Background/aims: Fexofenadine HCl (FEX) has previously been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in relieving nasal congestion in allergic rhinitis. The objective of this study was to further elucidate the mechanism of action behind the anti-inflammatory properties of FEX in addition to its H(1)-receptor antagonism.
Methods: The effects of two antihistamines, FEX and loratadine (LOR), were investigated on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 enzymes in vitro. FEX (10(-9)-10(-3) mol/l) and LOR (10(-9)-10(-4) mol/l) were incubated with arachidonic acid in a COX screening assay with either ovine COX-1 or COX-2 or human COX-2. COX-2 enzyme inhibitory activity for the antihistamines was compared with the known selective COX-2 inhibitor DuP-679.
Results: High concentrations of FEX (10(-3) mol/l) significantly inhibited arachidonic acid-mediated ovine COX-1 activity, but low concentrations had no effect. Low concentrations of FEX (10(-8) mol/l) inhibited ovine COX-2 activity, and this inhibition decreased with increasing concentrations. The inhibition of COX-2 activity by FEX was similar to that seen with the selective COX-2 inhibitor, DuP-679. Conversely, LOR inhibited COX-1 activity at low concentrations (10(-8) mol/l), but had little inhibitory effect on COX-1 at high concentrations. LOR (10(-5) mol/l) markedly stimulated COX-2 activity.
Conclusion: FEX showed selective arachidonic acid-mediated COX-2 inhibitory enzyme activity, which differed markedly from the COX inhibitory enzyme activity of LOR. This selective COX-2 inhibitor activity by FEX may contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties in relieving nasal congestion in allergic rhinitis.