Korean J Pain.  2019 Jul;32(3):160-167. 10.3344/kjp.2019.32.3.160.

The antinociceptive effect of artemisinin on the inflammatory pain and role of GABAergic and opioidergic systems

• Dehkordi F
• Kaboutari
• Zendehdel
• Javdani M

• KMID: 2455611
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2019.32.3.160

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Pain is a complex mechanism which involves different systems, including the opioidergic and GABAergic systems. Due to the side effects of chemical analgesic agents, attention toward natural agents have been increased. Artemisinin is an herbal compound with widespread modern and traditional therapeutic indications, which its interaction with the GABAergic system and antinoniceptive effects on neuropathic pain have shown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of artemisinin during inflammatory pain and interaction with the GABAergic and opioidergic systems by using a writhing response test.
METHODS
On the whole, 198 adult male albino mice were used in 4 experiments, including 9 groups (n = 6) each with three replicates, by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of artemisinin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg), naloxone (2 mg/kg), bicuculline (2 mg/kg), saclofen (2 mg/kg), indomethacin (5 mg/kg), and ethanol (10 mL/kg). Writhing test responses were induced by i.p. injection of 10 mL/kg of 0.6% acetic acid, and the percentage of writhing inhibition was recorded.
RESULTS
Results showed significant dose dependent anti-nociceptive effects from artemisinin which, at a 10 mg/kg dose, was statistically similar to indomethacin. Neither saclofen nor naloxone had antinociceptive effects and did not antagonize antinociceptive effects of artemisinin, whereas bicuculline significantly inhibited the antinocicptive effect of artemisinin.
CONCLUSIONS
It seems that antinocicptive effects of artemisinin are mediated by GABAA receptors.

Keyword

Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Artemisinin; Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Inflammation; Mice; Pain; Receptors, GABA; Writhing Test

MeSH Terms

Acetic Acid
Adult
Analgesics
Analgesics, Opioid
Animals
Bicuculline
Ethanol
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Humans
Indomethacin
Inflammation
Male
Mice
Naloxone
Neuralgia
Receptors, GABA
Acetic Acid
Analgesics
Analgesics, Opioid
Bicuculline
Ethanol
Indomethacin
Naloxone
Receptors, GABA
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flow diagram of experimental procedure. i.p.: intraperitoneal.

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