[Anti-inflammatory effects of pilose antler peptide]

Pilose antler peptide (PAP:MW:7200; amino acid residue:68) isolated from the antlers of Cervus nippon temminck 10 and 20 mg.kg-1 i.p. produced inhibitions towards acute and chronic inflammations in a dose-dependent manner. PAP reduced ascorbic acid and cholesterol contents in adrenal glands and decreased the serum hydrocortisone level of rats. The reduction of ascorbic acid and cholesterol contents were unaffected by the pretreatment of dexamethasone. PAP also showed an anti-inflammatory action on the swelling of carrageenan-induced hind paw in adrenalectomized rats. The results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of PAP do not depend absolutely on pituitary-adrenal system.