Cnidium officinale, are widely cultivated in far eastern Asia, have been reported to exhibit the pharmacological efficacy in various disorders. However, little has been reported on its role as a pain-killer. In this study, we reveal that Cnidium officinale extracts (COE) has great efficacy as a novel analgesic compound in various in vivo pain models. Administration of COE attenuated hypersensitivity in all of postoperative, neuropathic, and menopausal pain models. Decreased hyperalgesia was confirmed by a mechanical withdrawal threshold assay and ultrasonic vocalization call analysis. In addition, application of COE inhibited the induction of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and calpain-3 on dorsal root ganglion neurons in the SNI rat model. Treatment of ferulic acid, which was found as one of the components of COE from HPLC analysis, alleviated nociceptive behaviours. Our findings suggest that ferulic acid from COE is an active compound and COE is a potential source of phytomedicine for pain relief by inhibiting process of inflammation.

ANALGESIC EFFECTS OF CNIDIUM OFFICINALE EXTRACTS ON POSTOPERATIVE, NEUROPATHIC AND MENOPAUSAL PAIN IN RAT MODELS