Antinociceptive Effects of Artemisia persica Boiss Essential Oil in Male Mice Using Formalin and Tail Immersion Tests

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Artemisia species have long been used to relieve neurological and visceral pains. A. persica Boiss is one of the species in the genus Artemisia, which has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of A. persica Boiss essential oil in male mice. Methods: In this experimental study, the analgesic effect of A. persica Boiss essential oil was investigated on male mice using formalin and tail immersion tests. In each test, male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups of eight, including negative control (received normal saline, intraperitoneal injection), positive control (received morphine 10mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection), and intervention groups (50, 75, and 100mg/kg of A. persica Boiss essential oil, intraperitoneal injection). Data were analyzed using One way ANOVA and Duncan test. Results: Treatment of mice with A. persica essential oil at a dose of 100mg/kg significantly reduced the duration of paw licking, clopping, and lifting in the first phase of formalin test (p<0.05) and at the doses of 50, 75, and 100mg/kg significantly reduced the duration of paw licking, clopping, and lifting in the second phase of formalin test (p<0.05). In addition, the essential oil at the dose of 100mg/kg significantly increased the pain response time in the tail immersion test 0 and 6 minutes after injection (p<0.05). Conclusion: Observation of the analgesic effects of A. persica Boiss essential oil in mice can be helpful for future clinical use.

Keywords

• artemisia persica
• pain measurement
• formalin test
• pain