In the present study, twenty-eight benzothiazole based sulfonylureas/sulfonylthioureas were synthesized and were assessed for their antidiabetic effect in a normoglycemic rat model by the in vivo oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). All the synthesized compounds were studied for their interactions inside the PPAR-γ receptor site through a docking study. Subsequently, in vitro PPAR-γ transactivation assay was performed on ten active compounds 7c, 7d, 7i–l, 8c, 8d, 8g, and 8h which showed potent antidiabetic activity in the OGTT (better than standard drugs) and also showed a good dock score with the PPAR-γ receptor site. These active ten compounds were also found to transactivate PPAR and therefore were assessed for their antidiabetic potential on the STZ induced diabetic model. Effects of these compounds on body weight were also monitored during the course of study. Furthermore, the most effective compound 7j was evaluated for its effect on PPAR-γ gene expression.

A new series of thirty two 2-imino-4-thiazolidinone derivatives were synthesized, and the synthesized compounds were docked for in silico studies against the TNF-α target. The predicted results were confirmed through an in vitro TNF-α study which revealed that compounds 3f and 3g showed better TNF-α inhibition as compared to the standard drug indomethacin without causing any cytotoxicity. Fourteen compounds exhibiting significant in vitro TNF-α activity were further tested for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by a carrageenan induced method. Compounds 3f and 3g showed better inhibition of inflammation in vivo as compared to the standard drug without causing any damage to the stomach. Furthermore, an immunohistochemical study showed that the compounds 3f and 3g exhibited better reduction in protein expression of TNF-α as compared to indomethacin. The in silico, in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that the compounds 3f and 3g might be considered as potent anti-inflammatory agents.

Butenolide-based eighteen new amide derivatives (1–18) have been synthesized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds 9, 17 and 4 exhibited significant in vivo inhibition of 84.69, 76.52 and 76.22 % inflammation, respectively, after 5 h without causing any damage to stomach and liver in comparison with the standard drug indomethacin which showed 79.04 % inhibition. The compounds showing potent anti-inflammatory activity were further evaluated for ex vivo TNF-α suppression. Compounds 9, 17 and 4 significantly suppressed TNF-α concentration to 74.83, 71.74 and 67.11 % as compared to indomethacin which exhibited a suppression of 69.01 %. Compounds 9 and 17 were also found to suppress the expression of COX-2 and NF-κB in the paw tissue. Moreover, compound 9 showed significant analgesic activity (57.03 %) which was comparable to indomethacin (61.03 %).

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.A library of 2,4-thiazolidinedione analogues have been synthesized which exhibited potent in vitro PPAR-γ and in vivo antidiabetic activity without causing any toxicity to liver.

Ethnopharmacological relevanceTraditionally, 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.MethodThe anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Aporosa lindleyana Baill. bark and its various fractions at doses of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/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.ResultsAmong the extract and its various fractions tested for anti-inflammatory activity, the methanolic fraction at a dose of 300 mg/kg showed significant inhibition in paw edema by 73% as compared to Indomethacin which showed 77% inhibition after 5 h. 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).ConclusionThe 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.Download high-res image (214KB)Download full-size image

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 5 h 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.