Molecular hybridization method for obtaining paeonol-based fibrate derivatives with potent lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective activity

Molecular hybridization method was applied to design and synthesize a series of target compounds paeonol-based fibrate derivatives. The target compound was screened using a Triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemia mouse model, and compound T9 was found to have good lipid-lowering activity. The dose-dependent study of its lipid-lowering activity was also conducted. To further evaluate the lipid-lowering activity of compound T9, a hyperlipidemic mouse model induced by high fat emulsion can be used. The findings of the research illustrate that T9 is capable of significantly decreasing blood lipid levels, including TG, TC, LDL-C, and increasing HDL-C. The results of liver tissue oil red O staining and HE staining demonstrated that T9 improved the hepatic lipid accumulation, thus decreasing AST and ALT levels and protecting against hyperlipidemic liver injury. Studies into the lipid-lowering effect of T9 have indicated that it can upregulate PPAR-α protein expression in liver tissue, while simultaneously decreasing the expression of HMG-CoA protein. T9 was further demonstrated to possess antioxidant properties, as evidenced by an increase in SOD and a decrease in MDA, as well as anti-inflammatory effects, demonstrated by a decrease in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, thus confirming its potential as a hypolipidemia and hepatoprotective agent.

Graphical Abstract