The
analgesic activity of Porcellio laevis Latreille, Rhizoma Corydalis, and Radix Cynanchi Paniculati have been reported in recent years. A new formula named Jia-Yuan-Qing pill (JYQP) is therefore created by combining the three herbs at 9:7:7 ratio according to traditional Chinese theories. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of JYQP as a novel painkiller in various models. Acute toxicity test was applied to evaluate the safety of JYQP.
Acetic-acid-induced writhing, hot plate test,
formalin test, and
naloxone-pretreated writhing test were employed to elaborate the
analgesic activity of JYQP and its possible mechanism. A
bone cancer pain mouse model was performed to further assess the effect of JYQP in relieving
cancer pain. Test on
naloxone-precipitated
withdrawal symptoms was conduct to examine the physical dependence of mice on JYQP. Data revealed that JYQP reduced writhing and stretching induced by
acetic acid; however, this effect could not be blocked by
naloxone. JYQP specifically suppressed the phase II reaction time in
formalin-treated mice; meanwhile, no
analgesic effect of JYQP in hot plate test was observed, indicating that JYQP exerts
analgesic activity against inflammatory
pain rather than neurogenic
pain. Furthermore, JYQP could successfully relieve
bone cancer pain in mice. No physical dependence could be observed upon long-term administration in mice. Collectively, our present results provide experimental evidence in supporting clinical use of JYQP as an effective and safe agent for
pain treatment.