Analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential of aerial parts of the Daphne mucronata Royle extract in mice: Opioid-independent action

Objective: To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory property and possible involvement of opioid receptors of ethyl acetate extract from aerial parts of Daphne mucronata (D. mucronata) in mice by formalin test. Methods: Single doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg of body weight of ethyl acetate extract of D. mucronata were intraperitoneally administered to the mice 30 min before analgesic test. The anti-nociceptive effect of preparations was evaluated based on the formalin in mice. Results: The results indicated that the extract (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg) increased the pain threshold of mice and induced analgesia in both phases of formalin test. Like morphine sulfate (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.), the extract also showed more effective analgesic effect on the late phase of formalin test. Pre-treatment of animals with naloxone (5.0 mg/kg i.p.) did not inhibit the effects of the extract. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that D. mucronata contains potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory compounds which support its traditional use. Moreover, it seems that the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract is mediated by non-opioid mechanisms. Further pharmacological studies are required to determine whether the analgesic mechanisms are actually responsible for such properties.

Interaction between cannabinoid compounds and capsazepine in protection against acute pentylenetetrazole-induced seizure in mice

The pharmacological interaction between cannabinoidergic system and vanilloid type 1 [TRPV1] channels has been investigated in various conditions such as pain and anxiety. In some brain structure including hippocampus, CB1 and TRPV1 receptors coexist and their activation produces opposite effect on excitability of neurons. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that TRPV1 channel is involved in the modulation of cannabinoid effects on pentylenetetrazole [PTZ]-induced seizure threshold. In single therapy, male mice [n = 10 per group] received either TRPV1 receptor antagonist capsazepine, CB1 receptor agonist ACEA or anandamide reuptake inhibitor VDM11. In combination therapy, mice were treated with either capsazepine-ACEA or capsazepine-VDM11 combination prior to seizure test. Thirty min later, mice were submitted to infusion of PTZ [1%, 0.25 mL/min] into tail vein and the dose of PTZ to induce clonic convulsion was considered as seizure threshold. Administration of capsazepine and ACEA per se produced protective effects against PTZ-induced seizure, while administration of VDM11 per se did not produce such a protection effect. The anticonvulsant actions of both capsazepine and ACEA were attenuated after co-administration of these compounds. Moreover, the anticonvulsant action of capsazepine was attenuated after co-administration with VDM11. The results suggest an interaction between cannabinoidergic system and TRPV1 receptors in protection against acute PTZ-induced seizure in mice

Comparison of MnO[2] nanoparticles and microparticles distribution in CNS and muscle and effect on acute pain threshold in rats

Recently, applications of MnO[2] nanoparticles and microparticles in industry, pharmacology, and medicine have considerably expanded. Mn distribution and clearance from brain and spinal cord tissue compared with muscle tissue of rats after single subcutaneous injection of nanoparticles and microparticle of MnO[2]. Pain sensory threshold of rat was evaluated as neurologic consequence of the particles on CNS activity of rats. Rats divided to control and two experimental groups. Each experimental group received a single subcutaneous injection of MnO[2] nano- and microparticles, respectively. Acute pain thresholds of rats were evaluated by tail immersion method and its weight gain was recorded during these weeks. Samples taken from brain, spinal cord and muscle tissues of rats, once every 2 week for 8 weeks. The tissue Mn level was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method. Both particles size passed from blood barriers. Unlike brain tissue, manganese completely cleared from spinal tissue after 8 weeks in both groups. Clearance of Mn from muscle tissue is not complete in both of the groups. Weight gain of rats in both groups was slower than control rats. In microparticle group, rats showed progressive analgesia [p<0.05]. In nanoparticle groups, rats showed hyperalgesia for first 4 weeks and analgesia during remaining weeks. Change in MnO[2] particles size affect on Mn distribution and clearance from central nervous system. Effect of particles on whole body metabolism varied with its size too. Finally, comparison of pain response of rats among particle treated groups indicates that neurobiological mechanism affected by particles is varied with their size during times after administration

Evaluating the frequency of errors in preparation and administration of intravenous medications in orthopedic, general surgery and gastroenterology wards of a teaching hospital in Tehran

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of medication errors happened during the preparation and administration of intravenous [IV] drugs. This study was designed as prospective cross-sectional evaluations by direct unconcealed observation in a setting consisted of orthopedic, general surgery and gastroenterology wards of a teaching hospital. Participants were those patients hospitalized in these wards along with nurses responsible for preparation and administration of IV medications. Medication errors occurred in the process of preparation and administration of IV drugs, were recorded by a pharmacist. The frequency of medication errors with suggesting a solution to overcome was the main outcome of this study. Details of the preparation and administration stages of the observed drugs were compared to an instructed checklist prepared by an expert clinical pharmacist. From a total of 357 preparation and administration episodes, the most common type of error [%20.6] was the injection of bolus doses and infusion faster than the recommended rate. Metronidazole had the highest rate of error [%24.3]. IV rounds conducted at 12 p.m. had the most rate of error [%26.3]. Errors happened in the administration process were more prevalent than those in the preparation. No significant correlation was found between the frequency of errors and nurses' demographic data. This study revealed that the errors happened in the preparation and administration of IV drugs is prevalent. Improving the medication safety by the implementation of clinical pharmacists' prepared protocols at the point of care is an important concern