Antiinflammatory and immunostimulant activities of six sulphur compounds--four benzenesulphonates, levamisole, and pyritinol hydrochloride--assayed in mouse cell activation studies.

The effect of a phlogogenic agent and of six sulphur compounds on peritoneal macrophages, spleen B lymphocytes, and von Kupffer cells of the liver has been observed in BALB/C mice. The phlogogenic agent (0.5% carrageenin + 10% peptone) was a potent stimulant of the macrophages (increasing their number, protein content, and acid phosphatase activity), the lymphocytes (increase of haemolytic plaque counts), and the von Kupffer cells (increase of the colloidal carbon clearance rate which measures phagocytic capacity). Of four acid sulphur compounds (benzenesulphonates)-ethamsylate, diethylammonium persilate, calcium dobesilate, and piperazine sultosilate--not previously screened for antiinflammatory activity, all except piperazine sultosilate inhibited the macrophages, all except calcium dobesilate stimulated the lymphocytes, and only calcium dobesilate stimulated the von Kupffer cells. Two non-acid sulphur compounds--levamisole and pyritinol hydrochloride--had no effect on the macrophages but were potent stimulants of the lymphocytes and the von Kupffer cells. Because of these immunostimulant properties, levamisole and pyritinol hydrochloride may prove useful in the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis in which the patient's immune potential has to be restored.