Ethylcellulose microparticles enhance 3,3’-diindolylmethane anti-hypernociceptive action in an animal model of acute inflammatory pain

3,3'-Diindolmethane (DIM) is a phytochemical with various therapeutic properties but it presents photosensitivity and insolubility in water. Such characteristics are interesting for microencapsulation. Therefore, this study aimed to develop DIM-loaded ethylcellulose microparticles (PMs) and evaluate their anti-hypernociceptive potential. For this, the formulations were prepared by the emulsion/evaporation method of O/W solvents and characterized by means of morphology. An animal model of acute inflammatory pain induced by Complete Freund’s adjuvant was performed to evaluate the anti-hypernociceptive action of formulations. Figure 1 shows the images of electron microscopy for DIM (A/B) and blank MP (C/D), which presented spherical and rough surface. The in vivo model revealed that DIM microencapsulation improved the anti-hypernociceptive action by prolonging and increasing the pharmacological properties when compared to free compound (figure 2). Therefore, the DIM-MPs were successfully developed and improved the phytochemical pharmacological effect by oral administration of DIM in the treatment of inflammatory pain.