A new chloroquinolinyl chalcone derivative as inhibitor of inflammatory and immune response in mice and rats

Abstract

The synthetic chalcone derivative 1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(3-(6,7-dimethoxy-2-chloroquinolinyl))-2-propen-1-one (CIDQ) was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunomodulatory efficacy in-vitro and in-vivo. CIDQ concentration-dependently inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) (IC50 4.3 μM) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (IC50 1.8 μM) in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Human mononuclear cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by 10 μM CIDQ. Oral administration of CIDQ (10–30 mg kg−1) in the 24-h zymosan-stimulated mouse air-pouch model produced a dose-dependent reduction of cell migration as well as NO and PGE2 levels in exudates. CIDQ (20 mg kg−1, p.o.) inhibited ear swelling and leucocyte infiltration in the delayed-type hypersensitivity response to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene in mice. In the rat adjuvant-arthritis model, this compound reduced joint inflammation as well as PGE2 and cytokine levels. In addition, CIDQ displayed analgesic effects in the phenylbenzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction model in mice and in the late phase of the nociceptive response to formalin. Our findings indicated the potential interest of CIDQ in the modulation of some immune and inflammatory conditions.