Carrageenan produces both inflammation and pain when injected in rat paws via enhancement of the formation of reactive oxygen species. We have tested the effect of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPOL), a membrane-permeable superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Treatment of rats with TEMPOL (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg, 15 min prior to carrageenan) inhibited the paw edema. Furthermore, treatment of rats with the SOD inhibitor diethylthiocarbamate (DETCA, 100 mg/kg, 1 h before carrageenan) enhanced the carrageenan-induced paw edema. Co-administration of peroxynitrite with carrageenan produced a similar fortification of the carrageenan-induced edema. Prior treatment of rats with TEMPOL (30 mg/kg) inhibited the enhancement produced by DETCA treatment (endogenous superoxide anion stress) as well as that produced by the peroxynitrite stress. The effect of TEMPOL as well as the influence of superoxide anion and peroxynitrite stresses was also tested in carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia model. Carrageenan (500 mug/paw) produced significant hyperalgesia presented as shortening of withdrawal latency times using hot plate (52 degrees C) starting 30 min after carrageenan and lasting for 3 h. TEMPOL (60 mg/kg, injected 15 min before carrageenan) ameliorated this hyperalgesia during the first 2 h. Concurrent administration of peroxynitrite promptly intensified the carrageenan hyperalgesia. TEMPOL (60 mg/kg, 15 min before peroxynitrite-carrageenan) inhibited the peroxynitrite enhancement of carrageenan hyperalgesia when tested at 60 min after injection of the cocktail. The present investigation gives the proof for the effectiveness of TEMPOL as anti-inflammation and analgesic agents in carrageenan-induced model of inflammation and hyperalgesia. It further indicated the importance of superoxide anion and peroxynitrite in acute inflammation and inflammatory pain. This raises the chances for considering pharmacologic interventions that interrupt superoxide anion and peroxynitrite stress for putative alternative agents as anti-inflammatory analgesic new medical strategies.