A SAR study on a series of synthetic lipophilic chalcones as Inhibitor of transcription factor NF-κB

To define the structural features responsible for the activity of 2,4-dihydroxy-6-isopentyloxychalcone, a newly established inhibitor of LPS induced NF-kappa B activation (IC50 = 10 mu M), a series of its analogues was prepared and studied for their in vitro activities against LPS induced NF-kappa B inhibition in RAW 264.7 cells. Among the synthesized derivatives, (E)-1-(2-(decyloxy)-6-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (1050 = 2.7 mu M) and (E)-1-(2-hydroxy-6-(tetradecyloxy)phenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (IC50 = 4.2 mu M) showed the most potent inhibition. The SAR studies confirmed that the length (C-8-C-14) and C-6 position of linear alkyl chain of ring A is an important factor for the inhibitory activity. Hydroxyl group and its location at 4-position on ring B is also important for the inhibition. The alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone moiety appears as a crucial motif of chalcones for the activity. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.