Fibromyalgia is a potentially disabling idiopathic disease characterized by
widespread chronic pain associated with comorbidities such as
fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Current therapeutic approaches present adverse effects that limit adherence to
therapy.
Diosmetin, an aglycone of the
flavonoid glycoside diosmin found in citrus fruits and the leaves of Olea europaea L., has antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and
antioxidant properties. Here, we investigated the effect of
diosmetin on nociceptive behaviors and comorbidities in an experimental
fibromyalgia model induced by
reserpine in mice. To induce the experimental
fibromyalgia model, a protocol of
subcutaneous injections of
reserpine (1 mg/kg) was used once a day for three consecutive days in adult male Swiss mice. Mice received oral
diosmetin on the fourth day after the first
reserpine injection. Nociceptive (
mechanical allodynia, muscle strength, and
thermal hyperalgesia) and comorbid (depressive-like and anxiety behavior) parameters were evaluated. Potential adverse effects associated with
diosmetin plus
reserpine (locomotor alteration, cataleptic behavior, and
body weight and temperature changes) were also evaluated. Oral
diosmetin (0.015-1.5 mg/kg) reduced the
mechanical allodynia,
thermal hyperalgesia, and loss of muscle strength induced by
reserpine.
Diosmetin (0.15 mg/kg) also attenuated depressive-like and anxiety behaviors without causing locomotor alteration, cataleptic behavior, and alteration in weight and body temperature of mice. Overall,
diosmetin can be an effective and safe therapeutic alternative to treat
fibromyalgia symptoms, such as
pain, depression and anxiety.