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Aim: It has been reported that necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) is a specific necroptosis inhibitor that could attenuate programmed cell death induced by myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study aimed to observe the effect and mechanism of novel Nec-1 analog (Z)-5-(3,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-imine-1-methylimidazolin-4-1 (DIMO) on myocardial I/R injury. Methods: Male SD rats underwent I/R injury with or without different doses of DIMO (1, 2, or 4 mg/kg) treatment. Isolated neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment with or without DIMO (0.1, 1, 10, or 100 μM). Myocardial infarction was measured by TTC staining. Cardiomyocyte injury was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase assay (LDH) and flow cytometry. Receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase (RIP1K) and autophagic markers were detected by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting analysis. Molecular docking of DIMO into the ATP binding site of RIP1K was performed using GLIDE. Results: DIMO at doses of 1 or 2 mg/kg improved myocardial infarct size. However, the DIMO 4 mg/kg dose was ineffective. DIMO at the dose of 0.1 μM decreased LDH leakage and the ratio of PI-positive cells followed by OGD/R treatment. I/R or OGD/R increased RIP1K expression and in its interaction with RIP3K, as well as impaired myocardial autophagic flux evidenced by an increase in LC3-II/I ratio, upregulated P62 and Beclin-1, and activated cathepsin B and L. In contrast, DIMO treatment reduced myocardial cell death and reversed the above mentioned changes in RIP1K and autophagic flux caused by I/R and OGD/R. DIMO binds to RIP1K and inhibits RIP1K expression in a homology modeling and ligand docking. Conclusion: DIMO exerts cardioprotection against I/R- or OGD/R-induced injury, and its mechanisms may be associated with the reduction in RIP1K activation and restoration impaired autophagic flux.

A sulfide oxidase mediates therapeutic actions of H2S by targeting mitochondrial electron flow to induce mitochondrial uncoupling., Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter and a potential therapeutic agent. However, molecular targets relevant to its therapeutic actions remain enigmatic. Sulfide-quinone oxidoreductase (SQR) irreversibly oxidizes H2S. Therefore, SQR is assumed to inhibit H2S signaling. We now report that SQR-mediated oxidation of H2S drives reverse electron transport (RET) at mitochondrial complex I, which, in turn, repurposes mitochondrial function to superoxide production. Unexpectedly, complex I RET, a process dependent on high mitochondrial membrane potential, induces superoxide-dependent mitochondrial uncoupling and downstream activation of adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK). SQR-induced mitochondrial uncoupling is separated from the inhibition of mitochondrial complex IV by H2S. Moreover, deletion of SQR, complex I, or AMPK abolishes therapeutic effects of H2S following intracerebral hemorrhage. To conclude, SQR mediates H2S signaling and therapeutic effects by targeting mitochondrial electron transport to induce mitochondrial uncoupling. Moreover, SQR is a previously unrecognized target for developing non-protonophore uncouplers with broad clinical implications.

Hydrogen sulfide-releasing oleanolic acid (HS-OA) is an emerging novel class of compounds and consists of an oleanolic acid (OA) and a H2S-releasing moiety. Although it exhibits improved anti-inflammatory activity, its potency in human cancers has not been understood yet. In this study, we examined the effects of HS-OA on the growth of liver cancer cell lines and the underlying mechanisms. HS-OA inhibited the growth of all four cancer cell lines studied, with potencies of 10- to 30-fold greater than that of its counterpart (OA). HS-OA induced significant apoptosis and decreased viability, clonogenic activity and migration of Hep G2 cells. Further studies showed that HS-OA resulted in the reduction of YAP expression and its downstream targets, CTGF and CYR 61, thus promoting cell apoptosis. In addition, HS-OA caused a decrease of 14-3-3γ expression, which led to Bad translocation to the mitochondria, ΔΨm loss, cytochrome c release, caspase activation and a recovery of 14-3-3γ reversed these effects induced by HS-OA. These findings indicate that YAP and 14-3-3γ are involved in HS-OA's effects on liver cancer cells and identifying HS-OA as a potential new drug candidate for cancer therapy.

2-(3',5'-Dimethoxybenzylidene) cyclopentanone (DMBC) is a novel small-molecule compound synthesized by our group. Here, we found that in rat models of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO), intraperitoneal injection (ip) of DMBC at 1h after ischemia reduced infarct volume, improved neurological deficits and increased the protein levels of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP 2) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in the ischemic cortex. Post-treatment of DMBC still produced neuroprotective effects even when administered at 6h after ischemia. In the oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced astrocytes or HT22 cell injury, DMBC treatment decreased the OGD-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and increased the GFAP levels in astrocytes. In addition, Annexin-V-Fluos staining analysis revealed that DMBC treatment attenuated both OGD-induced apoptosis and necrosis in astrocytes. Western blotting analysis showed DMBC treatment inhibited the ischemia or OGD-induced increases in active cathepsin B in the ischemic cortex or in astrocytes or HT22 cells. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that DMBC treatment blocked the ischemia or OGD-induced release of cathepsin B from the lysosomes into the cytoplasm in the ischemic cortex or in astrocytes or HT22 cells. Taken together, our results indicate that DMBC can offer neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia with an extended therapeutic window and its mechanism might be associated with inhibition of the cathepsin B activation.

Receptor-interacting protein 1 kinase (RIP1K) plays a key role in necroptosis. Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), a specific inhibitor of RIP1K, provides neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury, associating with inhibition of inflammation. Recently, our group synthesized a novel analog of Nec-1, 5-(3',5'-dimethoxybenzal)-2-thio-imidazole-4-ketone (DTIO). The present study investigated the effect of DTIO on ischemic stroke-induced brain injury in both acute and chronic phase and its underlying mechanism. In vivo, DTIO treatment reduced infarct volume and improved neurological deficits in the acute phase after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and it also attenuated brain atrophy and promoted brain functional recovery in the chronic phase post-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). In vitro, DTIO treatment decreased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and necrotic cell death in the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) or oxygen and glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced neuronal or astrocytic cell injury. Simultaneously, DTIO suppressed the production and release of inflammatory cytokines, and reduced the formation of glial scar. Homology modeling analysis illustrated that DTIO had an ability of binding to RIP1K. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation analysis showed that DTIO inhibited the phosphorylation of RIP1K and decreased the interaction between the RIP1K and RIP3K. In addition, knockdown of RIP1K had neuroprotective effects and inhibited the release of proinflammatory cytokines, but didn't have a significant effect on DTIO-mediated neuroprotection. In conclusion, DTIO has protective effects on acute ischemic stroke and promotes functional recovery during chronic phase, associating with protecting ischemic neurons and astrocytes, inhibiting inflammation, and lessening the glial scar formation via inhibiting of the RIP1K.

How hydrogen sulfide (H2S) protects against myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is poorly understood. By using a slow-releasing H2S donor, we investigated if H2S protected against myocardial I/R injury by activating AMPK and restoring I/R-impaired autophagic flux. Male rats received anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. The H2S donor ADT and/or the AMPK inhibitor, compound C (CC), were administered after occlusion. Infarction was analyzed histologically. AMPK activation was assessed in the ischemic heart by analyzing phosphorylation of AMPK and S6 ribosomal protein. Autophagy was assessed by analyzing the following markers: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) I and II, lysosome associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2), P62 and beclin-1. We further investigated if blocking autophagic flux with chloroquine abolished ADT cardioprotection in vivo. Myocardial I/R reduced serum H2S levels, which was elevated by ADT. ADT enhanced AMPK activation and reduced infarction following I/R, and both effects were abolished by AMPK inhibition. Myocardial I/R induced autophagosome accumulation, as evidenced by the increased ratios of LC3-II/LC3-I, upregulation of beclin-1 and P62 and reduction in LAMP-2. ADT blunted these autophagic changes induced by I/R, indicating that ADT restored I/R-impaired autophagic flux. The AMPK inhibitor CC blocked ADT effects on restoring I/R-impaired autophagy flux. Moreover, chloroquine pretreatment abolished cardioprotection of ADT and increased autophagosome accumulation in the ADT-treated heart following I/R. In conclusion, AMPK activation and subsequent restoration of I/R-impaired autophagic flux are unrecognized mechanisms underlying cardioprotective effects conferred by H2S donors.

The antioxidative properties of a novel curcumin analogue (2E,6E)-2,6-bis(3,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone (MCH) were assessed by several in vitro models, including superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and PC12 cell protection from H2O2 damage. MCH displayed superior O2•− quenching abilities compared to curcumin and vitamin C. In vitro stability of MCH was also improved compared with curcumin. Exposure of PC12 cells to 150 μM H2O2 caused a decrease of antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione (GSH) loss, an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cell apoptosis and reduction in cell viability. Pretreatment of the cells with MCH at 0.63–5.00 μM before H2O2 exposure significantly attenuated those changes in a dose-dependent manner. MCH enhanced cellular expression of transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) at the transcriptional level. Moreover, MCH could mitigate intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the increase of cleaved caspase-3 activity induced by H2O2. These results show that MCH protects PC12 cells from H2O2 injury by modulating endogenous antioxidant enzymes, scavenging ROS, activating the Nrf2 cytoprotective pathway and prevention of apoptosis.

A cascade method that includes nucleophilic aromatic substitution and Smiles rearrangement reaction has been developed. The method shows good functional group tolerance with different electronic properties, providing efficient and practical access to dibenzoxazepinone architecture. Comparison of the products from cascade and step-by-step protocols demonstrates Smiles rearrangement is the pivotal step in the formation of heterocyclic products.

KYKZL-1, a newly synthesized compound with COX/5-LOX dual inhibition, was subjected to the inhibitory activity test on Hep G{sub 2} growth. We found that KYKZL-1 inhibited the growth of Hep G{sub 2} cells via inducing apoptosis. Further studies showed that KYKZL-1 activated caspase-3 through cytochrome c release from mitochondria and down regulation of Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced the high level of COX-2 and 5-LOX. As shown in its anti-inflammatory effect, KYKZL-1 also exhibited inhibitory effect on the PGE{sub 2} and LTB{sub 4} production in Hep G{sub 2} cells. Accordingly, exogenous addition of PGE{sub 2} or LTB{sub 4} reversed the decreases in cell viability. In addition, KYKZL-1 caused cell cycle arrest at the S–G{sub 2} checkpoint via the activation of p21{sup CIP1} protein and down-regulation of cyclin A expression. These data indicate that the growth inhibitory effect of KYKZL-1 is associated with inhibition of AA metabolites and caspase-3 pathway and cell cycle arrest. Combined with our previous findings, KYKZL-1 exhibiting COX/5-LOX inhibition may be a promising potential agent not only for inflammation control but also for cancer prevention/therapy with an enhanced gastric safety profile. - Highlights: • KYKZL-1 is designed to exhibit COX/5-LOX dual inhibition. • KYKZL-1 resulted in apoptosis ofmore » Hep G{sub 2} cells. • KYKZL-1 activated caspase-3 through cytochrome c and bcl-2/bax ratio. • KYKZL-1 caused cell cycle arrest via modulation of p21{sup CIP1} and cyclin A level.« less

Gardenia fruits contain valuable natural food colorants including crocins (gardenia yellow) and geniposide. In this study, a process for the enrichment of crocins and geniposide simultaneously from gardenia fruits was developed using macroporous resin and RP chromatography. The performance of eight different types of macroporous resins was evaluated. Static absorption/desorption experiments revealed that LX60 possessed optimal separating capacity. Further dynamic absorption/desorption experiments on LX60 columns were conducted to obtain the optimal parameters. After one run treatment with LX60, the content of crocin-1 in gardenia yellow reached 29.6%, while geniposide in another fraction reached 83.4%. An extract of crocins was obtained from gardenia yellow in a second-stage separation using RP medium-pressure LC, with its color value to be 756 and the content of crocin-1 reaching 60.8%. The separation process was highly efficient, low cost, and compact, which may be informative for purifications of other natural products from complex plant extracts.

2-(3′,5′-Dimethoxybenzylidene) cyclopentanone (DMBC) is a novel synthetic compound with antinociceptive activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of the autophagic-lysosomal pathway in the antinociceptive effect of DMBC in a mouse acetic acid-writhing model. Mouse acetic acid-writhing test and hotplate test were used to assess the antinociceptive effects of DMBC, 3-MA (autophagy inhibitor) and Clik148 (cathepsin L inhibitor). The drugs were administered peripherally (ip) or centrally (icv). Peripheral administration of 3-MA (7.5–30 mg/kg) or Clik148 (10–80 mg/kg) produced potent antinociceptive effect in acetic acid-writhing test. Central administration of 3-MA or Clik148 (12.5–50 nmol/L) produced comparable antinociceptive effect in acetic acid-writhing test. Peripheral administration of DMBC (25–50 mg/kg) produced potent antinociceptive effects in both acetic acid-writhing and hotplate tests. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect produced by peripheral administration of DMBC (50 mg/kg) in acetic acid-writhing test was antagonized by low doses of 3-MA (3.75 mg/kg) or Clik148 (20 mg/kg) peripherally administered, but was not affected by 3-MA or Clik148 (25 nmol/L) centrally administered. Activation of central autophagy and cathepsin L is involved in nociception in mice, whereas peripheral autophagy and cathepsin L contributes, at least in part, to the antinociceptive effect of DMBC in mice.

This study investigated whether slow-releasing organic hydrogen sulfide donors act through the same mechanisms as those of inorganic donors to protect neurons from oxidative stress. By inducing oxidative stress in a neuronal cell line HT22 with glutamate, we investigated the protective mechanisms of the organic donors: ADT-OH [5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1, 2-dithiole-3-thione], the most widely used moiety for synthesizing slow-releasing hydrogen sulfide donors, and ADT, a methyl derivative of ADT-OH. The organic donors were more potent than the inorganic donor sodium hydrogensulfide (NaHS) in protecting HT22 cells against glutamate toxicity. Consistent with previous publications, NaHS partially restored glutamate-depleted glutathione (GSH) levels, protected HT22 from direct free radical damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and NaHS protection was abolished by a KATP channel blocker glibenclamide. However, neither ADT nor ADT-OH enhanced glutamate-depleted GSH levels or protected HT22 from H2O2-induced oxidative stress. Glibenclamide, which abolished NaHS neuroprotection against oxidative stress, did not block ADT and ADT-OH neuroprotection against glutamate-induced oxidative stress. Unexpectedly, we found that glutamate induced AMPK activation and that compound C, a well-established AMPK inhibitor, remarkably protected HT22 from glutamate-induced oxidative stress, suggesting that AMPK activation contributed to oxidative glutamate toxicity. Interestingly, all hydrogen sulfide donors, including NaHS, remarkably attenuated glutamate-induced AMPK activation. However, under oxidative glutamate toxicity, compound C only increased the viability of HT22 cells treated with NaHS, but did not further increase ADT and ADT-OH neuroprotection. Thus, suppressing AMPK activation likely contributed to ADT and ADT-OH neuroprotection. In conclusion, hydrogen sulfide donors acted through differential mechanisms to confer neuroprotection against oxidative toxicity and suppressing AMPK activation was a possible mechanism underlying neuroprotection of organic hydrogen sulfide donors against oxidative toxicity.

The mechanisms underlying neuroinflammation following cerebral ischemia remain unclear. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a newly identified gasotransmitter, has been reported to regulate inflammation. In the current study, we investigated whether the endogenous H2S production pathway contributed to microglia-mediated neuroinflammation following stroke. We used a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model and an in vitro cellular model to mimic ischemia-induced microglial neuroinflammation. Expression of the H2S synthase cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and H2S synthetic activity were rapidly decreased in the ischemic brain tissue following MCAO. Consistently, when cultured microglia were polarized toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype with conditioned medium collected from neurons that had been subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD neuron CM), they displayed reduced CBS expression and H2S production. Enhancing H2S bioavailability either by overexpressing CBS or by supplementing with exogenous H2S donors promoted a shift in microglial polarization from ischemia-induced pro-inflammatory phenotypes toward anti-inflammatory phenotypes. Mechanistically, microglia that were exposed to OGD neuron CM displayed reduced activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which was rescued by overexpressing CBS or by supplementing with H2S donors. Moreover, the promoting effects of H2S donors on microglial anti-inflammatory polarization were abolished by an AMPK inhibitor or CaMKKβ inhibitor. Our results suggested that reduced CBS-H2S-AMPK cascade activity contributed to microglia-mediated neuroinflammation following stroke. Targeting the CBS-H2S pathway is a promising therapeutic approach for ischemic stroke.

G-4 inactivates YAP in colorectal cancer cells. a G-4 treatment (6 h, 5, 10, 20 μM) induces YAP phosphorylation in cytosol and decreases YAP levels in nucleus of HCT8/Tax cells. b G-4 (10 μM) decreases YAP nuclear localization in HCT8/Tax cells. YAP subcellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence staining for endogenous YAP (green) along with DAPI for DNA (blue). ** P

G-4 (10 μM) decreased viability and suppressed cell colony formation, migration and invasion. a MTT assay for cell viability. HCT8 and 15/Tax cells were treated with G-4 for 48 h. b Effect of G-4 on cell colony formation. HCT8/Tax cells were seeded into 6-well plates and 9 days later, the colonies were stained with crystal violet, photographed (upper panel) and counted (lower panel). Scale bar: 5 mm. c Effect of G-4 on cell migration in HCT8/Tax cells. Cells were seeded into 6-well plates at 70–80% confluence. Cell migration was monitored by optical inspection for 24 h using a microscope and pictures were taken at 0 and 24 h (upper panel) and quantified (lower panel). d Effect of G-4 on cell invasion in HCT8/Tax cells. Invasion assay was conducted utilizing transwell chambers. The invaded cells were photographed (upper panel) and quantified (lower panel). ** P

YAP and COX-2 were essential for the effect of G-4 and acted synergistically to overcome the resistance. a Cell viability analysis in YAP or COX-2 expressing vector-transfected cells treated with G-4 (10 μM) for 48 h. **P

G-4 disturbed YAP-TEAD interaction. a G-4 treatment disturbed the YAP-TEAD1 interaction in the nucleus of HCT8/Tax cells. The YAP-TEAD1 interaction was probed in cells 4 h after G-4 treatment and in untreated cells using co-IP. b ChIP analysis of YAP interaction with the Cyr 61 and COX-2 promoter in HCT8/Tax cells. YAP was examined in cells 4 h after G-4 treatment and in untreated cells. ** P

A series of curcumin derivatives as potent dual inhibitors of xanthine oxidase (XOD) and urate transporter 1 (URAT1) was discovered as anti-hyperuricemic agents. These compounds proved efficient effects on anti-hyperuricemic activity and uricosuric activity in vivo. More importantly, some of them exhibited proved efficient effects on inhibiting XOD activity and suppressing uptake of uric acid via URAT1 in vitro. Especially, the treatment of 4d was demonstrated to improve uric acid over-production and under-excretion in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice through regulating XOD activity and URAT1 expression. Docking study was performed to elucidate the potent XOD inhibition of 4d. Compound 4d may serve as a tool compound for further design of anti-hyperuricemic drugs targeting both XOD and URAT1.

Twelve novel hybrids of slowly releasing hydrogen sulfide donor ADT-OH combined with nicotinic acid were synthesized. All of their structures had been confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectra. The target compounds were evaluated for their neuroprotective effects on hippocampal neuron HT22 cells against glutamate-induced injury at the concentrations of 1-100μM with MTT assay, and their toxicity on HT22 cells untreated by glutamine at the concentration of 100μM. The active compound was further investigated for its effect on ischemic infarct volume by intraperitoneal injection at 3h after ischemia in mice models of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). The results showed that all the compounds significantly protected HT22 cells from glutamate-induced damage at most of the experimental concentrations, and had no or little neurotoxicity on normal HT22 cells at the high concentration. More importantly, compound A6 significantly reduced infarct volume in the pMCAO model. These results suggested that compound A6 may be promising for further evaluation for the intervention of cerebral ischemic injury.

2-(4-Aminophenyl)-3-(3,5-dihydroxylphenyl) propenoic acid (CSN-07001) is a new compound based on the combination of resveratrol and propenoic acid derivatives. In vitro cyclooxygenase (COX)/5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition assays showed that the test compound exhibited a dual inhibitory activity against the COX (COX-1 IC(50) = 2.20 microM, COX-2 IC(50) = 1.76 microM) and 5-LOX (IC(50) = 0.28 microM) enzymes. Further, the enhanced COX-1/COX-2/5-LOX expression in lipopolysaccaride-induced lung inflammation in mice was also suppressed by CSN-07001 in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo studies showed that CSN-07001 exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in different experimental models. We further examined the risk of gastric damage induced by CSN-07001. The test compound was gastric-sparing in that it elicited markedly fewer stomach lesions than indomethacin in rats. Taken together, our data indicate that CSN-07001 exhibits a novel class of dual inhibitors of COX and 5-LOX having therapeutic potential as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents with an enhanced gastric safety profile.

A series of hybrids, which are composed of glycyrrhetic acid (GA) and slowly hydrogen sulfide-releasing donor ADT-OH, were designed and synthesized to develop anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents. Most of the compounds, whose inhibitory rates were comparable to or higher than those of GA and aspirin, respectively, significantly inhibited xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Especially, compound V4 exhibited the most potent inhibitory rate of 60.7%. Furthermore, preliminary structure-activity relationship studies demonstrated that 3-substituted GA derivatives had stronger anti-inflammatory activities than the corresponding 3-unsubstituted GA derivatives. In addition, anti-proliferative activities of compounds V1-9 were evaluated in three different human cancer cell lines. Compound V4 showed the most high potency against all three tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 10.01 μM in Hep G2 cells to 17.8 μM in MDA-MB-231 cells, which were superior to positive GA.

A series of hybrids, which are composed of glycyrrhetic acid (GA) and slowly hydrogen sulfide-releasing donor ADT-OH, were designed and synthesized to develop anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents. Most of the compounds, whose inhibitory rates were comparable to or higher than those of GA and aspirin, respectively, significantly inhibited xylene-induced ear edema in mice. Especially, compound V4exhibited the most potent inhibitory rate of 60.7%. Furthermore, preliminary structure–activity relationship studies demonstrated that 3-substituted GA derivatives had stronger anti-inflammatory activities than the corresponding 3-unsubstituted GA derivatives. In addition, anti-proliferative activities of compounds V1−9 were evaluated in three different human cancer cell lines. Compound V4 showed the most high potency against all three tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 10.01 μM in Hep G2 cells to 17.8 μM in MDA-MB-231 cells, which were superior to positive GA.

Various substituted benzamides react with electron-neutral and electron-rich phenols to give dibenzoxazepinones.

Aims: The manner in which hydrogen sulfide (H2S) suppresses neuroinflammation is poorly understood. We investigated whether H2S polarized microglia to an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Results: Three structurally unrelated H2S donors (5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1,2-dithiocyclopentene-3-thione [ADT-OH], (p-methoxyphenyl) morpholino-phosphinodithioic acid [GYY4137], and sodium hydrosulfide [NaHS]) enhanced AMPK activation in BV2 microglial cells in the presence and absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The overexpression of the H2S synthase cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) in BV2 cells enhanced endogenous H2S production and AMPK activation regardless of LPS stimulation. On LPS stimulation, overexpression of both ADT-OH and CBS promoted M2 polarization of BV2 cells, as evidenced by suppressed M1 and elevated M2 signature gene expression. The promoting effects of ADT-OH on M2 polarization were attenuated by an AMPK inhibitor or AMPK knockdown. Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) are upstream kinases that activate AMPK. ADT-OH activated AMPK in Hela cells lacking LKB1. In contrast, both the CaMKKβ inhibitor and siRNA abolished ADT-OH activation of AMPK in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Moreover, the CaMKKβ inhibitor and siRNA blunted ADT-OH suppression on M1 gene expression and enhancement of M2 gene expression in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Moreover, ADT-OH promoted M2 polarization of primary microglia in an AMPK activation- and CaMKKβ-dependent manner. Finally, in an LPS-induced in vivo neuroinflammation model, both ADT-OH and NaHS enhanced AMPK activation in the brain area where microglia were over-activated on LPS stimulation. Furthermore, ADT-OH suppressed M1 and promoted M2 gene expression in this in vivo model. Innovation and Conclusion: CaMKKβ-dependent AMPK activation is an unrecognized mechanism underlying H2S suppression on neuroinflammation. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 21, 1741–1758.

By using two structurally unrelated hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) donors 5-(4-methoxyphenyl) -3H-1, 2-dithiole-3-thione (ADT) and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), this study investigated if H2 S protected blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). ICR mice underwent MCAO and received H2 S donors at 3 h after reperfusion. Infarction, neurological scores, brain edema, Evans blue (EB) extravasation, and tight junction protein expression were examined at 48 h after MCAO. We also investigated if ADT protected BBB integrity by suppressing post-ischemic inflammation-induced Matrix Metalloproteimase-9 (MMP9) and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX). ADT increased blood H2 S concentrations, decreased infarction, and improved neurological deficits. Particularly, ADT reduced EB extravasation, brain edema and preserved expression of tight junction proteins in the ischemic brain. NaHS also increased blood H2 S levels and reduced EB extravasation following MCAO. Moreover, ADT inhibited expression of pro-inflammatory markers induced Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) and IL-1β while enhanced expression of anti-inflammatory markers arginase 1 and IL-10 in the ischemic brain. Accordingly, ADT attenuated ischemia-induced expression and activity of MMP9. Moreover, ADT reduced NOX-4 mRNA expression, NOX activity, and inhibited nuclear translocation of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B (NF-κB) in the ischemic brain. In conclusion, H2 S donors protected BBB integrity following experimental stroke possibly by acting through NF-κB inhibition to suppress neuroinflammation induction of MMP9 and NOX4-derived free radicals. To determine H2 S effects on blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption following stroke, we used two structurally unrelated H2 S donors ADT and NaHS. Both ADT and NaHS remarkably protected BBB integrity following experimental stroke. The slow-releasing donor ADT also reduced post-ischemic inflammation-induced expression and activity of MMP9 and NOX4 in the ischemic brain possibly by inhibiting NF-κB activation.

Gardenia fruits contain valuable natural food colorants including crocins (gardenia yellow) and geniposide. In this study, a process for the enrichment of crocins and geniposide simultaneously from gardenia fruits was developed using macroporous resin and RP chromatography. The performance of eight different types of macroporous resins was evaluated. Static absorption/desorption experiments revealed that LX60 possessed optimal separating capacity. Further dynamic absorption/desorption experiments on LX60 columns were conducted to obtain the optimal parameters. After one run treatment with LX60, the content of crocin-1 in gardenia yellow reached 29.6%, while geniposide in another fraction reached 83.4%. An extract of crocins was obtained from gardenia yellow in a second-stage separation using RP medium-pressure LC, with its color value to be 756 and the content of crocin-1 reaching 60.8%. The separation process was highly efficient, low cost, and compact, which may be informative for purifications of other natural products from complex plant extracts.

A type of novel α,β-unsaturated cyclohexanone analogous, which designed based on the curcumin core structure, have been discovered as potential EGFR inhibitors. These compounds exhibit potent antiproliferative activity in two human tumor cell lines (Hep G2 and B16-F10). Among them, compounds I(3) and I(12) displayed the most potent EGFR inhibitory activity (IC(50) = 0.43 μM and 1.54 μM, respectively). Molecular docking of I(12) into EGFR TK active site was also performed. This inhibitor nicely fitting the active site might well explain its excellent inhibitory activity.

KYKZL-1, a newly synthesized compound with COX/5-LOX dual inhibition, was subjected to the anti-inflammatory activity test focusing on its modulation of inflammatory mediators as well as intracellular MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. In acute ear edema model, pretreatment with KYKZL-1 (p.o.) dose-dependently inhibited the xylene-induced ear edema in mice with a higher inhibition than diclofenac. In a three-day TPA-induced inflammation, KYKZL-1 also showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with inhibition ranging between 20% and 64%. In gastric lesion test, KYKZL-1 elicited markedly fewer stomach lesions with a low index of ulcer as compared to diclofenac in rats. In further studies, KYKZL-1 was found to significantly inhibit the production of NO, PGE2, LTB4 in LPS challenged RAW264.7, which is parallel to its attenuation of the expression of iNOS, COX-2, 5-LOX mRNAs or proteins and inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 and ERK MAPKs and activation of NF-κB. Taken together, our data indicate that KYKZL-1 comprises dual inhibition of COX and 5-LOX and exerts an obvious anti-inflammatory activity with an enhanced gastric safety profile via simultaneous inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 and ERK MAPKs and activation of NF-κB.

Objective To study the stability and degradation kinetics of Ketoprofen-Paeonol conjugate (Ket-Pae). Method RP-HPLC method was used to determine the solubility and partition coefficient of Ket-Pae. Stability test was carried out to investigate the factors affecting Ket-Pae. The kinetic studies of Ket-Pae degradation were conducted in different pH buffer solutions and 80% rat plasma at 37 degrees C. Result Ket-Pae showed significant degradation phenomenon at high temperature. The solubility of Ket-Pae was decreased about 200 to 300 times compared with parent drugs in water while the lnP increased about 4 times. The degradation curve displayed a V-shape, and kept maximum stability at week acidic (pH 5.0, t(1/2) = 11.4 d). Ket-Pae degraded quickly with very short half life of 1.3 min in plasma, therefore easily released ketoprofen and paeonol. Conclusion The lipophilicity of Ket-Pae is increased, its stability is affected by temperature and pH value.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and Crocus sativus L. are both traditional Chinese medicines that have significant biologic activities on inflammatory processes. But the active ingredients remain unclear. Crocin, a representative of carotenoid compounds, has now drawn considerable attention not only because it is a natural food colorant but also because it has great potential in medicine. But until now, the systematic anti-inflammatory effect of crocin has not been well established. In the present study, experiments were carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of crocin in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition assays showed that crocin exhibits a dual inhibitory activity against the COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Anti-inflammatory activity in vivo was evaluated using two animal edema model tests. Pretreatment with crocin (p.o.) dose-dependently inhibited the xylene-induced ear edema in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. In gastric lesion tests, crocin was gastric-sparing in that it elicited markedly fewer stomach lesions as compared to the number of stomach lesions caused by indomethacin in rats. In further studies, crocin was found to significantly inhibit the productions of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged RAW 264.7, which is parallel to its prevention of the nuclear translocation of the NF-kappaB p50 and p65 subunits. These data indicate that crocin exhibits obvious anti-inflammatory effects and may be one of the active ingredients in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis or Crocus sativus L. that can modulate inflammatory processes.