auranofin

Auranofin is an orally administered gold salt classified as a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) and antirheumatic agent. It is primarily used to treat active, progressive, or destructive forms of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have not responded adequately to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Auranofin works by suppressing inflammation and modulating immune responses; its mechanism involves inhibition of redox enzymes like thioredoxin reductase, leading to increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in target cells. It also alters cytokine levels by increasing IL-8 and reducing IL-6 secretion from monocytes, induces the anti-inflammatory enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and inhibits phagocytosis along with the release of antibodies and cytotoxic enzymes. While its exact mechanism in rheumatoid arthritis remains incompletely understood, it is known for both anti-inflammatory effects and potential neuroprotective activity. Auranofin was developed as the first orally active gold compound for this indication[3][4][5][6][7].

Brand names

Ridaura

Other names

gold saltoral gold compoundchrysotherapeutic agent