In vitro and in vivo characterization of oridonin analogs as anti-inflammatory agents that regulate the NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome axis

TL;DR

This study identifies a new oridonin compound, 4c, that shows strong anti-inflammatory effects by targeting the NLRP3 pathway in both cell and animal models.

Contribution

The paper introduces compound 4c as a novel oridonin hybrid with potent anti-inflammatory activity through NLRP3 and NF-κB inhibition.

Findings

Compound 4c significantly inhibited NO production and suppressed inflammatory proteins in RAW264.7 cells.

In vivo, 4c reduced lung inflammation and inhibited NLRP3 and IL-6 expression in a murine model of acute lung injury.

RNA-seq revealed 4c modulates key inflammatory genes, including upregulating Trdc and downregulating Csf2.

Abstract

A series of oridonin hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory potential, focusing on their ability to inhibit NO production in RAW264.7 cells and their therapeutic prospects for NLRP3-driven disorders.

Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by measuring NO inhibition in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The most active compound, 4c, was further analyzed using ELISA and WB to evaluate its effects on inflammatory proteins (p-NF-κB, p-IκB, NLRP3, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, iNOS). In vivo efficacy was tested in a murine acute lung injury model, with RT‒qPCR and WB used to assess inflammatory markers in lung tissues. Molecular docking predicted 4c’s binding mode with NLRP3, while RNA-seq and RT‒qPCR identified differentially expressed genes.

Compound 4c significantly inhibited NO production and suppressed key inflammatory proteins in vitro. In vivo, it alleviated acute lung injury, reduced IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA levels, and inhibited NLRP3, p-NF-κB, and IL-6 protein expression. Docking suggested covalent binding to NLRP3. RNA-seq revealed 4c upregulated Trdc, Stfa2, and Gsta2 while downregulating Spib, Csf2, and Nr4a1.

Compound 4c demonstrates potent anti-inflammatory effects via NLRP3 pathway inhibition and modulation of inflammatory genes. These findings highlight oridonin hybrids, particularly 4c, as promising candidates for NLRP3-driven inflammatory disorders, warranting further investigation.

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