Investigation of peripheral analgesic activity of oxicams and its composition with caffeine

INTRODUCTION: Therapy of pain syndromes involves exposure to its source, receptors and peripheral fibers. Treatment of acute pain and inflammation involves the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and non-narcotic analgesics (NNA). An alternative to obsolete analgesics is combined compositions. Analysis of experimental results clearly indicates that caffeine effectively enhances the analgesic activity of the peripheral origin when combined in a pharmaceutical composition.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the peripheral analgesic activity of meloxicam, piroxicam and their pharmacological compositions with caffeine.

METHODS: The peripheral analgesic activity of piroxicam, meloxicam and their composition with caffeine was studied using the abdominal writhing test. This method used to induce pain of peripheral origin by intraperitoneal injection of 0.6 % acetic acid solution. Investigated drugs, their composition and 3 % starch mucilage were administrated 1 hour before the introduction of the algogene. The cumulative number of writhing responses induced by acetic acid were determined over next 20 min.
RESULTS: All investigated drugs showed a decrease of writhing in rats. Meloxicam and caffeine showed peripheral analgesic activity 63.6% and 64.5% respectively (Р < 0,05). The pharmaceutical composition of meloxicam and caffeine showed the analgesic potential 76.4%. Thus, the caffeine potentiates the analgesic activity of meloxicam. Obtained results exceeded the corresponding value of diclofenac sodium (67.3%).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Analysis of experimental results clearly indicates that caffeine effectively enhances the analgesic activity of the peripheral analgesic action of meloxicam when combined in a pharmaceutical composition. Results can serve as foundation for development of new domestic combined drugs.