Effect of Salvia officinalis Hydroalcoholic Extract on Vincristine-induced Neuropathy in Mice

AimVincristine is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs to treat a variety of malignant diseases, including leukemia and lymphoma. Studies have shown that vincristine cause painful effects, whereas Salvia officinalis (SO) showed analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the SO hydro-alcoholic extract on vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice in comparison with morphine.MethodsExperiments were performed on 60 NMRI male mice weighing 25–30 g divided into six groups. The individual groups received normal saline, SO hydro-alcoholic extract, vincristine, SO hydro-alcoholic extract and vincristine (12 days before formalin test), morphine, and vincristine and morphine, respectively. The injected hind paw biting and licking was measured in a 5-minute interval for one hour.ResultsThe results showed that formalin induce significant (P < 0.05) pain responses (the first phase: 0-5 min and the second phase: 15-40 min after injection). Administration of SO extract before formalin test showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease of pain response in the second phase. Administration of vincristine caused significant (P < 0.05) increase in the second phase of pain response. Injections of SO extract and vincristine showed that SO significantly (P < 0.05) decrease the second phase of vincristine-induced pain. Morphine decreased vincristine-induced pain in the first and second phase of formalin test significantly (P < 0.05). In comparison, morphine showed analgesic effects in the first phase and SO extract showed significant (P < 0.05) anti-inflammatory effects in the second phase of formalin test.ConclusionBoth SO and vincristine showed analgesic and painful neuropathic effects, suggesting that SO extract could be useful in the treatment of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathic pain.