Anxiolytic and antinociceptive-like effects of cinnamic alcohol by possible GABAergic pathway modulation: In vivo and in silico studies

Abstract

Introduction: Cinnamic alcohol (CA) is a phenylpropanoid found in the bark of Cinnamomum verum J.Presl (cinnamon) an ancient spice. Our main objective was to evaluate the central effects of CA in anxiety and pain models using in vivo and in silico studies. Methods: initially, Swiss male mice (Mus musculus) were treated intraperitoneally with CA at 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg, and underwent rota rod, elevated plus-maze, and formalin induced nociception tests. Results: in the rota rod test, there was no change in the performance of the animals treated with CA (6.25, 12.5, 25 mg/kg), not indicating a myo-relaxant or sedative effect. In the elevated plus-maze test, CA (6.25, 12.5, 25 mg/kg), an increased the number of entries and the length of stay of the animals in the open arms was observed. In the formalin test, the CA-treated animals (6.25, 12.5, 25 mg/kg) presented reduced paw licking behavior in the first and second phase of the test. Finally, the in silico studies (docking and molecular dynamics) indicated a positive interaction between CA and the GABAA receptor. Limitations: This is a non-clinical study, so all data are preliminary. Conclusions: thus, the results suggest that CA has anxiolytic and antinociceptive-like effects in mice, probably due to GABAergic system modulation.