Antinociceptive activity of atranorin in mice orofacial nociception tests.

The orofacial region is one of the most densely innervated areas of the body, and the trigeminal nerve plays an important role in this process. Orofacial pain focuses some of the most common acute pains, i.e., those accompanying the pathologic states of the teeth and related structures. It is also the site of frequent chronic post-herpetical neuralgia, migraine, and referred pains (Pelissier et al., 2002; Raboisson and Dallel, 2004). A wide variety of drugs are indicated to treat orofacial pain, which include nonsteroidal antiinfl ammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, opioids, and antidepressants. However, side-effects and toxicity are connected with long-term administration (Dionne, 2001). In recent years, there has been a constant search for alternative drugs that are more effi cient and safe in reducing infl ammatory and neuropathic pain, aiming to halt the transition from acute to chronic pain (Holanda Pinto et al., 2008). In this regard, Antinociceptive Activity of Atranorin in Mice Orofacial Nociception Tests Rosana S. Siqueira, Leonardo R. Bonjardim, Adriano A. S. Araujo, Bruno E. S. Araujo, Marcelia G. D. Melo, Marilia G. B. Oliveira, Daniel P. Gelain, Francilene A. Silva, Josimari M. DeSantana, Ricardo L. C. Albuquerque-Junior, Ricardo F. Rocha, Jose C. F. Moreira, Angelo R. Antoniolli, and Lucindo J. Quintans-Junior*