The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of a combined preparation based on the blunt-nosed viper's venom and oregano essential oil.

Abstract

Background: To relieve acute and inflammatory pain, preparations of plant and animal origin have been used. The present work aimed to study the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effectiveness of a combined preparation based on viper venom and essential oil. Determining effective routes of exposure, optimal doses, the duration of action of the preparation, and possible mechanisms of their action were the areas of interest.

Methods: Experiments were carried out on murine. Essential oil content was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry equipment. The formalin, carrageenan, and hot plate tests were used. Certain methods for determining side effects were used as well. To determine the participation of cannabinoid and opioid receptors in the antinociceptive action of combined preparation, SR144528 and naloxone were used.

Results: The treatment of the ointment version of the preparation reduced inflammatory pain by more than 68% and decreased the volume of inflammatory edema by up to 36%. The involvement of cannabinoid receptors in the analgesic mechanism of the ointment was approximately 73%, and, for the opioid receptors, about 64%. Physiologically significant side effects were not observed.

Conclusions: The active components of the ointment are principally different in their mechanism of action and make it possible to relieve pain and inflammation both through the blockade of pain receptors of afferent nociceptive neurons (venom) as well as via cannabinoid and opioid receptors (essential oil).