Anti-inflammatory effect of a novel synthetic compound 1-((4-fluorophenyl) thio)isoquinoline in RAW264.7 macrophages and a zebrafish model

Abstract

The compound, 1((4-fluorophenypthio)isoquinoline (FPTQ), is a synthetic isoquinoline derivative. To test the anti-inflammatory effect of FPTQ, we used neutrophil-specific transgenic zebrafish Tg(mpx::EGFP)(i114) line and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. We also used two different methods, involving tail transection and LPS stimulation in the zebrafish model. Neutrophils translocation in the zebrafish tail-transected model was inhibited by FPTQ. Neutrophil aggregation was also inhibited by FPTQ in the LPS-stimulated zebrafish model. Decreased mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, interleukin-1 beta (il-1 beta) and interleukin-6 (il-6), was found in zebrafish larvae injected with FPTQ. Additionally, production of nitric oxide was inhibited by FPTQ in RAW264.7 macrophage cells treated with LPS. Moreover, the mRNA expression of Il-1 beta and Il-6 suppressed by FPTQ treatment in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, and an enzyme immunoassay showed that FPTQ suppressed the secretion of IL-1 beta and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. These results demonstrate that FPTQ reduced inflammatory responses and, therefore, suggest that it may be effective as an anti-inflammatory agent.