EFFECT OF SODIUM GLYCYRRHETINATE ON CHEMICAL PERITONITIS IN RATS

AIM: To study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of sodium glycyrrhetina te (SG). METHODS: Rat chemical peritonitis was used. The protein conte nt and prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)) 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 Ne u was detected by competitive protein binding assay. RESULTS: In perit onitis caused by histamine, SG 10 - 20 mg.kg(-1) im reduced exudate vo lume and Neu counts, and 5 - 20 mg.kg(-1) im lowered the protein conte nt in exudate. In peritonitis induced by carrageenan, SG 20 mg.kg(-1) im reduced exudate volume, Neu counts, protein content and PGE(2) cont ent 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) im reduced Neu counts, protein content, and PGE (2) content in exudate, and attenuated the reduction of cAMP level in Neu. CONCLUSION: SG exerts its anti-inflammatory action by lowering pe rmeability of capillaries in inflammatory site, inhibiting Neu emigrat ion and PGE(2) biosynthesis, and scavenging oxygen free radicals.