Nedocromil sodium (Tilade): a review of preclinical studies

Nedocromil sodium (Tilade) is a novel pyranoquinoline dicarboxylic acid, developed for the treatment of reversible obstructive airway disease (ROAD). The drug exhibits specific anti-inflammatory properties when administered topically to the airways. These properties are illustrated by the activity of the drug in a number of in vitro and in vivo models. Thus, in vitro, nedocromil sodium inhibits activation of, and mediator release from, a wide range of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages/monocytes, mast cells and platelets) in both animals and man, initiated by either specific or non-specific stimuli. In vivo, the drug is effective in models of anaphylactic bronchospasm, increased vascular permeability, cellular influx, late reaction and bronchial hyperreactivity. Although as yet the mechanism of action has not been fully clarified, nedocromil sodium (Tilade) has demonstrated unequivocal efficacy in the treatment of ROAD in controlled therapeutic studies of up to twelve weeks in duration.