Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of bupropion in animal models

Antidepressants are widely used for the treatment of various neuropathic pain conditions in humans. Recent studies have demonstrated that bupropion is effective for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Also antidepressants like bupropion showed anti-inflammatory properties. So in the present study, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of bupropion in mice and rat were investigated. The acetic acid, formalin and hot plate tests were used in male mice to assess analgesic activity. For evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect, carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and croton oil-induced ear edema were used. Bupropion was administered at the doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg (i.p.). Bupropion at a dose of 40 mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes and also was effective in suppression of formalin-induced behavior and showed significant analgesia in hot plate test. While 40 mg/kg bupropion showed considerable anti-inflammatory response in carrageenan test, but no effect was observed in croton oil-induced ear edema. The results showed that bupropion has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in animal models and further studies are needed to find out its mechanism of action.