Tabernaemontana catharinensis surreal digital illustration

Unlocking Natural Pain Relief: Can This Plant Compound Soothe Your Aches?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how Tabernaemontana catharinensis may offer a new path to pain management by targeting TRPA1 channels."

For many individuals, pain significantly diminishes their quality of life, presenting both physical and emotional challenges. Current pain management strategies often provide incomplete relief and can lead to unwanted side effects, prompting a search for more effective and safer options.

Natural products are increasingly being investigated for their therapeutic potential, and among them, Tabernaemontana catharinensis, commonly known as "cobrina," stands out. Traditionally used to treat snake bites and relieve toothaches, this plant has sparked interest due to its potential analgesic properties.

Recent studies have highlighted that an ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from T. catharinensis exhibits antinociceptive activity without the adverse effects commonly associated with conventional painkillers. This discovery has led researchers to explore the specific mechanisms through which Eta alleviates pain, particularly its interaction with the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel, a key player in pain sensation.

How Does Tabernaemontana catharinensis Target Pain?

Tabernaemontana catharinensis surreal digital illustration

The TRPA1 channel is a crucial component in detecting and transmitting pain signals. It responds to various stimuli, including irritants and oxidative substances that exacerbate pain. Because of this role, it has become a focal point in the development of new analgesic drugs. Researchers are exploring whether blocking or modulating TRPA1 activity can effectively reduce pain without the drawbacks of current treatments.

A recent study delved into the effects of T. catharinensis ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) on TRPA1 channels in mice. The findings reveal that Eta inhibits TRPA1, reducing pain and inflammation by preventing the channel from sending pain signals. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:

TRPA1 Inhibition: Eta was found to significantly inhibit TRPA1 channels.
Reduced Pain Response: Mice treated with Eta experienced less spontaneous pain.
Decreased Inflammation: Eta helped to reduce inflammation.
No Impact on TRPV1: Eta's action is specific to TRPA1, leaving TRPV1 unaffected.

The study further examined Eta's effectiveness in various pain models, including chronic inflammatory pain, postoperative pain, and paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. The results consistently showed that Eta reduced pain and inflammation, suggesting its potential as a broad-spectrum analgesic. Furthermore, the researchers noted that Eta's pain-relieving effects appear to be independent of oxidative mechanisms, indicating a direct interaction with the TRPA1 channel.

The Future of Natural Pain Management

The study provides compelling evidence that T. catharinensis ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) has significant potential as a natural pain reliever. By targeting TRPA1 channels, Eta can reduce pain and inflammation without the adverse effects associated with traditional pain medications. This research opens new avenues for developing alternative treatments for chronic pain conditions, offering hope for individuals seeking safer and more effective pain management options.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.201, Alternate LINK

Title: Trpa1 Involvement In Analgesia Induced By Tabernaemontana Catharinensis Ethyl Acetate Fraction In Mice

Subject: Complementary and alternative medicine

Journal: Phytomedicine

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Evelyne Da Silva Brum, Gabriela Becker, Maria Fernanda Pessano Fialho, Rosana Casoti, Gabriela Trevisan, Sara Marchesan Oliveira

Published: 2019-02-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is Tabernaemontana catharinensis, and what makes it interesting for pain relief?

Tabernaemontana catharinensis, also known as "cobrina," is a plant traditionally used for treating snake bites and toothaches. Recent research indicates that an ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) derived from Tabernaemontana catharinensis possesses antinociceptive properties, potentially offering pain relief without the typical side effects of conventional painkillers. This has led to investigations into how Eta interacts with the TRPA1 channel, a key component in pain sensation.

How does the ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis actually work to reduce pain?

The ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis reduces pain by inhibiting the TRPA1 channel. The TRPA1 channel detects and transmits pain signals in response to stimuli like irritants and oxidative substances. By inhibiting TRPA1, Eta prevents the channel from sending pain signals, thus reducing pain and inflammation. This action appears to be independent of oxidative mechanisms, indicating a direct interaction with the TRPA1 channel.

What types of pain has the ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis shown promise in relieving?

Research indicates that the ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis is effective in various pain models, including chronic inflammatory pain, postoperative pain, and paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. This suggests that Eta has the potential to be a broad-spectrum analgesic. Further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety in humans across different types of pain conditions.

Does the ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis affect other receptors besides TRPA1, like TRPV1?

The ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis specifically targets the TRPA1 channel without affecting TRPV1. This selectivity is important because it suggests that Eta's pain-relieving effects are mediated primarily through the TRPA1 pathway, potentially minimizing off-target effects. Future research could explore whether this selective action translates to fewer side effects compared to non-selective pain medications.

What are the potential implications of these findings for future pain management treatments using the ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis?

By demonstrating the effectiveness of the ethyl acetate fraction (Eta) from Tabernaemontana catharinensis in reducing pain and inflammation through TRPA1 inhibition, the study opens avenues for developing alternative treatments for chronic pain. This could lead to new pain management options that are both safer and more effective, especially for individuals who do not respond well to traditional pain medications or experience significant side effects from them. Further research is needed to translate these findings into clinical applications.