Hypericum perforatum L. as Adjuvant to Opioid Analgesia in an Animal Model of Migraine
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 7
Abstract
Aims: Despite their high analgesic efficacy, opioids can provide only partial pain relief during a migraine attack and their tolerability profile is unsatisfactory. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potentiating properties of Hypericum perforatum L. (SJW) to identify a safe and tolerable adjuvant to opioid analgesia in migraine therapy. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research, and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy, between September 2008 and July 2009. Methodology: A mouse model of meningeal nociception induced by administration of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was used. The following treatment groups were used: saline, SNP, morphine, SJW, SNP+morphine, SNP+SJW, SNP+morphine+SJW. The presence of thermal allodynia was evaluated through the cold plate test. The presence of behavioural side effects was determined by the evaluation of locomotor activity (rotarod test), spontaneous mobility and inspection activity (hole board test). Results: SNP induced a long lasting thermal allodynia that appeared after 1 h, peaked after 3-4 h and disappeared 6 h after administration. The co-injection of a single low dose of SJW (1 mg/kg) with morphine (2-5 mg/kg) greatly increased the opioid analgesia (P<.05). SJW, when administered alone,was unable to counteract SNP-induced allodynia. Among the main components of this herbal drug, hypericin produced a potentiating activity comparable to that induced by SJW whereas hyperforin and flavonoids were ineffective. Animal gross’ behavior and locomotor activity were not altered by co-administrationof morphine and SJW. Conclusion: Present results showed the potentiating activity of SJW on morphine antinociception in an animal model of migraine. This herbal drug might be proposedas adjuvant to opioid agonists to produce analgesia using lower, safer doses of opioids. This combination might represent a therapeutic perspective for migraine pain.
Authors and Affiliations
Nicoletta Galeotti, Enrica Bianchi, Carla Ghelardini
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP349019
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2014/7138
- Views 63
- Downloads 0
Achieving Economy of Scale in Critical Care, Planning Information Necessary to Support the Choice of Bed Numbers
Aims: To investigate the need for additional critical care beds, the potential for economy of scale in larger units, including ratios to support the choice of bed numbers. Study Design: Time trend analysis and constructi...
Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Coronary Arteriosclerosis: The Growing Evidences
Arteriosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular pathology that features a leading cause of coronary artery disease contributing to significant mortality and reduced quality of life. The recent identification of the p...
Long Term Clinical Course of Hemodynamic Stable Pulmonary Embolism
This study aimed to review the mortality rate of pulmonary embolism (PTE) during one year follow up, incidence of hemorrhagic complications and other causes of death. This prospective cohort study was conducted on 245 pa...
Evaluation and Comparison of the Transverse Strength of Two Heat Cure Denture Base Resins Repaired with Auto Polymerizing Resin by Wetting with Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) at Different Time Intervals - An In vitro Study
Aims: Fracture of dentures is a common clinical finding in daily prosthodontic practice, resulting in great inconvenience to both the patient and the dentist. A satisfactory repair should be cost-effective, simple to per...
Cognitive Functioning, Health Screening Behaviors and Desire to Improve One’s Health in Diabetic versus Healthy Older Women
Aims: To attempt to fill a gap in the literature on diabetic versus healthy older women on desire to improve one’s health, health screening behaviors, and cognitive health. Study Design: Between-subjects design. Place...