Anti-arthritic activity in rats of some phosphinegold(i) thionucleobases and related thiolates.

A number of phosphinegold(I) thiolates where, generally, the thiolate is derived from a thionucleobase, have been screened for anti-arthritic activity in Dark Agouti rats, a gold sensitive model for arthritis. Potency and toxicity data showed that, generally, the Ph(3)P derivatives and species based on thiopurines were the most effective and that with other complexes enhanced activity was accompanied by greater toxicity.