Effect of L-leucinamide hydrochloride on experimental inflammation.

L-leucinamide hydrochloride, an amino acid derivative, was found to share the ability of phenylbutazone in attenuating the phlogistic response induced by intraplantar injection of formaldehyde and nystatin in the unanesthetized rat. In the granuloma pouch induced by the injection of air and croton oil, chronic administration of the drug for 7 days resulted in significant reduction in the volume of exudate and the weight of granulation tissue. While the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action has not been elucidated, it seems that the pituitary-adrenal system is not involved since there was no change in the weight of the adrenals. Of interest is the finding that leucinamide, unlike phenylbutazone, failed to produce gastric ulcers in the effective anti-inflammatory doses.