Vanillic acid is found at high concentrations in many plants used in traditional medicine. It has been associated with a variety of pharmacologic activities such as carcinogenesis inhibition, apoptosis and inflammation; however, it has become most popular for its pleasant creamy odor. Since there are few reports concerning the antinociceptive activity of this phenolic compound, the aim of this work was to study this activity in in vivo animal models. Vanillic acid was administered by the intraperitoneal route producing a dose-dependent inhibition of the acetic acid-induced writhing response (ED50: 9.3 mg/kg). The antinociceptive activity was inhibited by the pretreatment with ondansetron and yohimbine, indicating that the serotoninergic and adrenergic systems could participate in the mechanism underlying the analgesic activity of vanillic acid. This compound was also demonstrated to interact with ASICs (Acid-sensing Ion Channels) as well as with TPRV1, TRPA1, and TRPM8 receptors in vivo. Furthermore, vanillic acid did not interfere with the locomotor function or motor coordination. The plasmatic phenolic content, analyzed by HPLC, showed that its t1/2 and AUC were 0.123 h and 1.38 μg·h/mL; respectively. In conclusion, vanillic acid might represent a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of pain. Fil: Yrbas, Maria de Los Angeles. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Farmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Morucci, Florencia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Farmacología; Argentina Fil: Alonso, Maria del Rosario. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Farmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Metabolismo del Fármaco; Argentina Fil: Gorzalczany, Susana Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Farmacología. Cátedra de Farmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina
