Chonnam Med J.  2008 Aug;44(2):104-108. 10.4068/cmj.2008.44.2.104.

Effect of Intrathecal Epigallocatechin-3-gallate on Formalin-induced Pain Rat Model

• Yoon MH
• Lee HK
• Kim WM
• Lee MK
• Kim YO
• Huang LJ

• KMID: 2045758
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2008.44.2.104

Abstract

Green tea is being widely consumed as a health beverage. Recently, green tea polyphenols have been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory property by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins; in particular, systemic green tea is shown to produce an antinociceptive effect. We examined the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of green tea catechins, administered at the spinal level, on the nociception. Male Sprague-Dwaley rats were used. Nociception was induced by subcutaneous injection of formalin solution (5%, 50microliter) into the paw of the rat. For EGCG administration, intrathecal catheter was inserted into the subarachnoid space of the spine. Formalin-induced pain behavior (flinching response) was observed for 60 min and divided into the two phases, Intrathecal EGCG did not affect the flinching responses during both phase 1 and phase 2. These findings suggest that intrathecal EGCG may be ineffective against acute pain and facilitated state pain evoked by subcutaneously injected formalin.

Keyword

Tea; Pain; Spinal cord; Rat

MeSH Terms

Acute Pain
Animals
Beverages
Catechin
Catheters
Formaldehyde
Humans
Injections, Subcutaneous
Male
Nociception
Polyphenols
Rats
Spinal Cord
Spine
Subarachnoid Space
Tea
Catechin
Formaldehyde
Polyphenols
Tea

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Time effect curve of intrathecal EGCG for flinching in the formalin test. EGCG was administered 10 min before the formalin injection. Formalin was injected at time 0. Data are presented as the number of flinches. Each line represents the mean±SEM of 5~7 rats.

• 

  Fig. 2 Dose response curve of intrathecal EGCG for flinching in the formalin test. Data are presented as the sum of flinches. EGCG failed to alter flinches in phase 1 (A) and phase 2 (B) in the formalin test. Each line represents the mean±SEM of 5~7 rats.

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