The triterpenes lupeol (L), lupeol-3-palmitate (LP), and lupeol-3-linoleate (LL) have previously been shown to reduce joint destruction in adjuvant arthritic rats. In order to explain the relative antiarthritic effectiveness (LL>LP>L), the triterpenes were tested on the release of collagenase by rat osteosarcoma (bone tumor) cells, on the release of 5 Iipoxygenase inflammatory products by human neutrophils, and on CCI,-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The rat osteosarcoma cells released collagenase which digested type I (bone) native collagen. The collagenase release, unaffected by 50 FM lupeol, decreased in the presence of lupeol linoleate and lupeol palmitate by 97% and 78%, respectively. The 30% inhibitory concentrations (lC3,J of lupeol linoleate, lupeol palmitate, and lupeol on LTB, release by the neutrophils were 27 pM, 94 FM, and >I00 p, M, respectively. All the triterpenes equally reduced hepatic fatty degeneration in CCI, rats, but only the triterpene esters significantly reduced LDH release (34% LL; 25% LP) and accelerated hepatic cell regeneration (LL>LP). The effectiveness of the triterpenes in the models of inflammatory and arthritic processes employed here corresponded with their relative antiarthritic effectiveness in adjuvant arthritic rats. o 1995 WiIey-Liss. Inc.

alpha-Amyrin palmitate, present in a Ghanaian antiarthritic herbal preparation of Alstonia boonei, Elaies guineensis and Rauvolfia vomitoria, was synthesised and tested on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rats. Administered orally at 56 mg/kg body weight (BW) daily for 8 days from days 11 to 18 post adjuvant (acute) or at 66 mg/kg BW every 48 h for 5 days from days 32 to 40 (chronic), the drug returned the increases in serum hyaluronate and blood granulocytes towards non-arthritic levels and corrected the moderate anaemia of adjuvant arthritis. Histological examinations of the proximal interphalangeal foot joints showed reduced synovial proliferation and invasion of joints and reduced leucocyte infiltration of bone marrow and periarticular tissue in treated rats. The results suggest that alpha-amyrin palmitate contributes to the previously shown antiarthritic effect of the herbal preparation.

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Summary 1. two cases of the “trapdoor” variety of blowout fracture of the orbital floor are described. 2. the mechanism of this injury is discussed and the point is made that the diagnosis may have to be made entirely on clinical grounds. 3. it is noted that this type of fracture may be more common in children and young adults and a possible reason for this is given. 4. the operative treatment is described.