Central and peripheral anti-inflammatory effects of maprotiline on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats.

Objective: To explore the site of action of maprotiline, as an atypical antidepressant, on carrageenan-induced paw edema.
Subjects: Male Wistar rats were used.
Methods: Firstly, the anti-inflammatory effect of systemic maprotiline (12.5, 25 and 50 mg kg(-1)) was assessed using a paw edema model. Secondly, different doses of maprotiline were administrated intracerebroventricularly, intrathecally and locally before carrageenan challenge. Finally, we tried to reverse the anti-inflammatory effect of maprotiline by propranolol (10 mg kg(-1)), prazosin (4 mg kg(-1)), yohimbine (10 mg kg(-1)), naloxone (4 mg kg(-1)) and mifepristone (5 mg kg(-1)).
Results: Systemic, intracerebroventricular and subplantar application of maprotiline significantly inhibited peripheral edema, but intrathecal maprotiline did not alter the degree of paw swelling. The applied antagonists failed to change the anti-inflammatory activity of maprotiline.
Conclusion: These results demonstrate that maprotiline has a potent anti-inflammatory effect and this effect is linked to the peripheral and supraspinal actions of the drug.