An overactive Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling complex is a significant pathogenic factor of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. The natural product curcumin is reported to inhibit the TLR4 co-receptor, MD2 (myeloid differentiation protein 2), but its low in vivo bioavailability limits its therapeutic potential. We developed new curcumin analogs (MACs) with removal of the beta-diketone moiety and substituted residues in benzene rings, and identify these as potential MD2 inhibitors with improved inhibition potency and stability over that of curcumin. Specifically, MAC 17 and 28 showed the highest anti-inflammatory activity, with >90% inhibition of LPS-stimulated cytokine secretion from macrophages, and protected against LPS-induced acute lung injury and sepsis. The MACs inhibited the TLR4-MD2 signaling complex through competition with LPS for binding on MD2, likely at Arg(90). Our findings indicated that MAC 17 and 28 are promising candidates for future development as therapeutic drugs for inflammatory diseases with an endotoxin etiology. (C) 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
Synthesis and evaluation of curcumin-related compounds for anticancer activity
作者:Xingchuan Wei、Zhi-Yun Du、Xi Zheng、Xiao-Xing Cui、Allan H. Conney、Kun Zhang
DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2012.04.005
日期:2012.7
Sixty-one curcumin-related compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity toward cultured prostate cancer PC-3 cells, pancreas cancer Panc-1 cells and colon cancer HT-29 cells. Inhibitory effects of these compounds on the growth of PC-3. Panc-1 and HT-29 cells were determined by the MTT assay. Compounds E10, F10, FN1 and FN2 exhibited exceptionally potent inhibitory effects on the growth of cultured PC-3, Panc-1 and HT-29 cells. The IC50 for these compounds was lower than 1 mu M in all three cell lines. E10 was 72-, 46- and 117-fold more active than curcumin for inhibiting the growth of PC-3, Panc-1 and HT-29 cells, respectively. F10 was 69-, 34- and 72-fold more active than curcumin for inhibiting the growth of PC-3, Panc-1 and HT-29 cells, respectively. FN1 and FN2 had about the same inhibitory effect as E10 and F10 toward Panc-1 cells but were less active than E10 and F10 toward PC-3 and HT-29 cells. The active compounds were potent stimulators of apoptosis. The present study indicates that E10, F10, FN1 and FN2 may have useful anticancer activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
The synthesis of highly functionalised pyridines using Ghosez-type reactions of dihydropyrazoles
作者:Federica Catti、Paula S. Kiuru、Alexandra M.Z. Slawin、Nicholas J. Westwood
DOI:10.1016/j.tet.2008.07.063
日期:2008.9
The aza-Diels-Alder reaction of alpha beta-unsaturated hydrazones is a general methodology that has been applied both to the synthesis of natural products and to the development of multicomponent reactions. Trends have emerged as to the effect of substituents on the efficiency of this reaction with substituents at the C2 and C4-positions of the aza-diene in general suppressing the reaction. Here we report that 4,5-dihydropyrazoles can function as substrates in this process despite the presence of substituents at both of these positions. A one pot, four chemical step sequence carried out under standard thermal or microwave conditions results in the formation of the corresponding pyridine-containing compounds. The scope of the reaction is explored and additional insights into the proposed mechanism of this reaction are provided. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.