Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Tetracyclines: Applications to Human Disease

Title: Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Tetracyclines: Applications to Human Disease

Volume: 10 Issue: 2

Author(s): P. J. Higgins, M. Draper and M. Nelson

Affiliation:

Keywords: Tetracycline, inflammation, autoimmunity, therapy, gastrointestinal symptoms, photosensitivity, tissue discoloration, allergic reaction, antibiotics, metalloproteases

Abstract: Tetracyclines possess anti-inflammatory characteristics which are largely independent of their antibacterial activity. A variety of in vitro biologic effects have been reported for tetracyclines in both immune and non-immune cells. The in vivo therapeutic efficacy of tetracyclines in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and stroke has also been demonstrated in both animal models and clinical studies. This review describes the experimental evidence which demonstrates the various non-antibacterial anti-inflammatory activities of tetracyclines and discusses possible mechanisms of action of these drugs.

Cite this article as:

J. Higgins P., Draper M. and Nelson M., Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Tetracyclines: Applications to Human Disease, Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2011; 10 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871523011109020132