Identification of chalcone analogues as anti-inflammatory agents through the regulation of NF-κB and JNK activation†

To develop new anti-inflammatory agents with improved pharmaceutical profiles, a series of chalcone analogues were designed and synthesized. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated by screening their inhibitory effects on NO production in RAW264.7 cell lines. The most promising compounds 3h and 3l were selected for further investigation by assessment of their dose-dependent inhibitory activity against cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and PGE2 release. The further study also indicated that 3h and 3l could significantly suppress the expression of iNOS and COX-2 through the NF-κB/JNK signaling pathway. Furthermore, compounds 3h and 3l could also remarkably inhibit the mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes. Meanwhile, 3h could also down-regulate ROS production. Docking simulation was conducted to position compounds 3h and 3l into the iNOS binding site to predict the probable binding mode. In conclusion, this series of chalcone analogues with reasonable drug-likeness obtained via in silico rapid prediction can be used as promising lead candidates.