Involvement of the median raphe nucleus in antinociception induced by morphine, buprenorphine and tilidine in the rat.

1 Antinociception induced by three analgesics with differing profiles of activity, morphine, buprenorphine and tilidine, have been evaluated in the hot plate and paw pressure tests after administration by the subcutaneous route and directly into the median raphe nucleus in the conscious rat. 2 Behavioural and neurological effects of the three analgesics were also assessed. 3 The typical profiles of antinociceptive activity induced by the three analgesics were qualitatively similar after either route of administration. Morphine induced naloxone-sensitive dose-dependent effects in both tests. Buprenorphine showed naloxone-sensitive effects with a bell-shaped dose-response curve in the thermal test but dose-dependent activity in the pressure test. Tilidine induced naloxone-sensitive dose-dependent effects in the thermal test but demonstrated naloxone-insensitive activity in the paw pressure test. 4 The behavioural and neurological effects of the analgesics in the dose range used would not have affected the animals' ability to respond to the nociceptive stimuli. 5 The results suggest that the median raphe could participate in drug-induced antinociception. The mechanisms by which this might occur are discussed.