Effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on the proton exchange reaction between octanol and water: its correlation with their inhibitions of inflammation and prostaglandin synthesis.

Effect of various antiinflammatory drugs on proton exchange between octanol OH and water after partition equilibrium between octanol and water at pH 7.4 was examined. These drugs accelerated the proton exchange reaction to different extents. The rate constant of the proton exchange induced by the drugs was well correlated with their biological potencies in inhibiting Carrageenan-induced edema and prostaglandin synthesis, suggesting that proton or electron movement in an apolar environment is very important for exhibition of these biological effects.