Acetone has anti-inflammatory effects on experimental contact reactions

The effects of a topically applied corticosteroid and its acetone vehicle on experimental allergic, toxic and irritant reactions are presented. The corticosteroid budesonide in acetone or acetone alone was applied to reactions immediately after and at different time intervals within the 1st h after provocation. Classical naked eye observation was performed and the dermal cellular infiltrate was differentiated and counted using a previously well-characterized method. "Treatment", whether with the steroid in acetone or acetone alone, had anti-inflammatory effects. For all reaction types, erythema and oedema diminished and a significant decrease in mononuclear cells was seen, when application occurred within the first 5 min after provocation. The effects were most marked for the toxic reaction to croton oil, the steroid and the vehicle being anti-inflammatory to the same extent. Application up to 60 min after provocation had anti-inflammatory effects for this reaction type. The mechanisms of acetone's anti-inflammatory effects are at present unclear. One possible explanation is that intercellular lipid organisation and, by extension, cellular membrane lipid organisation, are altered, influencing membrane receptor function. Possible anti-inflammatory effects of acetone should be considered in experimental and perhaps even clinical situations. Further investigation of the therapeutic possibilities of the finding seems warranted.