Effect of Oral Administration of Astragalus ecbatanus Chloroform Extract on Acute and Chronic Pain in Balb/C Mice

[摘要] Background and objectives: Astragalus spp., have been used as a pain reliever in traditional medicine;therefore, in this study, we decided to evaluate the antinociceptive effects of Astragalus ecbatanuschloroform extract (AECE) in acute and chronic pain in male mice. Methods: The extract was obtainedfrom aerial parts of A. ecbatanus with maceration method. The antinociceptive effect of AECE wasdetermined by tail-flick, hot-plate, formalin, and rotarod tests followed by the oral intake of mice withAECE at the doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 14 days in male Balb/C mice. Results: The resultsshowed AECE at the concentrations of 400 and 800 mg/kg revealed a mean latency time of 6.4 and 7.2s, respectively; representing a remarkable (p<0.05) antinociceptive activity compared with the controlgroup. AECE, especially at the doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg, significantly increased the time until theoccurrence of painful behaviors (licking or jumping) compared to the control group (p<0.001). Theresults showed AECE, especially in concentrations of 400 and 800 mg/kg, markedly (p<0.05) reducedthe pain behaviors in the first phase (acute) and the second (chronic) phase of the formalin test comparedto the control group. Conclusion: According to the reducing pain effect of this plant in both pain testsand in both stages of the formalin test, it can be concluded that Astragalus ecbatanus reduces both acutepain and chronic pain and can relieve pain both peripherally and centrally.

[学科分类] 环境科学（综合）

[关键词] Astragalus ecbatanus;Extract;Herb;Mice;Pain