Isoquinoline is an analog of pyridine. Isoquinoline-based alkaloids , such as p-tolyl bisisoquinoline, phthaloyl isoquinoline, and naphthyl isoquinoline, exhibit anticancer activity.Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, exerts anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic mice by downregulating the gene expression ratios of pro-/anti-inflammatory and Th1/Th2 cytokines.Additionally, some isoquinoline-based compounds also possess antidepressant, antibacterial , antimalarial, and anti- HIV activities .