Background:

Roflumilast is an orally active, selective inhibitor of phophodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) with IC50 value of 0.11nM [1].

Roflumilast is developed for the treatment of the inflammatory component of COPD since PDE-4 is found mainly in inflammatory cells. In vitro studies show that roflumilast inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators in a variety of human immune cells, suggesting a role for reducing COPD-related inflammation. Roflumilast has a rapid absorption with a bioavailability of