Skip to main content
Log in

Analgesic activity of the novel COX-2 preferring NSAID, meloxicam in mono-arthritic rats: Central and peripheral components

  • Published:
Inflammation Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective and Design: To study the characteristics and site of the analgesic action of meloxicam.¶Subjects: Adult female Wistar rats.¶Treatment: Monoarthritis was induced (for behavioural studies) by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the ankle. Meloxicam was given for 5 days (0.1–4 mg/kg/day i.p.). Inflammation of the knee or paw (for electrophysiology) was induced with carrageenan. Meloxicam was given i.v. (4–64 mg/kg).¶Methods: Rats were tested daily for joint hyperalgesia, and hindlimb posture (behaviour). At post-mortem, joint stiffness, oedema and gastric lesions were assessed. In anaesthetised rats, nociceptive reflex responses to stimulation of the paw were compared (electrophysiology). Statistics were performed using one-way analysis of variance.¶Results: Meloxicam reduced swelling and stiffness of the inflamed joint, joint hyperalgesia (ID50 = 0.4 ± 0.4 mg/kg/day) and spontaneous pain-related behaviour. It also inhibited peripherally mediated reflex responses to stimulation of inflamed tissue (ID50 = 7.6 ± 0.8 mg/kg i.v.) without affecting centrally mediated reflexes.¶Conclusions: Systemic meloxicam produces analgesia largely via peripheral mechanisms. The rapidity of its actions indicates a direct effect on sensitised nociceptors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received 5 November 1996; returned for revision 26 February 1997; accepted by K. Brune 6 March 1997

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Laird, J., Herrero, J., Garcia de la Rubia, P. et al. Analgesic activity of the novel COX-2 preferring NSAID, meloxicam in mono-arthritic rats: Central and peripheral components. Inflamm. res. 46, 203–210 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050174

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050174

Navigation