[Diacetylrhein, a new therapeutic approach of osteoarthritis]

Diacerhein is an anthraquinone derivative which is the active ingredient in ART 50. Its unique pharmacological activity involves inhibition of interleukin 1 and cartilage-degrading enzymes. In well-known animal models (carrageenin-induced oedema, adjuvant-induced arthritis, post-contusion or post-patellectomy osteoarthritis), diacerhein demonstrated antiinflammatory effects and protected against the development of osteoarthritis. In humans, approximately 30 studies have documented the efficacy of diacerhein in osteoarthritis. In acute exacerbations of osteoarthritis of the hip, efficacy of ART 50 on pain and on the algorfunctional index was significantly greater than that of a placebo and equivalent to that of tenoxicam on the 60th treatment day. ART 50 was as effective as naproxen after two months of treatment. Gastric tolerance has been excellent with diacerhein. Moderate transient diarrhea has been reported. Because of the promising results obtained with diacerhein in vitro and in animal models, a large human study has been designed to confirm the chondroprotective effect of ART 50.