A comparison of coumarin and levamisole on parameters of the inflammatory response

Three experimental animal models have been used in the studies on the stimulatory effect of coumarin and levamisole. Both coumarin and levamisole increases cell coverage on subcutaneous implanted glass coverslip in mice. An increase in intracellular phosphatase activity was also observed. Stimulated mouse peritoneal cells when treated in vivo with coumarin or levamisole and then cultured in vitro showed increases acid phosphatase secretion (both extracellular and intracellular) as compared to control. Coumarin reduced the primary lesion of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. However, it potentiates the secondary lesions. Levamisole has no effect on the primary lesion but potentiates the secondary lesions. There was an increase in spleen and adrenal weights which correlate well with the severity of the secondary lesions. Increase in liver weight was only observed in coumarin-treated animals, an observation which suggests that coumarin may be a powerful mononuclear phagocytes system stimulant. The similarities and differences between coumarin and levamisole in their mode of action will be discussed.