Angiotensin receptor blockers are well known for their therapeutic efficacy and fimasartan has been used safely and efficiently since 2010 in the treatment of hypertension. The study aimed to examine the anti-inflammatory effect of fimasartan in egg albumin-induced inflammation in rats. Rats were treated with diclofenac (25 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or fimasartan at two different doses (3 or 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The increase in the thickness of the paw was considered to be edema, which was measured using a vernier caliper. Serum was collected to analyze the systemic production of the inflammatory mediators TNF-α, and IL-6. The results showed that fimasartan in both doses significantly reduced edema in inflamed rat paws and produced a significant reduction in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, which increased significantly following egg albumin injection. Fimasartan effects were comparable to the effect produced by the standard anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac. Thus, the study confirms that egg albumin injection induces a systemic elevation in the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and fimasartan was successful in reducing the rat paw edema size and inhibiting the production of proinflammatory mediators. In conclusion, fimasartan is a valuable anti-inflammatory agent in inflammatory conditions.
