N-Acetylcysteine Provides Analgesic Effect in Rats

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Student of Medicine, Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

Background: N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an acetylated variant of L-cysteine, is commonly used as an antidote for acetaminophen overdose and antimucolytic agent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Recently, NAC is found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of NAC in rat model of plantar test.Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8). Animals received either normal saline (1 ml/kg) or different doses of NAC (200, 400, 600 mg/kg), morphine (10 mg/kg), or acetaminophen (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and the analgesic effect was assessed by plantar test apparatus at baseline, 30, 60 and 120 minutes after drug or vehicle administration.Findings: NAC provided significant analgesia at 30 minutes post-administration compared to control (normal saline) group while in the other time points, there were no significant differences between NAC and control group in plantar test.Conclusion: We found that NAC had analgesic effect and in order to find the involved mechanisms, further studies are needed.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 31, Issue 257 - Serial Number 257
September and October 2013
Pages 1682-1689

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 August 2013
  • Revise Date: 06 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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