Antinociceptive Effect of the Endemic Species Nepeta depauperata Benth

Abstract

Background: Nepeta depauperata Benth is an endemic species and is extensively exploited as an anti-inflammatory agent in Iranian traditional medicine. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of N. depauperata in male mice. Materials and Methods: The anti-nociceptive activities of the extract were investigated by the formalin test and Hot plate test respectively. Comparisons between the groups were carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and post Hoc Tukey test. Results: N. depauperata extract showed anti-nociceptive effect. Doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced the paw flexing time in formalin test from the control (P < 0.05 in both phases). The doses of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced the paw licking time in first and second phases of the formalin test from the control, respectively (P < 0.05). The observed effect was not reversed by naloxone. In Hot plate test, doses of 160 and 250 mg/kg significantly reduced the nociception in comparisons to control (P < 0.05). All doses of the studied extract also showed antinociceptive activity. Conclusions: This study revealed that the methanol extract of N.depauperata may minimize both the acute and chronic forms of nociception and may have potent role against inflammation.