Analgesic Effect of Safranal in Animal Model of Acute Pain; Possible role of the GABAergic Pathway

Background and Aim: There are reports for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hypnotic, neuroprotective and anti-oxidative effects of safranal. The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effects of safranal using acute pain method in rat and determine the role of GABAergic and Opioidergic pathways. Material and Methods: Wistar male rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=6). Experimental groups including: Control, safranal (1, 2, 4, mg/kg, ip) and the most effective dose of safranal in combination with naloxone or flumazenil receiving groups. The analgesic effect was assessed by plantar apparatus in 30, 60 and 90 min after drugs or vehicle administration. Results: Our results showed that safranal injection (2 mg/kg, ip) significantly increased the time delay in response to thermal inducing pain effect at 30, 60 and 90 min after injection compared with the control group(P <0.05). While, the administration of flumazenil with the same dose, prevented analgesic effect of safranal at all three times (P <0.05). Conclusion: Our findings support the analgesic effect of safranal. Considering the effects of flumazenil in preventing the safranal analgesia, it seems that GABAergic system may mediate the analgesic effect of safranal.