CGS21680, an A2A adenosine receptor agonist, is under investigation in various inflammation models for potential novel therapies. For example, CGS21680 possesses an anti-inflammatory effect during chronic inflammation and lessens the tissue damage associated with collagen-induced arthritis. [1]

CGS21680 reduces spinal cord injury-induced phosphorylation of JNK and MAPK. It was shown also to reduce the influx of MPO-positive leukocytes, NFkB activation, and iNOS expression. Additionally, CGS21680 reduced phosphorylation of p65 on Ser536. [2]

In acute lung inflammation models, CGS21680 was shown to reduce neutrophil infiltration and thus degree of lung injury after a carrageenan-challenge. [3]