Pharmacological studies in the rat with [2-(1,3-didecanoyloxy)-propyl]2-acetyloxybenzoate (A-45474): an aspirin pro-drug with negligible gastric irritation.

A triglyceride of aspirin, A-45474: [2-(1,3-didecanoyloxy)-propyl]2-acetyloxybenzoate, was developed to reduce the direct gastric irritant properties of aspirin. Studies in the rat show that oral administration of A-45474 produces anti-inflammatory activity comparable to aspirin with negligible gastric irritation. Compared with aspirin, plasma salicylate levels of A-45474 appeared less rapidly and were more sustained. It is concluded that incorporation of aspirin in the 2-position of a triglyceride bearing n-decanoyl groups in the 1- and 3-positions markedly reduces the gastric irritating properties of aspirin while maintaining its pharmacological effects.