Effect of triterpenoids on the inflammation induced by protein kinase C activators, neuronally acting irritants and other agents.

In order to establish the mode of the anti-inflammatory activity of triterpenoids, 11 naturally occurring compounds were assayed on mouse ear oedema induced by the protein kinase C activators, mezerein, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), two 12-deoxyphorbol-13-monoesters (13-tetradecanoate (DPT) and 13-phenylacetate (DPP)) and bryostatin 1, and by resiniferatoxin, xylene and arachidonic acid. The effects on bradykinin-induced paw oedema and on the rat skin inflammation caused by hydrogen peroxide were also examined. The oedema induced by mezerein and DPT was reduced to different extents by the triterpenoids administered epicutaneously (0.5 mg per ear). Against DPT-induced oedema, l…