The mechanism of analgesic effect of Salvia macrosiphon methanol extract in formalin model in male rat

There are several reports on the analgesic effects salvia macrosiphon in traditional medicine. In this study the effects of Salvia macrosiphon methanol   extracton pain in presence and absence of  atropine (muscarinic receptor  antagonist  )and  naloxone (opioid  receptor   antagonist )were  investigated.

In this experimental study , sixty  eight mature male Wistar rats with average weight of 180 ± 10g  were  randomly divided into  eight groups of eight each . The methanol extract of Salvia macrosiphon were prepared using percolation method. Various doses of extract (500/1000/2000 mg/ kg i. p ) and sodium  salicylate (300 mg/kg i. P) were injected . The analgesic activity was assessed using  formalin test in presence and absence of  atropine  (2mg/kg i. P)and naloxone (1.6mg/kg i. P).

Dose 2000 mg/ kg i. p of Salvia macrosiphon methanol extract and Sodium Salicylate had analgesic  effect than control group in  formalin test (P<0.05).Also, the analgesic effect of this extract was decreased   by atropine and naloxone (P<0.05).

These finding suggest that salvia macrosiphon methanol extract induces its inhibitory effect on  pain that may be via muscarinic and opioid receptors.