Antinociceptive effect of Momordica charantia flesh aqueous extract in mice

Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae), also known as “Peria” in Malaysia and as “Kerala” in Bengala has traditionally been used in folk medicine for its antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, there is little information available regarding the analgesic activity of the plant. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the analgesic effect of Momordica charantia flesh aqueous extract (MCA) using a chemical model of nociception in mice. The analgesic effect was assessed using acetic acid-induced writhing test, while the possible effect of the extract on motor coordination or fatigue resistance in mice was assessed using the Rotarod performance test. In this study, the intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of extract (30-300 mg/kg body weight) strongly and dose-dependently inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing in mice (p<0.05). In addition, results from the Rotarod performance test showed no significant difference between the control and treatment group (300 mg/kg body weight), suggesting that the extract did not produce apparent motor impairment in all the animals tested. Together, the present data suggests that MCA was effective against pain at the peripheral level most probably through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and/or lipooxygenase (LOX) and other inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, the analgesic activity induced by MCA is unlikely to be secondary to its depressant and/or muscle relaxant effect

Antinociceptive effect of Crica papaya L. leaf aqueous extract in mice

Papaya or Carica papaya L. is a type of herbaceous plant that is widely distributed around the world, mainly in the tropic and subtropic regions. It is a large perennial herb with rapid growth rate and interestingly, the male and female parts exist in different trees. The different parts of Carica papaya L. such as the fruit/pulp, leaves, seed, flower, latex and root are used as traditional medicine in many countries around the world. Recent studies showed that papaya leaves exhibited antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties but no scientific studies were carried out to assess the possibility of papaya leaves as potential analgesic agent. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the antinociceptive property of papaya leaf aqueous extract (CPLE) in mice. The analgesic activity of CPLE was evaluated using the acetic acid-induced writhing test while the effect of extract on motor coordination and fatigue resistance in mice was assessed using the Rotarod performance test. Results showed that the intraperitoneal administration of extract (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of abdominal constrictions without inducing deficit in the motor activity of mice (p<0.05). In conclusion, Carica papaya L. leaf aqueous extract exerted antinociceptive activity by acting through the peripheral nervous system without altering the motor coordination and balance in mice

A study of road hazards faced by Malaysian school children using HIRARC

Road transport is the movement of passengers or goods on the road. To date, issues concerning the safety of students and school institutions have continued to attract public attention. The recent spate of incidents insideandoutside the school compound has brought the issue ofchildren safetyinto our attention. These include the escalating number of road casualties. This study was conducted to observe roadhazard outside the school compound and analyse the safety risksfaced by school childrenby using the risk matrix. The risks arecalculated to includelikelihood and severity of hazard as identified in theGuideline of HIRARC 2008. The area selected was the East Coaststateof Peninsular Malaysia, withover 111 schools randomly selected in Kelantan. Re sults werethen analysed and six highlighted hazards were discussed. The results show that the main road posed the highest risk due to speeding vehicles. These vehicles failed to slow down when approaching the school area. The school administration must enhance the safety ofthe staff, students, and public while in the school area. In conclusion, road safety awareness must be instilled among teachers, students, parents and road users alike

Perception of ergonomic safety training among school teachers in Kelantan, Malaysia

Ergonomic safety is one of the most important issues in many working sectors and this includes educational institutions especially school. It is important to get the information on the teachers’ perception of ergonomic safety training. Thus, the researcher manages to identify the suitable methods to prevent more ergonomic problem among teachers in future. Aim of this study was to analyze teachers’ perception on ergonomic safety in school and at the same time measured the training requirements on ergonomic safety. Ergonomic safety training in school is important in order to improve good body posture. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 400 teachers. 111 schools randomly selected from the 10 District Education Offices from whole state of Kelantan, Malaysia. Results were then analyzed by using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 24. Most of the respondents involved in this research are female with the percentage of 68%. Descriptive analysis showed that more than half of respondents understood about ergonomic safety, 78% of them possessed basic safety knowledge and 22% of them lacked on the basic understanding of safety. Interestingly most of the respondents agreed that ergonomic safety should be included in occupational safety and health training in school. It is suggested that all teacher must undergo ergonomic safety training to promote and improve ergonomic safety in school. Higher awareness and more information about ergonomic safety will help teachers teach their students about the importance of ergonomic safety and create a safer environment in their school. As for the conclusion, teachers and students having an important role to ensure ergonomic safety and their commitment will help in reducing the number of ergonomic problems in school

Involvement of opioid receptors in Boesenbergia pandurata's esssential oil (BPEO)-induced antinociceptive activity in animal model of nociception

Boesenbergia pandurata is a folklore remedy for relieving stomach, abdominal, joint, and muscular pain. Previous study from our research group has shown that Boesenbergia pandurata’s essential oil (BPEO) possesses antinociceptive activity against chemical and thermal models of pain. The present study was conducted to evaluate participation of opioid receptors in BPEO-induced antinociceptive activity. The involvement opioid receptors were assessed using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test. The acetic acid-induced writhing test was conducted by administering the non-selective opioid receptor antagonists (naloxone) 15 minutes before administration of BPEO orally, and selective opioid receptor antagonists (beta-funaltrexamine, norbinaltorphimine, and naltrindole) 1 day before BPEO administration. 0.6% acetic acid was later injected intraperitoneally and 5 minutes after the injection mice was observed for writhing response in 30 minutes time span. It was demonstrated that oral administration of BPEO 300 mg/kg produced 82.19% inhibition of nociception induced by 0.6% acetic acid injection. Opioid receptor antagonists administration solely did not modify acetic acid-induced nociceptive behavior. However, administration of naloxone (non-selective opioid antagonist) significantly increases the nociceptive response of animal receiving BPEO in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. Furthermore, administration of beta-funaltrexamine (mu opioid receptor antagonist and norbinaltorphimine kappa opioid receptor antagonist) significantly reserved antinociceptive activity induced by BPEO. Together, these result suggested participation of opioid receptors in inducing antinociceptive in animal model. In conclusion, BPEO may exert its antinociceptive activity through activation of mu opioid receptor, as well as kappa opioid receptor

Antinociceptive activity of methanolic extract of Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. is a medicinal herbaceous plant that is commonly used by the Malay community in Malaysia to relieve pain often associated with mouth ulcers, toothache, sore throat, and stomach ache. Aim: The study was carried out to investigate the antinociceptive effect of the methanolic extract of A. uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. flowers (MEAU) using murine models of chemicals and thermal nociception. Materials and methods: Chemicals (acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction and formalin-, capsaicin-, glutamate-induced paw licking test) and thermal models (hot plate test) of nociception in mice were employed to evaluate the MEAU analgesic effect. The extract was given via oral administration at doses of 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg. Results: It was demonstrated that MEAU produced significant antinociceptive response in all the chemical- and thermal-induced nociception models, which indicates the presence of both centrally and peripherally mediated activities. Furthermore, the reversal of antinociception of MEAU by naloxone suggests the involvement of opioid system in its centrally mediated analgesic activity. Moreover, MEAU-treated mice did not show any significant motor performance alterations. No mortality and signs of toxicity were recorded following treatment of the MEAU. Conclusion: The results from the present study appear to support the folkloric belief in the medicinal properties of A. uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. which against pain at both central and peripheral levels, in which the central antinociception is probably due to the participation of the opioid receptors