Effect of Hydroalcoholic Leaves Extract of Rhus Coriaria on Pain in Male Rats
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Date
2016-02-01
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Publisher
Brieflands
Abstract
Background: The drive toward the use of medicinal plants has been increasing in recent years. They have few side effects and a large variety of efficient components. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the analgesic effects of hydroalcoholic Rhus coriaria leaf extract (HRCLE) in a rat model. Materials and Methods: A total of 42 adult male rats were divided into seven groups: a control group (the animals did not receive any drug), three HRCLE groups, (receiving 80, 100, and 300 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [ip]), a morphine group (1 mg/kg, ip) an aspirin group (1 mg/kg, ip), and a group that received 300 mg/kg of HRCLE plus naloxone (1 mg/kg, ip). The analgesic effects of HRCLE were assessed via writhing, tail flick, and formalin tests, and the data obtained were compared with the control group using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests. Results: HRCLE significantly inhibited the number of contractions induced by acetic acid in the writhing test at all doses, while anti-nociceptive activity was only shown at the 100 mg/kg dose (in the chronic phase) and at the 300 mg/kg dose (in the chronic-acute phase) in the formalin test. Interestingly, the greatest effect was observed at the 300 mg/kg HRCLE dose in the tail flick test. Simultaneous utilization of naloxone and HRCLE inhibited the anti-nociceptive effect of the extract in all tests. It is worth mentioning that aspirin and morphine revealed anti-nociceptive effects in all tests. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the analgesic effect of HRCLE may be mediated via both peripheral and central mechanisms. The presence of flavonoids might be responsible for the anti-nociceptive activity of this plant.