Cellular basis of inflammation, edema and the activity of Daflon 500 mg.

Inflammation activates leukocytes causing the release of agents that disrupt the endothelial barrier to such an extent that retention of plasma protein is impaired. This phenomenon can be observed using microvascular methods in which ischemia-reperfusion-induced inflammation-like condition are analyzed in terms of the increased adherence of leukocytes to the venular endothelium. Pretreatment with Daflon 500 mg, a purified, micronized, flavonoid fraction consisting of 90% diosmin and 10% hesperidin, prior to the induction of 4 h of tourniquet ischemia significantly lowers the number of adherent leukocytes. This observation is linked to the protective effect of flavonoids in the treatment of edema, as decreased activation is also associated with a decreased platelet and complement system activation, leading to a lowered release of histamine and decreased leukocyte-dependent endothelial damage. It is proposed that attenuation of leukocyte adherence during ischemia-reperfusion is evidence of the protective endothelial effect of Daflon 500 mg and its ability to control edema in clinical situation.