Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition reduces carrageenan oedema and associated spinal c-Fos expression in the rat

Pre-administered NS-398 (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg p.o.), a selective cyclooxygenase-a inhibitor without gastro-intestinal side-effects, dose-dependently reduced carrageenan evoked spinal c-Fos expression (16 +/- 4%, 32 +/- 3% and 56 +/- 5% reduction, respectively) at 3 h after intraplantar carrageenan. The effects of NS-398 on carrageenan induced peripheral oedema and spinal c-Fos expression were correlated, thus demonstrating the beneficial relief of inflammatory pain.