Anti-inflammatory effects of muramyl dipeptide in experimental models of acute inflammation.

Synthetic muramyl dipeptide, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine (MDP), has been tested for activity against acute inflammation. In all models employed (Bayol + Arlacel paw oedema in rats, carrageenan pleurisy in rats, and carrageenan of dextran paw oedema in mice), MDP given in admixture with the phlogistic agents significantly lowered the resulting inflammatory reaction by about 30-40%. 0.1-0.2 mg of MDP per animal was applied. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of this substance remains unknown.