The Effect of Ruthenium Red on the Capsaicin-Induced Antinociception in vivo

The effect of Ruthenium Red on the antinociceptive action of capsaicinoids was investigated using tail-flick test in mice. Capsaicin and KR-25018, when administered subcutaneously, had a potent antinociceptive effect against noxious heat stimulus. Ruthenium Red which is known to block the calcium channel coupled to the capsaicin receptor, when injected intraperitoneally more than 5 mg/kg, showed severe sedation and apparent antinociceptive effect against noxious heat stimulus. The 2.5 mg/kg Ruthenium Red, at which dose any significant sedative effect was not shown, had no effect on the antinociceptive effects of capsaicin and KR-25018. Considering this result, the antinociceptive effect of capsaicinoid may not be related to the Ruthenium Red sensitive calcium channel which is activated by capsaicin.