Antinociceptive effect of extracts of Marrubium astracanicum Jacq. aerial parts

Abstract

<br /><strong>Objective: </strong>The genus <em>Marrubium</em> is used for treatment of joint pain, gout, stomach-ache and colic in Iranian Traditional Medicine. <em>Marrubium astracanicum</em> Jacq. (<em>M. astracanicum</em>) is a native species in the flora of Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive properties of various extracts of aerial parts of <em>M. astracanicum</em>.<br /><br /><strong>Materials and Methods: </strong>Antinociceptive activities of total hydroalcoholic extract (THE) and its n-hexane (non-polar) and residual partition (polar) fractions were analyzed using formalin test in mice. Morphine (5 mg/kg) and normal saline were used as positive and negative controls, respectively.<br /><br /><strong>Results: </strong>Intraperitoneal administration of THE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), non-polar fraction (200 mg/kg) and polar fraction (100 and 200 mg/kg), 30 min before formalin injection, caused significant analgesic activity in acute phase (0-5 min after formalin injection) of formalin test (p0.05 in comparison with morphine). In chronic phase (15–60 min after formalin injection), non-polar and polar fractions (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) showed significant analgesic activity (p0.05 in comparison with morphine).<br /><br /><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Different extracts of <em>M. astracanicum</em> demonstrated antinociceptive activity that support the traditional usage of <em>Marrubium</em> genus for the treatment of arthritis, gout and other inflammatory diseases.