Eurycoma longifolia is one of the most popular
herbal medicines in Southeast Asia. The purpose of this
study is to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory
effects of the methanolic extract of E. longifolia roots (TA)
in vivo and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. TA
was tested for analgesic activity by the hot plate test and
acetic acid test in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of TA
was observed in carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice.
The in vitro molecular study using macrophage cells was
performed to elucidate the relevant mechanism. The analgesic
activity of 400 mg/kg TA was higher than that of
aspirin in the hot plate test. TA also showed analgesic
effects in the acetic acid test in a dose-dependent manner.
In carrageenan-induced edema in mice, TA showed an antiinflammatory
effect comparable to that of diclofenac.
Further in vitro molecular study using macrophage cells
revealed that TA suppressed NF-jB translocation to the
nucleus, leading to inactivation of the NF-jB signaling
pathway and reduction in the expression of cyclooxygenase-
2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase. These results
exhibited the beneficial effects of TA for alleviating pain
and inflammation, which were exerted through inactivation
of the NF-jB signaling pathway