Anti-inflammatory activity of the non-peptidyl low molecular weight radical scavenger IAC in carrageenan-induced oedema in rats

Objective In this research we investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of a non-peptidyl low molecular weight radical scavenger (IAC) in an acute and chronic animal model of inflammation. Methods For this purpose the effect of IAC (10, 25, 50 mg/kg) was tested in rats on the associated behavioral responses to subsequent inflammatory and noxious challenges, such as hind paw oedema induced by intra-plantar injection of carrageenan and granuloma induced by subcutaneous implant of a cotton pellet, using indometacin (2.5 mg/kg) as reference drug. Moreover, the serum level of several cytokines was tested in the animal treated (or not) with IAC (50 mg/kg) both in the absence and presence of carrageenan-induced inflammation. Key findings IAC showed a significant anti-inflammatory activity in both in acute and chronic models of inflammation. In addition IAC down regulated significantly the serum levels of interleukin (IL) 2 and IL6 whereas it increased the serum concentration of IL1 alpha and glutathione. Conclusion Although it remains to be elucidated whether or not the antioxidant property of IAC is directly responsible for the modulation of the tested cytokines, these results suggest IAC to be a possible candidate for a novel anti-inflammatory compound.