Curcumin is a multifunctional natural product with regulatory effects on inflammation. However, a major limitation for the application of curcumin is its poor bioavailability. We previously demonstrated that the mono-carbonyl analogues of curcumin possessed improved pharmacokinetic profiles. In this study, 33 novel mono-carbonyl analogues of curcumin were synthesized and their inhibition against TNF-alpha and IL-6 release was evaluated in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Based on the screening data, quantitative structure activity relationship was conducted, indicating that electron-withdrawing groups in benzene ring are favourable to anti-inflammatory activities of B-class compounds. Furthermore, compounds AN1 and 1382 demonstrated anti-inflammatory abilities in a dose-dependent manner. These raise the possibility that these compounds might serve as potential agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. (C) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Iridium-Catalyzed Double Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 2,5-Dialkylienecyclopentanones for the Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopentanones
Herein, we report an efficient iridium-catalyzed double asymmetrichydrogenation of 2,5-dialkylienecyclopentanones, delivering the chiral 2,5-disubstituted cyclopentanones in excellent yields and stereoselectivities. The results of the kinetic experiments and control experiments indicated that the two C═C bonds were hydrogenated in a stepwise manner and the second stereocenter was synergistically controlled