Inhalation of Cedrus atlantica essential oil alleviates pain behavior through activation of descending pain modulation pathways in a mouse model of postoperative pain.
BACKGROUND
Cedrus atlantica essential oil (CaEO) presents analgesic and anti-inflammatory sedative properties. However, it remains unknown whether CaEO alleviates acute postoperative pain.


METHODS
Here, we investigated the effect of CaEO on postoperative pain and its mechanisms related to the descending pain control in Swiss males mice induced by a plantar incision surgery (PIS) in the hindpaw.


RESULTS
Inhalation of CaEO (5', 30' or 60') markedly reduced mechanical hypersensitivity. This effect was prevented by pre-treatment with naloxone or p-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester (PCPA, 100mg/kg, i.p.)-induced depletion of serotonin. In addition, p-alpha-methyl-para-tyrosin (AMPT, 100mg/kg, i.p.)-induced depletion of norepinephrine, intraperitoneal injection of the α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist yohimbine (0.15 mg/kg, i.p.) or haloperidol (1mg/kg, i.p.) an antagonist of dopaminergic (D1 and D2) receptors prevented the effect of CaEO on hypersensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that CaEO alleviates postoperative pain by activating the descending pain modulation pathways on the opioidergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic (α2-adrenergic) and dopaminergic (dopamine D1 and D2 receptors) systems.
Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory (LaNEx), University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Electronic address: daniel.martins4@unisul.br.
Daniel F
DF
Martins
Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory (LaNEx), University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Aline A
AA
Emer
Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory (LaNEx), University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
A P
AP
Batisti
Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory (LaNEx), University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Nathalia
N
Donatello
Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory (LaNEx), University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Mariana G
MG
Carlesso
Department of Morphological Sciences, Centre of Biological Sciences, University Federal of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Leidiane
L
Mazzardo-Martins
Department of Chemistry, University Federal of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Dalila
D
Venzke
Department of Chemistry, University Federal of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Gustavo A
GA
Micke
Department of Chemistry, University Federal of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
Moacir G
MG
Pizzolatti
Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory (LaNEx), University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina at Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
A P
AP
Piovezan
Laboratory of Neurobiology of Pain and Inflammation, Department of Physiological Sciences, Centre of Biological Sciences, University Federal of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
A R S
AR
dos Santos
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D028203:Cedrus; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D010134:Fenclonine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005528:Foot / Q000601:surgery; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006930:Hyperalgesia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine / Q000494:pharmacology
D058669:Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Antagonists; D000700:Analgesics; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; C020261:4-chlorophenylalanine methyl ester; D015016:Yohimbine; D009270:Naloxone; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D006220:Haloperidol; D010134:Fenclonine
Aromatherapy; Ethnopharmacology; Incisional Pain; Mice; Surgery