COMPARATIVE EFFECTS OF ANTI-ARTHRITIC AND OTHER PHARMACOLOGICAL AGENTS IN THE 18-HOUR ARTHRITIS AND CARRAGEENAN EDEMA TESTS IN RATS

A total of 53 drugs including experimental or clinically useful antiarthritic agents, antimalarials, immunosuppressives, analgesics, antineoplastics, antifungals, an antihelminthic, serotonin antagonists, antihistamines and a miscellaneous group of substances were tested for their comparative effectiveness in the 18-hour arthritis and carrageenan edema tests in rats. No false-positive compounds were detected and among the 15 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents mg/kg potency was greatest in the carrageenan test. Two compounds which may be considered as false-negative responders were methotrexate and clotrimazole. Only additional clinical testing with these agents will verify this conclusion. Based on the results of the present investigation coupled with our earlier report (Sofia, et al., J. Pharmacol. Exptl. Therap., 193: 918-931, 1975) we conclude that the 18-hour arthritis test in rats is a more reliable screening procedure than carrageenan-induced edema for specific detection of clinically useful antiarthritic agents. © 1979 The Italian Pharmacological Society.