

- Nicandrin B reduced nociception in zebrafish and was reversed by TRPA1 and TRPV1 antagonists.
- It attenuated inflammation by reducing edema, neutrophil recruitment, and reactive oxygen species.
- Docking analysis confirmed strong binding affinity of Nic B with TRPA1.

## Abstract

Nicandrin B (Nic B), a withanolide isolated from Datura ferox leaves, was investigated for its antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory effects in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). Animals treated with Nic B (4, 20, and 40 mg/kg) showed no toxicity and maintained normal locomotor activity. The compound significantly reduced nociception induced by formalin and hypertonic saline; these effects were reversed by TRPA1 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 antagonists, indicating neuromodulation of these targets. Additionally, Nic B attenuated carrageenan‐induced abdominal edema, reduced neutrophil recruitment, and decreased hepatic reactive oxygen species levels. Docking analysis confirmed a favorable binding affinity with TRPA1, supporting its therapeutic potential. These findings suggest that Nic B combines analgesic, anti‐inflammatory activity, and toxicological safety, making it a promising drug candidate.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** TRPA1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1), TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1)
- **Chemicals:** Nicandrin B (PubChem CID 44566979), formalin (PubChem CID 712)
- **Species:** Danio rerio (taxon 7955)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** trpa1a (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily A, member 1a) [NCBI Gene 474351] {aka ANKTM1, trpa1}
- **Diseases:** inflammatory (MESH:D007249), abdominal edema (MESH:D000007)
- **Chemicals:** formalin (MESH:D005557), reactive oxygen species (MESH:D017382), carrageenan (MESH:D002351), withanolide (MESH:D054358), Nic B (-)
- **Species:** Danio rerio (leopard danio, species) [taxon 7955], Datura ferox (species) [taxon 169103]

## Figures

13 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12629155/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12629155