Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional protein that is found in milk, neutrophils, and other biological fluids, and its receptors have also been identified in the central nervous system. Recently, we found that bovine milk-derived LF (BLF) produced analgesia via a mu-opioid receptor-mediated response in the spinal cord. However, the precise mechanism of this analgesic effect remains unclear. In ...

BACKGROUND Evidence obtained from porcine cell cultures and experiments in laboratory animals indicates that transmembrane transporters may play a role in the distribution of the active morphine metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G). This was evaluated in a study in healthy volunteers. METHODS Ten subjects received an intravenous M6G infusion for 30 min at a dosage of 0.5 mg/kg body weight,...

There is experimental evidence that nimodipine, an L-type dihydropiridine calcium channel blocker with relatively high blood-brain barrier penetration, enhances the antinociceptive properties of morphine. We tested the hypothesis that oral nimodipine taken preoperatively and 6 hourly for 48 h postoperatively would reduce visual analog scale pain scores and morphine consumption in morphine-naive...

BACKGROUND Tramadol has been administered peripherally to prolong analgesia after brachial plexus and neuraxial blocks. Our aim was to evaluate the systemic and perineural effects of tramadol as an analgesic adjunct to psoas compartment block (PCB) with levobupivacaine. METHODS In a randomized, prospective, double-blinded trial, 60 patients (ASA I-III), aged 49-88 yr, undergoing primary total...

A major obstacle in treating drug addiction is the severity of opiate withdrawal syndrome, which can lead to unwanted relapse. Mitragynine is the major alkaloid compound found in leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, a plant widely used by opiate addicts to mitigate the harshness of drug withdrawal. A series of experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of mitragynine on anxiety behavior, cort...

background and aims: safflower (carthamus tinctorius l.)from asteraceae family has different biological activities including analgesic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and neuroprotective effects. this study designed to evaluate its effect on naloxone -induced morphine withdrawal signs. methods: in this experimental study, male nmri mice (25-30 g) were randomly divided into 5 g...

Previous reports have shown that several of the effects of morphine, including the development of tolerance and physical withdrawal symptoms, are reduced by extracts of Brugmansia arborea (L.) Lagerheim (Solanaceae) (B. arborea). In the present study we evaluate the action of the methanol extract of B. arborea (7.5-60 mg/kg) on the motor and reinforcing effects of morphine (20 and 40 mg/kg) and...

Objectives: Opioid addiction is associated with long-term adaptive changes in the brain that involve glial activation. Agmatine is an amine formed by the decarboxylation of l-arginine by the enzyme arginine decarboxylase. It binds to α2-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors, and selectively blocks N-methyl-Daspartate receptors. Agmatine treatment was reported to have various biological actions. ...

Objectives: Opioid addiction is associated with long-term adaptive changes in the brain that involve glial activation. Agmatine is an amine formed by the decarboxylation of l-arginine by the enzyme arginine decarboxylase. It binds to α2-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors, and selectively blocks N-methyl-Daspartate receptors. Agmatine treatment was reported to have various biological actions. ...