Effects of baobab extracts on the acute orofacial pain in rat model

Ja-Hyeong  Choi1   Yun-Kyung Kim1   Hee-Jin Kim1   Hyun-Seo  Yoon1   Kyung-Yae   Hyun1   Min-Kyung  Lee1,*   

Department of Biomedical Health Science, Dong-eui University

Abstract

The baobab tree is a multipurpose, widely-used species with medicinal properties and numerous food uses. The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of baobab on the formalin-induced inflammatory pain in rat model injected into the orofacial regions. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 260-280 g were used. Pain in the orofacial region was induced using two models, 5% formalin was injected 50 μl subcutaneously or 30 μl in temporomandibular joint (TMJ), respectively. Rats were divided into 4 groups (n=6); formalin, formalin after distilled water (vehicle) or baobab (150, 300 mg/kg). The number of noxious behavioral responses with scratching the facial region was recorded for 9 successive 5-min intervals following formalin injection. There was no significant difference in the first response to the pain between the formalin induced group and the drug administration group. However, in the secondary infusion group, all of the pain medication were responded (Bao 150, 300 mg/kg) (p <0.05). The results showed analgesic effect of baobab on formalin-induced orofacial inflammatory pain. This suggests that the natural product is an effective alternative to the postinflammatory pain control.

Figures & Tables

Effects of baobab extracts on nociceptive behavior. The nociceptive responses were reduced in 2nd phase (11∼45 minutes), following administration of baobab extracts into rat's vibrissa pad 30 min before formalin injection (n=6)