Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities of 1,3-dicyclopentyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4,5-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester (ZL-5015)

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)

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a pulmonary disease that acts as a severe acute inflammatory response with no specific drugs. iNOS, a catalyst of the excessive production of NO, has been demonstrated to participate in the inflammatory process, and targeting iNOS may be a promising therapeutic pathway to alleviate ALI. In our research, eighteen new disubstituted benzoxazolone derivatives were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for activity against NO production in an LPS-induced RAW264.7 cell. The results showed that these compounds could obviously inhibit the over-generation of NO and disubstitution at the 4, N-position of the benzoxazolone ring, presenting better potency than substitution only at the 4-position. Among the analogues generated, compounds 2c, 2d, and 3d showed NO inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 16.43, 14.72, and 13.44 µM and iNOS inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 4.605, 3.342, and 9.733 µM, respectively. Meanwhile, compounds 2c, 2d, and 3d could also inhibit the release of IL-6, IL-1β in vitro and suppress xylene-induced ear edema in vivo to realize anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, compound 2d could significantly protect the LPS-induced ALI, presenting as decreased inflammatory cytokines and obvious pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry and molecular modeling demonstrated that compound 2d significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS in vivo and interacted with iNOS through two hydrogen bindings with the MET368 and ILE195 residues of the iNOS protein. These results demonstrated that compound 2d could be a promising lead structure for iNOS inhibitors, with anti-inflammatory activity to treat LPS-induced acute lung injury.

Tetrahydropyrimidines, ZL-5015 Alleviated Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced Acute Pneumonia in Rats by Activating the NRF-2/HO-1 Pathway

BACKGROUND Acute pneumonia is a severe inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. Drugs used to treat acute pneumonia often have strong side effects. Recent studies have shown that tetrahydropyrimidines, ZL-5015 has anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. However, whether ZL-5015 can relieve symptoms of acute pneumonia is unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, we used lipo-polysaccharide (LPS) to stimulate SD rats to simulate conditions of acute pneumonia. Diverse doses of ZL-5015 were used for treatment of these rats. After the rates were sacrificed, serum, lung tissue, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected for the next study. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining then was used to detect pathologic changes in lung tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to assess levels of inflammatory factors in serum. Commercial kits were used to assess levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. RESULTS Treatment of ZL-5015 relieved stenosis of the alveolar space and pulmonary edema. Furthermore, levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-alpha, IL-1ß and IL-18) in the lung tissues and serum were downregulated after treatment with ZL-5015. Production of ROS also was suppressed after application of ZL-5015. Moreover, inhibition of expression of NRF-2 and HO-1 was relieved after treatment with ZL-5015. The therapeutic effect of ZL-5015 showed a dose-response relationship. CONCLUSIONS ZL-5015 alleviated LPS-induced inflammatory injury and oxidative damage by activating the NRF-2/HO-1 pathway.

Majority of Chinese Medicine Herb Category "Qing Re Yao" Have Multiple Mechanisms of Anti-inflammatory Activity

Herbs categorized as “Qing Re Yao” are translated into “medicine that removes heat” where heat symptoms strongly resemble inflammation. 226 herbs, among those 54 herbs are classified as “Qing Re Yao”, were studied on six key mechanisms of inflammation: COX2, iNOS activity, and the pathways of IL-6, IFNγ, TNF-α and glucocorticoid in order to assess if the majority of this family of herbs have anti-inflammatory activity. 96% demonstrated at least one anti-inflammatory process or innate immunity modular activity, and 72% could affect one anti-inflammatory process. Of the, 54 “Qing Re Yao” 68% affect at least 2 mechanism compared to only 4% (47 herbs) in the “Bu Yi Yao” category that are used to “tonify body energy” and prevent diseases. Moreover 43% of “Qing Re Yao” herbs affect 3 or more mechanisms while none of the “Bu Yi Yao” have this poly-mechanism quality. Additionally “Qing Re Yao” herbs exhibiting activity against STAT3 or GAS could have downstream effects on these target genes and their pathways. Our study addresses the key action on why “Qing Re Yao” work on inflammation. This study also demonstrates the utility in isolating anti-inflammatory substances to be used as a lead for drug discovery and development.

Heliangin inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation through signaling NF-κB pathway on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells

The heliangin is a natural agent mainly isolated from Helianthus tuberosus L. (Asteraceae). In order to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of heliangin, several typical models in vivo and in vitro were performed. The RAW264.7 mouse macrophages cells were employed in vitro and dexamethasone were conducted as positive. The cytotoxicity results of heliangin on RAW 264.7 cells provided the safety in vitro for further study. The mRNA of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2 were degraded under heliangin exposure in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The protein expression of iNOS, COX-2 were decreased via heliangin exposure in a dose-dependent manner. Heliangin inhibited TNF-α, NO, IL-6 and PGE₂ expression levels in macrophage cells lysate. The immunocytochemistry assay showed the fluorescence image of heliangin treatment intercepted the p65 translocation process from outside to inside of nuclei triggered by LPS. Moreover, we founded that MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathway play important roles in heliangin's activity on RAW264.7 cells. Secondly, the acute toxic study results of heliangin manifested the safety in vivo. Heliangin exerted anti-inflammation effect in a xylene-induced ear swelling in BALB/C mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema model in SD rats. The cytokines levels (TNF-α, IL-6 and PGE₂) were decreased. The paw tissue immunochemistry assay demonstrated the IL-6 protein level changes in carrageenan-induced paw edema model under heliangin administration.

Coptis chinensis and Myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) Can Synergistically Inhibit Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo

Objectives. To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Coptis chinensis plus myrobalan (CM) in vitro and in vivo. Methods. The inflammation in mouse peritoneal macrophages was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Animal models were established by using ear swelling and paw edema of mouse induced by xylene and formaldehyde, respectively. In vitro, cytotoxicity, the phagocytosis of macrophages, the levels of nitric oxide (NO), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in cell supernatant were detected. In vivo, swelling rate and edema inhibitory rate of ear and paw were observed using CM-treated mice. Results. At 150–18.75 μg·mL⁻¹, CM had no cytotoxicity and could significantly promote the growth and the phagocytosis of macrophages and inhibit the overproduction of NO, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 in macrophages induced by LPS. In vivo, pretreatment with CM, the ear swelling, and paw edema of mice could be significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, and the antiedema effect of CM at high dose was better than dexamethasone. Conclusion. Our results demonstrated that Coptis chinensis and myrobalan possessed synergistically anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo, which indicated that CM had therapeutic potential for the prevention and treatment of inflammation-mediated diseases.