title: The morphine sparing effect of physostigmine.
abstract: The antinociceptive effect of morphine was studied in tail-flick- and acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. Morphine effect was dose-related (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg s.c.). Physostigmine (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg i.p.) potentiated the antinociceptive effect of morphine, and the anticholinergic, scopolamine (1 mg/kg i.p.), reversed the potentiating effect of physostigmine, indicating the involvement of the cholinergic system in pain. Coadministration of physostigmine would increase the therapeutic index of morphine thereby sparing the dose of morphine and also possibly the side effects including the development of tolerance and addiction.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Division, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000009:adverse effects; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012601:Scopolamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018727:Muscarinic Antagonists; D009020:Morphine; D002351:Carrageenan; D010830:Physostigmine; D012601:Scopolamine