Evaluation of the sesquiterpene (−)-α-bisabolol as a novel peripheral nervous blocker

Essential oils are natural, complex and multi-component systems composed mainly of terpenes in addition to some other non-terpenes compounds that are widely used to prevent and treat human diseases. (−)-α-Bisabolol is an unsaturated monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol found as the major constituent of many essential oils, like the German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rauschert), a plant reported to reduce the perception of acute pain and used for centuries for their medicinal properties. Recently, our group demonstrated the antinociceptive-like effect promoted by other terpenes could be associated with the decreased peripheral nerve excitability. Therefore, this study investigated the pharmacological activities of (−)-α-bisabolol on mice peripheral nervous system observing the changes on the compound action potential (CAP) characteristics. Using modified single sucrose-gap method in mice sciatic nerves, we acquired CAP recordings in the absence and presence of (−)-α-bisabolol (0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mM). We observed that this sesquiterpene was able to reduce the neuronal excitability in a concentration-dependent manner, although, such effects were not reversed when the nerve was submitted to wash out. Assessing CAP parameters of depolarization and repolarization, we noticed similarities between (−)-α-bisabolol and lidocaine but not with 4-aminopyridine that are considered good blockers for sodium and potassium voltage-gated channels, respectively. Additionally, we also characterized the non-use-dependent profile of (−)-α-bisabolol action, in contrast to lidocaine. Thus, we suggested that decreased nervous excitability elicited by (−)-α-bisabolol might be caused by an irreversible blockade of voltage-dependent sodium channels.