title: Effect of myrcene on nociception in mice.
abstract: Myrcene, a monoterpene isolated from lemon grass oil (Cymbopogon citratus) has been investigated for antinociception in mice by a low temperature (51.5 +/- 0.5 degrees C) hot plate method and by the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Significant inhibition of nociception was seen in the tests with myrcene at doses of 10 and 20 mg kg-1 (i.p.) or at 20 and 40 mg kg-1 (s.c.), respectively. The antinociceptive effect was significantly antagonized by naloxone (1 mg kg-1) or yohimbine (2 mg kg-1). The results suggest that myrcene is capable of inducing antinociception in mice, probably mediated by alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulated release of endogenous opioids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Viana
mesh_terms: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D000818:Animals; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D039821:Monoterpenes; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011930:Reaction Time; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000080462:Acyclic Monoterpenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; C008574:beta-myrcene