Adjuvant effect of caffeine on acetylsalicylic acid anti‐nociception: Prostaglandin E2 synthesis determination in carrageenan‐induced peripheral inflammation in rat

Abstract

In the present study, we report a synergistic interaction between acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and caffeine (CAF) on the inhibition of nociception in a model of peripheral inflammation in rat; on the contrary no interaction have been found on anti-inflammatory effects and peripheral prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2) synthesis inhibition. Acute inflammation was induced by the subplantar injection of carrageenan into the right hind paw, and the effects of the drugs were evaluated from 0 to 5h. Nociception was assessed using the Randall & Selitto test, and the inflammatory response by plethismometry. Oral administration of ASA (10-400mg/kg) induced dose-related anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. On the other hand, oral CAF administration (5-50mg/kg) did not show a dose-related inhibitory effect, neither on the inhibition of nociception nor on the inflammatory response. To analyze a possible interaction between both drugs a dose-response curve to ASA plus a fixed dose of CAF (5mg/kg) was obtained 3h after the injection of carrageenan, when the inflammatory pain peaked. A fixed dose of CAF was able to improve the anti-nociceptive, but not the anti-inflammatory, effects of ASA. We also assessed, by enzyme immunoassay, the effects of the combination on peripheral PGE-2 levels: CAF did not alter the inhibitory effect of ASA on PGE-2 synthesis. Our results corroborate the well-known clinical effects of combining ASA and CAF; on the other hand, we rule out that prostaglandin synthesis inhibition at peripheral sites would be the mechanism responsible of the adjuvant anti-nociceptive effect of CAF.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction, its two fractions and four typical compounds

“…The volume of injected paws was measured by a plethysmometer (YLS-7B, Beijing, China) before injection (V 0 ), and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h (V t , t = 1-5 h) after the first injection ( V = V t − V 0 ). For each animal, the anti-inflammatory effect of the drugs was expressed as a percentage of edema inhibition (Femandez-Duenas et al, 2008):…”

Electrochemical sensor for the simultaneous determination of caffeine and aspirin in human urine samples

“…It is the most commonly used stimulant drug due to its ability to arouse the central nervous system (CNS) and cardiovascular system [10,11]. CAF is usually prescribed as analgesic adjuvant in pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of headache and pain related to postpartum, postoperative, and dental surgery [12,13] and therapeutically used for the treatment of migraine in combination with ergotamine [14]. CAF also acts as a natural pesticide as it kills the insects that attempt to feed on plants [15] and is the main and active ingredient of coffee and plays an important role in determining the quality of coffee beverages [16].…”

Tramadol and Tramadol+Caffeine Synergism in the Rat Formalin Test Are Mediated by Central Opioid and Serotonergic Mechanisms

“…Caffeine is considered an analgesic adjuvant [2] due to the fact that it has been shown to improve analgesic efficacy when it is coadministered with different analgesics [3–5]. Although many studies suggest that the coadministration of caffeine with different NSAIDs [6, 7] and opioids [8] is able to potentiate the antinociceptive effect, the mechanisms underlying such potentiation are less clearly established.…”