Has nicotine a local anaesthetic action?

Antinociceptive, antiedematous, and antiallodynic activity of 1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives in experimental models of pain

The aim of the presented study was to examine the potential antinociceptive, antiedematous (anti-inflammatory), and antiallodynic activities of two 1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyridine-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives (DSZ 1 and DSZ 3) in various experimental models of pain. For this purpose, the hot plate test, the capsaicin test, the formalin test, the carrageenan model, and oxaliplatin-induced allodynia tests were performed. In the hot plate test, only DSZ 1 in the highest dose (20 mg/kg) was active but its effects appear to be due to sedatation rather than antinociceptiveness. In capsaicin-induced neurogenic pain model, both compounds displayed a significant antinociceptive activity. In the formalin test, DSZ 1 and DSZ 3 (5-20 mg/kg) revealed antinociceptive activity in both phases but it was more pronounced in the second phase of the test. In this test, pretreatment with caffeine, DPCPX reversed the antinociceptive effect of DSZ 3. On the other hand, pretreatment with L-NAME diminished the antinociceptive effect of DSZ 1. Pretreatment with naloxone did not affect antinociceptive activity of both compounds. Similar to ketoprofen, DSZ 1 and DSZ 3 showed antiedematous (antiinflammatory) and antihyperalgesic activity, and similar to lidocaine local anesthetic activity. Furthermore, both compounds (5 and 10 mg/kg) reduced tactile allodynia in acute and chronic phases of neuropathic pain. In the in vitro studies, DSZ 1 and DSZ 3 reduced the COX-2 level in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells, which suggests their anti-inflammatory activity. In conclusion, both DSZ 1 and DSZ 3 displayed broad spectrum of activity in several pain models, including neurogenic, tonic, inflammatory, and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathic pain.

User Experiences of Prescription and Over-The-Counter Drug Abuse in Aden City, Yemen

Khat chewing is commonplace in Yemen, but little else is known about the misuse of other drugs, especially how such misuse may intersect with Khat use. The aim of this study was to investigate misuse of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs in community pharmacies in Aden city, from the users’ perspective. A qualitative in-depth-interview study was undertaken with fifteen known or suspected drug misusers, recruited through community pharmacies. Thematic analysis was used to identify the main emergent themes around experience of prescription and OTC drug misuse. The majority of interviewees were male (n = 11/15) with an age range of 21–40 years. Benzodiazepines, Tramadol, and Ketoprofen were the most commonly misused drugs. Four main themes were identified: Experience sought with drugs; awareness of problematic drug use; pattern and methods of misuse; and the role of healthcare professionals in responding to misuse. The study highlighted different issues, such as the practice of mixing different OTC and prescription drugs with Khat to heighten the effects or manage associated pain, and drug misuse by females and by health care professionals. The study also suggested that physicians and pharmacists fear counselling such people, probably with the risk of violence as a contributory factor.

Search for anticonvulsant and analgesic active derivatives of dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one

A series of derivatives of dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (γ-butyrolactone, GBL) was synthesized and tested for anticonvulsant, neurotoxic and analgesic activity. In the anticonvulsant screening 10 lactones were effective in the maximal electroshock test (MES) at the highest doses (300 and 100 mg/kg, 0.5 h, ip, mice). Statistical analysis showed correlation between the anticonvulsant activity and relative lipophilicity parameters determined by experimental and computational methods (R(M0), ClogP and MlogP). Preliminary antinociceptive evaluation of selected derivatives revealed strong analgesic activity. The majority of the tested compounds showed high efficacy in animal models of acute pain (hot plate and writhing tests) and strong local anesthetic activity (modified tail immersion test). The obtained ED(50) values were comparable with such analgesics as acetylsalicylic acid and morphine.

Oral Health of Bangladeshi Women Tobacco-with-paan Users and Self-reported Oral Pain Following Tobacco Cessation

OBJECTIVES

The study objectives were to assess the oral health status of a sample of UK resident Bangladeshi women tobacco-in-paan users and its relationship to participant age and number of daily paan, to determine the prevalence of oral pain at baseline and at the one-week postcessation follow-up, and to explore the relationship between oral health status and changes in self-reported oral pain at baseline and at the one-week postcessation follow-up.

METHODS

Interviews were conducted in Sylheti using fully structured questionnaires and an oral examination was carried out. A quit date was set and nicotine replacement therapy patches (Nicorette 15 mg, Pfizer) were supplied. Age, number of daily paan, and oral pain characteristics, including intensity, frequency, any provoking factors, and associated symptoms were recorded. Oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) and numbers of teeth decayed, missing, filled, and those with recession, abrasion, loss of attachment (LOA), and tooth wear were charted.

RESULTS

Fifty-two women took part. The mean age was 42.8 years and number of daily paan with tobacco was 13. Compared to those aged 18-39 years, those aged 40 years and older had poorer oral health. Older adults were significantly more likely to have higher numbers of teeth with recession, abrasion, and LOA greater than 3.5 mm. They were significantly more likely to have an OML at baseline. The prevalence of self-reported oral pain was 26.9 percent at baseline and 51.9 percent at one-week follow-up. Presence of an OML at baseline was a significant predictor of reports of oral pain at the one-week follow-up. Results of stepwise multiple regression analysis confirmed this finding (OR = 3.66; 95% CI = 1.06, 12.621; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Reports of oral pain at follow-up during a tobacco cessation program correlate with the presence of OMLs at baseline. Further investigation of this relationship is needed. Access to appropriate dental care, as an aid to successful tobacco cessation, is indicated.