Objective To observe the expressions of CXCL12, CXCR4, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rat inflammatory pain model,  the activation of satellite glial cell (SGC), and variations of pain behaviors after the inhibition of CXCR4. Methods A total of 18 rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, sham-inflammatory group, and inflammatory group(n=6). The model of inflammatory pain was established by subcutaneous injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) at the right thenar. Paw withdraw thresholds (PWTs) were measured on day 3 and the DRGs were removed. The protein expressions of CXCL12, CXCR4, and GFAP were detected by the Western blotting. Another 22 rats were randomly divided into the sham-inflammatory group (n=6), control group (CFA+normal saline, n=8), and treatment group (CFA+inhibitor, n=8). PWTs were measured before treatment, 2 h before and after drug injection, and after being treated for 1, 2, and 3 d. Ipsilateral DRGs were removed on day 3 and the expression of GFAP was detected by the Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results Inflammatory pain significantly up-regulated expressions of CXCL12, CXCR4, and GFAP in ipsilateral DRGs (P<0.05). PTWs decreased within 2 h (P<0.05) and the expression of GFAP significantly decreased after the inhibition of CXCR4 (P<0.05). Conclusion Inflammatory pain up-regulates the expressions of CXCL12, CXCR4, and GFAP. The inhibition of CXCR4 can relieve the inflammatory pain for a short time and suppress the activation of SGC in DRG.