An Experimental Study Comparison of the Analgesic and Antioxidant Effects of Morphine and 7-Hydroxyflavone in Rats

Background: Plants have played a crucial role in human health since ancient times, serving as reliable and significant sources of biologically active compounds used to treat numerous disorders. Thus, the potential of these compounds to treat various diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular conditions, is being extensively researched. Notably, the diverse mechanisms of action associated with these compounds make them promising candidates for future drug development. Meanwhile, 7-hydroxyflavone (7-HF), a natural flavonoid, has demonstrated notable biological properties; however, the therapeutic potential of 7-HF for pain remains unexplored. Threfore, this study aimed to investigate the potential role of 7-HF in alleviating pain in rats. Materials and Methods: This prospective experimental study employed healthy Swiss albino rats with Institutional Animal Ethical Committee (IAEC) approval. Rats were divided in to four groups: control group, which received normal saline; the standard group, which received morphine 2 mg/kg; and two test group, which received 7-HF at doses of 5 & 10 mg/kg/rat. Behavioral analysis was performed after treatment to assess the central and peripheral analgesic effects using the hot plate, tail flick analgesiometer, tail immersion, and acetic acid-induced writhing, a validated animal model for screening analgesic effects in a preclinical laboratory. All animals were sacrificed after the writhing test and screened for oxidative stress markers as well as antioxidants level. Results: At 30–240 min, the administration of a 10 mg/kg test dose notably showed prolonged response time in the hot plate test, tail flick test and tail immersion method. In the acetic acid writhing test, 7-HF at 10 mg/kg significantly inhibited writhing in experimental animals. Moreover, 7-HF at a dose of 10 mg/kg restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and conversely reduced elevated lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels. Conclusion: This study provides the first evidence that 7-HF effectively mitigates pain in rats, likely through the associated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. These results support the therapeutic potential of 7-HF as a novel candidate for a management pain in various chronic disorders.