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Acute anti-inflammatory activity and gastrointestinal tolerability of diclofenac and nitrofenac

  • Inflammation
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Abstract

Diclofenac and its derivative nitrofenac were compared to test their anti-inflammatory efficacy and gastrointestinal toxicity in rats.

A similar good anti-inflammatory activity of the two drugs was observed in carrageenan oedema and a marked gastrointestinal toxicity was induced by diclofenac, while nitrofenac failed to produce gastric damage even with very high doses (50 and 100 mg/kg).

The lack of the gastric ulcers in rats treated with nitrofenac could be due to the absorption of the drug as an inactive inhibitor of PG synthesis and/or to the fact that probably nitric oxide is release in the intestine and plays an important protective role in maintaining the tissue integrity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemistry and Clinical Microscopy, University of Verona, Policlinico Borgo Roma, 37134, Verona, Italy

    G. Brocco

  2. Metgrove Ltd., UK

    P. Del Soldato

  3. Institute of Pharmacology, University of Verona, Policlinico Borgo Roma, 37134, Verona, Italy

    A. Conforti, M. Donini, G. Benoni & L. Cuzzolin

Authors
  1. A. Conforti
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  2. M. Donini
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  3. G. Brocco
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  4. P. Del Soldato
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  5. G. Benoni
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  6. L. Cuzzolin
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Conforti, A., Donini, M., Brocco, G. et al. Acute anti-inflammatory activity and gastrointestinal tolerability of diclofenac and nitrofenac. Agents and Actions 40, 176–180 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01984058

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01984058

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