Chalcone: A potential scaffold for NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors

Development of a bio-inspired phagocytic stable nanoghost with anti-inflammatory properties for management of inflammation in ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

New bio-mimetic approaches are needed to develop effective delivery systems for inflammation regulation in chronic diseases like ulcerative colitis, avoiding fast clearance by immune system. The cell membrane-coated nanoparticle with a therapeutic payload has been considered as a promising delivery system to address the requirement.

METHODS

Here, Glibenclamide (GLY)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) were constructed by a single emulsion procedure and camouflaged by a layer of monocyte membrane using the extrusion technique to fabricate bio-mimetic nanoghosts (NGs), followed by physiochemical and biological characterizations.

RESULTS

Upon coating the NPs by the membrane, the hydrodynamic size and zeta potential of NGs was changed. The formation of the shell compartment with diameter of about 15.5nm around NP core was confirmed by TEM. The expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1β, IL-18, caspase-1, TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased upon the NGs treatment. The lower cellular internalization of the NGs exhibited potential for improved circulation stability against macrophage phagocytosis. Treatment of acetic acid-induced UC with NGs exhibited healing of the mucosal lining in the colon tissue.

CONCLUSION

The monocyte membrane-coated NPs with a sulfonylurea derivatives payload can be considered as an excellent biologically inspired candidate for management of inflammatory diseases like UC via inflammation regulation.

Is there a place for natural agents with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties in critically ill patients? Potential usefulness of Xanthohumol

Multi-organ dysfunction is a major issue in critically ill patients, where a significant inflammatory response appears to be the primary factor driving the degree of organ impairment, which correlates with the extent of organ injury. The management of inflammation requires a multidisciplinary approach, including antibiotics for infection control, circulatory and respiratory support, and correction of coagulation abnormalities. However, the use of anti-inflammatory treatments is typically restricted to a selected group of medications, with their effectiveness remaining the subject of extensive debate. Xanthohumol (Xn), a natural compound extracted from hops, possesses strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, with a mild anti-coagulation effect. Its biological activity is related to the inhibition of different inflammatory pathways, reduction in cytokine production and secretion, and an increase in antioxidative enzyme activity. This review examined the potential use of Xn as an adjuvant in the treatment of various pathologies in critically ill patients.

Deep-Learning-Driven Discovery of SN3-1, a Potent NLRP3 Inhibitor with Therapeutic Potential for Inflammatory Diseases

The NLRP3 inflammasome plays a central role in the pathogenesis of various intractable human diseases, making it an urgent target for therapeutic intervention. Here, we report the development of SN3-1, a novel orally potent NLRP3 inhibitor, designed through a lead compound strategy centered on deep-learning-based molecular generative models. Our strategy enables rapid fragment enumeration and takes into account the synthetic accessibility of the compounds, thereby significantly enhancing the optimization of lead compounds and facilitating the discovery of potent inhibitors. X-ray crystallography provided insights into the SN3-1 inhibitory mechanism. SN3-1 has shown a favorable safety profile in both acute and chronic toxicity assessments and exhibits robust pharmacokinetic properties. Furthermore, SN3-1 demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in various disease models characterized by NLRP3 activation. This study introduces a potent candidate for developing NLRP3 inhibitors and significantly expands the repertoire of tools available for the discovery of novel inhibitors.

Coumarin-chalcone derivatives as dual NLRP1 and NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors targeting oxidative stress and inflammation in neurotoxin-induced HMC3 and BE(2)-M17 cell models of Parkinson's disease

Background

In Parkinson's disease (PD) brains, microglia are activated to release inflammatory factors to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuron, and vice versa. Moreover, neuroinflammation and its synergistic interaction with oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of PD.

Methods

In this study, we investigated whether in-house synthetic coumarin-chalcone derivatives protect human microglia HMC3 and neuroblastoma BE(2)-M17 cells against 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium (MPP+)-induced neuroinflammation and associated neuronal damage.

Results

Treatment with MPP+ decreased cell viability as well as increased the release of inflammatory mediators including cytokines and nitric oxide in culture medium, and enhanced expression of microglial activation markers CD68 and MHCII in HMC3 cells. The protein levels of NLRP3, CASP1, iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were also increased in MPP+-stimulated HMC3 cells. Among the four tested compounds, LM-016, LM-021, and LM-036 at 10 μM counteracted the inflammatory action of MPP+ in HMC3 cells. In addition, LM-021 and LM-036 increased cell viability, reduced lactate dehydrogenase release, ameliorated cellular ROS production, decreased caspase-1, caspase-3 and caspase-6 activities, and promoted neurite outgrowth in MPP+-treated BE(2)-M17 cells. These protective effects were mediated by down-regulating inflammatory NLRP1, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as up-regulating antioxidative NRF2, NQO1, GCLC, and PGC-1α, and neuroprotective CREB, BDNF, and BCL2.

Conclusion

The study results strengthen the involvement of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in PD pathogenic mechanisms, and indicate the potential use of LM-021 and LM-036 as dual inflammasome inhibitors in treating both NLRP1- and NLRP3-associated PD.

Libertellenone C attenuates oxidative stress and neuroinflammation with the capacity of NLRP3 inhibition

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are common chronic diseases arising from progressive damage to the nervous system. Here, in-house natural product database screening revealed that libertellenone C (LC) obtained from the fermentation products of Arthrinium arundinis separated from the gut of a centipede collected in our Tongji campus, showed a remarkable neuroprotective effect. Further investigation was conducted to clarify the specific mechanism. LC dose-dependently reversed glutamate-induced decreased viability, accumulated reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Network pharmacology analysis predicted that the targets of LC were most likely directly related to oxidative stress and the regulation of inflammatory factor-associated signaling pathways. Further study demonstrated that LC attenuated nitrite, TNF-α, and IL-1β production and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase expression in lipopolysaccharide-induced BV-2 cells. LC could directly inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation by decreasing the expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1, and NF-κB p65. Our results provide a new understanding of how LC inhibits the NLRP3 inflammasome in microglia, providing neuroprotection. These findings might guide the development of effective LC-based therapeutic strategies for NDs.

Targeting NLRP3 Inflammasome: Structure, Function, and Inhibitors

Inflammasomes are multimeric protein complexes that can detect various physiological stimuli and danger signals. As a result, they perform a crucial function in the innate immune response. The NLRP3 inflammasome, as a vital constituent of the inflammasome family, is significant in defending against pathogen invasion and preserving cellhomeostasis. NLRP3 inflammasome dysregulation is connected to various pathological conditions, including inflammatory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. This profile makes NLRP3 an applicable target for treating related diseases, and therefore, there are rising NLRP3 inhibitors disclosed for therapy. Herein, we summarized the updated advances in the structure, function, and inhibitors of NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, we aimed to provide an overview of the existing products and future directions for drug research and development.

Pyridazine Derivatives as NLRP3 Inhibitors for Treating Asthma, COPD, Parkinson's Disease, and Alzheimer's Disease

Provided herein are novel pyridazine derivatives as NLRP3 inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions, use of such compounds in treating asthma, COPD, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, and processes for preparing such compounds.

Fused Bicyclic Heteroaryl Compounds as NLRP3 Inhibitors for Treating Asthma or COPD

Provided herein are novel fused bicyclic heteroaryl compounds as NLRP3 inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions, use of such compounds in treating asthma or COPD and processes for preparing such compounds.

1,2,4-Triazine Derivatives as NLRP3 Inhibitors for Treating Diseases

Provided herein are 1,2,4-triazine derivatives used as NLRP3 inhibitors, their pharmaceutical compositions, the use of such compounds in treating diseases and processes for preparing such compounds.