Inhibition of COX-1 activity and COX-2 expression by 3-(4′-geranyloxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-2-trans propenoic acid and its semi-synthetic derivatives

Oxyprenylated naturally occurring cinnamic acids displayed efficient and promising biological activities. Aim of this study was to characterize the effects of 3-(4′-geranyl-3′-methoxy)phenyl-2-trans propenoic acid and its selected semi-synthetic analogues, on COX-2 expression and activity, and on COX-1 activity, in purified systems or in whole cell systems. The anti-inflammatory activity of title compounds (1) was tested as inhibition of COX-2 on isolated monocytes stimulated with LPS (10 μg/ml). COX-2 expression was completely suppressed when monocytes were incubated with 100 μM of 3-(4′-geranyl-3′-methoxy)phenyl-2-trans propenoic acid (1) or 3-(4′-isopentenyloxy)phenyl-2-trans propenoic acid (4). Moreover compounds (1) and (4) inhibit dose-dependently LPS-induced COX-2 expression.

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