2-(2,3-Dihydro-5-acetoxy-4,6,7-tribenzofuranyl)acetic acid (IRFI 016): a new antioxidant mucoactive drug.

IRFI 016 has demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, inhibiting hepatic lipid peroxidation (rat intoxicated by CCl4) and the formation of gastric lesions by ethanol (rat). This activity proved equal to or better than that exhibited by the most investigated antioxidant/radical scavenger agents (such as BHA, BHT, Vitamin E). The drug markedly increased mucus production (rabbit, mouse) by all the administration routes used (os, i.v. and inhalatory) and proved more active than, or overlapping, the most noted mucoregulatory/mucolytic drugs (sobrerol, bromexine, thiopronine, ambroxol, N-acetylcysteine) which were chosen for comparison. The tracheo-bronchial mucus viscosity was also significantly reduced (bronchitic animals) as was the fucose and total protein content. In the pigeon, IRFI 016 improved mucociliary clearance. Moreover IRFI 016 evidenced anti-inflammatory activity nearly equal to that exhibited by ASA and phenylbutazone (carrageenin oedema, abcesses and inflammatory pain).