The role of Cannabinoid receptors in visceral pain sensation of rat: an interventional study

Abstract

Visceral pain, originating from internal organs, represents a challenging aspect of pain management due to its intricate mechanisms and often debilitating nature. Understanding the underlying pathways involved in visceral pain perception is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies. The current study aimed to delve into recent advancements in the understanding of cannabinergic modulation of visceral pain perception, focusing on findings from interventional studies utilizing animal models, particularly rats. A total of 30 male rats aged 3 months, with an average weight of 220 g were randomly divided into 3 groups. The groups contained the control group which received intraperitoneal injection of normal saline, the second group received an intraperitoneal injection of anandamide (2 mg/kg), and the third group received an intraperitoneal injection of tramadol (20 mg/kg). The pain in all groups assessed by acetic acid test. The data obtained from the intraperitoneal injection of anandamide to the rats of the experimental group showed a significant decrease in the amount of perceived visceral pain compared to control group. In addition, the results showed that tramadol injection significantly decreased visceral pain in experimental group 2 compared to the control group. In conclusion, the current study provides an evidence for the involvement of cannabinoid receptors in the modulation of visceral pain sensation in rats.