Diacerein

Abstract

▲ Rhein, the active metabolite of diacerein, inhibits interleukin-1 activity. Consequently, collagenase production in articular cartilage is reduced. ▲ Rhein dose-dependently inhibits Superoxide anion production, chemotaxis and phagocytic activity of neutrophils, and macrophage migration and phagocytosis. ▲ Articular cartilage damage is reduced by diacerein in animal models of osteoarthritis. ▲ Diacerein does not alter renal or platelet cyclo-oxygenase activity and may therefore be tolerated by patients with prostaglandin-dependent renal function. ▲ In clinical trials of ≤6 months’ duration, oral diacerein 50mg twice daily was associated with improvement in 57 to 85% of patients with osteoarthritis. Pain scores and measures of joint function were generally reduced compared with baseline and placebo. ▲ Diacerein had similar efficacy to NSAIDs, but a slower onset of action, in comparative trials of ▲2 months’ duration conducted in patients with osteoarthritis. ▲ The predominant adverse effects of diacerein are diarrhoea and related disorders. ▲ Rhein, the active metabolite of diacerein, inhibits interleukin-1 activity. Consequently, collagenase production in articular cartilage is reduced. ▲ Rhein dose-dependently inhibits Superoxide anion production, chemotaxis and phagocytic activity of neutrophils, and macrophage migration and phagocytosis. ▲ Articular cartilage damage is reduced by diacerein in animal models of osteoarthritis. ▲ Diacerein does not alter renal or platelet cyclo-oxygenase activity and may therefore be tolerated by patients with prostaglandin-dependent renal function. ▲ In clinical trials of ≤6 months’ duration, oral diacerein 50mg twice daily was associated with improvement in 57 to 85% of patients with osteoarthritis. Pain scores and measures of joint function were generally reduced compared with baseline and placebo. ▲ Diacerein had similar efficacy to NSAIDs, but a slower onset of action, in comparative trials of ▲2 months’ duration conducted in patients with osteoarthritis. ▲ The predominant adverse effects of diacerein are diarrhoea and related disorders.