Improved synthesis, molecular modeling and anti-inflammatory activity of new fluorinated dihydrofurano-naphthoquinone compounds

A series of new fluorinated dihydrofurano-napthoquinone compounds were sucessfully synthesized in good yields using microwave-assisted multi-component reactions of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, fluorinated aromatic aldehydes, and pyridinium bromide. The products were fully characterized using spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Among 12 new compounds, compounds 8b , 8d , and 8e showed high potent NO inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells with IC 50 values ranging from 1.54 to 3.92 mu M. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta and IL-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages were remarkably decreased after the application of 8b , 8d , 8e and 8k . Molecular docking simulations revealed structure -activity relationships of 8b , 8d , and 8e toward NO synthase, cyclooxygenase (COX-2 over COX-1), and prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1). Further physicochemical and pharmacokinetic computations also demonstrated the drug-like characteristics of synthesized compounds. These findings demonstrated the importance of fluorinated dihydrofurano-napthoquinone moieties in the development of potential anti-inflammatory agents.