Substituted 9-benzyladenines: inhibitors of inflammation associated with the delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction.

Members of a group of substituted 9-benzyladenines have been identified as effective inhibitors of inflammatory aspects of the delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction in the guinea-pig. Inhibitory activity was demonstrable in the efferent arc of the cell-mediated tuberculin and contact dermatitis (2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene) reactions. One of the compounds, 2-amino-9-benzyladenine, inhibited both turpentine-induced and histamine-induced inflammation in the skin. The toxicity and inhibitory activities of some of these compounds are discussed, and reference is made to the structurally related mercaptopurines.