Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the anti-nociceptive effect of gabapentin in acute and chronic pain models.
 Methods: Four mouse models of pain were used in this study. These comprised thermal tests (hot plate and tail immersion tests), and chemical tests (formalin and acetic acid-induced writhing tests). A total of seventy-two (72) albino mice weighing 25 - 40 g (mean weight = 32.5 ± 5.1 g) were used. In each test, the mice were randomly assigned to three sets of 6 mice each: control group, celecoxib group and drug treatment group. Each test was performed at intervals of 30, 60 and 90 min.
 Results: During the acute phase, there was no significant decrease in foot raising (FR) or licking and biting (L & B) episodes among the groups (p > 0.05). However, these episodes were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the second delayed phase, in the celecoxib and drug-treated groups, when compared with normal control group. Gabapentin significantly (p < 0.05) decreased pain response throughout the course of the thermal tests. The number of writhes within 30 min were significantly reduced in celecoxib and gabapentin-treated animals, compared with negative control group (p < 0.05). Gabapentin produced approximately 60 % protection of writhing, similar to that produced by celecoxib, the standard non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used (61 %).
 Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the gabapentin is effective against chronic inflammatory pain in mice and therefore can be potentially developed as an effective anti-inflammatory agent for humans.
Highlights
Pain is an unpleasant sensation ranging from mild discomfort to agony caused by illness or injury, usually accompanied with actual tissue damage [1]
Effect of gabapentin on number of writhes in acetic acid induced writhing test As compared to the control group, the number of writhes within 30 min was significantly reduced in celecoxib and treatment groups (p < 0.05) and shown in table 4
Chronic pain persevere for prolonged periods and challenging to most medical treatments leading to severe problems [1].The present study investigated the antinociceptive effect of gabapentin in acute and chronic pain mouse models
Summary
Pain is an unpleasant sensation ranging from mild discomfort to agony caused by illness or injury, usually accompanied with actual tissue damage [1]. Feed was completely inhibited 2 h prior to drug administration, and the three groups received the same treatment as in the formalin test 1h before 0.85% acetic acid was given at a dose of 0.1 ml/kg, ip Writhing responses such as extension of the body and hind limbs were recorded within 30 min [20]. Group – II: Mice (n = 6) treated with 50 μL of 20 mg/kg of celecoxib (i.p.) dissolved in normal saline [16] followed by an administration of 25 μL of 5 % formalin (s.c.) 1 h later. Group – III: Mice (n = 6) treated with 50 μL of 32 mg/kg of gabapentin (i.p.) dissolved in normal saline [17] followed by an administration of 25 μL of 5 % formalin 1 h later. Groups were compared using post-hoc Tukey test and the values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant
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