Design and synthesis of new disubstituted benzoxazolone derivatives that act as iNOS inhibitors with potent anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI)

Revealing the diversity of endogenous peptides and parent proteins in human colostrum and mature milk through peptidomics analysis

Endogenous peptides and their parent proteins are important nutritional components with diverse biological functions. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare endogenous peptides and parent proteins found in human colostrum (HC) and human mature milk (HM) using a 4D label-free technique. In total, 5162 and 940 endogenous peptides derived from 258 parent proteins were identified in human milk by database (DB) search and de novo, respectively. Among these peptides, 2446 differentially expressed endogenous peptides with various bioactivities were identified. The Gene Ontology analysis unveiled the cellular components, biological processes, and molecular functions associated with these parent proteins. Metabolic pathway analysis suggested that neutrophil extracellular trap formation had the greatest significance with 24 parent proteins. These findings will offer a fresh perspective on the development of infant formula powder, highlighting the potential for incorporating these changes to enhance its nutritional composition and benefits.

Design, synthesis and molecular docking of novel D-ring substituted steroidal 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazole derivatives that act as iNOS/COX-2 inhibitors with potent anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Inflammation, an important biological protective response to tissue damage or microbial invasion, is considered to be an alarming signal for the progress of varied biological complications. Based on the previous reports in the literature that proved the noticeable efficacy of pyrazole and thiazole scaffold as well as nitrogen heterocyclic based compounds against acute and chronic inflammatory disease, a new set of novel D-ring substituted steroidal 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted by their inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells, and the optimal compound 12b [3β-hydroxy-pregn-5-en-17β-yl-5'- (o- chlorophenyl)- 1'-(4''- phenyl -[1'', 3'']- thiazol-2''- yl) - 4',5'-dihydro - 1'H-pyrazol - 3'- yl] exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory activity than the positive control treatment methylprednisolone (MPS), with an IC50 value of 2.59 μM on NO production and low cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cells. In further mechanism study, our results showed that compound 12b significantly suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and inhibited the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) through blocking NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of IκBα. Compound 12b also attenuated LPS-induced activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells. Molecular docking study revealed the strong binding affinity of compound 12b to the active site of the COX-2 proteins, which confirmed that compound 12b acted as an anti-inflammatory mediator. These results indicate that steroidal derivatives bearing 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazole structure might be considered for further research and scaffold optimization in designing anti-inflammatory drugs and compound 12b might be a promising therapeutic anti-inflammatory drug candidate.

Development of novel nitric oxide production inhibitors based on the 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine scaffold

Nitric oxide (NO), the smallest signaling molecule known, can be excessively produced by overexpressed inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and eventually leads to multiple inflammatory related diseases. Thus, reducing the overexpression of NO represents as very potential anti-inflammatory strategy. In current study, a series of compounds were designed and synthesized based on the hybridization of 7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine and cinnamamide fragments in order to develop novel NO production inhibitors. Among them, compound S2h displayed a vigorous inhibitory activity on NO production with an IC50 value of 3.21 ± 0.67 µM, which was much lower than that of the positive control Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, IC50 = 28.36 ± 3.13 µM). Due to its obeying Lipinski's and Veber's rules that guarantee compounds with good oral bioavailability, S2h effectively suppressed the paw swelling in carrageenan-induced mice. Additionally, compound S2h formed clear interactions with iNOS protein according to the docking analysis. Therefore, compounds S2h is a promising lead compound for further development of potent iNOS inhibitors or anti-inflammatory agents.

Practical Three-Component Regioselective Synthesis of Drug-Like 3-Aryl(or heteroaryl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]cinnolines as Potential Non-Covalent Multi-Targeting Inhibitors To Combat Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are one of the prominent health challenges facing contemporary society, and many efforts have been made to overcome and (or) control it. In this research paper, we described a practical one-pot two-step three-component reaction between 3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (1), aryl(or heteroaryl)glyoxal monohydrates (2a-h), and hydrazine monohydrate (NH2NH2•H2O) for the regioselective preparation of some 3-aryl(or heteroaryl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]cinnoline derivatives (3a-h). After synthesis and characterization of the mentioned cinnolines (3a-h), the in silico multi-targeting inhibitory properties of these heterocyclic scaffolds have been investigated upon various Homo sapiens-type enzymes, including hMAO-A, hMAO-B, hAChE, hBChE, hBACE-1, hBACE-2, hNQO-1, hNQO-2, hnNOS, hiNOS, hPARP-1, hPARP-2, hLRRK-2(G2019S), hGSK-3β, hp38α MAPK, hJNK-3, hOGA, hNMDA receptor, hnSMase-2, hIDO-1, hCOMT, hLIMK-1, hLIMK-2, hRIPK-1, hUCH-L1, hPARK-7, and hDHODH, which have confirmed their functions and roles in the neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), based on molecular docking studies, and the obtained results were compared with a wide range of approved drugs and well-known (with IC50, EC50, etc.) compounds. In addition, in silico ADMET prediction analysis was performed to examine the prospective drug properties of the synthesized heterocyclic compounds (3a-h). The obtained results from the molecular docking studies and ADMET-related data demonstrated that these series of 3-aryl(or heteroaryl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]cinnolines (3a-h), especially hit ones, can really be turned into the potent core of new drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), and/or due to the having some reactionable locations, they are able to have further organic reactions (such as cross-coupling reactions), and expansion of these compounds (for example, with using other types of aryl(or heteroaryl)glyoxal monohydrates) makes a new avenue for designing novel and efficient drugs for this purpose.

Chondroprotective effects of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae as an edible insect on osteoarthritis in mice

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of the articular cartilage, bone remodeling, and excessive chronic pain. Most therapeutic approaches do not rescue the progression of OA effectively or provide relief of symptoms. Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larva (PBSL), which is attracting attention, is an edible insect with very high nutritional value and herbal medicine for the treatment of blood stasis, hepatic disease, and various inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of PBSL on OA has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of PBSL water extract on the progression of OA using monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced mice and SW1353 chondrocytes or murine macrophages. We injected MIA into the intraarticular area of mice following pretreatment with either saline or PBSL (200 mg/kg) for 2 weeks, and then locomotor activity, microcomputed tomography and histopathological analysis, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, and western blot analysis were performed. To determine the molecular effects of PBSL, we used interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced SW1353 chondrosarcoma or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Pretreatment with PBSL diminished the symptoms of OA. Physical activity, articular cartilage damage, and the generation of microfractures were rescued by pretreatment with PBSL in the mouse model. Pretreatment with PBSL suppressed the progress of OA through the regulation of articular cartilage degradation genes and inflammation in both in vivo and in vitro models. Our results demonstrated that PBSL has value as edible insect that can be used in the development of functional foods for OA.

Synthesis and biological profile of benzoxazolone derivatives

The benzoxazolone nucleus is an ideal scaffold for drug design, owing to its discrete physicochemical profile, bioisosteric preference over pharmacokinetically weaker moieties, weakly acidic behavior, presence of both lipophilic and hydrophilic fragments on a single framework, and a wider choice of chemical modification on the benzene and oxazolone rings. These properties apparently influence the interactions of benzoxazolone-based derivatives with their respective biological targets. Hence, the benzoxazolone ring is implicated in the synthesis and development of pharmaceuticals with a diverse biological profile ranging from anticancer, analgesics, insecticides, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective agents. This has further led to the commercialization of several benzoxazolone-based molecules and a few others under clinical trials. Nevertheless, the SAR exploration of benzoxazolone derivatives for the identification of potential "hits" followed by the screening of "leads" provides a plethora of opportunities for further exploration of the pharmacological profile of the benzoxazolone nucleus. In this review, we aim to present the biological profile of different derivatives based on the benzoxazolone framework.

Discovery of Coixol Derivatives as Potent Anti-inflammatory Agents

Coixol, a derivative of 2-benzoxazolinone extracted from coix (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf), has demonstrated promising anti-inflammatory activity and low cytotoxicity. In this study, 26 coixol derivatives were designed and synthesized by hybridization with cinnamic acid to identify new anti-inflammatory agents. The anti-inflammatory activities of the derivatives were screened using LPS-induced overexpression of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 macrophages. On the basis of the screening results, compounds containing furan (9c) or nitrofuran (9j) moieties displayed more pronounced activity than coixol and celecoxib. Mechanistic investigations revealed that 9c and 9j suppressed the expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, which was associated with the inhibition of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathway. In vivo studies confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of 9c and 9j in a xylene-induced mice auricles edema model. The preliminary in vitro and in vivo research findings suggest that 9c and 9j have the potential to be developed as anti-inflammatory agents.

Effect of seabuckthorn seed protein and its arginine-enriched peptides on combating memory impairment in mice

The current study characterized the combating memory impairment effect of seabuckthorn seed protein (SSP) and the arginine (Arg)-enriched peptides (SSPP) on d-galactose-induced brain aging in mice. The Arg content in SSP and SSPP were 10.11 and 17.82 g/100 g, respectively. Seven Arg peptides (Ile/Leu-Arg, Arg-Glu, Asp-Arg-Pro, Arg-Try-Ala, Glu-Arg-Ser, Val-Gly-Arg-Pro, and Lys-Thr-Glu-Arg) were identified from SSPP. The animal experiments of the Morris water maze and the step-down test indicated that the oral administration of SSP (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/g·d) and SSPP (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/g·d) significantly (p < 0.05) reversed the learning and memory impairment symptoms. The activation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and neuronal NO synthase were increased, and inducible NO synthase decreased after SSP and SSPP in the hippocampus compared to the model group, with the SSPP being quite effective. Moreover, the treatment significantly exhibited the ability to normalize the serum inflammatory cytokine levels (NF-ĸB, TNF-α, IL-6) and suppress the Arg-inducible nitric oxide (Arg-iNO) pathway. Therefore, SSP and SSPP ingestion reversed the behavioral learning and memory impairment symptoms possibly associated with the anti-inflammation and Arg-iNO pathway. Consumption of SSP and SSPP diets can be beneficial to memory impairment.

Molecularly imprinted polymer-specific solid-phase extraction for the determination of 4-hydroxy-2(3H)benzoxazolone isolated from Acanthus ilicifolius Linnaeus using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The minor constituent found in Acanthus ilicifolius Linnaeus, 4-hydroxy-2 (3H) benzoxazolone alkaloid (HBOA), has a range of versatile applications. Herein, a quick and straightforward method for extracting HBOA from A. ilicifolius Linnaeus was proposed. HBOA was used as a template, whereas methacrylic acid, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and acetonitrile were used as functional monomers, cross-linkers, and porogens, respectively. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized by precipitation polymerization, and their adsorption isotherms, dynamics, and selective binding ability were characterized and analyzed. The results showed that the adsorption amount of the template was 90.18 mg/g. The MIPs were used as solid-phase extraction fillers and actual sample extraction columns, with a linear range of 0–100 μg/L, average recovery of 78.50–101.12%, and a relative standard deviation of 1.20–3.26%. The HBOA concentrations in the roots, stems, and leaves were 1,226, 557, and 205 μg/g, respectively. In addition, MIP–SPE was successfully used in isolating and purifying HBOA from different parts of A. ilicifolius Linnaeus, indicating its effectiveness in extracting and determining HBOA in other herbs.

Melatonin attenuates LPS-induced pyroptosis in acute lung injury by inhibiting NLRP3-GSDMD pathway via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis

Acute lung injury (ALI)/ acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is featured by intensive inflammatory responses and oxidative stress, which lead to cytokine storms and pyroptosis. Here, we aimed to investigate whether melatonin was capable of alleviating LPS-induced ALI via activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling axis and inhibiting pyroptosis. Mice were injected with melatonin (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for consecutive five days before LPS instillation intratracheally, and human alveolar epithelial cell (AECⅡ) A549 cell lines and murine macrophages Raw264.7 cell lines were pretreated with melatonin (400 μM) before LPS (10 μg/ml) stimulation. The result demonstrated that LPS induced obvious lung injury characterized by alveolar damage, neutrophil infiltration and lung edema as well as the reduction of the survival rate of mice, which were totally reversed by melatonin pretreatment. Mechanistically, melatonin pretreatment activated nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor (Nrf) 2 signaling, subsequently, drove antioxidant pathways including significant increases in the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, Mn-SOD and Catalase in vivo and in vitro. Simultaneously, melatonin inhibited ROS and MDA overproduction, iNOS expression as well as TNF-α and IL-1β expression and release. Furthermore, melatonin inhibited LPS-induced pyroptosis by reversing the overexpression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD-N, as well as LDH release and TUNEL-positive cells in A549 cells and Raw264.7 cells. Overall, the current study suggests that melatonin exerts protective roles on LPS-induced ALI and pyroptosis by inhibiting NLRP3-GSDMD pathway via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling axis.

JFNE-A isolated from Jing-Fang n-butanol extract attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and the NF-κB signaling pathway via promotion of autophagy

BACKGROUND

Jing-Fang powder consists of Jingjie (Nepeta tenuifolia Benth, (Lamiaceae)). and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk, (Apiaceae)) Previous studies have revealed that the Jing-Fang powder n-butanol extract (JFNE) has anti-acute lung injury (ALI) and anti-inflammatory properties; however, the active ingredient and mechanism remain unknown.

PURPOSE

In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of a bioactive fraction obtained from JFNE(JFNE-A) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in mice and explored the underlying mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN

The anti-acute lung injury effect and mechanism of JFNE-A was investigated by prophylactic administration of JFNE-A in mice with LPS-induced acute lung injury.

METHODS

The expression levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO) in lung tissues of mice and interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-5, interferon (IFN)-γ, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and MIP-1β in bronchi alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by reagent kit and the histological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) for general histopathological conditions under a light microscope. In addition, the ultrastructure of the cells in lung tissues were observed and photographed under a transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of protein were detected via Western blotting and the mRNA expression of relative genes were determined of via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). What's more, we also further clarified the potential targets of JFNE-A through network pharmacology analysis, which could be utilized in ALI treatment.

RESULTS

Our results showed that pretreatment with JFNE-A for 7 days significantly reduced the lung pathological injury score, alleviated pulmonary edema, and decreased the lung tissue MPO level. Mechanistically, JFNE-A dramatically downregulated the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, M-CSF, and IFN-γ in BALF and mRNA expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ in lung tissues. JFNE-A also significantly lowered the protein levels of iNOS and phosphorylated NF-κB (p65) and mRNA expression levels of iNOS, Rela, CHUK, and NF-κB1, and also elevated the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD1 and the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, Hmox1, and Keap-1 in the lungs. Moreover, JFNE-A significantly decreased the protein expression of p62 and increased the ratio of LC3II/LC3I. It also upregulated the mRNA expression levels of Atg5 and Beclin-1, whereas it reduced the mRNA expression level of SQSTM1 and increased autophagosome structures.

CONCLUSION

Overall, treatment with JFNE-A ameliorated LPS-induced ALI in mice by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathways and promoting Nrf2 signaling pathways by accelerating autophagy.

Heat shock proteins took part in oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory injury via NF-κB pathway in excess manganese-treated chicken livers

Manganese (Mn) is an essential metal in humans and animals. However, excess Mn entered environment due to the wide application of Mn in industry and agriculture, and became an environmental pollutant. Exposure to high doses of Mn is toxic to humans and animals (including chickens). Liver is a target organ of Mn poisoning. Nevertheless, there were few studies on whether Mn poisoning damages chicken livers and poisoning mechanism of Mn in chicken livers. Herein, the aim of this study was to explore if oxidative stress, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and inflammatory response were involved in the mechanism of Mn poisoning-caused damage in chicken livers. A chicken Mn poisoning model was established. One hundred and eighty chickens were randomly divided into one control group (containing 127.88 mg Mn kg^-1) and three Mn-treated groups (containing 600, 900, and 1800 mg Mn kg^-1, respectively). Histomorphological structure was observed via microstructure and ultrastructure. Spectrophotometry was used to detect total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, as well as nitric oxide (NO) content. And qRT-PCR was performed to measure mRNA expression of inflammatory genes (nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and iNOS) and heat shock protein (HSP) genes (HSP27, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90). Multivariate correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis were used to demonstrate the reliability of mechanism of Mn poisoning in our experiment. The results indicated that excess Mn led to inflammatory injury at three contents and three time points. Meanwhile, we found that NO content, iNOS activity, and NF-κB, TNF-α, COX-2, PGE2, and iNOS mRNA expression increased after Mn treatment, meaning that exposure to Mn induced inflammatory response via NF-κB pathway in chicken livers. Moreover, excess Mn decreased T-AOC activity, indicating that Mn exposure caused oxidative stress. Furthermore, mRNA expression of above five HSP genes was up-regulated during Mn exposure. Oxidative stress triggered the increase of HSPs and the increase of HSPs mediated inflammatory response induced by Mn. In addition, there were time- and dose-dependent effects on Mn-caused chicken liver inflammatory injury. Taken together, HSPs participated in oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory damage caused by excess Mn in chicken livers via NF-κB pathway. For the first time, we found that oxidative stress can trigger HSP70 and HSPs can trigger poisoning-caused inflammatory damage, which needs to be further explored. This study provided a new insight into environmental pollutants and a reference for further study on molecular mechanisms of poisoning.

Screening of anti-chronic nonbacterial prostatitis activity of different extractions of the aerial part of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and network pharmacology research

In the present study, anti-chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) pharmacological experiments using water and ethanol extraction of the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis were performed to select the best active parts by comparing their efficacy in a CNP model established by injecting carrageenin into the ventral lobe of rat prostate. The anti-CNP activities and expression of serum inflammatory factors in rats were also analyzed. A Protein-Protein Interaction network was constructed, and core targets were screened using topology and analyzed using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Water and ethanol extraction exhibited good inhibitory effect on the pathological changes of the prostate tissue, the expression of inflammatory factors and fibrosis factors in CNP rats, whereas no differences were observed compared with the positive control drug. Water extraction was more effective and significantly reduced PGE2 expression (P<0.05). Network pharmacology assays showed 15 active components in the aerial part of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and 9 key CNP therapeutic targets of the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis were identified. The effect of water exraction on chronic prostatitis rats was significant. The aerial part of Glycyrrhiza uralensis downregulated the levels of inflammatory factors and inhibited proinflammatory gene transcription, reduced oxidative stress response, inhibited cell survival pathways, regulated sex hormone levels, prevented immunostimulation and attenuated inflammation. This study provides a theoretical reference for the development of anti-CNP agents, and offers a novel methodology for identifying and clarifying the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of the anti-CNP components in the aerial part of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

Toxic effects of copper on the jejunum and colon of pigs: mechanisms related to gut barrier dysfunction and inflammation influenced by the gut microbiota

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace mineral, but its excessive intake can lead to potentially toxic effects on host physiology. The mammalian intestine harbors various microorganisms that are associated with intestinal barrier function and inflammation. In this study, the influences of Cu on barrier function, microbiota, and its metabolites were examined in the jejunum and colon of pigs. Here, we identified that the physical and chemical barrier functions were impaired both in the jejunum and colon, as evidenced by the decreased expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, and JAM-1) and mucous secretion-related genes, positive rate of Muc2, and secretion of SIgA and SIgG. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines were overexpressed in the jejunum and colon. Furthermore, Cu might increase the abundances of Mycoplasma, Actinobacillus and unidentified_Enterobacteriaceae in the jejunum, which significantly affected pentose and glucoronate interconversions, histidine metabolism, folate biosynthesis, porphyrin metabolism, and purine metabolism. Meanwhile, the abundances of Lactobacillus and Methanobrevibacter were remarkably decreased and Streptococcus, unidentified_Enterobacteriaceae, and unidentified_Muribaculaceae were significantly increased in the colon, with an evident impact on glycerophospholipid metabolism, retinol metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. These findings revealed that excess Cu had significant effects on the microbiota and metabolites in the jejunum and colon, which were involved in intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation.

Small molecule compounds with good anti-inflammatory activity reported in the literature from 01/2009 to 05/2021: a review

Inflammation and disease are closely related. Inflammation can induce various diseases, and diseases can promote inflammatory response, and two possibly induces each other in a bidirectional loop. Inflammation is usually treated using synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs which are associated with several adverse effects hence are not safe for long-term use. Therefore, there is need for anti-inflammatory drugs which are not only effective but also safe. Several researchers have devoted to the research and development of effective anti-inflammatory drugs with little or no side effects. In this review, we studied some small molecules with reported anti-inflammatory activities and hence potential sources of anti-inflammatory agents. The information was retrieved from relevant studies published between January 2019 and May, 2021 for review. This review study was aimed to provide relevant information towards the design and development of effective and safe anti-inflammation agents.

Synthesis, bioevaluation and docking studies of new imidamide derivatives as nitric oxide synthase inhibitors

In search of new Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) inhibitor agents, two isosteric series of derivatives with an imidamide scaffold (one of them with a hydroxyl group and the other with a carbonyl one) were synthesized and evaluated on inducible (iNOS) and neuronal (nNOS) isoforms. These compounds have been designed by combining a kynurenamine framework with an amidine moiety in order to improve selectivity for the inducible isoform. In general, the in vitro inhibitory assays exhibited better inhibition values on the iNOS isoform, being the N-(3-(2-amino-5-methoxyphenyl)-3-hydroxypropyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidamide 4i the most active inhibitor with the highest iNOS selectivity, without inhibiting eNOS. Docking studies on the two most active compounds suggest a different binding mode on both isozymes, supporting the experimentally observed selectivity towards the inducible isoform. Physicochemical in silico studies suggest that these compounds possess good drug-likeness properties.

New cassane- and norcassane-type diterpenoids from the seed kernels of Caesalpinia sinensis and their anti-inflammatory activity in vitro

The first investigation of phytochemistry on the seed kernels of Caesalpinia sinensis led to the isolation and characterization of six new compounds including three tricyclic-type cassane diterpenoids (1--3) and three norcassane-type diterpenoids (4-6), together with three know compounds (7-9). Compounds 1-9 represented the first discovery of cassane-type diterpenoids from C. sinensis. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiment and ECD calculation. The characters for compounds 4 and 5 possessing the 15,16-degradative cassane skeleton were observed, which was extremely rare structural type in the genus Caesalpinia. The anti-inflammatory activities of all isolates were evaluated via examining their inhibitory effects against NO production in LPS-simulated RAW 264.7 cells. The results demonstrated that compound 1 exhibited the most significantly inhibitory efficacy with inhibition rate 67.3% at 10 μM. The iNOS enzyme activity assay further revealed that compound 1 showed potent NO inhibitory effect by reducing the enzymatic activity of iNOS.