Analgesic and Antioxidant Effects of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. Ethanolic Extract in Post-Castration Pain Management in Rabbits

Abstract

Effective post-surgery pain management is vital for animal welfare. Chenopodium ambrosioides, known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, was evaluated for its potential antioxidant and post-castration pain ameliorative effects in rabbit. Twenty-five mature bucks were surgically castrated and randomly assigned to five groups: Group A (oral 0.9% normal saline control), Group B (oral meloxicam, 0.1 mg/kg), Group C (oral C. ambrosioides extract, 500 mg/kg), and Group D (topical Ketoprofen 2.5% gel), and Group E (topical C. ambrosioides extract). Blood glucose level was measured immediately after the surgery and 15-, 30-, and 60-minutes post treatment while plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were measured in blood samples collected at 1-, 2-, and 3-hours post treatment in order to evaluate the plasma oxidant and antioxidant level Pain was evaluated using the Grimace scale based on still images extracted from 20-minute video recordings taken one hour after treatment. One-hour post-treatment, glucose levels were significantly higher in the control group (267.67 ± 18.77 mg/dL). At two hours, MDA levels were also significantly elevated in the control group (44696 ± 19071 nMol/mg), indicating greater oxidative stress. Grimace scores for oral meloxicam (0.51), oral C. ambrosioides (0.71), and topical C. ambrosioides (0.55) did not significantly differ from pre-surgical levels, while topical Fastum gel (Ketoprofen) (0.8) and oral C. ambrosioides (0.71) did not differ from the control group (0.92). C. ambrosioides showed antioxidative and analgesic properties, especially in its topical form, which yielded a faster pain-relief response and thereby have high potential in post-surgical pain management.