Nobiletin metabolites: Synthesis and inhibitory activity against matrix metalloproteinase-9 production

A divergent synthesis of nobiletin metabolites was developed through highly oxygenated acetophenone derivative. We used commercially available methyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate as a starting material for concise preparation of the key intermediate, 2′-hydroxy-3′,4′,5′,6′-tetramethoxyacetophenone (I). These metabolites showed strong inhibitory activity against matrix metalloproteinase-9 production in human lens epithelial cells.

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