Exploring the Effect of Caffeine on Decelerating the Lethargic Action of Diclofenac in the Treatment of Pain

Background: Diclofenac is used as a potential analgesic for mild to moderately severe pain including migraine pain. However, the common side effect of this drug (drowsiness) becomes bothersome for patients taking diclofenac on regular basis in order to get rid of migraine pain. This hinders a person’s daily routine and eventually causes loss of motivation for work. The central nervous system (CNS) stimulant activity of caffeine is thought to decelerate the undesirable effect of diclofenac.

Objectives: The main aim was to investigate the efficiency of caffeine in decelerating the lethargic action of diclofenac at different dose regimen in pain induced Swiss Albino mice model.

Method: Different doses of caffeine (5 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg/kg body weight) were administered with diclofenac potassium tablet (50 mg/kg body weight) orally in acetic acid-induced pain in Swiss Albino male mice. The efficacy of caffeine (with and without diclofenac potassium 50 mg) in reducing pain was evaluated by writhing test. The CNS stimulating activity of caffeine to minimize lethargic properties of diclofenac was determined by measuring reflex action and locomotion of mice via conducting righting reflex test and open field test. Mean of the total duration of various locomotor activities of mice of different test groups was compared with normal and control groups by using ANOVA and Dunnet's test.

Results: The results of all tests demonstrated the reduced lethargic behaviours in mice with the maximum dose of caffeine (50 mg) in combination with diclofenac potassium (50 mg) at the same time the study revealed the overall effect of caffeine in enhancing total locomotion of mice. The statistical data of test results showed that higher dose of caffeine (50 mg) in combination with diclofenac potassium (50 mg) significantly increased (P<0.01) locomotor activities of mice as compared to the normal group. Moreover, for writhing counts significant result (P<0.01) was found in the combination of caffeine 50 mg with diclofenac potassium 50 mg when compared to the control group.

Conclusion: The present investigation suggests that the combination of diclofenac potassium (50 mg) with caffeine (50 mg) possess potent analgesic activity and successfully minimize the side effects (drowsiness and dizziness) of diclofenac.