Effect of sodium glycyrrhetinate on chemical peritonitis in rats
Abstract
AIM: To study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of sodium glycyrrhetinate (SG).
METHODS: Rat chemical peritonitis was used. The protein content and prostaglandin
E2 (PGE2) content in exudate were measured by Folin-phenol assay and RIA,
respectively. SOD activity in neutrophils (Neu) was determined by pyrogallol-NBT
colorimetry. cAMP content in Neu was detected by competitive protein binding
assay.
RESULTS: In peritonitis caused by histamine, SG 10-20 mg.kg-1 i.m. reduced
exudate volume and Neu counts, and 5-20 mg.kg-1 i.m. lowered the protein content
in exudate. In peritonitis induced by carrageenan, SG 20 mg.kg-1 i.m. reduced
exudate volume, Neu counts, protein content and PGE2 content in exudate,
increased SOD activity in Neu, but did not affect beta-glucuronidase release from
Neu. In peritonitis induced by arachidonic acid, SG 20 mg.kg-1 i.m. reduced Neu
counts, protein content, and PGE2 content in exudate, and attenuated the
reduction of cAMP level in Neu.
CONCLUSION: SG exerts its anti-inflammatory action by lowering permeability of
capillaries in inflammatory site, inhibiting Neu emigration and PGE2
biosynthesis, and scavenging oxygen free radicals.
Keywords:
METHODS: Rat chemical peritonitis was used. The protein content and prostaglandin
E2 (PGE2) content in exudate were measured by Folin-phenol assay and RIA,
respectively. SOD activity in neutrophils (Neu) was determined by pyrogallol-NBT
colorimetry. cAMP content in Neu was detected by competitive protein binding
assay.
RESULTS: In peritonitis caused by histamine, SG 10-20 mg.kg-1 i.m. reduced
exudate volume and Neu counts, and 5-20 mg.kg-1 i.m. lowered the protein content
in exudate. In peritonitis induced by carrageenan, SG 20 mg.kg-1 i.m. reduced
exudate volume, Neu counts, protein content and PGE2 content in exudate,
increased SOD activity in Neu, but did not affect beta-glucuronidase release from
Neu. In peritonitis induced by arachidonic acid, SG 20 mg.kg-1 i.m. reduced Neu
counts, protein content, and PGE2 content in exudate, and attenuated the
reduction of cAMP level in Neu.
CONCLUSION: SG exerts its anti-inflammatory action by lowering permeability of
capillaries in inflammatory site, inhibiting Neu emigration and PGE2
biosynthesis, and scavenging oxygen free radicals.