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In this paper, barbigerone (1a) and its twenty-seven related structural analogues were synthesized via complementary synthetic routes and their anti-inflammatory effects on the expression of TNF-α in LPS-stimulated splenocytes were evaluated. Among these compounds, 1a, 1d, 1f and 1g were found to remarkably inhibit TNF-α production. Furthermore, 1g showed the most potent and dose-dependent manner inhibitory effect on TNF-α release, with better IC50 value (3.58 μM) than barbigerone (8.46 μM). Oral administration of 1g at 20 mg/kg/day for two weeks obviously demonstrated protective effect in adjuvant-induced arthritis models as evaluated by clinical score of paws, and histological examination of joint tissues from rats. Mechanism studies on mRNA and protein level suggested that 1g inhibited the TNF-α production via depressing TNF-α converting enzyme (TACE) mRNA expression. In conclusion, these data show 1g with potential therapeutic effects as an anti-inflammatory agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Rhubarbs and their extractives have been used as cathartic for many years. There have been numerous breakthroughs in the pharmacological research of the drug. However, as the key point of the mechanism, the targets of the effective components still remain unclear. In this paper, with an in vitro system of isolated intestine, we found that both the rhubarb extractives and the anthraquinone derivatives can antagonize the adrenaline effectively. Furthermore, computer based docking provided the binding model of the anthraquinone derivatives and adrenergic receptor. Then, based on the results of the small intestinal promotion and purgative effect experiments in vivo, we built an “inhibitor–carrier” hypothesis to elucidate the mechanism of rhubarb. This work provided key massages for the pharmacological research of rhubarb, such a common and active medicinal plant, and might be of help for the development of new purgative drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]