The anti-inflammatory activity of metal complexes of heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones, 2-substituted pyridine N-oxides and 2-pyridylthioureas

The thiosemicarbazones and their related metal complexes were shown to be potent anti-inflammatory agents in rodents at 8 mg kg(-1). They were effective in blocking induced edema and endotoxic shock while blocking both local and central pain processes, The ability of the agents to function as anti-inflammatory agents is multifold, First, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and Interleukin-l (IL-1) release was markedly reduced by the agents, Second, high-affinity receptor binding on fibroblasts of TNF alpha and IL-1 was significantly inhibited, Third, cellular events, e.g. lysosomal enzymes of specific cells, such as macrophages, were inhibited and prostaglandin cyclo-oxygenase and leukotriene 5'-lipoxygenase enzymic synthetic rates were significantly reduced, which should cause an overall reduction of the inflammatory process.