BRL 20459, a novel topically active non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

BRL 20459 is a novel compound which displays anti-inflammatory activity when applied topically in the croton oil and cantharadin rat ear inflammation models. The compound does not inhibit uv-induced erythema in the guinea-pig or granuloma formation in the cotton pellet test in the rat. BRL 20459 does not inhibit prostaglandin synthesis nor does it interact with corticosteroid receptors in the thymus. In contrast to hydrocortisone, BRL 20459 did not cause thymus involution or reduce body weight gain in rats. BRL 20459 would seem to have a different mechanism of action to hydrocortisone, but this mechanism is as yet unknown.