Abstract:
Background : The hydro-ethanolic extract of Synedrella
nodiflora (L.) Gaertn whole plant has demonstrated analgesic
effects in acute pain models. The extract has also
demonstrated anticonvulsant effects in murine models
of experimental epilepsy. The present study illustrates
an evaluation of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the plant
for possible analgesic properties in hyperalgesia and allodynia
associated with vincristine-induced neuropathy in
rats.
Method : Neuropathic pain was induced in Sprague-Dawley
rats by injecting 100 μ g/kg of vincristine sulphate on
alternative days for 6 days (days 0, 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12). Vincristine-
induced cold allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia
and thermal hyperalgesia were measured pre-vincristine
administration and on days 15, 17 and 19 post-vincristine
administration. The rats were then treated with S. nodiflora
extract (SNE) (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg), pregabalin
(10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and distilled water as vehicle daily
for 5 days and pain thresholds were measured on alternate
days for 3 days.
Results: SNE and pregabalin produced analgesic properties
observed as increased paw withdrawal latencies to
mechanical, tactile, cold water stimuli and thermal hyperalgesic
tests during the 5 days of treatment.
