Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 19, 2026

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms
Published on: May 29, 2020
Old drug, new tricks: haloperidol inhibits secretion of proinflammatory cytokines
R J Moots1, Z Al-Saffar, D Hutchinson
1Rheumatology Research Group, University Hospital Aintree, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool L9 7AL.
Objectives:
It was noted that treatment of a patient with acute mania by haloperidol was associated with marked improvement in activity of rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of haloperidol on inflammatory cytokine release in vitro, as a potential mechanism to explain the in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of haloperidol.
Methods:
The effect of haloperidol on the production of inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta (IL1beta) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) was measured in bacterial lipopolysaccharide stimulated whole blood cultures and on the promonocyte cell line THP-1, using commercial and in house enzyme linked immunosorbent assays to measure cytokine concentrations.
Results:
Haloperidol inhibited lipopolysaccharide stimulated production of both IL1beta and TNFalpha in vitro in a dose dependent manner and over a prolonged time period. Marked inhibition was seen over a range of concentrations of haloperidol from 0.5 microgram/ml to 50 microgram/ml, including those predicted to occur in the patient's blood.
Conclusions:
Haloperidol treatment seemed to alleviate inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. In vitro experiments would suggest that the mechanism is by direct inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine release. This phenomenon requires further investigation and may potentially lead to the development of novel treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
