title: Inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced ear oedema as a model for assessing topical anti-inflammatory compounds.
abstract: We have found that mouse ear oedema induced by the topical application of arachidonic acid is not a specific screen for compounds inhibiting the lipoxygenase or cyclo-oxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. Although such compounds are able to reduce the oedema substantially, pharmacological agents such as histamine antagonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, free radical scavengers, and also various compounds not normally considered to have anti-inflammatory properties, can equally effectively reduce the oedema. A mutual potentiation of the effects of prostaglandins, leukotrienes and mast cell-derived histamine would allow many, but not all, of the active agents to be rationalised. The ability of compounds not influencing these three types of inflammatory mediators to reduce the oedematous response means the model is of limited value for directed screening.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005609:Free Radicals; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D008433:Mathematics; D051379:Mice; D009288:Naproxen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D005609:Free Radicals; D016859:Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D009288:Naproxen; D007213:Indomethacin