Effects of various anti-inflammatory drugs on type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats

The effects of some commonly used anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic drugs on the inflammatory and immunological manifestations of type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats were studied. Among the anti-inflammatory drugs tested at a given dosage (mg/kg/day), benoxaprofen (10), aspirin (25) and indomethacin (3) inhibited the hind paw swelling and anti-type II collagen antibody formation in type II collagen-treated rats. Benoxaprofen also inhibited the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to type II collagen. Phenylbutazone (30) and fenoprofen (40) partially suppressed the paw swelling, but had no significant effect on humoral and cellular responses. Among the other anti-arthritic drugs, levamisol (25), chloroquine (25) and D-penicillamine significantly suppressed the paw swelling, anti-type II collagen antibody titres and DTH response. Gold chlorophosphene (10) and colchicine (3) had no effect on any of these three parameters. Paramethasone (0.1), cyclophosphamide (1) and azathioprine (10) were very effective when dosed daily, or once (at a different dose) 72 hr prior to immunization with type II collagen.