Identification of 4-[4-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-thiazol-2-ylamino]-2,6-dimethyl-phenol (KR-33749) as an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase with potent antiinflammatory activity.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To discover new 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors applicable to inflammation-related skin disease, we identified and examined antiinflammatory properties of a novel 5-LO inhibitor, KR-33749, in vitro and in vivo.
METHODS: 5-LO enzyme activity was assayed using insect cell lysates overexpressing rat 5-LO. The leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) level was assayed in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cell line. Mouse ear edema was induced by topical application of arachidonic acid. Atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion was induced by topical application of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) to NC/Nga mice.
RESULTS: KR-33749 inhibited 5-LO activity with an IC(50) value of 70.5 +/- 6.0 nmol/l in parallel with LTB(4) inhibition in RBL-1 cells. The compound exhibited a >1,000-fold selectivity against 12-LO and 15-LO. KR-33749 showed in vivo protective effects against arachidonic acid-induced ear edema and DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice.
CONCLUSION: Our results show that KR-33749, a new 5-LO inhibitor exhibits potent antiinflammatory activities in vitro as well as in vivo. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.