A study of the novel anti-inflammatory agent florifenine topical anti-inflammatory activity and influence on arachidonic acid metabolism and neutrophil functions.

We have evaluated the effects of the novel anti-inflammatory agent florifenine, 2-(1-Pyrrolidinyl)ethyl N-[7-(trifluoromethyl)-4-quinolyl]anthranilate, on topical inflammation in mice, free radical-mediated reactions, arachidonic acid metabolism and some neutrophil functions. Topical administration of florifenine produced dose-related anti-inflammatory activity in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear oedema and with a lower potency, in the response induced by arachidonic acid (AA). Florifenine also inhibited neutrophil migration and PGE2 content in the inflammed ears. In human whole blood, florifenine was a potent and selective inhibitor of TXB2 generation. This anti-inflammatory agent did not exert antioxidant effects but inhibited elastase release in human neutrophils without affecting superoxide anion generation. Florifenine administration to mice dose-dependently inhibited leukocyte migration and PGE2 levels in the air pouch inflammation induced by zymosan. These results demonstrate the topical anti-inflammatory activity of florifenine and provide a basis for understanding the mechanisms involved in the inhibitory effects of this agent on inflammatory responses.