Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel compounds for the inhibition of TNF-alpha production

Transition metal free intramolecular selective oxidative C(sp3)–N coupling: synthesis of N-aryl-isoindolinones from 2-alkylbenzamides

A transition metal-free intramolecular selective oxidative coupling reaction of C(sp³)–H and N–H bonds has been presented utilizing iodine, potassium carbonate and di-tert-butyl peroxide in acetonitrile at 110–140 °C.

Effects of dialkoxylphenyl compounds with oxime group on macrophage function and the proliferation of lymphocytes

Dialkoxyphenyl compounds have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of phosphodieseterase (PDE) type IV. In this study, a series of derivatives of dialkoxyphenyl compounds with an oxime group, which is generally known to be one of the biologically active functional groups, were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators in activated macrophages and the proliferation of lymphocytes. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) study with 12 compounds on tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibition, analysed by the oxime geometry and different size of spacers between the oxime and phenyl group, indicated that there might be at least three possible hydrogen bonding sites in the inhibitor binding pocket of PDE IV. Of them, compound 6 clearly displayed the highest inhibitory effect on in-vitro TNF-alpha production from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Compound 6 also suppressed in-vivo TNF-alpha release from LPS-primed mice, a level comparable with that of the standard PDE IV inhibitor, rolipram. In addition, oxime compounds also significantly inhibited both nitric oxide production from activated RAW264.7 cells and T lymphocyte proliferation elicited by concanavalin A but not IL-2. The data suggest that the oxime group may act as a functional group, capable of interacting with the inhibitor-binding pocket of target PDE IV. Therefore, it is conceivable that compound 6 may have the potential either to be developed as a new anti-inflammatory drug or to be used to develop more potent analogues.

Management of erythema nodosum leprosum by thalidomide: thalidomide analogues inhibit M. leprae-induced TNFalpha production in vitro

Thalidomide is being successfully used for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL), among other disorders with inflammatory and immunological bases. Although the active molecules responsible for the diverse therapeutic activities of the drug and the sequence of reactions triggered inside the cells remain unclear, it was demonstrated that thalidomide (THAL) inhibits TNFalpha mRNA expression and protein production by stimulated monocytes and activated T lymphocytes. Patients treated with THAL experienced a reduction in serum TNFalpha levels and it diminished cytokine gene expression at the lesion site, with a concomitant abrogation of clinical symptoms. It has been reported that thalidomide as well as some its analogues decrease M. leprae-induced TNFalpha and IL-12 mRNA in vitro. THAL also reduced monocyte apoptosis in the cultures. The present data further support thalidomide's effects on TNFa synthesis and the growing need to search for new specific TNFalpha inhibitors (non-teratogenic compounds) that might be potentially used in clinical disorders such as leprosy.

Noble 2-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-1-isoindolinone derivatives. part I: synthesis and SAR studies for the inhibition of TNF-alpha production

This study describes the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of noble 2-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-1-isoindolinone derivatives for the inhibition of TNF-alpha production. Among these compounds, 2-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyll-3-methyl-1-isoindolinone (5) was the most potent in inhibitory activity of TNF-alpha production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.