Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the inhibitory role of olive leaves extract (OLE) on carrageenan-induced swelling and hyperalgesia of rat paw. Paw inflammation was assessed by the increase in paw volume and hyperalgesia. The levels of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) mRNA in the tissue of right paw were estimated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the paw pressure thresholds of rats orally administered OLE significantly increased the degree swelling of right hind paw showed a statistically significant reduction, compared with rats in model control. OLE decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. mRNA The results of the study suggest that OLE could have anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects and the mechanisms of these effects may be involved in inhibition of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression.

Key words: Olive leaves extract (OLE), hyperalgesia, swelling, carrageenan, inflammation, rat