Evaluation of the combined analgesic effect of diphenhydramine and ketoprofen compared to morphine in mice

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Babol branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran

2 Department of Clinical sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Babol branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran

3 Faculty of Sciences, Neyshabour branch, Islamic Azad University, Razavi Khorasan, Iran

Abstract

Morphine is a significant and effective pain relief medication that has been of interest for a long time. However, the rapid onset of tolerance and dependence on morphine and other opioids remains a critical limiting factor in their use. Numerous studies have investigated the mechanisms involved in opioid dependence, leading researchers to focus on alternative medications with fewer side effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the combined analgesic effects of diphenhydramine and ketoprofen compared to morphine in mice. Thirty mice were randomly divided into five groups of six and analgesia was induced through intraperitoneal injection as follow, control group (normal saline), standard group receiving 10 mg/kg morphine, treatment group 1 receiving 2.5 mg/kg diphenhydramine, treatment group 2 receiving 2.5 mg/kg ketoprofen, and treatment group 3 receiving 2.5 mg/kg diphenhydramine plus 2.5 mg/kg ketoprofen. Following injection, pain assessment was conducted using the hot plate test and formalin tests. The results indicated that the combined use of ketoprofen and diphenhydramine exhibited significant analgesic effects compared to the control group with fewer side effects, suggesting they could serve as alternatives to morphine. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the side effects of ketoprofen and diphenhydramine.

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