Toxicity, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of tectorigenin

OBJECTIVE: Belamcanda chinensis has been used in oriental medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Tectorigenin is a main compound in B. chinensis and possess inhibitory activity against inflammatory responses. Thus, the current study aimed at evaluating toxicity as well as analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of tectorigenin in animal models. METHODS: Tectorigenin was employed to evaluate acute and subacute toxicity. Acetic acid-induced writhing in mice was used for analgesic test. The anti-inflammatory activity was tested in carrageenan-induced paw edema. RESULTS: LD(50) of tectorigenin was 1.78 g/kg p.o. in mice and no toxic symptoms were observed at doses up to 300 mg/kg in a subacute toxicity test during 28-day treatment. Tectorigenin at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg had an analgesic effect on acetic acid-induced acute visceral pain in mice. In inflammatory rat model, tectorigenin at 60 mg/kg significantly reduced carrageenan-induced edema. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that tectorigenin is a safe and promising analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent.