BACKGROUND:

Possible utility of high-dose i.v. melatonin as an anaesthetic adjuvant has not been studied. This study compared its effects with thiopental and propofol.

METHODS:

Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to receive bolus or cumulative i.v. doses of melatonin, thiopental or propofol. Righting reflex, hindpaw withdrawal to a noxious stimulus, response to tail clamping and haemodynamic effects were assessed.

RESULTS:

Melatonin caused a dose-dependent increase in paw withdrawal threshold and the percent of rats displaying loss of the righting reflex. Melatonin was comparable to thiopental and propofol in terms of its rapid onset of hypnosis. The mean ED(50) values for loss of righting reflex were 5.4 (SEM 1.2), 12.5 (1.1) and 178 (1.1) mg kg(-1) for propofol, thiopental and melatonin, respectively. The percent of rats displaying loss of response to tail clamping was greater with propofol than with melatonin (P<0.05). Haemodynamic changes produced by melatonin or propofol were similar in onset and magnitude.

CONCLUSIONS:

I.V. melatonin can exert hypnotic effects similar to those observed with thiopental and propofol. Melatonin exhibited significant antinociceptive effects but was less effective in abolishing the response to tail clamping.