Intrathecal Melissa-Officinalis Relieves Pain: Improvement of Rat Spinal Catheterization

This study is an attempt to investigate the effects of intrathecal administration of Melissa officinalis on the pain induced by heat and formalin.In this experimental study, seventy male Wistar rats with an average weight of 270-320 g were randomly divided into 5 groups: control; sham, that received 25 μl of saline through the spinal catheter; and three experimental groups, that received 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg Melissa officinalis via the spinal catheter respectively. Five days after catheterization of the spinal cord from the lumbar region under anesthesia, the effects of Intrathecal administration of Melissa officinalis on heat and formalin induced pain were evaluated. Data were analyzed by using one way ANOVA. Intrathecal injection of Melissa officinalis blocked heat-induced pain dose-dependently. Maximum analgesia was observed 30 minutes after the injection. Furthermore, intrathecal administration of MO alleviated both acute and chronic phases of formalin-induced pain. Motor block was not observed in any of the above mentioned groups. The results showed that intrathecal administration of Melissa officinalis could significantly improve hot water and formalin induced pain in male Wistar rat.
Source: Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies - Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research