Thienopyrimidine derivatives prevent cartilage destruction in articular disease

The effects of a series of thienopyrimidine derivatives on the prevention of cartilage destruction in articular disease were investigated. Anti-degenerative activity was assayed on culture of nasal pig cartilage in the presence or in the absence of interleukin 1β (IL-1β). The amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the culture medium were determined. Some thienopyrimidine derivatives, in the presence of IL-β, blocked the cartilage breakdown by inhibiting both the NO production and GAGs release in a dose-dependent manner