DIACERHEIN - A NOVEL THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO OSTEOARTHRITIS

Diacerhein is an anthraquinone derivative which is the active ingredie nt in ART 50(R). Its unique pharmacological activity involves inhibiti on of interleukin 1 and cartilage-degrading enzymes. In well-known ani mal models (carrageenin-induced oedema, adjuvant-induced arthritis, po st-contusion or postpatellectomy osteoarthritis), diacerhein demonstra ted antiinflammatory effects and protected against the development of osteoarthritis. In humans, approximately 30 studies have documented th e efficacy of diacerhein in osteoarthritis. In acute exacerbations of osteoarthritis of the hip, efficacy of ART 50(R) on pain and on the al gofunctional index was significantly greater than that of a placebo an d equivalent to that of tenoxicam on the 60th treatment day. ART 50(R) was as effective as naproxen after two months of treatment. Gastric t olerance has been excellent with diacerhein. Moderate transient diarrh ea has been reported. Because of the promising results obtained with d iacerhein in vitro and in animal models, a large human study has been designed to confirm the chondroprotective effect of ART 50(R).