Korean J Pain.  2008 Apr;21(1):27-32. 10.3344/kjp.2008.21.1.27.

The Role of Adrenergic and Cholinergic Receptors on the Antinociception of Korean Red Ginseng in the Spinal Cord of Rats

• Kim SY
• Yoon MH
• Lee HG
• Kim WM
• Lee JD
• Kim YO
• Huang LJ
• Cui JH

• KMID: 1480642
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2008.21.1.27

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Experimental evidence indicates that ginseng modulate the nociceptive transmission. Authors examined the role of adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on the antinociceptive action of Korean red ginseng against the formalin-induced pain at the spinal level.
METHODS
Catheters were inserted into the intrathecal space of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Fifty microl of 5% formalin solution was injected to the hindpaw for induction of pain and formalin-induced pain (flinching response) was observed. The role of spinal adrenergic and cholinergic receptors on the effect of Korean red ginseng was assessed by antagonists (prazosin, yohimbine, atropine and mecamylamine).
RESULTS
Intrathecal Korean red ginseng produced a dose-dependent suppression of the flinching response in the rat formalin test. All of prazosin, yohimbine, atropine and mecamylamine antagonized the antinociception of Korean red ginseng.
CONCLUSIONS
Spinal Korean red ginseng is effective against acute pain and facilitated pain state evoked by formalin injection. All of alpha 1, alpha 2, muscarinic and nicotinic receptors may play an important role in the antinociceptive action of Korean red ginseng at the spinal level.

Keyword

adrenergic and cholinergic receptors; antinociception; formalin test; Korean red ginseng; spinal cord

MeSH Terms

Acute Pain
Animals
Atropine
Catheters
Formaldehyde
Humans
Male
Mecamylamine
Pain Measurement
Panax
Prazosin
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Receptors, Cholinergic
Receptors, Nicotinic
Spinal Cord
Yohimbine
Atropine
Formaldehyde
Mecamylamine
Prazosin
Receptors, Cholinergic
Receptors, Nicotinic
Yohimbine