A Comparative Study of Skeletal Muscle Relaxant Effects of Thiocolchicoside, Diazepam and Their Combination in Wistar Rats Using the Rotarod Apparatus

Introduction Thiocolchicoside (THC) is a semi-synthetic derivative of colchicoside and a naturally occurring compound in the seeds of the <i>Gloriosa Superba L. </i>plant. At present, it is used as a skeletal muscle relaxant. It is used to treat rheumatic arthritis, orthopaedic conditions, and trauma. Topically, it is used to relieve excruciating spasms in the muscles. It is also used to treat a wide range of conditions, which include surgical pain, cervicobrachial neuralgia, acute to chronic torticollis, Parkinson's disease, drug-induced Parkinsonism, spastic hemiplegia, tooth soreness, acute lower back pain, etc. THC is used in conjunction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, and analgesics. By downregulating and inhibiting the synthesis of NF-κB-regulated gene products, it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. To prevent aneuploidy, the European Medical Agency has placed restrictions on the use of THC, stating that it should not be injected for five days or taken orally for longer than seven days. This is because its metabolism in the body may lead to the production of the metabolite M2. When used during pregnancy, the growing fetus is more negatively impacted. It has also been connected to infertility in men. Aim To study the skeletal muscle relaxant effects of THC in Wistar rats in comparison with standard drugs. Materials and methods The skeletal muscle relaxant activity level was measured using the rotarod apparatus. There were five groups of Wistar rats (n = 6). Group I received 0.9% normal saline (NS) as a control. Group II (test group) received THC 2 mg/kg intraperitoneally (ip). Group III (test group) received THC 4 mg/kg (ip). Group IV diazepam (DIZ) 3 mg/kg (ip) which is the standard treatment group. Group V received a combination of THC 2 mg/kg and DIZ 3 mg/kg. After treatment, retention time was noted at intervals of 30, 60, and 120 minutes. Results Group I (control), Group II (THC 2 mg/kg) and Group III (THC 4 mg/kg) did not demonstrate any skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Group IV (DIZ 3 mg/kg) and Group V (THC 2 mg/kg + DIZ 3 mg/kg) showed statistically significant skeletal muscle relaxant activity when compared to control. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the skeletal muscle relaxant activity of these two groups. This indicates that the addition of THC did not potentiate the skeletal muscle relaxant activity of DIZ. Conclusion THC didn't show skeletal muscle relaxant properties in both doses and did not potentiate the activity of DIZ.