Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences

Background & Objective: Previous studies have shown analgesic, muscular relaxant, sedative and hypnotic properties of Passiflora incarnata. Hence, in the present study anesthesia with co-administration of Passiflora incarnata-ketamine with diazepam-ketamine was compared.
Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, Passiflora incarnata (PA) (1000mg/kg, i.p.), Passiflora incarnata-ketamine (PIK) (1000mg/kg and 50mg/kg, i.p. respectively) and diazepam-ketamine (DK) (2.5 and 50 mg/kg, i.p. respectively) (n=8). In this research, anesthetic parameters were measured during 0 to 55 minutes.
Results: PI group could not induce surgical anesthesia (SA). Nevertheless, PIK group, compared to DK group, immediately induced anesthesia (p>0.05). Results showed that PI group, compared to other groups, increased the heart rate (p<0.05). The respiratory rates of PI and PIK groups increased compared to DK group (p<0.05). The body temperature did not change significantly among groups (p>0.05). PI group became weaker than PIK and DK groups in inhibiting lip, tail and pedal pinches (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Induction time, SA and recovery times of PIK group were similar to those of DK group. Although the extract alone could not induce anesthesia, its effects were comparable with diazepam and it could be used as an alternative for a pre-anesthetic agent instead of diazepam.