BackgroundChronic non-specific low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent (80%) and multi-dimensional illness. This study aims to test whether acupuncture, baclofen, or combined treatment with acupuncture and baclofen alleviates symptoms of non-specific chronic LBP in men.MethodsEight-four (84) men aged 50-60 years with non-specific chronic LBP were randomly assigned to four groups: the baclofen group received only baclofen (30 mg/day); the acupuncture group received only acupuncture at selected acupoints; the acupuncture + baclofen group received combined treatment with acupuncture and baclofen treatments; and the control group received no pain reduction treatment. After five weeks of treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) and self-reported pain disability with the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) were conducted for outcome measures.ResultsAfter treatment, the baclofen, acupuncture and acupuncture + baclofen groups all had lower VAS and RDQ scores. Significantly higher reduction and improvement in VAS and RDQ scores were found in the acupuncture and acupuncture + baclofen groups compared to the baclofen group.ConclusionThe present study indicates that the combined treatment of acupuncture and baclofen is more effective than baclofen treatment alone to reduce pain in patients with non-specific chronic LBP.Trial registration numberACTRN12609000698279

No abstract

Context: Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L., Asteraceae) is an ancient herb, which is widely used as a medicine, flavoring, or fragrance. Objective: To determine the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of aerial parts of tarragon, we investigated the effects of ethanolic extract of the plant in adult male Balb/c mice. Materials and methods: Antinociceptive activity was determined using formalin, hot-plate, and writhing tests. The effect of the ethanolic extract on acute inflammation was evaluated by xylene-induced ear edema in mice. The ethanolic extract was administered at doses of 5, 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg, i.p. The control group received saline as vehicle of ethanolic extract. Results: Our results showed that the ethanolic extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) decreased both phases of pain in the formalin test (ED 50 ¼ 109.66 and 87.13 mg/kg, respectively). In the hot-plate test, the extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) increased pain threshold during 60 min (ED 50 ¼ 81.03 mg/kg). The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) exhibited antinociceptive activity against acetic acid-induced writhing (ED 50 ¼ 66.99 mg/kg). The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg) showed significant activity in the xylene ear edema test (ED 50 ¼ 78.20 mg/kg). Pretreatment of the animals with naloxone decreased the analgesia induced by the extract in hot-plate and formalin tests; therefore, opioid receptors may be involved, at least partly, in the analgesic effect of tarragon extract. Discussion and conclusion: The results suggested that tarragon have significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in mice, and, therefore, further studies are required to evaluate these effects and additional potential of the plant.

No abstract

No abstract