The Effect of Vitamin C on Inflammation Induced by Formalin in Rats

Background and Objective: Vitamin C (Vit.C) or ascorbic acid is an essential micronutrient which has neuroprotective effects and can decrease Cyclooxygenase-۲ (COX-۲) activity and then prostaglandins synthesis. Therefore, it is hypothesized that Vit. C is able to reduce the inflammatory edema. In order to verify this hypothesis, a model of inflammatory paw edema was induced by formalin in rats. Materials and Methods: ۵۶ Male Wistar rats (۲۰۰-۲۵۰g) were used to carry out this study. Each group consisted of ۷ mice, composed of Saline (intraperitoneal IP), Saline (intrathecal IT), Vit.C at the dose groups of (۱, ۱۰, ۱۰۰, ۲۰۰ mg/kg, IP) and concentration of (۰.۰۲mg/۱۰µl, IT) in normal and neutralized forms of Vit.C. ۳۰ minutes after IP and ۵ minutes after IT administrations, ۰.۰۵ml formalin ۲.۵% was injected in the sub plantar region of left hind paw. Volume of edema was measured by subtraction of paw volume assessed using plethysmometric method before the injections, from the paw volume ۱ hour after formalin injection. Results: IP administration of Vit.C at doses of ۲۰۰ mg/kg (P<۰.۰۵), ۱۰۰ mg/kg (P<۰.۰۰۱) and ۱۰ mg/kg (P<۰.۰۱) and also intrathecal administration of both normal and neutralized forms of Vit. C (۰.۰۲ mg/۱۰µl) (P<۰.۰۰۱) significantly reduced the inflammatory paw edema. Conclusion: Effects of Vit.C on inflammatory edema reduction was significant. The effects of Vit.C are probably dose dependent and acidic independent. References ۱- Helmersson J, Arnlöv J, Larsson A, Basu S. Low dietary intake of beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid is associated with increased inflammatory and oxidative stress status in a Swedish cohort. Br J Nutr. ۲۰۰۹ ۱۰۱: ۱۷۷۵-۸۲. ۲- Skaper S, Fabris M, Ferrari V, Dalle Carbonare M, Leon A. 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Keywords: Ascorbic acid , Inflammation , Intraperitoneal administration , Intrathecal administration , Formalin