Lo-Ti Tsao

Synthesis and Anti‐inflammatory Effect of Chalcones

The process of degranulation of mast cells and neutrophils contributes to inflammatory disorders. Activation of microglial cells and macrophages is believed to be involved in inflammatory, infectious and degenerative diseases of the CNS. Combining the potent inhibition of chemical mediators released by the degranulation of mast cells or neutrophils and from the activated microglial cells or macrophages, would lead to a promising antiinflammatory agent for the treatment of peripheral and central inflammation. A series of chalcone derivatives have been reported to have potent anti‐inflammatory activity. In an effort to continually develop potent anti‐inflammatory agents, novel series of chalcones, 2′‐hydroxy‐ and 2′,5′‐dihydroxychalcones were synthesized and their inhibitory effects on the activation of mast cells, neutrophils, microglial cells and macrophages were evaluated in‐vitro. The chalcones were prepared by Claisen‐Schmidt condensation of appropriate acetophenones with an appropriate aromatic aldehyde. The alkoxychalcones were prepared with appropriate hydroxychalcones and alkyl iodide and the dihydroxychalcones were prepared by hydrogenation of an appropriate chalcone with Pd/C.

Examination of the Inhibitory Effect of Norathyriol in Formylmethionyl-Leucyl-Phenylalanine-Induced Respiratory Burst in Rat Neutrophils

Norathyriol, aglycone of a xanthone C-glycoside mangiferin isolated from Tripterospermum lanceolatum, concentration dependently inhibited the formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced superoxide anion (O2.-) generation and O2 consumption in rat neutrophils. In cell-free oxygen radical generating system, norathyriol inhibited the O2.- generation during dihydroxyfumaric acid (DHF) autoxidation and in hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system. fMLP-induced transient elevation of [Ca2/]i and the formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) were significantly inhibited by norathyriol (30 microM) (about 30 and 46% inhibition, respectively). Norathyriol concentration dependently suppressed the neutrophil cytosolic phospholipase C (PLC). In contrast with the marked attenuation of fMLP-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation (about 70% inhibition at 10 microM norathyriol), norathyriol only slightly modulated the phospholipase D (PLD) activity as determined by the formation of phosphatidic acid (PA) and, in the presence of ethanol, phosphatidylethanol (PEt). Norathyriol did not modulate the intracellular cyclic AMP level. In the presence of NADPH, the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated particulate NADPH oxidase activity was suppressed by norathyriol in a concentration-dependent manner and the inhibition was noncompetitive with respect to NADPH. Norathyriol inhibited the iodonitrotetrazolium violet (INT) reduction in arachidonic acid (AA)-activated cell-free NADPH oxidase system at the same concentration range as those used in the suppression of PMA-activated particulate NADPH oxidase activity. Taken together, these results suggest that the scavenging ability of norathyriol contributes to the reduction of generated O2.-, however, the inhibition of O2.- generation from neutrophils by norathyriol is attributed to the blockade of PLC pathway, the attenuation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and to the suppression of NADPH oxidase through the interruption of electrons transport.

Inhibition of nitric oxide production by the carbazole compound LCY-2-CHO via blockade of activator protein-1 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein activation in microglia

Excessive nitric oxide (NO) production by activated microglia plays a critical role in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we found that 9-(2-chlorobenyl)-9H-carbazole-3-carbaldehyde (LCY-2-CHO) suppressed the NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interferon-gamma (IFNgamma)-stimulated murine microglial N9 and BV-2 cells and in LPS-stimulated N9 cells and rat primary microglia. LCY-2-CHO had no cytotoxic effect on microglia. In activated N9 cells, LCY-2-CHO abolished the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein and mRNA but failed to alter the stability of expressed iNOS mRNA and the enzymatic activity of expressed iNOS protein. LCY-2-CHO did not block DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) or cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB), but abolished that of activator protein-1 (AP-1), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) and nuclear factor IL6 (NF-IL6). LCY-2-CHO attenuated the nuclear levels of c-Jun and C/EBPbeta, but not those of p65, p50, C/EBPdelta, signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) or the nuclear expression of IFN regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1). LCY-2-CHO had no effect on the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (MAPKAPK-2), STAT-1, CREB or c-Jun in LPS/IFNgamma-stimulated N9 cells, whereas it attenuated the phosphorylation of C/EBPbeta at Ser105 and Thr235 residues, which occurred concomitantly with LCY-2-CHO inhibition of C/EBPbeta expression and phosphorylation. Taken together, these results suggest that LCY-2-CHO inhibits NO production in microglia through the blockade of AP-1 and C/EBP activation.

Investigation of the inhibitory effect of broussochalcone A on respiratory burst in neutrophils

Broussochalcone A, a prenylated chalcone isolated from Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) VENT. (Moraceae), inhibited O2 consumption in formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated rat neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 70.3 +/- 4.9 and 63.9 +/- 7.1 microM, respectively. Broussochalcone A did not affect the fMLP-induced increase of cellular inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and [Ca2+]i. However, the enzyme activity of neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C was effectively suppressed by broussochalcone A. Broussochalcone A had no effect on either [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDB) binding to neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C or on PMA-induced membrane translocation of protein kinase C-beta in neutrophils. Broussochalcone A suppressed the enzyme activity of trypsin-treated rat brain protein kinase C in a concentration-dependent manner. In PMA-activated neutrophil particulate NADPH oxidase, broussochalcone A attenuated superoxide anion radical (O2.-) generation with an IC50 value of 61.8 +/- 5.4 microM. These results show that the inhibitory effect of broussochalcone A on respiratory burst in neutrophils is not mediated by the reduction of phospholipase C activity, but is mediated partly by the suppression of protein kinase C activity through interference with the catalytic region and by the attenuation of O2.- generation from the NADPH oxidase complex.

Artocarpol A. a Novel Constituent with Potent Anti-inflammatory Effect. Isolated from Artocarpus rigida

A novel phenolic compound, artocarpol A (1), was isolated from the root bark of Artocarpus rigida and its structure determined by spectroscopic methods and by comparison with its diacetate derivative. Compound 1 strongly inhibited superoxide formation in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated rat neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 13.7±0.7 μM. Compound 1 also showed a significant inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) formation in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory evaluation of 9-phenoxyacridine and 4-phenoxyfuro[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives. Part 2.

Mast cells, neutrophils and macrophages are important inflammatory cells that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. To explore a novel anti-inflammatory agent, we have synthesized certain 9-phenoxyacridine and 4-phenoxyfuro[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives and evaluated their anti-inflammatory activities. The title compounds were synthesized by reaction of either 9-chloroacridine or 3,4-dichlorofuro[2,3-b]quinoline with appropriate Ar-OH and their anti-inflammatory activities were studied on inhibitory effects on the activation of mast cells, neutrophils and macrophages. Four 9-(4-formylphenoxy)acridine derivatives 2b-2e were proved to be more potent than the reference inhibitor, mepacrine for the inhibition of rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation with IC(50) values of 6.1, 5.9, 13.5, and 4.7 microM, respectively. Compounds 2c, 3b, 3c, and 5a also showed potent inhibitory activity (IC(50)=4.3-18.3 microM) for the secretion of lysosomal enzyme and beta-glucuronidase from neutrophils. In addition, 2d, 3a, and 4 inhibited TNF-alpha formation from the N9 cells (the brain resident macrophages) with IC(50) vales less then 10 microM. These results indicated that acridine derivatives exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory activities than their respective furo[2,3-b]quinoline counterparts (4 vs 9; 5a vs 10a; 5b vs 10b).

Inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages by a synthetic carbazole, LCY-2-CHO

In activated macrophages, large amounts of nitric oxide (NO) are generated by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). This is an important mechanism in macrophage-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation. In the present study, a synthetic carbazole compound, 9-(2-chlorobenzyl)-9H-carbazole-3-carbaldehyde (LCY-2-CHO), was found to have an inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NO generation in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC50 value of 1.3+/-0.4 microM). LCY-2-CHO did not induce cytotoxicity and had a negligible effect on iNOS activity. To explore the mechanism of inhibition of NO generation by LCY-2-CHO, the expression of the iNOS gene was examined. LCY-2-CHO abolished the LPS-induced expression of both iNOS protein and mRNA in a parallel concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values similar to those required for inhibition of NO generation. LCY-2-CHO did not enhance the degradation of iNOS mRNA. In cells transiently transfected with an iNOS promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter construct, LCY-2-CHO attenuated the LPS-induced iNOS promoter activity. However, LCY-2-CHO had no effect on the degradation of IkappaB-alpha or IkappaB-beta, DNA binding activity, or transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). These results indicate that LCY-2-CHO inhibits NO generation via a decrease in the transcription of iNOS mRNA through a signaling pathway that does not involve NF-kappaB activation.

Evidence for the involvement of protein kinase C inhibition by norathyriol in the reduction of phorbol ester-induced neutrophil superoxide anion generation and aggregation

Norathyriol, a xanthone aglycone, inhibited superoxide anion (O2-) generation and O2 consumption in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated rat neutrophils in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, norathyriol inhibited PMA- but enhanced formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP)-induced neutrophil aggregation. Norathyriol suppressed neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C as well as rat brain protein kinase C over the same range of concentrations at which it inhibited the respiratory burst. Norathyriol did not affect [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]PDB) binding to neutrophil cytosolic protein kinase C, but effectively attenuated trypsin-treated rat brain protein kinase C activity. Moreover, norathyriol was found to be a noncompetitive inhibitor with respect to ATP and peptide substrate (N-terminal acetylated, amino acid sequence 4-14 of the myelin basic protein, Ac-MBP-(4-14)). Unlike staurosporine, norathyriol did not affect porcine heart protein kinase A activity. On the immunoblot analysis of protein kinase C subcellular distribution, the PMA-induced translocation of protein kinase C-beta from the cytosol to the membrane was not affected by norathyriol. These results show that the inhibition by a plant product, norathyriol, of PMA-induced respiratory burst and aggregation is, at least partly, attributed to the direct suppression of protein kinase C activity through blockade of the catalytic region, but is not due to interference with the membrane translocation of protein kinase C during PMA-induced cell activation.

Artocarpol A stimulation of superoxide anion generation in neutrophils involved the activation of PLC, PKC and p38 mitogen-activated PK signaling pathways

1 Artocarpol A (ART), a natural phenolic compound isolated from Artocarpus rigida, stimulated a slow onset and long‐lasting superoxide anion generation in rat neutrophils, whereas only slightly activated the NADPH oxidase in a cell‐free system. 2 Pretreatment of neutrophils with pertussis toxin (1 μg ml−1), 50 μM 2′‐amino‐3′‐methoxyflavone (PD 98059), or 1 μM 1,4‐diamino‐2,3‐dicyano‐1,4‐bis(2‐aminophenylthio)butadiene (U0126) had no effect on ART‐stimulated superoxide anion generation. ART (30 μM) did not induce extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. 3 4‐(4‐Fluorophenyl)‐2‐(4‐methylsulfinylphenyl)‐5‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1H‐imidazole (SB 203580) markedly attenuated the ART‐stimulated superoxide anion generation (IC50 value of 4.3±0.3 μM). Moreover, ART induced p38 mitogen‐activated PK (MAPK) phosphorylation and activation. 4 The superoxide anion generation in response to ART was also substantially inhibited in a Ca2+‐free medium, and by pretreatment with 1 μM 1‐[6‐((17β‐3‐methoxyestra‐1,3,5(10)‐trien‐17‐yl)amino)hexyl]‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione (U‐73122) and 100 μM 2‐aminoethyldiphenyl borate (2‐APB). ART (30 μM) stimulated the [Ca2+]i elevation in the presence or absence of external Ca2+, and also increased the D‐myo‐inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate formation. 5 2‐[1‐(3‐Dimethylaminopropyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐maleimide (GF 109203X) greatly inhibited the ART‐stimulated superoxide anion generation (IC50 value of 7.8±1.0 nM). ART increased the recruitment of PKC‐α, ‐βI, and ‐βII to the plasma membrane of neutrophils, and stimulated Ca2+‐dependent PKC activation in the cytosol preparation. 6 ART induced the phosphorylation of p47phox, which was attenuated by GF 109203X. Moreover, ART evoked the membrane association of p47phox, which was inhibited by GF 109203X and SB 203580. 7 These results indicate that the ART stimulation of superoxide anion generation involved the activation of p38 MAPK, PLC/Ca2+, and PKC signaling pathways in rat neutrophils.

Two Novel and Anti‐Inflammatory Constituents of Artocarpus rigida

With the scope of our search for biologically active compounds, two new phenolic compounds, artocarpols G (1) and H (2), and two known compounds, rubraflavone C (3) and trans-stilbene-2,4,3′,5′-tetrol, were isolated from the root bark of Artocarpus rigida. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and comparison with data reported in the literature. Compound 4, previously isolated from this plant, strongly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the release of β-glucuronidase and histamine from mast cell degranulation caused by compound 48/80, with IC50 values of 10.9±1.4 and 13.2±0.6 μM, respectively. Compound 4 also showed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the formyl-peptide-stimulated superoxide anion formation in neutrophils with an IC50 value of 26.0±5.6 μM.