The effects of estradiol and Portulaca oleracea seed hydroalcoholic extract on pain induced by writhing test in female mice

The studies show that estradiol and Portulaca oleracea extract has analgesic effects. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of co-adminstartion of estradiol and Portulaca oleracea seed hydroalcoholic extract on pain induced by writhing test in female mice. In this experimental study, 78 female balb c mice were randomly divided to control and groups receiving low, moderate and high doses of Portulaca oleracea extract and estradiol and “estradiol + extract” receiving animals. Following intraperitoneally administration of hormone or extract, pain threshold was measured using writhing test and data were analyzed using ANOVA. Administration of low, moderate, and high dose of estradiol resulted in increased number of writhing (P<0.01, P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). The number of writhing increased in group receiving low dose of Portulaca oleracea extract (P<0.01), however, decreased in groups receiving moderate and high dose of Portulaca oleracea extract (P<0.001). Co-administration of low doses of estraiol and Portulaca oleracea extract and co-administration of high doses of estraiol and Portulaca oleracea extract resulted in lower number of writhing compared to groups receiving low and high dose of estardiol(P<0.001). Our findings indicate that appropriate doses of Portulaca oleracea seed extract and estradiol have pain reducing effects. Portulaca oleracea seed extract and estradiol have also synergistic effect on reducing of pain.