ANTINOCICEPTIVE EFFECT OF CARALLUMA ATTENUATA IN MICE: A POSSIBLE MECHANISM

摘要

Caralluma attenuata is traditionally claimed to be useful in the treatment of migraine. In the present study, various organic extracts of C. attenuata were investigated for their antinociceptive activity. Male Swiss Albino mice were used to test the antinociceptive activity on acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate test, at an oral dose of 250 mg/kg. Aspirin and morphine served as standards. Results indicate both the chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts significantly inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing and increased the response latency to thermal stimuli in hot plate test. The nonselective opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone blocked the antinociceptive effect of the chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts in hot plate test, suggesting that C. attenuata may act both at peripheral and central levels. The observed antinociceptive activity may be mediated through both peripheral pain receptors and central opioid receptors.