Anti-inflammatory activity of berenjenol and related compounds.

Berenjenol ( 1), isolated from OXANDRA cf. XYLOPIOIDES (Annonaceae), was tested on two different experimental models of inflammation. The compound showed anti-inflammatory activity in the test of acute mouse ear edema induced by TPA (54 % inhibition, 1 μmol/ear) as well as in the test of subchronic inflammation induced by repeated application of TPA (57 % inhibition, 7 × 1 μmol/ear). Moreover, while it reduced the expression of both COX-2 (65 % inhibition at 50 μM) and iNOS (80 % inhibition at 50 μM), it was not active against TNF- α and IL-1 β in murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with LPS. Structural modification of 1 gave two derivatives, berenjenol acetate ( 2) and 3-oxo-berenjen…