Antinociceptive effect of the monoterpene R-(+)-limonene in mice.
In the present study were studied the antinociceptives properties of monoterpene R-(+)-limonene (LM) in chemical and thermal models of nociception in mice. The R-(+)-limonene was administered, intraperitoneally (i.p.), at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg. The results showed significant inhibition produced on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic-acid and in the second phase of subplantar formalin test, but did not manifest a significant effect in hot-plate test. The R-(+)-limonene-induced antinociception in second phase of formalin test was insensitive to naloxone (1 mg/kg, s.c.). It was also demonstrated that R-(+)-limonene (25, 50 mg/kg) neither significantly enhanced the pentobarbital-sleeping time nor impaired the motor performance in rota-rod test, indicating that the observed antinociception is unlikely to be due to sedation or motor abnormality. In conclusion it may be suggested that the R-(+)-limonene presented antinociceptive activity and that, probably, this action can be related with peripheral analgesia, but, not with the stimulation of opioids receptors.
do Amaral
Jeferson Falcão
JF
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Cel. Nunes de Melo, Fortaleza, Brazil.
Silva
Maria Izabel Gomes
MI
Neto
Manuel Rufino de Aquino
MR
Neto
Paulo Florentino Teixeira
PF
Moura
Brinell Arcanjo
BA
de Melo
Carla Thiciane Vasconcelos
CT
de Araújo
Fernando Luiz Oliveira
FL
de Sousa
Damião Pergentino
DP
de Vasconcelos
Patrícia Freire
PF
de Vasconcelos
Silvânia Maria Mendes
SM
de Sousa
Francisca Cléa Florenço
FC
D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D053138:Cyclohexenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077222:Limonene; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000700:Analgesics; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D013729:Terpenes; D009270:Naloxone; D000077222:Limonene; D010424:Pentobarbital