EFFECT OF CAPSAICIN ON CARRAGEENAN-INDUCED INFLAMMATION IN RAT PLEURISY AND EXUDATE SUBSTANCE-P LEVEL

Injection of 2.5 mg of lambda-carrageenan into the rat pleural cavity resulted in a time-dependent increase in pleural exudate substance P (SP) levels up to 24 hr. Synergistic increases in the exudate formation were observed when a sub-optimal quantity of carrageenan was injected with SP. Pre-treatment of rats with capsaicin at 50 and 100 mg/kg s.c. daily for one week prior to the induction of pleurisy blocked the increased in exudate volume and SP levels when compared to that normally detected after carrageenan injection. These results suggest that inhibition of SP production may improve inflammatory conditions.