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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Chronic Constriction of the Sciatic Nerve and Pain Hypersensitivity Testing in Rats
Published on: March 13, 2012
[Effect of clonidine on rat's behavior response and spinal nitric oxide in formalin test]
Xue-mei Lin1, Hong-wei Xu, Quan-yun Wang
1Department of Anesthesiology, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Objective:
To assess the effect of Clonidine on SD rat's behavior response and spinal nitric oxide in the formalin test.
Methods:
The effects of Clonidine (Clo), L-arginine(L-Arg), and NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME) on the flinching and licking time of rats in the formalin test were assessed using the model of formalin-induced hyperalgia.
Results:
The flinching and licking time of group Clo was shorter (38.60 +/- 17.34) s/5 min than that of group Formalin(155.41 +/- 22.04) s/5 min. Pre-administration of L-Arg could potentiate the Clonidine-induced response; pre-administration of L-NAME could reduce the Clonidine-induced response.
Conclusion:
Spinal nitric oxide release might be one of the antinociception mechanisms of Clonidine in the formalin test.