Effects of different doses of compound Xuelian capsule on bone cancer pain in rats

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effects of different doses of compound Xuelian capsule on bone cancer pain (BCP) in rats. Methods Fifty pathogen-free adult female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200-220 g, aged 7-8 weeks, were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (group S), group BCP, and compound Xuelian capsule 50, 100 and 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 groups (group CX50, group CX100 and group CX200). BCP was produced by injecting Walker256 mammary gland carcinoma cells into the intramedullary space of the right femur bone.At 11-21 days after inoculation of the tumor cells, normal saline containing compound Xuelian capsule 50, 100 and 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 was injected through a tube into stomach once a day in CX50, CX100 and CX200 groups, respectively.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and limb use score were measured at 1 day before inoculation of the tumor cells (baseline) and 4, 7, 11, 14, 17, 19, and 21 days after inoculation of the tumor cells. Results Compared with group S, the MWT at 4-21 days after inoculation of the tumor cells was significantly decreased, and limb use score was significantly decreased at 11-21 days after inoculation of the tumor cells in BCP, CX50, CX100 and CX200 groups (P<0.05). Compared with group BCP, the MWT was significantly increased at 19-21 days after inoculation in group CX50, at 17-21 days after inoculation in group CX100 and at 14-21 days after inoculation in group CX200, and limb use score was significantly increased at 14-21 days after inoculation in group CX100 and at 17-21 days after inoculation in group CX200 (P<0.05). Conclusion Compound Xuelian capsule 50, 100 and 200 mg·kg-1·d-1 (for 11 consecutive days) can reduce BCP in a dose-dependent manner in rats. Key words: Asteraceae; Capsules; Bone neoplasms; Pain; Dose-response relationship, drug