Blockade of the orexin receptors in the CA1 region of hippocampus decreased the lateral hypothalamic-induced antinociceptive responses in the model of orofacial formalin test in the rats.

•A pathway from the lateral hypothalamus to CA1 modulates early (0–3min) and late phases (15–33min) of formalin-induced orofacial nociception.•Blockade of CA1 orexin receptors (OXRs) reduced LH-induced antinociception during the early and late phases of nociceptive responses.•Antinociceptive effects of both OXR antagonists were more effective during the late phase.