Hybrid Capsaicin-Curcumin as promising treatment for acute inflammation

Inflammation is a complex pathological condition associated with exaggerated human immune system involving various activated immune cells and biomolecules. Current therapy for inflammatory diseases is limited to the steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The chronic use of these drugs is reported to cause severe adverse effects like gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and renal abnormalities. There is a massive need to explore new anti-inflammatory agents with selective action and lesser toxicity. [1] In this respect, it was made a hybridization between the structure of curcumin and capsaicin, result in the substance PQM-310. The aim of the work was evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity, using pre-clinical model of acute inflammation. 

Female Swiss Webster mice (28-32g, n=6) were used carrageenan-induced cell migration into the subcutaneous air pouch (SAP) model. Mice were orally treated with PQM-310 (1, 3 or 10 mg/kg). After 1 hour, mice received carrageenan (0,5%, 1 mL) or saline injection into SAP and 24 hours later mice are euthanized, and exudate collected for further measurements.  Results presented as media ± sd. Statistical analysis were performed by ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (*p<0.05). . The protocol for the use of animals was 
approved by CEUA/UFRJ and received number 35/19

The hybrid reduced cell migration when comparing to the carrageenan group (79.0±20.3x10^³cells/µL) compared to the group saline (21.0±6.9x10^³cells/µL), the standard drug used were dexamethasone 2,5mg/kg: 16.8±2.1*x10^³cells/µL, show a reduction in the cell migration. The pre-treatment with the molecules, also shown a reduction PQM-310: 1mg/kg: 39.6±4.3*x10^³cells/µL; 3mg/kg: 32.0±11.9*x10^³cells/µL and 10mg/kg: 19.3±7.2*x10^³cells/µL.

The results suggest that PQM-310 present anti-inflammatory activity, reducing cell migration induced by carrageenan