In common with several anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, local anaesthetic and antioxidant drugs, propyl gallate in vitro inhibited the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 and F2α from arachidonic acid by a prostaglandin synthetase from bull seminal vesicles.
In common with analgesic drugs, propyl gallate reduced the ability of arachidonic acid, acetylcholine or acetic acid to cause abdominal constrictions in mice.
Using a new method of evaluating anti‐inflammatory activity, we demonstrated the effectiveness of aspirin or indomethacin given subcutaneously before u.v. irradiation of guinea‐pig ears, the prophylactic action of topically applied sunscreen agents and the therapeutic value of bufexamac and propyl gallate applied after irradiation.