Microfluidics assisted synthesis and bioevaluation of sinomenine derivatives as antiinflammatory agents

Bioactivities and Mechanisms of Action of Sinomenine and Its Derivatives: A Comprehensive Review

Sinomenine, an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the roots and stems of Sinomenium acutum, has been extensively studied for its derivatives as bioactive agents. This review concentrates on the research advancements in the biological activities and action mechanisms of sinomenine-related compounds until November 2023. The findings indicate a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects, including antitumor, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection, and immunosuppressive properties. These compounds are notably effective against breast, lung, liver, and prostate cancers, exhibiting IC50 values of approximately 121.4 nM against PC-3 and DU-145 cells, primarily through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, MAPK, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Additionally, they manifest anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects predominantly via the NF-κB, MAPK, and Nrf2 signaling pathways. Utilized in treating rheumatic arthritis, these alkaloids also play a significant role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, as well as organ protection through the NF-κB, Nrf2, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. This review concludes with perspectives and insights on this topic, highlighting the potential of sinomenine-related compounds in clinical applications and the development of medications derived from natural products.

Isoxazole/Isoxazoline Skeleton in the Structural Modification of Natural Products: A Review

Isoxazoles and isoxazolines are five-membered heterocyclic molecules containing nitrogen and oxygen. Isoxazole and isoxazoline are the most popular heterocyclic compounds for developing novel drug candidates. Over 80 molecules with a broad range of bioactivities, including antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cardiovascular, and other activities, were reviewed. A review of recent studies on the use of isoxazoles and isoxazolines moiety derivative activities for natural products is presented here, focusing on the parameters that affect the bioactivity of these compounds.

Towards Better Sinomenine-Type Drugs to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis: Molecular Mechanisms and Structural Modification

Sinomenine is the main component of the vine Sinomenium acutum. It was first isolated in the early 1920s and has since attracted special interest as a potential anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) agent, owing to its successful application in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatoid diseases. In the past few decades, significant advances have broadened our understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which sinomenine treats RA, as well as the structural modifications necessary for improved pharmacological activity. In this review, we summarize up-to-date reports on the pharmacological properties of sinomenine in RA treatment, document their underlying mechanisms, and provide an overview of promising sinomenine derivatives as potential RA drug therapies.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel sinomenine derivatives as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent

Sinomenine (SIN) has long been known as an anti-inflammatory drug, while poor efficiency and large-dose treatment had limited its further application. A series of novel SIN derivatives 1–26 were designed and synthesized to improve its anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity evaluation showed most of the derivatives exhibited enhanced anti-inflammatory activity in vitro compared to SIN. Compound 17 significantly inhibited LPS-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory factors NO (IC₅₀ = 30.28 ± 1.70 μM), and suppressed the expression of iNOS, IL-6 and TNF-α in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, compound 17 showed excellent anti-inflammatory in mouse paw edema. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that compound 17 exerted anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α. Furthermore, compound 17 exhibited an analgesic effect in vivo. The results attained in this study indicated that compound 17 had the potential to be developed into an anti-inflammation and analgesic agent.

A series of novel sinomenine derivatives were designed and synthesized. Among them, compound 17 showed strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

Design and synthesis of C-ring quinoxaline-substituted sinomenine 1,2,3-triazole derivatives via click reactions

The synthesis of C-ring quinoxaline-substituted sinomenine 1,2,3-triazole derivatives at the 4-OH via click reactions is accomplished, and a total of 16 novel sinomenine double N-heterocyclic derivatives are obtained in 74%–95% yields. The C-ring is first transformed into a 1,2-diketone structure under the action of hydrochloric acid, and then reacted with o-phenylenediamine to obtain a C-ring quinoxaline-substituted structure. The 4-OH of sinomenine reacts with chloropropyne to give an alkynyl sinomenine, and then reacts with sodium azide and various benzyl chlorides to give the target compounds. All the synthesized derivatives are characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, high resolution mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

The present and future synthetic strategies of structural modifications of sinomenine

This review summarizes the modifications of sinomenine, a hot compound derived from herbal plants, which possesses diverse biological activities and low cytotoxicity.

Design and synthesis of sinomenine isoxazole derivatives via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

A novel structure of sinomenine isoxazole derivatives is synthesised from sinomenine hydrochloride and aromatic aldehydes and requires six steps. 19 target compounds have been obtained in good yields. The sinomenine hydrochloride transforms to 4-alkynyl sinomenine, which is a key intermediate product to synthesise the target sinomenine isoxazole compounds, after a neutralisation reaction with ammonia and substitution reaction with 3-chloropropyne. Another key intermediate product is 1,3-dipole, which can be obtained from aromatic aldehyde. After treatment with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and then sodium carbonate solution, aromatic aldehyde is converted to aldehyde oxime, which reacts with N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) to afford aryl hydroximino chloride. 1,3-Dipole is eventually formed in situ while triethylamine (TEA) in DMF is added dropwise. Then 4-alkynyl sinomenine is added to provide the sinomenine isoxazole derivative via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction as the key step. All the target compounds are characterised by melting point, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, HRMS and FT-IR spectroscopy.

Synthesis of C-ring hydrogenated sinomenine cinnamate derivatives via Heck reactions

The synthesis of C-ring hydrogenated sinomenine derivatives is accomplished from sinomenine by treatment with Zn-Hg/HCl, halogenation with NIS, and Heck reactions with various acrylates. A total of nine novel sinomenine cinnamate derivatives are obtained in 84%–93% yields. The structures of all the derivatives are characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS spectroscopy.

YL064 directly inhibits STAT3 activity to induce apoptosis of multiple myeloma cells

Aberrant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a critical role in the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma. And inactivation of STAT3 is considered a promising strategy for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Here we show that the sinomenine derivative YL064 could selectively reduce the cell viability of multiple myeloma cell lines and primary multiple myeloma cells. Moreover, YL064 also induces cell death of myeloma cells in the presence of stromal cells. Western blot analysis showed that YL064 inhibited the constitutive activation and IL-6-induced activation of STAT3, reflected by the decreased phosphorylation of STAT3 on Tyr705. Consistent with this, YL064 inhibited the nuclear translocation of STAT3 and the expression of STAT3 target genes, such as cyclin D1 and Mcl-1. Using biotin- and FITC-labeled YL064, we found that YL064 could pull-down STAT3 from myeloma cells and colocalized with STAT3, suggesting that YL064 directly targets STAT3. Cellular thermal shift assay further demonstrated the engagement of YL064 to STAT3 in cells. Molecular docking studies indicated that YL064 may interact with STAT3 in its SH2 domain, thereby inhibiting the dimerization of STAT3. Finally, YL064 inhibited the growth of human myeloma xenograft in vivo. Taken together, this study demonstrated that YL064 may be a promising candidate compound for the treatment of multiple myeloma by directly targeting STAT3.

A selective HPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of SND-117 in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder affects many adults. Sinomenine, a natural product, has been clinically available for the treatment of RA in China. SND-117, a sinomenine derivative with much more potent activity, might serve as a candidate for anti-arthritis. The aim of the present study was to develop a sensitive and rapid high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method for quantification of SND-117 in rat plasma and to understand its absolute bioavailability. The HPLC-MS/MS method was developed and fully validated for determination of SND-117 in rat plasma, and the pharmacokinetic differences were investigated after different administration routes. The pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated by non-compartment model with DAS 3.0 software. After the oral or intravenous administration of different doses of SND-117, the time to peak is 1.5h, half-life time is 8-10h. The absolute oral bioavailability of SND-117 in rats was 9.60%. The results showed that SND-117 in rats was quickly absorbed, slowly eliminate, and the kinetics were linear. This method was suitable for pharmacokinetic studies of SNA-117 in rats.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory evaluation of N-sulfonyl anthranilic acids via Ir(III)-catalyzed C-H amidation of benzoic acids

The iridium(III)-catalyzed ortho-C-H amidation of benzoic acids with sulfonyl azides is described. These transformations allow the facile generation of N-sulfonyl anthranilic acids, which are known as crucial scaffolds found in biologically active molecules. In addition, all synthetic products were evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity against interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. Notably, compounds 4c and 4d, generated from p-OMe- and p-Br-sulfonyl azides, were found to display potent anti-inflammatory property stronger than that of well-known NSAIDs ibuprofen.

Transdermal Permeation and Anti-Inflammation Activities of Novel Sinomenine Derivatives

Sinomenine is extracted from Sinomenii caulis (a traditional Chinese medicine), and it is used as the active ingredient in rheumatic arthritis treatments. It has been used in clinical applications for decades. However, there are some disadvantages, including low activity in transdermal permeation and a high dosage being clinically required. To overcome these defects, sinomenine was used as a primer, and structural modification was performed. In our study, eight new compounds were screened out by transdermal permeation in vitro and anti-inflammatory response in vitro and in vivo. Compound 1a exhibited the most potent transdermal permeation and anti-inflammatory activity. Based on these results, further development of this compound may be warranted.