Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity of new rotundic acid derivatives

Rotundic acid (RA, 1), a natural compound, exhibits potent tumor cell growth inhibiting properties. To date there are no reports on derivatives of RA. Furthermore, the 28-COOH position of RA might make it unstable and induced serious gastrointestinal side effects when it was applied in vivo. Therefore, in order to explore and make use of this compound, eight new amino acid derivatives of RA at the 28-COOH position were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicities in vitro on three tumor cell lines including A375, HepG2 and NCI-H446. As a result, a few of these new amino acid derivatives showed stronger cytotoxicity. Compound 5a was found to have the best inhibition activity on the three tested human tumor cell lines with IC(50) values of less than 10 μM compared with RA treatment. Meanwhile, the cytotoxicity of compound 6b was significantly higher than that of RA on the A375 cell line and almost the same as RA on the HepG2 and NCI-H446 cell lines. Hence, compounds 5a and 6b may serve as potential lead compounds for the development of new anti-tumor drugs.     

The Novel Role of MIF in the Secretion of IL-25, IL-31, and IL-33 from PBMC of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory joint disease with complex pathogenesis associated with cytokine dysregulation. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a role in systemic inflammation and joint destruction in RA and could be associated with the secretion of other immune-modulatory cytokines such as IL-25, IL-31, and IL-33. For the above, our main aim was to evaluate the IL-25, IL-31, and IL-33 secretion from recombinant human MIF (rhMIF)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of RA patients. The rhMIF and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus rhMIF stimuli promote the secretion of IL-25, IL-31, and IL-33 (p < 0.05) from PBMC of RA patients. The study groups, the different stimuli, and the interaction between both showed a statistically significant effect on the secretion of IL-25 (p < 0.05) and IL-31 (p < 0.01). The study of the effect of the RA patient treatments and their interaction with the effect of stimuli did not show an interaction between them. In conclusion, our study generates new evidence for the role of MIF in the secretion of IL-25, IL-31, and IL-33 and its immunomodulatory effect on RA.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Biological Evaluation of Novel 3‐(4‐Chlorophenyl)‐2‐(substituted)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one Derivatives as Multi‐target Anti‐inflammatory Agents

A novel class of 3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐(substituted)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives were synthesized, and the structure of synthesized compounds was characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The newly synthesized compounds ( 4a–g and 6a–g ) were tested for their in vitro cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition activity. The compounds have inhibitory profile against both COX‐1 and COX‐2, and some of the compounds are found to be selective against COX‐2. The compound 6g showed distinct inhibitory activity on COXs. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their potential anti‐inflammatory activity as inhibitors of the proinflammatory cytokines IL‐6. Compounds 4d – g showed the highest level of inhibition among all the tested compounds. Thus, our data suggested that these compounds may represent a new class of potent anti‐inflammatory agents.     

Effects of a natural prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitor, rosmarinic acid, on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a polyphenolic phytochemical, is a natural prolyl oligopeptidase inhibitor. In the present study, we found that RA exerted potent anti-inflammatory effects in in vivo models of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mice were pretreated with RA one hour before challenge with a dose of 0.5 mg/kg LPS. Twenty-four hours after LPS was given, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained to measure pro-inflammatory mediator and total cell counts. RA significantly decreased the production of LPS-induced TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-1β compare with the LPS group. When pretreated with RA (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg) the lung wet-to-dry weight (W/D) ratio of the lung tissue and the number of total cells, neutrophils and macrophages in the BALF were decreased significantly. Furthermore, RA may enhance oxidase dimutase (SOD) activity during the inflammatory response to LPS-induced ALI. And we further demonstrated that RA exerts anti-inflammation effect in vivo models of ALI through suppresses ERK/MAPK signaling in a dose dependent manner. These studies have important implications for RA administration as a potential treatment for ALI.     

Acetyl salicylic acid inhibits Th17 airway inflammation via blockade of IL-6 and IL-17 positive feedback

T-helper (Th)17 cell responses are important for the development of neutrophilic inflammatory disease. Recently, we found that acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) inhibited Th17 airway inflammation in an asthma mouse model induced by sensitization with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-containing allergens. To investigate the mechanism(s) of the inhibitory effect of ASA on the development of Th17 airway inflammation, a neutrophilic asthma mouse model was generated by intranasal sensitization with LPS plus ovalbumin (OVA) and then challenged with OVA alone. Immunologic parameters and airway inflammation were evaluated 6 and 48 h after the last OVA challenge. ASA inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-17 from lung T cells as well as in vitro Th17 polarization induced by IL-6. Additionally, ASA, but not salicylic acid, suppressed Th17 airway inflammation, which was associated with decreased expression of acetyl-STAT3 (downstream signaling of IL-6) in the lung. Moreover, the production of IL-6 from inflammatory cells, induced by IL-17, was abolished by treatment with ASA, whereas that induced by LPS was not. Altogether, ASA, likely via its acetyl moiety, inhibits Th17 airway inflammation by blockade of IL-6 and IL-17 positive feedback.     

Biocatalyzed cross-coupling of sinomenine and 1, 2-dihydroxybenzene by Coriolus unicolor

Sinomenine is a clinically available drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).In a continuous research aiming at discovery of sinomenine derivates with better bioactivity,a cross-coupling reaction of sinomenine and 1,2-dihydroxybenzene catalyzed by a fungus Coriolus unicolor afforded an unique C-C cross-coupled compound 2,together with(S)-disinomenine and (R)-disinomenine.The structure of 2 was elucidated by MS and NMR spectroscopy.Compound 2 was further assayed for the inhibitory activity on IL-6 overproduction in SW982 cells and exhibited a much more potent activity on IL-6(96%inhibition) compared with those of(S)-disinomenine and sinomenine(17%and 12%inhibition,respectively).     

Novel arylpyridine‐based 1,3,4‐oxadiazoles: Synthesis,antibacterial, and anti‐inflammatory evaluation

In view of developing novel bioactive compounds, a series of 2‐(5‐[2‐methyl‐6‐arylpyridin‐3‐yl]‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐ylthio)‐1‐arylethanones (6a–n) were designed and synthesized in good yield. Novel compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory activities. All synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bascillus subtilis, Eschericia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Compounds 6a , 6b , 6c , 6h , and 6i displayed the highest antibacterial activity with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 6.25–12.5 μg/mL in comparison with the standard Ciprofloxacin. The results of anti‐inflammatory activity of carrageenan‐induced footpad edema assay indicated that tested compounds exhibited remarkable anti‐inflammatory activity with percentage of inhibition of 63.9–70.1% (potency 96.8–106.20% of indomethacin activity) after 3 hr. Particularly, 6c – e and 6j – l were found to be excellent inhibitors of inflammation, with potential higher than that of the standard, Indomethacin.     

15-Deoxy-delta12,14-PGJ2 inhibits IL-6-induced Stat3 phosphorylation in lymphocytes

15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-PGJ(2)(15d-PGJ(2)) is a natural ligand that activates the peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, a member of nuclear receptor family implicated in regulation of lipid metabolism and adipocyte differentiation. Recent studies have shown that 15d-PGJ(2) is the potent anti-inflammatory agent functioning via PPARgamma-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Most postulated mechanisms for anti-inflammatory action of PPARgamma agonists are involved in inhibiting NF-kappaB signaling pathway. We examined the possibility that IL-6 signaling via the Jak-Stat pathway is modulated by 15d-PGJ(2) in lymphocytes and also examined whether the inhibition of IL-6 signaling is dependent of PPARgamma. 15d-PGJ(2) blocked IL-6 induced Stat1 and Stat3 activation in primary human lymphocytes, Jurkat cells and immortalized rheumatoid arthritis B cells. Inhibition of IL-6 signaling was induced rapidly within 15 min after treatment of 15d-PGJ(2). Other PPARgamma-agonists, such as troglitazone and ciglitazone, did not inhibit IL-6 signaling, indicating that 15d-PGJ(2) affect the IL-6-induced Jak-Stat signaling pathway via PPARgamma-independent mechanism. Although cycloheximide reversed 15d-PGJ(2)-mediated inhibition of Stat3 activation, actinomycin D had no effect on 15d-PGJ(2)-mediated inhibition of IL-6 signaling, indicating that inhibition of IL-6 signaling occur independent of de novo gene expression. These results show that 15d-PGJ(2) specifically inhibit Jak-Stat signaling pathway in lymphocytes, and suggest that 15d-PGJ(2) may regulate inflammatory reactions through the modulation of different signaling pathway other than NF-kappaB in lymphocytes.     

The JAK1/STAT3/SOCS3 axis in bone development,physiology, and pathology

Bone growth and the maintenance of bone structure are controlled by multiple endocrine and paracrine factors, including cytokines expressed locally within the bone microenvironment and those that are elevated, both locally and systemically, under inflammatory conditions. This review focuses on those bone-active cytokines that initiate JAK–STAT signaling, and outlines the discoveries made from studying skeletal defects caused by induced or spontaneous modifications in this pathway. Specifically, this review describes defects in JAK1, STAT3, and SOCS3 signaling in mouse models and in humans, including mutations designed to modify these pathways downstream of the gp130 coreceptor. It is shown that osteoclast formation is generally stimulated indirectly by these pathways through JAK1 and STAT3 actions in inflammatory and other accessory cells, including osteoblasts. In addition, in bone remodeling, osteoblast differentiation is increased secondary to stimulated osteoclast formation through an IL-6-dependent pathway. In growth plate chondrocytes, STAT3 signaling promotes the normal differentiation process that leads to bone lengthening. Within the osteoblast lineage, STAT3 signaling promotes bone formation in normal physiology and in response to mechanical loading through direct signaling in osteocytes. This activity, particularly that of the IL-6/gp130 family of cytokines, must be suppressed by SOCS3 for the normal formation of cortical bone.Subject terms: Growth factor signalling, Metabolic bone disease     

Nifuroxazide Mitigates Angiogenesis in Ehlrich’s Solid Carcinoma: Molecular Docking,Bioinformatic and Experimental Studies on Inhibition of Il-6/Jak2/Stat3 Signaling

Nifuroxazide is an antidiarrheal medication that has promising anticancer activity against diverse types of tumors. The present study tested the anticancer activity of nifuroxazide against Ehrlich’s mammary carcinoma grown in vivo. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of nifuroxazide on IL-6/jak2/STAT3 signaling and the possible impact on tumor angiogenesis. The biological study was supported by molecular docking and bioinformatic predictions for the possible effect of nifuroxazide on this signaling pathway. Female albino mice were injected with Ehrlich carcinoma cells to produce Ehrlich’s solid tumors (ESTs). The experimental groups were as follows: EST control, EST + nifuroxazide (5 mg/kg), and EST + nifuroxazide (10 mg/kg). Nifuroxazide was found to reduce tumor masses (730.83 ± 73.19 and 381.42 ± 109.69 mg vs. 1099.5 ± 310.83) and lessen tumor pathologies. Furthermore, nifuroxazide downregulated IL-6, TNF-α, NFk-β, angiostatin, and Jak2 proteins, and it also reduced tumoral VEGF, as indicated by ELISA and immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, nifuroxazide dose-dependently downregulated STAT3 phosphorylation (60% and 30% reductions, respectively). Collectively, the current experiment shed light on the antitumor activity of nifuroxazide against mammary solid carcinoma grown in vivo. The antitumor activity was at least partly mediated by inhibition of IL-6/Jak2/STAT3 signaling that affected angiogenesis (low VEGF and high angiostatin) in the EST. Therefore, nifuroxazide might be a promising antitumor medication if appropriate human studies will be conducted.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Anti-inflammatory Activity of 5-{[((5-Substituted-aryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)thio]-n-alkyl}-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol

A series of potent and less toxic, 5‐{[((5‐substituted aryl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl) thio]‐n‐alkyl}‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐thiol was synthesized. Each compound was evaluated for anti‐inflammatory activity by carrageenan‐induced rat paw oedema method. Compounds PS1 , PS4 , PS9 , and PS12 showed comparatively potent anti‐inflammatory activity as compared to control as well as other test compounds. These potent compounds were also tested for acute ulcerogenic activity. Results of both studies were found statistically significant.     

Design,synthesis and neuroprotective effects of Fenazinel derivatives

In search of novel neuroprotective agents with higher potency and lower h ERG liability, a series of novel Fenazinel derivatives were designed and synthesized, among which compounds 8m–o containing amide moiety exhibited good neuroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. Especially, the representative compound 8o showed lower activity in a patch clamp h ERG K+ion channel screen and could be considered as a lead compound for further development. These findings provided an alternative approach to the development of drugs more potent than Fenazinel for the intervention of ischemic stroke.     

Design, synthesis and antitumor activity of 6,7-disubstituted-4-(heteroarylamino)quinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives

<正>A series of new 6,7-disubstituted-4-(benzothiazol-6-ylamino)quinoline-3-carbonitrile derivatives(12a-l) were synthesized.The cytotoxicity of 12 new compounds was evaluated in AGS,HepG2 and HT-29 cell lines.The results showed that compounds 12g, 12h,12i,12k and 12l displayed more potent cytotoxic activities than Bosutinib,compound 12l exhibited the most potent antitumor activity among the tested compounds.     

New mu-opioid receptor agonists with phenoxyacetic acid moiety

New muq-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists containing 4-hydroxypiperidine, piperidine and piperazine moieties were synthesized and evaluated to find a peripheral opioid analgesic. Among the synthesized compounds, 12-[1-[3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)-3,3-diphenylpropyl]-4-hydroxypiperidin-4-yl]phenoxy]acetic acid (8: SS620) having phenoxyacetic acid and 4-hydroxypiperidine moieties showed the highest agonist potency on the MOR in an isolated guinea-pig ileum preparation, and it also had selectivity to the human MOR expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells compared with the same types of delta- and kappa-opioid receptors (DOR and KOR). In addition, compound 8 showed a 10 times more potent MOR agonist activity than loperamide. Furthermore, compound 8 showed a peripheral analgesic activity in vivo screening on rat.     

New triazole derivatives containing substituted 1, 2, 3-triazole side chains: Design,synthesis and antifungal activity

In order to discover new generation of triazole antifungal agents,a series of novel antifungal triazoles were designed and synthesized by structural simplification of our previously identified triazole-piperdine-heterocycle lead compounds.Several target compounds showed good antifungal activity with a broad spectrum.In particular,compound 7l was highly active against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.Moreover,compound 7l showed potent in vivo antifungal efficacy in the Caenorhabditis elegans-C.albicans infection model.     

Inhibitory effect of TNF-alpha and IL-8 secretion by pimarane-type diterpenoids from Acanthopanax koreanum

A new pimarane-type diterpene compound, acanthokoreoic acid A together with three known compounds, acanthoic acid, acanthol, and sumogaside were isolated from a CH(2)Cl(2) fraction of Acanthopanax koreanum by repeated column chromatography and reversed phase preparative HPLC. Acanthoic acid was isolated in high yields and showed potent inhibitory activity on the IL-8 secretion of the TNF-alpha-stimulated human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 and on the TNF-alpha secretion of the trypsin-stimulated human leukemic mast cell line HMC-1.