Fluoroquinolones reduce carrageenan-induced edema in rats and the involvement of the glucocorticoid receptor system.

We studied the effect of fluoroquinolones (FQs) on carrageenan-induced edema in the rat footpad. Ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, sparfloxacin, norfloxacin, and enoxacin (s.c., 100 mg/kg), which have piperazinyl and/or cyclopropyl groups, inhibited carrageenan-induced edema, whereas levofloxacin, tosufloxacin, and pazufloxacin did not. The reduction of edema by ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin, and enoxacin was abolished by pretreatment with mifepristone, an antagonist of the glucocorticoid receptor. These results suggest that FQs with piperazinyl and/or cyclopropyl groups can modify biological responses through enhancing the glucocorticoid-glucocorticoid receptor system.