Synthesis, biological evaluation of chrysin derivatives as potential immunosuppressive agents

► A series of novel chrysin derivatives were firstly synthesized and evaluated for their immunosuppressive activity on CD3/CD28 co-stimulated T cell proliferation. ► Compound 5c exhibited lower cytotoxicity and higher inhibition activity on CD3/CD28 co-stimulated T cell proliferation than other compounds. ► The preliminary mechanism study indicated that compound 5c exerted immunosuppressive activity via inducing the apoptosis of activated lymph node cells in a dose dependent manner.