Abstract
Two isoquinoline plant alkaloids, tetrandrine (1) and berbamine (2), have been evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity in an acute paw oedema assay and in adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats.1 but not2 suppressed the chronic inflammation in the arthritis model but neither compound was active in the acute inflammation assay. In the adjuvant-induced polyarthritis,1 was not effective when given at the time of inoculation (Day 0), nor just before (Day 7–10) signs of arthritis were evident. However, when given on a therapeutic dose schedule (Days 10–13) or continually (Day −1 to +14) on a prophylactic schedule, signs of arthritis including weight loss due to cachexia were significantly reduced. Given orally,1 was considerably more potent than aspirin but not gastro-irritant and may be a promising lead for the development of a safe and effective treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Whitehouse, M.W., Fairlie, D.P. & Thong, Y.H. Anti-inflammatory activity of the isoquinoline alkaloid, tetrandrine, against established adjuvant arthritis in rats. Agents and Actions 42, 123–127 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01983477
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01983477