• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2016

Objectives : The objective of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effects of Drosera rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture on formalin-induced pain in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. Methods : In this experiment there were four groups, each with six SD rats. In the normal group (NOR), normal saline $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right KI3, and normal saline $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right hindpaw 35 minutes later. In the control group (CON), normal saline $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right KI3, and formalin 5 % $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right hindpaw 35 minutes later. In the Drosera rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture 3 % group (DP3), Drosera rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture 3 % $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right KI3, and formalin 5 % $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right hindpaw 35 minutes later. In the Drosera rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture 5 % group (DP5), Drosera rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture 5 % $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right KI3, and formalin 5 % $40{\mu}L$ was injected at right hindpaw 35 minutes later. We analyzed ultrasonic vocalization (USV), Substance P, aspartate aminotransferase(AST), and alanine aminotransferase(ALT). Results : In the early phase of USV, both DP3 and DP5 had an analgesic effect. In the late phase, DP5 had an analgesic effect compared to CON. Substance P in DP5 was significantly decreased compared to CON. In regards to blood AST and ALT, there was no significant difference among NOR, CON, DP3 or DP5. Conclusion : These results suggest that Drosera rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture helps to reduce formalin-induced pain. It's mechanism is related to substance P, and Drosera rotundifolia L. pharmacopuncture has no influence on liver toxicity.