Copper salicylate and copper phenylbutazone as topically applied anti-inflammatory agents in the rat and horse.

This research investigates the efficacy of certain copper compounds as anti-inflammatory agents when applied topically, testing them on both rats and horses. The study found that copper salicylate and copper phenylbutazone were effective in reducing inflammation, and in some cases, performed better than their non-copper counterparts.

Experimental Method

• The anti-inflammatory agents being tested were topically applied copper phenylbutazone, phenylbutazone, copper salicylate, salicylate and a dimethylsulfoxide glycerol mix (80:20).
• To cause inflammation, carrageenin was injected subcutaneously into either the paws of rats or the alar folds of horses.
• The researchers measured changes in the diameter of the rat’s paw or the horse’s alar fold to assess the severity of the induced oedema (swelling) and the effect of the anti-inflammatory drugs on reducing this inflammation.

Results

• Copper salicylate and copper phenylbutazone were found to significantly reduce inflammation in both tested species. However, the dimethylsulfoxide:glycerol mixture was not effective.
• Comparing the copper compounds to their non-copper counterparts, copper salicylate and copper phenylbutazone performed better as anti-inflammatory agents in the rat experiments.
• Higher doses of copper phenylbutazone on horses did cause some minor skin irritation. This also resulted in trace amounts of phenylbutazone being detected in the horse’s plasma, as well as negligible concentrations of oxyphenbutazone and gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone, two metabolic byproducts of phenylbutazone.

Conclusion

• The study concludes that copper compounds could be effective as topically applied anti-inflammatory agents. Their efficacy varies between the species and the compounds themselves, indicating the potential for further research and development of these compounds in veterinary practice.