Effect of Salvia officinalis Hydroalcoholic Extract on Vincristine-induced Neuropathy in Mice

Abstract

Aim Vincristine is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs to treat a variety of malignant diseases, including leukemia and lymphoma. Studies have shown that vincristine cause painful effects, whereas Salvia officinalis (SO) showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the SO hydro-alcoholic extract on vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice in comparison with morphine. Methods Experiments were performed on 60 NMRI male mice weighing 25–30 g divided into six groups. The individual groups received normal saline, SO hydro-alcoholic extract, vincristine, SO hydro-alcoholic extract and vincristine (12 days before formalin test), morphine, and vincristine and morphine, respectively. The injected hind paw biting and licking was measured in a 5-minute interval for one hour. Results The results showed that formalin induce significant ( P < 0.05) pain responses (the first phase: 0-5 min and the second phase: 15-40 min after injection). Administration of SO extract before formalin test showed significant ( P < 0.05) decrease of pain response in the second phase. Administration of vincristine caused significant ( P < 0.05) increase in the second phase of pain response. Injections of SO extract and vincristine showed that SO significantly ( P < 0.05) decrease the second phase of vincristine-induced pain. Morphine decreased vincristine-induced pain in the first and second phase of formalin test significantly ( P < 0.05). In comparison, morphine showed analgesic effects in the first phase and SO extract showed significant ( P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effects in the second phase of formalin test. Conclusion Both SO and vincristine showed analgesic and painful neuropathic effects, suggesting that SO extract could be useful in the treatment of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathic pain.