Description

Penicillamine is a penicillin derivative that does not exhibit antibiotic activity. Penicillamine is a chelating compound that is clinically used to treat rheumatoid arthritis; it exhibits immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activities. In vitro, penicillamine decreases expression of IL-1, cross-linking of collagen, and activity of macrophages; it also decreases overall T cell levels. Penicillamine also inhibits carboxypeptidases and separately, decreases allergen-induced production of immunoglobulins.