Analgesic activity of a polysaccharide in experimental osteoarthritis in rats

Viscosupplementation efficacy has been related to the high molecular weight of hyaluronic acid-like compounds, as well as to gel formulation. We evaluated the effect of a galactomannan polysaccharide derived from Guar gum (GG) in joint pain in an osteoarthritis (OA) model. Wistar rats (six animals/group) were subjected to anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT-OA group). The OA group was compared to a false-operated group (sham). Joint pain was recorded daily, using the articular incapacitation test, until 7 days after ACLT. Solutions or gel preparations of GG (100 μg) or Hylan G-F 20 (100 μg), used as a comparator, were given intraarticularly (i.a.) at day 4 after ACLT. Controls received saline i.a. The OA group had significantly increased joint pain as compared to sham (P < 0.001). GG, either as a gel or solution, significantly inhibited joint pain similar to the inhibition achieved with Hylan G-F20. This is the first demonstration that a galactomannan derived from GG reduces joint pain in experimental OA. This analgesia is independent of the colloidal state. We propose that the analgesic benefit of viscosupplementation may be due to an intrinsic carbohydrate-mediated mechanism rather than to the rheologic properties of the material.