Comparative study of the sedative and antinociceptive effects of levomepromazine, azaperone and midazolam in laboratory animals

Abstract

The sedative and antinociceptive effects of levomepromazine, azaperone and midazolam were studied in rats and mice using three behavior evaluation methods. Both exploratory behavior and spontaneous locomotor activity were significantly diminished in a spontaneous locomotor activity test in open field when using levomepromazine and azaperone. However, the azaperone effects were short lived in comparison to levomepromazine effects. Midazolam caused reduction in exploratory activity with no effect in spontaneous locomotion. When assessing the antinociceptive effect in the tail flick reflex latency test after infliction of a pain stimulus in rats, tested drugs did not show any antinociceptive effect. The drugs studied were able to abolish the writhing reflex in mice when compared to control. Levomepromazine, azaperone and midazolam, at the doses were able to inhibit the exploratory behavior in rats, proving their sedative effect. Regarding the antinociceptive effects for visceral pain, these drugs were able to block contortions in mice.

Atividade colinesterásica cerebral e comportamento de ratos após exposição perinatal ao diclorvós

“…Da mesma forma, e consistentemente com este resultado, verificou-se um aumento do período de imobilização conforme se sucederam as sessões. Esses resultados são concordantes com os de MATAQUEIRO et al (2004) que observaram que, na primeira vez, que os animais são colocados na arena, o seu comportamento pode ser classificado de "atividade exploratória", quando os animais se movimentam bastante explorando o novo ambiente. Nas sessões subseqüentes, já estando familiarizados com a arena, o comportamento exploratório cessa e a atividade locomotora fica reduzida.…”

Behavioral effects induced by antitumor cleronade diterpenes from Casearia sylvestris and in silico interactions with neuron receptors

“…Open field test is used to describe the motor activity of mice subjected to open spaces and also to corroborate the anxiety level when evaluate the amount of rearings (exploratory behavior) and groomings (immobility when performing self-cleaning). Grooming is an important behavior when anxiety studies are decided and it increases or diminishes when the anxiety level augments or is absent, respectively (Archer, 1973;Mataqueiro et al, 2004;Bailey and Crawley, 2009;Neumann et al, 2011). FC caused reduction of crossings and rearings but not altered groomings and its effects were better than those found with diazepam, especially at higher doses.…”

Use of Rodent Sedation Tests to Evaluate Midazolam and Flumazenil in Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana)

“…The apparatus for the open field test was built as described previously 25 and comprised a 1.2-m-diameter arena, which was divided into 20 segments and surrounded by a 0.4-m edge to prevent escapes. At each time point, an iguana was placed at the center of the arena, and locomotor activity was recorded for 15 min, without human presence, by using a video camera.…”

“…For example, the open-field test has been used to verify the effect of a drug on an animal's locomotion and exploratory activity. 25,32 Basically, this test involves an enclosure circular or rectangular arena, with surrounding walls that prevent escapes. Parameters commonly measured in this test include distance moved, time spent walking or grooming, and location on the field.…”

“…18 One way to assess an animal's movement is to count how many segments it crosses within a given time period. 25 Although the test was developed for rodents, it has shown reasonable results when used for reptiles. 9,19 The forced swim test is also widely used in rodents.…”