• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-54
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• 1990

Human leukocyte cathepsin-Gs are active participant in the active phase of inflammations like rheumatoid arthritis, emphysema and glomerular injury. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for treatment of these inflammatory diseases. Mechanism of action of NSAIDs for treatment of inflammatory diseases, especially like rheumatoid arthritis, are known as the inhibitors of prostaglandin synthesis. Inhibitions of the activities of human leukocyte cathepsin-Gs by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, however, were not same as the known pharmacological effects (inhibition of cyclooxygenase) of these drugs. Among them, especially, sulindac, salicylate, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, and salicyluric acid inhibited human leukocyte cathepsin-Gs effectively. $IC_{50}s$ of each drug were 4.3mM, 14.3mM, 6.5mM, 11mM and 15mM respectively. The drugs which have same chemical structure and same degree of inhibition effect on cyclooxygenase showed different degree or no effect on inhibition of cathepsin G. These inhibition effect might be, beside of inhibition of cyclooxygenase in the prostaglandin synthesis pathway, another benefitial antiinflammatory effect of NSAIDs by direct protection against tissue destruction in inflammatory diseases.