Anti-nociceptive Activity of the Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in Mice

Background: Pain is a traditional indication of an inflammatory reaction, manifesting allodynia and hyperalgesia. Carthamus tinctorius L. has demonstrated various biological activities. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the anti-nociceptive activity of the C. tinctorius L. in mice. Methods: A total of 105 adult male NMRI mice were randomly assigned to participate in five separate experiments, each consisting of four groups. In the initial trial, the mice were administered saline, an extract derived from C. tinctorius L. (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and morphine (5 mg/kg). In the second trial, the subjects were treated with saline, naloxone (2 mg/kg), extract of C. tinctorius L. (400 mg/kg), and a combination of extracts of C. tinctorius L. and naloxone. In trials 3-5, L-Name (10 mg/kg), cyproheptadine (4 mg/kg) and flumazenil (5 mg/kg) were administered instead of naloxone. Formalin was then injected, and paw-licking time (pain sense) was recorded. Results: According to the results, C. tinctorius L. exhibited a decrease in pain response compared to the control animals (P<0.05). Injection of naloxone in combination with C. tinctorius L. reduced the pain response during the formalin test (P<0.05). Injection of L-NAME combined with C. tinctorius L. led to increased pain response during the formalin test (P<0.05). Cyproheptadine was administered combined with C. tinctorius L. and pain response was reduced during the formalin test (P<0.05). Injection of flumazenil combined with C. tinctorius L. reduced pain response during the formalin test (P<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggested that the antinociceptive activity of C. tinctorius L. is mediated via the opioidergic, nitrergic, serotonergic and GABAergic systems in mice.