Ethanolic Root Extract of Jatropha curcas L. Ameliorates Paclitaxel-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats

Abstract

Jatropha curcas is a plant used in various parts of the world as food, medicine for pain and biofuel. The present study investigated the potential analgesic properties of ethanolic root extract of J. curcas on paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats. Neuropathic pain was induced in rats with paclitaxel. Cold allodynia was measured with cold water at 4.5 °C. Mechanical hyperalgesia was measured in the Randall-Sellito test and thermal hyperalgesia evaluated in the tail immersion test. J. curcas (JAT) (30−300 mg/kg) significantly (P ˂ 0.05) increased the duration of paws in the cold water. Pregabalin (10−100 mg/kg) similarly produced cold anti-allodynic effect. A dose-dependent reversal of mechanical hyperalgesia seen as an increase in the paw withdrawal latency was produced by JAT and Pregabalin in the Randall-Selitto paw pressure test. In the tail immersion test, JAT increased the latency of tail withdrawal in a dose-corresponding modus; a similar effect was produced by the standard drug, Pregabalin. This study has demonstrated the anti-nociceptive properties of JAT in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats.

Keywords: Allodynia, hyperalgesia, paclitaxel, rats, Jatropha curcas