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Abstract
The anti-inflammatory activities of steroidal and nonsteroidal compounds have been evaluated in the rat model of ocular inflammation induced by subcutaneous injection of lipopolysaccharides. Dexamethasone sodium phosphate, BW755C, flurbiprofen, indomethacin, and benoxaprofen were administered orally or topically for 24 or 48 hrs. Oral administration of dexamethasone, BW755C, and flurbiprofen inhibited iris-vasodilatation and leukocyte accumulation in the anterior chamber in a dose-dependent manner. Indomethacin and benoxaprofen were active only at high doses. Topical administration of these compounds inhibited the inflammatory responses in a similar manner. The inhibitory effect on leukocyte accumulation by these compounds was greater than their effect on vasodilatation. BW755C, a phenyl pyrazoline derivative, which is an inhibitor of both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism was the most active nonsteroidal compound and had an anti-inflammatory profile similar to dexamethasone. The results of this study also indicate that the model of rat ocular inflammation induced by subcutaneous injection of endotoxin can be used satisfactorily for comparative evaluation of anti-inflammatory agents.