Abstract
Summary
Several compounds representing various structural modifications of the colchicine molecule were examined for their anti-inflammatory activity in an experimental model of inflammation to determine which parts of the colchicine molecule are necessary for its anti-inflammatory activity. The experimental model of inflammation consisted of mouse paw swelling induced by a subplantar injection of a suspension of microcrystal-line sodium urate. Paw swelling was then measured by the paw immersion technique. The results indicate that the methoxytropone moiety and the nitrogen function of colchicine are essential for anti-inflammatory activity. Complete removal of the nitrogen function of colchicine resulted in a compound with only one-fiftieth the activity of colchicine. Since this substance is known to be a more potent antimitotic agent than colchicine, these results suggest that the anti-inflammatory and antimitotic activities of these compounds are distinct at least in our test system.
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