Anti-Inflammatory and Liver Sulfhydryl Content-Altering Effects of Certain Nonsteroids in the Rat

Selected agents were evaluated orally in the male rat for their capacity to prevent carrageenin-induced pedal edema and to alter liver sulfhydryl levels. Indomethacin was the most potent anti-inflammatory agent, followed by tetrabenazine and chlorpromazine. Cryogenine and phenylbutazone were equieffective, with cyproheptadine, aspirin, and sparteine being least potent. Carrageenin-induced pedal edema alone did not lower liver sulfhydryl content. Aspirin elevated the sulfhydryl concentration both in the presence and absence of carrageenin-induced edema, while chlorpromazine, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, cryogenine, tetrabenazine, and sparteine were without significant effect at anti-inflammatory dosages. Cyproheptadine lowered liver sulfhydryl levels, but this was considered to be a nonspecific or toxic effect resulting from the high dosages employed.