Cavalcante Melo FH, Rios ER, Rocha NF, Citó Mdo C, Fernandes ML, de Sousa DP, de Vasconcelos SM, de Sousa FC
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2012
ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVES:
Carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is a monoterpenic phenol which is present in the essential oil of oregano and thyme. We have investigated the behavioural effects of carvacrol in animal models of pain, such as acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, formalin and hot-plate tests in mice. The spontaneous motor activity of animals treated with carvacrol was investigated using open-field and rotarod tests.
METHODS:
Carvacrol was administered orally, at single doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg while indometacin (5 mg/kg), morphine (7.5 mg/kg) and diazepam (2 mg/kg) were used as standard drugs. Naloxone (1 mg/kg) and l-arginine (150 mg/kg) were used to elucidate the possible antinociceptive mechanism of carvacrol on acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin tests.
KEY FINDINGS:
The results showed that carvacrol produced significant inhibitions on nociception in the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction, formalin and hot-plate tests. In the open-field and rotarod tests carvacrol did not significantly impair the motor performance. The effect of the highest dose of carvacrol in mice in the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin tests were not reversed by naloxone or l-arginine.
CONCLUSIONS:
Based on these results, it has been suggested that carvacrol presents antinociceptive activity that may not act through the opioid system nor through inhibition of the nitric oxide pathway.
CITATION:
Cavalcante Melo FH, Rios ER, Rocha NF, et al. Antinociceptive activity of carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) in mice. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2012;64(12):1722-1729.
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