Antinociceptive activity of (-)-(2S,6S)-(6-ethyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-formic acid on acute pain in mice.

ABSTRACT

Pain is a major cause of distress, both physical and psychological. There is a continuous search for new pharmacologically active analgesic agents with minor adverse effects. Recently, the synthesis of (-)-(2S,6S)-(6-ethyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-formic acid [tetrahydropyran derivative (TD)] was described. The objective of this study was to investigate antinociceptive effects of TD. Its activity was compared with the activity of morphine. The effects of TD and morphine were evaluated in models of inflammatory and noninflammatory pain. TD (6-1200 µmol/kg, intraperitoneally) significantly reduced the nociceptive effects induced by acetic acid or formalin in mice. TD also demonstrated an antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick and hot-plate model. The opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (at 15 µmol/kg, intraperitoneally), reversed the antinociceptive activity of TD in all the models evaluated. Morphine and TD induced tolerance in mice. However, the onset of tolerance to TD was delayed compared with that induced by morphine. These results indicate that TD develops significant antinociceptive activity and, at least part of its effects seems to be mediated by the opioid system.