The effect of Pistacia lentiscus L. extract on Formalin induced pain in the male rat paw.

One of the constant challenges of human beings has been to reduce or eliminate pain. Therefore, research in the field of painkillers, especially herbal and natural medicines has always been considered. Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus L.) (Anacardiaceae family) is a native plant from the Mediterranean area which its gum has been widely used in Persian Medicine. This study investigates the analgesic effects of this herb using formalin test in male rats.

Formalin foot injections were used to induce pain in Albino rats. Then methanolic extract of mastic (10, 100, and 300 mg/kg) comparison to DMSO was injected intra-protaneally to evaluate the improvement or reduction of pain. These data were evaluated every 15 seconds (for one hour) and statistically analyzed.

Methanolic extract of mastic did not show a significant difference with DMSO results either at different times (5 and 15 minutes after injection) or at different concentrations (10, 100, and 300 mg/kg).

Based on the results, it can be concluded that methanolic extract of mastic has no analgesic effects. To give an overall conclusion about mastic and its analgesic effects, more studies using other extracts is recommended.