[Antiphlogistic effect of salicylic acid and its derivatives]

An overview of the literature on the effects of salicylic acid and its derivatives with particular consideration being given to their antiinflammatory properties is presented. While acetylsalicylic acid, in common with most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, has a marked inhibitory effect on cyclooxygenase in vitro, salicylic acid only weakly inhibits this enzyme. Animal inflammation models, however, have shown that the two substances are comparable in terms of efficacy. It is therefore assumed that the antiinflammatory properties of salicylic acid and its derivatives are also based on prostaglandin-independent mechanisms. Both salicylates and salicylic acid are used for topical applications. Their penetration into deeper tissue layers, as also their efficacy after local application have been demonstrated in both animal studies and clinical trials.