An ultrasound-induced tail-flick procedure: evaluation of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory analgesics

An ultrasonic stimulus was used to elicit a nociceptive response (tail-flick) in mice. Acetaminophen, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, and zomepirac all produced an attenuation in the tail-flick response in a dose-related manner (100-400 mg/kg p.o.). Aspirin failed to significantly alter ultrasound-induced tail-flick latencies until the dose was raised to 700 mg/kg. Morphine (10 mg/kg, s.c.) produced the greatest attenuation in the tail-flick response, whereas chlorpromazine (20 mg/kg, p.o.) had no effect. The results indicate that this procedure can be used to evaluate analgesic drugs.