Coordination of copper with aspirin improves its anti-inflammatory activity.

Anti-inflammatory activity of copper aspirinate administered orally was investigated in several models of inflammation. The results showed that copper aspirinate 50 mg/kg markedly inhibited inflammatory processes of either ear swelling induced by xylene in mice or turpentine-elicited air pouch granuloma in rats, with an activity equal to that of aspirin 200 mg/kg. Copper aspirinate 25 mg/kg significantly suppressed acute paw oedema produced by injecting 1% carrageenan, with an action time lasting over 6 h; and that copper aspirinate 100 mg/kg decreased the content of protein in the inflammatory exudate from rats with air pouch synovitis caused by acetic acid. It is suggested that, compared with aspirin, copper aspirinate showed a similar anti-inflammatory spectrum but greater anti-inflammatory activity.