Raxofelast (IRFI-016) is a hydrophilic, non-systemic, vitamin-like antioxidant that reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in testis. Raxofelast is a good candidate compound for stopping oxidative stress after acute testicular torsion. Raxofelast has the potential to treat diabetic complications and atherosclerosis.

In glial cells, We evaluated the power of the antioxidants genistein and IRFI 016 (20-80 microM), compared with glutathione ethyl ester and cysteamine-HCl, to antagonize the effects elicited by glutamate. Alterations of cell redox status were reduced, in a dose-dependent way, by antioxidants; IRFI 016 (80 microM) and genistein (10 microM) almost completely restored glutathione basal levels and significantly diminished ROS production, as well as 100 microM glutathione ethyl ester. These antioxidant effects were stronger than those caused by 500 microM cysteamine-HCl. The activation of p50 and p65 NF-kappaB subunits induced by glutamate exposure was significantly reduced by IRFI 016, acting in a dose-dependent manner. [1]

The effects of IRFI-016 [2(2,3 Dihydro-5-Acetoxy 4,6,7-Trimethyl-Benzofuranyl) acetic acid] a new radical scavenger were studied following six hours of myocardial ischemia, induced by left coronary artery occlusion in male rats. Occlusion of the coronary artery, furthermore, was associated with an immediate rise in the ST segment of the ECG, which was significantly attenuated by IRFI-016. These findings further suggest that IRFI-016 may be a useful agent in the treatment of myocardial occlusion injury.[2] We have investigated the therapeutic efficacy of raxofelast in rats subjected to carrageenan-induced pleurisy. In vivo, treatment with raxofelast (5, 10, 20 mg kg(-1) intraperitoneally 5 min before carrageenan) prevented in a dose-dependent manner carrageenan-induced pleural exudation and polymorphonuclear migration in rats subjected to carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as histological organ injury, were significantly reduced by raxofelast. Raxofelast (5, 10, 20 mg kg(-1)) treatment significantly reduced peroxynitrite formation as measured prevented the appearance of DNA damage, the decrease in mitochondrial respiration and partially restored the cellular level of NAD+ in ex vivo macrophages harvested from the pleural cavity of rats subjected to carrageenan-induced pleurisy. In conclusion, Study demonstrates that raxofelast, a new hydrophilic vitamin E-like antioxidant agent, exerts multiple protective effects in carrageenan-induced acute inflammation.[3]