Hydroalcoholic extracts of three Artemisia species attenuate dental pulp pain and pain-related abnormal feeding behavior of rats

This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of three different Artemisia species extracts on capsaicin-induced dental pulp pain and pain-associated changes in feeding behaviors in adult male Wistar rats. The animals were alienated into five groups (n=6), namely sham, capsaicin, and capsaicin groups pre-treated with hydroalcoholic extracts of A. sieberi, A. persica, and A. biennis. Pulpitis was evoked by the intradental administration of capsaicin (100 μg). The plant extracts (200 mg/kg intraperitoneal) were administered 10 min before capsaicin. Pain scores were recorded for 40 min. Afterward, feeding behavior was evaluated within 6 h. All extracts could suppress capsaicin-related dental pulp pain. Furthermore, capsaicin decreased the number of visits to the food and water ports of the feeding behavior evaluation device which led to a reduced amount and duration of meals consumed. These harmful effects of capsaicin on meal duration and frequency were attenuated by A. persica. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of capsaicin on food intake and water consumption was suppressed by all the extracts. Overall, the present study showed that Artemisia species extracts were useful in suppressing the capsaicin-induced pulpal pain and pain-induced feeding abnormalities.