Synthesis, stereochemical assignments, and biological activities of homoisoflavonoids

Bioorg Med Chem. 2006 Apr 15;14(8):2545-51. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.11.031. Epub 2005 Dec 6.

Abstract

A series of four naturally occurring homoisoflavonoids and eight analogs have been synthesized starting from an appropriately substituted phenol through chroman-4-one, in four steps. The products were assigned as E-isomers based on NMR spectroscopic data. The E-isomers were converted into Z-isomers by photoisomerization. The E- and Z-isomers showed distinct chemical shifts and the differences between (E) and (Z)-homoisoflavonoids in the proton NMR spectra afford a useful method for ascertaining the stereochemistry. The antioxidant activity of homoisoflavonoids was determined by superoxide (NBT) and DPPH free radical scavenging methods. The analog 7-hydroxy-3-[(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)methylene]chroman-4-one displayed excellent activity followed by sappanone A in both the methods and were several times potent than the commercial antioxidants like BHA, BHT, etc. These compounds were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory activities against 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) enzyme. The analog 7-hydroxy-3-[(N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)methylene]chroman-4-one was found to possess potent inhibitory activity and was comparable to that of the standard, nordihydroguiaretic acid. These results suggest that these homoisoflavonoids, with their potent antioxidant and 5-LOX inhibitory activities, may have useful applications as antioxidants and lead compounds for asthma and inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / chemical synthesis*
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / chemical synthesis*
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Flavonoids
  • Lipoxygenase Inhibitors