Evaluation of antinociceptive activity of minocycline in Swiss albino mice

Background: In an array of clinical diseases, pain management becomes increasingly complicated. The stimulation of glial cells and associations between neuroglial cells are emerging as being part of the primary mechanisms of pain. It has been observed that the tetracycline antibiotic minocycline inhibits microglial activation and thereby decreases nociception. Aims and Objectives: The primary purpose of this study is to assess and compare the antinociceptive activity of minocycline with that of the conventional analgesic tramadol in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Swiss albino mice in total were allocated into four groups, each including six mice. Using Eddy’s hot plate plus tail-flick procedure, the analgesic effects of tablet minocycline 5 mg/kg and tablet minocycline dose 10 mg/kg were assessed and compared to those of tramadol. Recordings of reaction time observations are made both before and after the administration of drugs. Results of a statistical analysis were obtained. Results: Results of our study showed that in the tail-flick plus hot plate procedures, minocycline in doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg had a significant (P < 0.05) antinociceptive effect in Swiss albino mice. However, the antinociceptive effect of minocycline is more when compared to distilled water, and is less when compared to standard analgesic tramadol. Conclusion: Minocycline showed significant antinociceptive activity in both doses in Swiss albino mice.