Sulphasalazine: mode of action and side-effects in rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis

Sulphasalazine fails to prevent development of mucosal ulceration and 5-lipoxygenase activity in guinea-pigs with chronic inflammatory bowel disease induced by combined bacterial immunization and oral carrageenin

“…Sulphasalazine (salicylazosulphapyridine) is used extensively for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) (Klotz et a1 1980;Hoult 1987;Peppercorn 1990;Ruderman 1990). In a variety of acute and subacute animal models, sulphasalazine has been shown to inhibit intestinal inflammation and ulceration (Pfeiffer 1986).…”

“…This effect of sulphasalazine is possibly related to its diverse effects on eicosanoid metabolism (Hoult 1987), inhibition of the production of oxygen radicals (Miyachi et a1 1987;Kanerud et al 1990), inhibition of interleukin-1 production (Remvig & Andersen 1990), and effects on cytotoxic lymphocyte functions (MacDermott et a1 1986). The drug is often associated with the development of certain side-effects which limit its clinical applications and utility (Taffet & Das 1983;Hoult 1987). Moreover, while undoubtedly the drug of choice and effective in reducing the symptoms associated with IBD, sulphasalazine does not always reverse or 'cure' these diseases.…”