Effect of various drugs on carrageenin-induced oedema in the rat hind paw

Abstract

Local oedema in the rat hind paw is induced by subplantar injection of a 1% suspension of carrageenin. An assay procedure for the analysis of inhibitory effects of drugs on this inflammatory process is described. The results obtained with a single oral dose of 14 antirheumatic drugs (3 steroids and 11 non-steroids) and of 49 substances without established clinical antirheumatic value are reported. Only 8 compounds were found to be completely devoid of anti-carrageenin activity. Others were active at dose levels producing striking behavioural, autonomic or toxic effects. All clinically established antirheumatic substances were active in the carrageenin test at non-toxic doses producing no obvious behavioural or autonomic effects and data on dose-response relationship of these compounds are presented. It is concluded that the assay in its present form is an acceptable preliminary screening test for antirheumatic activity.