1,3-Diphenylpropenone ameliorates TNBS-induced rat colitis through suppression of NF-κB activation and IL-8 induction

In the present study, we examined whether newly synthesized phenylpropenone derivatives, by inhibiting NF-κB activity, would inhibit IL-8 expression, inflammation and abnormal angiogenesis, resulting in amelioration of disease conditions. The phenylpropenone derivatives inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activity, which correlated with their suppressive activity against TNF-α-induced adhesion of U937 human monocytic cells to HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells, an in vitro model of IBD. Among the derivatives, 1,3-diphenylpropenone (DPhP) was most efficacious, and it significantly suppressed TNF-α-induced production of IL-8 which is a proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokine. The anti-inflammatory activity of DPhP was also confirmed in the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced rat colitis model. DPhP was protective against the TNBS-induced inflammatory responses, which included weight loss, increased myeloperoxidase activity and mucosal damage. In the colon tissue, DPhP inhibited TNBS-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation, IL-8 and TNF-α expressions, and abnormal angiogenesis. In addition, DPhP also suppressed IL-8-induced angiogenesis, which was revealed by an in vivo assay using chick chorioallantoic membrane. Furthermore, the level of IL-6, a pleiotropic cytokine which is implicated in the pathogenesis of IBD and colitis-associated cancer, was suppressed by DPhP in rat colon tissue and serum. In conclusion, the results suggest that DPhP is a potential dual-acting IBD drug candidate targeting both inflammation and abnormal angiogenesis, possibly through the NF-κB and IL-8 signaling pathway.

► Phenylpropenone derivatives inhibit NF-κB transcriptional activity.
► 1,3-Diphenylpropenone (DPhP) suppresses IL-6 and -8 expression and colitis in rats.
► DPhP inhibits IL-8-induced angiogenesis.
► DPhP is a potential dual-acting compound for the treatment of inflammation and abnormal angiogenesis.