Comparison of the antinociceptive effect of celecoxib, diclofenac and resveratrol in the formalin test

The peripheral antinociceptive effect of the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib in the formalin-induced inflammatory pain was compared with that of resveratrol (COX-1 inhibitor) and diclofenac (non-selective COX inhibitor). Rats received local pretreatment with saline, celecoxib, diclofenac or resveratrol followed by 50 microl of either 1% or 5% formalin. Peripheral administration of celecoxib did not produce antinociception at either formalin concentration. In contrast, diclofenac and resveratrol produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the second phase of both 1% and 5% formalin test. The peripheral antinociception produced by diclofenac or resveratrol was due to a local action, as drug administration in the contralateral paw was ineffective. Results indicate that the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib does not produce peripheral antinociception in formalin-induced inflammatory pain. In contrast, selective COX-1 and non-selective COX inhibitors (resveratrol and diclofenac, respectively) are effective drugs in this model of pain.