Distribution of methyl and isopropyl N-methylanthranilates and their metabolites in organs of rats treated with these two essential-oil constituents.

Two volatile alkaloids, methyl (MMA) and isopropyl N-methylanthranilates (IMA), identified in the essential oil of Choisya ternata Kunth (Rutaceae), have been proven to possess polypharmacological properties (antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, gastro-, hepato-, nephroprotective activities, anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, and likewise an effect on diazepam-induced sleep). In the continuation of our investigation of their urinary-metabolite profiles, we performed GC-MS analyses of the diethyl-ether extracts of selected tissues (liver, kidneys, heart, brain, lungs, quadriceps femoris muscle, and spleen) of rats intraperitoneally treated with MMA or IMA (2 g kg-1). Organ-metabolite profiles of MMA and IMA were qualitatively mutually analogous (varying only in the alcohol moiety of the metabolites), and generally analogous to their urinary-metabolite profiles. The greatest diversity and the highest overall amount of anthranilate metabolites was found in the hepatic tissue. The principal anthranilate-related compounds in the organs of rats treated with MMA, among 12 detected, were the products of ester hydrolysis, N-methylanthranilic and anthranilic acids. In the tissues of IMA-treated rats, among 16 compounds, the most abundant ones were the unmetabolized IMA and N-methylanthranilic acid. A collection of the compositional data regarding the anthranilate-related metabolites was statistically treated by multivariate statistical analysis that provided a better insight into the possible biotransformation pathways.

Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus with lobenzarit: an open clinical trial.

An open clinical trial was designed to examine the efficacy and safety of lobenzarit (CCA), a newly developed disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug, in combination with conventional treatment with prednisolone for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Fifteen patients with SLE were given CCA 40 mg b.i.d. for the first 2 weeks, 80 mg b.i.d. for the next 4 weeks, and 80 mg t.i.d. or b.i.d. until the end of the 12-month trial, in addition to prednisolone, whose doses were kept unchanged throughout the trial. The patients' clinical responses to CCA, including alterations in various laboratory parameters and the development of complications, were evaluated at the end of 12 months. Fourteen of the 15 patients completed the 12-month trial. Significant increases in the white blood cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio, as well as decreases in serum anti-DNA antibody, were noted after the trial. Five patients presented with adverse effects, including mild liver dysfunction, gastrointestinal symptoms and dizziness. Only one patient who developed dizziness withdrew at 9 months. Eleven patients could be reevaluated after discontinuation of CCA, and only 2 of them have experienced recurrence of active disease 6 months after discontinuation. In one additional patient who had not responded to prednisolone 35 mg daily, administration of CCA resulted in improvement of the disease activity. These results indicate that CCA in combination with corticosteroids is a useful adjunct in the treatment of SLE. A placebo-controlled study will be necessary to confirm these results.