Evaluation of Calcitriol Analgesic effect in Combination with Morphine - An Experimental Animal Model

Through its active form, calcitriol, vitamin D plays a critical role in human physiological processes (Vitamin D3). The majority of tissues contain vitamin D receptors, which accounts for both its traditional and unconventional effects. Significant regulatory effects of calcitriol are seen on the molecular pathways responsible for pain and inflammation. The goal of the current work is to experimentally evaluate the analgesic effect of calcitriol in albino mice pain models.

With IAEC’s approval, healthy Swiss albino mice were used in this prospective experimental study. The mice were split into five groups: the Control group received normal saline treatment; the Standard group received morphine treatment; and the Test group received calcitriol at doses of 15, 30, and 60 μg/kg/mice, respectively. A tail flick analgesiometer and a hot plate were used to assess the analgesic effect.

When compared to conventional morphine, the analgesic activity of all three test doses of calcitriol was not statistically significant, despite the fact that they all demonstrated a 60-minute increase in reaction time in the hot plate method. Calcitriol did not demonstrate any analgesic efficacy using the Tail flick method at 15–30μg/Kg, but it did demonstrate some analgesia at 60 μg/Kg, which was greater than control but not at all comparable with conventional morphine for heat discomfort.

Higher dosages of calcitriol demonstrated its analgesic properties. This characteristic has to be investigated further by organizing comprehensive animal testing with various animal models.