The object is to provide a novel antiphlogistic-analgesic agent which is highly safe and can be administered over a long period. A study is made on the antiphlogistic-analgesic effect of a-lactalbumin which is one of natural substances contained in foods, and it is found that a-lactalbumin exhibits a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition activity and a phospholipase-A2 inhibition activity in vitro. In the in vivo test using a carrageenin food edema model, an adjuvant arthritis model and an acetic acid writhing test, it is also found that a-lactalbumin exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect. Further, it is also found that a-lactalbumin inhibits COX-2 more selectively compared to COX-1. Therefore, a-lactalbumin can be used as an antiphlogistic-analgesic agent having few adverse side effects.
