Research in pharmaceutical sciences
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Glutamate neurotoxicity and pro-inflammatory cytokines have an important role in the central sensitization of neuropathic pain. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate anti-hyperalgesic effect of repeated administration of ceftriaxone, which selectively activates and increases the expression of glutamate transporter, as well as minocycline, a selective inhibitor of microglia activation, either alone or together in Wistar rats subjected to the chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve. Ceftriaxone (100, 150 and 200 mg/kg) and minocycline (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally from the day of surgery for seven consecutive days. ⋯ None of the administered doses of minocycline affected the CCI induced-thermal hyperalgesia in neuropathic animals. A fixed dose of minocycline (50 mg/kg) combined with three different doses of ceftriaxone administered for 7 consecutive days yielded a potentiating effect in the enhancing latency time to noxious thermal stimulus remaining until the 14th day post-surgery. The results suggest that modulation of microglia activity could have a supportive role in the improvement of CCI-induced thermal hyperalgesia and combination of such classes of drugs which have no antibiotic effects could be a new and promising therapeutic strategy for treatment.
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Prunus armeniaca L. (Apricot) is a tree cultivated in different parts of the world. Apricot kernel as a good dietary supplement has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other pharmacologic properties which suggest that it may be functional as an anticolitis agent. In this study we evaluated the effects of apricot kernel extract and oil on ulcerative colitis in rats. ⋯ Ulcer index and total colitis index as representative of macroscopic and histologic parameters respectively showed ameliorating effects in experimental groups especially those treated by intraperitoneal administration route. Results also demonstrated that oil fraction was not able to potentiate the effects of extract. These data suggest that apricot kernel extracts (with or without oil) can be introduced for further mechanistic and clinical studies as a complementary medicine for inflammatory bowel disorders.
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In this study, the aim was the evaluation of effect of intravenous (IV) administration of ketamine, peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol and their combination for control of post-operative pain in comparison with single use of each drug in children undergoing tonsillectomy. One hundred and twenty children, aged 2- 15 years, selected for elective adenotonsillectomy were enrolled in the study. We divided the patients into four groups of 30 each, Group I: received IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg, Group II: received peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol 2 mg/kg, Group III: received IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg added to peritonsillar tramadol 2 mg/kg and Group IV: received IV and peritonsillar infiltration of 0.9% saline. ⋯ The analysis of data showed that Group III had significantly lower CHEOPS scores than another three groups (P<0.001), while both Groups I and II had the same ranged scores, which were not statistically significant (P>0.05). During 24 h after surgery, the first time for analgesic requirement was higher in Group III in comparison with other groups (P<0.001). Combined use of IV ketamine 0.5 mg/kg with peritonsillar infiltration of tramadol 2 mg/kg provided better and more prolong analgesic effects compared with using each drug alone in patients undergoing tonsillectomy.