Effect of Matricaria chamomilla Hydroalcoholic Extract on Cisplatin-induced Neuropathy in Mice

AimCisplatin-based chemotherapy is a mainstay for the treatment of solid tumors, especially colorectal, ovarian, testicular, bladder, and lung cancer. Studies have shown that cisplatin could have painful effects on human and animal models. Matricaria chamomilla (MC) has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MC hydroalcoholic extract on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy and to compare with morphine in mice.MethodsExperiments were performed on 60 NMRI male mice weighed 25 g to 30 g which have been divided into 6 groups. The first group received normal saline; the second group received MC hydroalcoholic extract; the third group received cisplatin; the fourth group received MC hydroalcoholic extract and cisplatin, 96 hours before formalin test; the fifth group received morphine and the sixth group received cisplatin and morphine. The time of injected hind paw biting and licking time were measured in 5-minute interval for an hour.ResultsResults showed that formalin induced significant (P < 0.05) pain response (the first phase: 0–5 min and the second phase: 15–40 min after injection). Administration of MC extract before formalin injection showed significant (P < 0.05) decrease of pain responses in the first and second phase. Administration of cisplatin produced significant (P < 0.05) increase in pain response in both phases of formalin test. Injection of MC extract and cisplatin together have shown that MC is able to decrease the second phase of cisplatin-induced pain significantly (P < 0.05). Morphine decreased cisplatin-induced pain in the first and second phase of formalin test significantly (P < 0.05). In comparison morphine has analgesic effects in the first phase and MC extract has anti inflammatory effects in the second phase of formalin test significantly (P < 0.05).ConclusionMC and cisplatin have analgesic and painful neuropathic respective effects, and MC hydroalcoholic extract is able to decrease cisplatin-induced pain and inflammation better than morphine.