Chemical Composition and Antinociceptive Effect of the Essential Oil of Dracocephalum moldavica L

Dracocephalum moldavica L. (Lamiaceae) is a widely used remedy for treatment of pain and gastrointestinal disturbances. The present study aimed to investigate antinociceptive effect of the essential oil of D. moldavica (EODM) in various experimental models. The antinociceptive effect of EODM was assessed using chemical (formalin and acetic acid) and thermal (hot-plate) nociceptive tests in mice and rats. The intraperitoneal LD50 of the EODM in mice was calculated to be 600 mg/kg. The EODM administration at 5-20 mg/kg produced a significant antinociceptive effect in the formalin test and at 20 mg/kg in the acetic acid-induced writhing test. The essential oil failed to demonstrate any significant influence on hot-plate reaction latency. The results suggest that the EODM possess analgesic properties that support the folk medicinal use of this plant.