Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disease that has a significant global impact. It is associated with aging and characterized by widespread joint destruction.
Cuminaldehyde is a biologically active component of
essential oils that has shown promise in the treatment of nociceptive and inflammatory diseases. This study investigated the effects of
cuminaldehyde on an experimental model of
osteoarthritis induced in rat knees.
Cuminaldehyde was found to be as effective as
indomethacin in reducing
pain in all evaluated tests, including forced walking, functional disability of weight distribution on the legs, and spontaneous
pain in animals with
osteoarthritis. The knees of animals treated with
cuminaldehyde had significantly higher radiographic and histopathological scores than those of animals that did not receive the treatment.
Cuminaldehyde also modulated the production of pro-inflammatory
cytokines. In vitro assays showed that
cuminaldehyde preferentially inhibits COX-2
enzyme activity. In silico studies demonstrated that
cuminaldehyde has satisfactory energy affinity parameters with
opioid receptors and COX-2. These findings suggest that
cuminaldehyde's anti-inflammatory activity is multifactorial, acting through multiple pathways. Its nociceptive activity occurs via central and peripheral mechanisms.
Cuminaldehyde modulates the immune response of the inflammatory process and may be considered a leading compound for the development of new anti-inflammatory and
analgesic drugs.