Potentiation of morphine analgesic action in mice by beta-carotene.
beta-Carotene was found to potentiate morphine analgesia in hot plate experiments using mice. Response time was increased by about 100%, and the duration of analgesia was markedly prolonged. These features of beta-carotene were a function of the intact molecule, although the closely related compound, alpha-carotene, also exhibited this property. beta-Carotene alone had no effect on the nociceptive response. Other compounds with related structures, metabolic products, or anti-oxidants neither augmented nor antagonized morphine action.
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Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Center for Neurochemistry, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA.
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005260:Female; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D019207:beta Carotene
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D009020:Morphine