Adapalene(CD-271; Differin), a synthetic retinoid, is a retinoic acid receptor agonist (RAR).Target: Retinoic acid receptor agonist (RAR)Adapalene is a third-generation topical retinoid primarily used in the treatment of mild-moderate acne and is also used (off-label) to treat keratosis pilaris as well as other skin conditions. Adapalene is possibly more effective than tretinoin 0.025% gel in the treatment of acne vulgaris [1].Thirty-six rats of either sex were divided into six groups (two control groups, and an etodolac, indomethacin, tretinoin and adapalene group) of six animals each. Each group was given different drugs or chemicals. The inhibitory activities of the drugs were determined on carrageenan-induced rat-paw oedema. The inhibition rate (53.48%) in the tretinoin group was found to be higher thanadapalene and controls (P< 0.05). Adapalene was found to have an inhibition rate of 10.28%, and when compared with the other groups, was found to have no statistically significant anti-inflammatory activity [2].

References:
[1]. Ellis CN, et al. Comparison of adapalene 0.1% solution and tretinoin 0.025% gel in the topical treatment of acne vulgaris. Br J Dermatol. 1998 Oct;139 Suppl 52:41-7.
[2]. Akdeniz N, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of tretinoin (all-trans-retinoic acid) 0.1% and adapalene 0.1% in rats. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2005 Sep;30(5):570-2.