Studies on the effects of anti-inflammatory action of benzoyl-hydrotropic acid (ketoprofen) and other drugs, with special reference to prostaglandin synthesis.

Effects of ketoprofen, indomethacin, phenylbutazone and acetylsalicylic acid on edema and on in vivo and in vitro synthesis of PGE1, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in response to carrageenin were studied in rats. Ketoprofen was a potent drug in depressing edema and increased PGE1, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha in response to carrageenin. Ketoprofen also inhibited in vitro synthesis of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha from arachidonic acid. The relative potency of ketoprofen in those parameters was comparable to or greater than that of indomethacin. Phenylbutazone and acetyl-salicylic acid were, however, less potent in this respect. It is suggested that ketoprofen manifests its anti-inflammatory action, at least in part, by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.