Site-selective synthesis and pharmacological elucidation of novel semi-synthetic analogues of koenimbine as a potential anti-inflammatory agent

• Published in: International immunopharmacology 2024-01, Vol.126, p.111059-111059, Article 111059
• Main Authors: Iqbal Andrabi, Nusrit, Sarkar, Aminur R., Assim Haq, Syed, kumar, Diljeet, Kour, Dilpreet, Saroch, Diksha, Kumar Shukla, Sanket, Kumar, Ajay, Bhagat, Asha, Ali, Asif, Ahmed, Zabeer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Carbazoles; Cyclooxygenase 2 - metabolism; Inflammatory mediators; Interleukin-6 - metabolism; Koenimbine; Lipopolysaccharides; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; NF-kappa B - metabolism; NF-κB; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - metabolism; RAW 264.7 Cells; Sepsis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism
• ISSN: 1567-5769; 1878-1705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111059

[Display omitted] •Koenimbine semi-synthetic derivative 8-methoxy-3,3,5-trimethylpyrano[3,2-a] carbazole-11(3H)-yl) (3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl) methanone (1G) can effectively attenuate the inflammatory response, both in-vitro and in-vivo suggesting 1G is a potential novel anti-inflammatory drug candidate in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. Koenimbine (1), a carbazole alkaloid isolated from Murraya koenigii, belongs to the Rutaceae family. Various pharmacological effects such as anti-diabetic, melanogenesis inhibition, anti-diarrheal, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties of koenimbine have already been reported. In the current study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory role of koenimbine (1) and its novel semi-synthetic derivative 8-methoxy-3,3,5-trimethylpyrano[3,2-a] carbazole-11(3H)-yl) (3-(trifluoromethyl) phenyl) methanone (1G) in both in vitro and in vivo biological systems. Our results demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory activity of 1G significantly lowered the production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α & IL-1β), LTB4 following LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, 1G significantly attenuated the expression levels of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose dependent manner and decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, the oral administration of 1G reduced the inflammatory response in carrageenan-induced paw edema in BALB/C mice. Moreover, it effectively reduced NO, IL-6, IL-1β & TNF-α levels, liver markers (AST, ALT), and kidney markers (BUN, CRE, and Urea). Also, 1G reverted the infiltration of inflammatory cells and tissue damage in lungs, liver and kidney enhanced the survival rate in LPS-challenged mice. 1G blocks NF-κB p65 from translocating into the nucleus and activating inflammatory gene transcription. These results illustrated that 1G suppresses the inflammatory effects both in-vitro and in-vivo studies via downregulating the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that semi-synthetic derivative 1G can effectively attenuate the inflammatory response via NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways; suggesting 1G is a potential novel anti-inflammatory drug candidate in treating inflammatory disorders.