Volume 10, Issue 2 (Journal of Clinical and Basic Research (JCBR) 2026)                   jcbr 2026, 10(2): 15-19 | Back to browse issues page


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Hesam S, Piri F, Sepehri H. Antinociceptive effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Passiflora incarnata L. in an animal model of hyperalgesia induced by acute and chronic immobilization stress. jcbr 2026; 10 (2) :15-19
URL: http://jcbr.goums.ac.ir/article-1-555-en.html
1- Neuroscience Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Golestan University of Medical Science, Gorgan, Iran , dr.hesam.s@goums.ac.ir
2- Neuroscience Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Golestan University of Medical Science, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract:   (346 Views)
Background: Stress and pain are overlapping processes and exert bidirectional influences. Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) is a perennial plant that has long been used for its therapeutic effects. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that Passiflora incarnata L. extract exerts a protective effect against stress-induced hyperalgesia.
Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 9 groups (n=6): the control group (no stress, no treatment), 2 PFE-only groups that received PFE (100 or 200 mg/kg) for 21 days without stress, an acute stress group (6 h restraint), a chronic stress group (6 h/day for 21 days), and stress groups orally pretreated with PFE (100 or 200 mg/kg) 1 hour before each stress session (1-day treatment for the acute protocol and 21 days for the chronic protocol). The thermal pain threshold was evaluated using the hot-plate test (52±0.5°C), and chemical nociception was assessed using the formalin test. All behavioral tests were conducted 24 h after the final stress session.
Results: Stress (acute/chronic) elevated chemical (p<0.01–p<0.001) and thermal (p<0.001) nociception versus controls. PFE (both doses) reversed chemical hyperalgesia at 0–7 min (p<0.01/p<0.001) and 15–60 min (p<0.001) versus acute stress; only the high dose was effective during the 60–90 min phase versus chronic stress (p<0.01). In addition, PFE (100 mg/kg) reversed thermal hyperalgesia versus acute stress, and both doses alleviated hyperalgesia versus chronic stress (p<0.001).
Conclusion: This research evaluates the potential modulatory role of Passiflora incarnata extract in pain perception under stress conditions, which may have implications for the management of stress-related pain disorders.
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Article Type: Research | Subject: Physiology
Received: 2026/04/3 | Accepted: 2026/06/9 | Published: 2026/06/27 | ePublished: 2026/06/27

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