Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of green tea (Camellia sinensis) in mice.


METHODS
The anti-inflammatory effect of alcoholic extracts of green tea (AE) was evaluated in a cell migration assay with four groups of six Swiss mice receiving 0.07 g/Kg or 0.14 g/Kg EA (treatment groups), saline (negative control) or 10mg/Kg indomethacin (positive control) by gavage. One hour later 300 µg carrageen an was administered intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. The analgesic effect was evaluated using four groups of six animals receiving 0.07 g/Kg or 0.14 g/Kg EA, saline or 10mg/Kg indomethacin subcutaneously, followed 30 minutes later by 1% acetic acid.


RESULTS
When administered subcutaneously at either dose (0.07 g/Kg and 0.14 g/Kg), AE inhibited carrageenan-induced cell migration (p<0.05). However, when administered by gavage, only the latter (0.14 g/Kg) was efficient (p<0.05). AE at both doses (0.07 g/Kg and 0.14 g/Kg) inhibited abdominal contortions (p<0.05), but the effect was not dose-dependent.


CONCLUSIONS
Green tea was shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and may constitute a natural treatment option in chronic inflammatory disorders.
UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Matheus Alves de Lima
MA
Mota
UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
José Saul Peixoto
JS
Landim
UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Thiago Sousa Silva
TS
Targino
UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Silvia Fernandes Ribeiro da
SF
Silva
UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Sônia Leite da
SL
Silva
UNIFOR, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Márcio Roberto Pinho
MR
Pereira
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028241:Camellia sinensis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002392:Catechin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054443:Cell Migration Assays; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D055104:Infusions, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000700:Analgesics; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; D007213:Indomethacin