Green synthesis, bio-evaluation, and in silico study of dibenzalacetone: A curcumin analog for the medicinal treatment of inflammatory diseases

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a major global health issue linked to cardiovascular disease with rising incidence and mortality rates. Chronic inflammation in arterial walls is a significant contributor to atherosclerosis, necessitating effective anti-inflammatory treatments. Dibenzalacetone (DBA) is well-known as one of the curcumin derivatives with potential activity for chronic inflammatory treatment. This study explored the synthesis of anti-inflammatory activity of DBA using ultrasound-assisted method, achieving a high yield of 85.70 ± 2.20 %. Characterizations involved thin layer chromatography (Rf = 0.88), melting point determination (108–113 °C), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) confirming the DBA production. In vivo anti-inflammatory tests on carrageenan-induced rat paw edema showed that 6.3 mg/kg dose of DBA significantly reduced edema volume and paw thickness (p < 0.01), outperforming higher doses. Furthermore, in silico studies showed potential energy binding and interactions toward ERK-1 protein binding site, indicating greater inhibition of the protein activation rather than the diclofenac sodium as a comparative model. Overall results indicate that DBA has a strong potential anti-inflammatory agent, meriting further investigation for therapeutic applications in atherosclerosis.