Screening Novel Triazole Aurones for Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Abstract

Inflammatory diseases affect millions of people and are typically treated with steroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with serious side effects. A subgroup of flavonoids, called aurones, are potential alternatives. To test this hypothesis, 45 triazole aurones (ATs) were screened for anti-inflammatory characteristics in mouse macrophages. An inflammatory response was induced by the bacterial molecule, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), ATs were added, and the inflammatory response was determined. Nitric oxide (NO), and cell viability assays, indicated two ATs (AT 102 and AT 122) reduced NO without causing cytotoxicity. These were further analyzed for suppression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Our analysis demonstrated that although AT 102 and AT 122 decreased NO production, TNF- α was not suppressed. This is possibly due to suppression of the signal transduction protein IκBζ, which is involved in normal inflammatory response regulation. Further studies are ongoing to elucidate this mechanism of action.