Antinociceptive effect of Salvia Sharifii Rech. F. & Esfand seed's oil in formalin test in mice

Background: Salvia sharifii Rech. F. & Esfand (Lamiaceae) is an Iranian endemic plant that widely used as a medicinal plant. Due to the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of other Salvia species, the present study was conducted to investigate the antinociceptive effect of S. sharifii seed's oil (SSSO) in experimental animals. Materials and methods: Seed's oil of S. sharifii was extracted by Soxhlet method. In order to assess the antinociceptive activity, the animals were classified to five groups: control (vehicle), S. sharifii seed's oil (20 and 100 mg/kg) and standard groups (morphine 5 mg/kg and mefenamic acid 30 mg/kg). The analgesic activities were studied by formalin test in mice. The nociceptive responses were divided to two phases; phase I (0-15minutes) and phase II (15-60 minutes). Comparisons between the groups were carried out using the analysis of variance (one way ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey's test. P<0.05 was considered as significant difference. Results: S. sharifii seed's oil showed significant antinociceptive effects in first phase (dose 20 mg/kg) and second phase (dose 20 and 100 mg/kg) of formalin test compared to control group. These effects were comparable to morphine and mefenamic acid in chronic phase of formalin test.