Experimental studies on analgesic effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the analgesic effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP). METHODS: The analgesic effect was studied by using experimental menorrhalgia model induced by estradiol and oxytocin, acetic acid-induced wringing test and hot plate test in mice. RESULTS: The frequency of wringing reaction induced by estradiol and oxytocin was significantly decreased and the latent period was prolonged when ASP was administered (0.075 g&middotkg-1 or 0.25 g&middotkg-1). The incidence rate of wringing reaction was also reduced at the dose of 0.25 g&middotkg-1. Meanwhile, ASP obiviously restrained the wringing reaction induced by acetic acid and evaluated pain threshold of the mice on the hot plate, and its intensity was related to the dose. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that ASP possesses significant analgesic effect.