In silico designing, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of potential PPAR-γ agonists derived from aryl propionic acid scaffold.

Attributed to several side effects, especially on hepatic tissues and body weight, there is always an urge of innovation and upgrading in already existing medication being used in maintaining diabetic condition. Therefore, in the present work, forty-eight molecules derived from arylpropionic acid scaffold were synthesized and their evaluation against diabetes was carried out. The synthesis of these molecules attributed to excellent dock score displayed by all the structures performed against PPAR-γ receptor site. Subsequently, all the derivatives were primarily deduced for their antidiabetic potential by OGTT. The compounds that showed significant antidiabetic activity in OGT Test and also exhibited high dock scores were assessed further by in vitro PPAR transactivation assay to assure analogy between in vivo and in vitro studies. The antidiabetic activity of these active compounds was then evaluated on STZ induced diabetic model in vivo. The most active compounds were scrutinized for its effect on PPAR-γ gene expression and hepatotoxic effect. Finally, it was recapitulated that these derivatives can provide a new prospect towards the development of antidiabetic agents with fewer side effects.

Novel 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid substituted thiazolidin-4-ones as anti-inflammatory agents: Design, synthesis and biological screening.

A library of fourteen 2-imino-4-thiazolidinone derivatives (1a-1n) has been synthesized and evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity and effect on ex-vivo COX-2 and TNF-α expression. Compounds 1k (5-(2,4-dichloro-phenooxy)-acetic acid (3-benzyl-4-oxo-thiazolidin-2-ylidene)-hydrazide) and 1m (5-(2,4-dichloro-phenooxy)-acetic acid (3-cyclohexyl-4-oxo-thiazolidin-2-ylidene)-hydrazide) exhibited in vivo inhibition of 81.14% and 78.80% respectively after 5h in comparison to indomethacin which showed 76.36% inhibition of inflammation without causing any damage to the stomach. Compound 1k showed a reduction of 68.32% in the level of COX-2 as compared to the indomethacin which exhibited 66.23% inhibition of COX-2. The selectivity index of compound 1k was found to be 29.00 in comparison to indomethacin showing selectivity index of 0.476. Compounds 1k and 1m were also found to significantly suppress TNF-α concentration to 70.10% and 68.43% in comparison to indomethacin which exhibited 66.45% suppression.

Novel Piperine Derivatives with Antidiabetic Effect as PPAR-γ Agonists.

Piperine is an alkaloid responsible for the pungency of black pepper. In this study, piperine isolated from Piper nigrum L. was hydrolyzed under basic condition to obtain piperic acid and was used as precursor to carry out the synthesis of twenty piperine derivatives containing benzothiazole moiety. All the benzothiazole derivatives were evaluated for their antidiabetic potential by OGT test followed by assessment of active derivatives on STZ-induced diabetic model. It was observed that nine of twenty novel piperine analogues (5b, 6a-h), showed significantly higher antidiabetic activity in comparison with rosiglitazone (standard). Furthermore, these active derivatives were evaluated for their action as PPAR-γ agonists demonstrating their mechanism of action. The effects on body weight, lipid peroxidation, and hepatotoxicity after administration with active derivatives were also studied to further establish these derivatives as lead molecules for treatment of diabetes with lesser side-effects.

Antidiabetic effect of novel benzenesulfonylureas as PPAR-γ agonists and their anticancer effect.

Twenty one pyrazoline containing benzenesulfonylureas were synthesized and docked against PPAR-γ target. All the compounds were first screened for their antidiabetic potential by oral glucose tolerance test and then six active compounds were assessed on STZ diabetic model. It was found that five compounds showed significantly high antidiabetic activity in comparison to glibenclamide as well as rosiglitazone (standard drugs). The active compounds were evaluated for their effect on body weight since weight management is one of the main concerns associated with sulfonylureas. Finally, the most active compound 6f was shown to elevate PPAR-γ gene expression. The synthesized compounds were also screened for anticancer activity by National Cancer Institute. Five compounds (5i, 6e, 6g, 6i and 6j) were selected at one dose level and showed potency against cancers.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Thiazolidine-2,4-dione Conjugates as PPAR-γ Agonists.

A library of synthesized conjugates of phenoxy acetic acid and thiazolidinedione 5a-m showed potent peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) transactivation as well as significant blood glucose lowering effect comparable to the standard drugs pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. Most of the compounds showed higher docking scores than the standard drug rosiglitazone in the molecular docking study. Compounds 5l and 5m exhibited PPAR-γ transactivation of 54.21 and 55.41%, respectively, in comparison to the standard drugs pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, which showed 65.94 and 82.21% activation, respectively. Compounds 5l and 5m significantly lowered the blood glucose level of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Compounds 5l and 5m lowered the AST, ALT, and ALP levels more than the standard drug pioglitazone. PPAR-γ gene expression was significantly increased by compound 5m (2.00-fold) in comparison to the standard drugs pioglitazone (1.5-fold) and rosiglitazone (1.0-fold). Compounds 5l and 5m did not cause any damage to the liver and could be considered as promising candidates for the development of new antidiabetic agents.

Ameliorative effects of Trichosanthes dioica Extract in suppressing inflammatory mediators and attenuating oxidative stress.

The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Trichosanthes dioica and its successive fractions. The effect on oxidative stress involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation was evaluated. The ethanolic extract and its successive fractions were administered at a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg b. w. for testing their anti-inflammatory activity by a carrageenan-induced edema model. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited significant potency against inflammation. Pertaining to mechanistic insight, the anti-inflammatory effect might be attributed to the attenuation in tumor necrosis factor-α level (ELISA assay) and reduced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and nuclear transcription factor-κB (immunohistochemistry). The alleviation in oxidative stress has been pertinent to the elevation in the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione) by active fractions. Furthermore, the ulcerogenic effect was insignificant even at a three times higher dose. Finally, it was concluded that the ethyl acetate fraction which showed significant biological potential against inflammation and oxidative stress could be viewed as a source of effective treatment.

Design and Synthesis of Butenolide-based Novel Benzyl Pyrrolones: Their TNF-α based Molecular Docking with In vivo and In vitro Anti-inflammatory Activity.

A focused library of novel benzyl pyrrolones has been synthesized and their in silico molecular docking studies carried out against TNF-α target. Among all the docked molecules, compound 3f showed best glide score of -6.89. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced paw edema model. Compounds showing significant anti-inflammatory activity were further tested for their in vitro TNF α expression. Compounds 3b and 2b were found to show significant inhibition of 76.22% and 71.47%, respectively after 5 h in comparison with standard drug indomethacin, which showed 80.98% inhibition of inflammation. Compounds 3b and 2b also suppressed TNF α level by 65.03% and 60.90% as compared indomethacin, which showed 68.84% of inhibition. Compound 3b showed significant analgesic activity of 60.04%, and its activity was comparable with indomethacin (64.04%). Compounds 3b and 2b were also tested for their effect on protein expression of COX-2 and NF-κB in the liver tissues. Compounds 3b and 2b were further evaluated for their gastric risk and lipid peroxidation action and showed superior GI safety along with reduction of LPO as compared to indomethacin. Hepatotoxicity study showed that these two compounds did not cause any damage to liver.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of piperic acid triazolyl derivatives as potent anti-inflammatory agents.

Nineteen novel piperine based triazoles have been synthesized using click chemistry approach and were tested for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The most active compounds were evaluated for in vitro TNF-α expression. Compounds 3g and 3f were found to show significant in vivo inhibition of inflammation, 80.40% and 76.71%, respectively after 5 h in comparison to piperine (54.72%) and the standard drug indomethacin (77.02%) without causing any damage to the stomach. Compounds 3g and 3f suppressed TNF-α level by 73.73% and 70.64%, respectively and protein expression of COX-2, NF-κB and TNF-α more than indomethacin. Moreover, the compound 3g was found to show significant analgesic activity of 54.09% which was comparable with the indomethacin (57.43%).

Novel benzenesulfonylureas containing thiophenylpyrazoline moiety as potential antidiabetic and anticancer agents.

In the present study a library of twenty six benzenesulfonylureas containing thiophenylpyrazoline moiety has been synthesized. All the compounds were docked against PPAR-γ target. Most of the compounds displayed higher dock score than standard drugs, glibenclamide and rosiglitazone. All the synthesized compounds were primarily evaluated for their antidiabetic effect by oral glucose tolerance test. Further assessment of antidiabetic potential of sixteen active compounds was then done on STZ induced diabetic model. The results of in vivo activity by both the methods were found to be consistent with each other as well as with docking studies. Change in body weight of STZ induced animals post treatment was also assessed at the end of study. In vitro PPAR-γ transactivation assay was performed on active compounds in order to validate docking results and the most active compound 3 k was also shown to elevate gene expression of PPAR-γ. Furthermore, the compounds were screened by National Cancer Institute, Bethesda for anticancer effect and two compounds 3h and 3 i were selected at one dose level since they exhibited sensitivity towards tumor cell lines (mainly melanoma).

Synthesis and evaluation of pyrazolines bearing benzothiazole as anti-inflammatory agents.

The present study aims at the synthesis of pyrazolines bearing benzothiazole and their evaluation as anti-inflammatory agents. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory potential using carrageenan induced paw edema model. Two compounds 5a and 5d alleviated inflammation more than the standard drug celecoxib. Eight compounds 5 b, 5 c, 5 e, 5 g, 5 h, 6 b, 6 e and 6 f showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to celecoxib. To understand the mode of action, COX-2 enzyme assay and TNF-α assay were carried out. All the active compounds were assessed for their cytotoxicity. The ulcerogenic risk evaluation was performed on the active compounds that were not found to be cytotoxic. Out of ten active compounds, two compounds (5 d and 6 f) were finally found to be the most potent anti-inflammatory agents attributing to the suppression of the COX-2 enzyme activity and TNF-α production without being either cytotoxic or ulcerogenic.

Design, synthesis, in silico molecular docking and biological evaluation of novel oxadiazole based thiazolidine-2,4-diones bis-heterocycles as PPAR-γ agonists.

A library of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 2-4-thiazolidinedione based bis-heterocycles 7 (a-r) has been synthesized which exhibited significant PPAR-γ transactivation and blood glucose lowering effect comparable with the standard drugs Pioglitazone and Rosiglitazone. Compounds 7m and 7r did not cause body weight gain and were found to be free from hepatotoxic and cardiotoxic side effects. Compounds 7m and 7r increased PPAR-γ gene expression by 2.10 and 2.00 folds, respectively in comparison to the standard drugs Pioglitazone (1.5 fold) and Rosiglitazone (1.0 fold). Therefore the compounds 7m and 7r may be considered as potential candidates for development of new antidiabetic agents.

Attenuation of inflammatory mediators, oxidative stress and toxic risk evaluation of Aporosa lindleyana Baill bark extract.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Traditionally, Aporosa lindleyana Baill. has been used against various ailments viz. jaundice, fever, headache, seminal loss and insanity. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of Aporosa lindleyana Baill. bark and its fractions. METHOD: The anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Aporosa lindleyana Baill. bark and its various fractions at doses of 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg b.w. has been carried out by a carrageenan induced hind paw edema method. To establish the probable mechanism of action, TNF-α and NO levels have been estimated by an ELISA method and the effect of active fraction on COX-2 and NF-κB expressions has been evaluated. The effect on the levels of anti-oxidative enzymes (CAT, SOD & GPX) by the ethanolic extract and its fractions has also been investigated. Furthermore, peptic ulcer and hepatotoxic risk evaluation has also been carried out at three times higher dose than that used in inflammatory in vivo model. RESULTS: Among the extract and its various fractions tested for anti-inflammatory activity, the methanolic fraction at a dose of 300mg/kg showed significant inhibition in paw edema by 73% as compared to Indomethacin which showed 77% inhibition after 5h. The same dose of methanolic fraction also caused significant reduction in TNF-α (59.27%) and NO concentration (57.12%) while Indomethacin showed inhibition of 63.91% and 60.12%. The active methanolic fraction was also found to inhibit the expression of NF-κB and COX-2 induced by carrageenan. Histological studies showed that the ethanolic extract and its fractions did not cause any damage to the stomach as well as to liver. Moreover, the active fractions also decreased lipid peroxidation levels and increased the antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPX). CONCLUSION: The results of present study demonstrated that significant anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic fraction of Aporosa lindleyana may be attributed to the modulation of pro-inflammatory mediators. Same fraction was also found to be effective against oxidative stress as it was found to elevate the levels of anti-oxidative enzymes. It can therefore be concluded that the methanolic fraction could be explored as a disease modifying agent against inflammation and oxidative stress.

Thiazolidine-2,4-diones derivatives as PPAR-γ agonists: synthesis, molecular docking, in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic activity with hepatotoxicity risk evaluation and effect on PPAR-γ gene expression.

A library of conjugates of chromones and 2,4-thiazolidinedione has been synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation followed by reduction using hydrogen gas and Pd/C as a catalyst. Compounds 5c and 5e were most effective in lowering the blood glucose level comparable to standard drug pioglitazone. Compound 5e exhibited potent PPAR-γ transactivation of 48.72% in comparison to pioglitazone (62.48%). All the molecules showed good glide score against the PPAR-γ target in molecular docking study. PPAR-γ gene expression was significantly increased by compound 5e (2.56-fold) in comparison to standard drug pioglitazone. Compounds 5e and 5c did not cause any damage to the liver and may be considered as promising candidates for the development of new antidiabetic agents.

Synthesis of novel 2-mercaptobenzoxazole based 1,2,3-triazoles as inhibitors of proinflammatory cytokines and suppressors of COX-2 gene expression.

A library of novel bis-heterocycles containing 2-mercaptobenzoxazole based 1,2,3-triazoles has been synthesized using click chemistry approach. The compound 4 exhibited the most potent in vivo anti-inflammatory activity with 66.66% and 61.11% inhibition in comparison to celecoxib which showed 72.22% and 65.55% inhibition after 3 h and 5 h respectively. The compounds 4 and 9 suppressed the COX-2 gene expression by 0.94 and 0.79 fold and exhibited a selective index (COX-1/COX-2) of 64.79 and 66.47 respectively in comparison to celecoxib (SI value of 75.56). The in silico molecular docking studies showed the interactions of these molecules with Tyr-59, Tyr-119 and Gly-121. When compared with the standard drug celecoxib, compounds 4, 5, 7, 9 and 16 did not cause any gastric ulceration.

Trapa natans L. root extract suppresses hyperglycemic and hepatotoxic effects in STZ-induced diabetic rat model.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Trapa natans L. has a folkloric reputation as nutrient, appetizer and astringent. Its utility as antidiabetic, anticancer, diuretic, aphrodisiac, antidiarrhoeal and in many other maladies is well reported in the literature. Therefore, the present study has been carried out to study the antihyperglycemic effect of root extract of Trapa natans L. and its various fractions. Furthermore, hepatotoxic effects and lipid peroxidation risks have also been evaluated. METHODS: The ethanol extract and its successive fractions obtained from roots of Trapa natans have been administered in sucrose loaded and STZ- induced diabetic Wistar rats at doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg b.w. Glibenclamide was used as positive control. The evaluation of protective effects of extract as well as fractions against hepatotoxicity and lipid peroxidation at 600mg/kg b.w. has also been carried out. RESULTS: The methanol fraction emerged as the most potent antihyperglycemic fraction. It has also been found that the ethanolic extract as well as its fractions did not cause any lipid peroxidation and hepatotoxicity risks. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the intense investigations of the methanol fraction obtained from Trapa natans root extract can be done to provide an alternative natural therapy for hyperglycemia.

Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole based benzoxazolinones: their TNF-α based molecular docking with in-vivo anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive activities and ulcerogenic risk evaluation.

A library of novel bis-heterocycles containing benzoxazolinone based 1,2,3-triazoles has been synthesized using click chemistry approach. The compound 3f exhibited potent selective COX-2 inhibition of 59.48% in comparison to standard drug celecoxib (66.36% inhibition). The compound 3i showed significant (p < 0.001, 50.95%), TNF-α inhibitory activity as compared to indomethacin (p < 0.001, 64.01%). The results of the carrageenan induced hind paw oedema showed that compounds 3a, 3f, 3i, 3o, and 3e exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity in comparison to Indomethacin. The molecular docking studies revealed that 3i exhibits strong inhibitory effect due to the extra stability of the complex because of an extra π-π bond. The histopathology report showed that none of the compounds caused gastric ulceration.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of two new triterpenoids from Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn.

Two new triterpenoids characterised as 30-normethyl fernen-22-one (capillirone, 1) and hopan-3ß-ol (capillirol B, 2), along with two known triterpenoids, 4-α-hydroxyfilican-3-one and 3-ß,4-α-dihydroxyfilicane, have been isolated from the ethanolic extract of the fronds of Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn. (Adiantaceae). Compounds 1 and 3 showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with 33.07% (p < 0.01) and 42.30% (p < 0.001) inhibition as compared to indomethacin that exhibited 60.00% (p < 0.001) inhibition after 3 h in the carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema method. Compound 3 showed potent anti-nociceptive activity with 42.37% inhibition as compared to indomethacin that showed 45.34% inhibition in the writhing test.