Reversible SAHH inhibitor ameliorates MIA-induced osteoarthritis of rats through suppressing MEK/ERK pathway.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by gradual articular cartilage degradation, accompanied by persistent low-grade joint inflammation, correlating with radiographic and pain-related progression. The latent therapeutic potential of DZ2002, a reversible inhibitor of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH), holds promise for OA intervention. This study endeavored to examine the therapeutic efficacy of DZ2002 within the milieu of OA.

DZ2002 alleviates corneal angiogenesis and inflammation in rodent models of dry eye disease via regulating STAT3-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular disorder with a multifactorial etiology. The pre-angiogenic and pre-inflammatory milieu of the ocular surface plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. DZ2002 is a reversible type III S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor, which has shown excellent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities in vivo and in vitro.

A novel tricyclic BTK inhibitor suppresses B cell responses and osteoclastic bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by joint leukocyte infiltration, synovial inflammation and bone damage result from osteoclastogenesis. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) is a key regulator of B cell receptor (BCR) and Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) signaling involved in the pathobiology of RA and other autoimmune disorders. SOMCL-17-016 is a potent and selective tricyclic BTK inhibitor, structurally distinct from other known BTK inhibitors.

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 entry inhibitors among already approved drugs.

To discover effective drugs for COVID-19 treatment amongst already clinically approved drugs, we developed a high throughput screening assay for SARS-CoV-2 virus entry inhibitors using SARS2-S pseudotyped virus. An approved drug library of 1800 small molecular drugs was screened for SARS2 entry inhibitors and 15 active drugs were identified as specific SARS2-S pseudovirus entry inhibitors. Antiviral tests using native SARS-CoV-2 virus in Vero E6 cells confirmed that 7 of these drugs (clemastine, amiodarone, trimeprazine, bosutinib, toremifene, flupenthixol, and azelastine) significantly inhibited SARS2 replication, reducing supernatant viral RNA load with a promising level of activity.

Anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of pregnane glycosides from the root bark of Periploca sepium Bunge.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Periploca sepium Bunge (P. sepium) is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis. Periploca sepium periplosides (PePs), isolated from the root bark of P.

The artemisinin analog SM934 alleviates dry eye disease in rodent models by regulating TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial disorder of the tears and ocular surface characterized by manifestations of dryness and irritation. Although the pathogenesis is not fully illuminated, it is recognized that inflammation has a prominent role in the development and deterioration of DED. β-aminoarteether maleate (SM934) is a water-soluble artemisinin derivative with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities.

Cervus and cucumis peptides ameliorates bone erosion in experimental arthritis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised by inflammation and bone loss, leading to joint destruction and deformity. The cervus and cucumis polypeptide (CCP) injection, one of the traditional Chinese medicine injections combined extracts from deer horn and sweet melon seeds, is widely used to treat arthritis and bone fracture in China. The present study investigated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of CCP on pathological immune cells and bone homoeostasis in rodent experimental arthritis.

Artemisinin analogue SM934 ameliorates DSS-induced mouse ulcerative colitis via suppressing neutrophils and macrophages.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) characterized by complicated and relapsing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. SM934 is a water-soluble artemisinin analogue that shows anti-inflammatory and immuno-regulatory effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of SM934 on UC both in vivo and in vitro.

Topical administration of reversible SAHH inhibitor ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice via suppression of TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced inflammatory response in keratinocytes and T cell-derived IL-17.

DZ2002, a reversible S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor with immunosuppressive properties and potent therapeutic activity against various autoimmune diseases in mice. The present study was designed to characterize the potential therapeutic effects of DZ2002 on murine model of psoriasis and reveal the correlated mechanisms. In this report, we demonstrated that in vitro, DZ2002 significantly decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecule including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and ICAM-1 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK and JNK in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT human keratinocytes.

(5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide ameliorates anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis in NZW mice by regulating Fcγ receptor signaling.

(5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8) is a novel triptolide analog that has been identified as a promising candidate for treating autoimmune diseases and has been shown to be effective in treating murine collagen-induced arthritis and lupus nephritis. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of action of LLDT-8 in a murine anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis model. NZW mice were injected with rabbit anti-GBM serum (500 μL, ip).

(5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide ameliorates lupus nephritis in MRL/ mice by preventing infiltration of immune cells.

(5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide (LLDT-8), a triptolide derivative with low toxicity, was previously reported to have strong immunosuppressive effects both in vitro and in vivo, but it remains unknown whether LLDT-8 has a therapy effect on systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of LLDT-8 on lupus nephritis in MRL/ mice, a model of systemic lupus erythematosus. Compared with the vehicle group, different clinical parameters were improved upon LLDT-8 treatment as follows: prolonged life span of mice, decreased proteinuria, downregulated blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, reduced glomerular IgG deposits, and ameliorated histopathology.

Artemisinin analogue SM934 attenuate collagen-induced arthritis by suppressing T follicular helper cells and T helper 17 cells.

SM934 is an artemisinin analogue with immunosuppressive properties and potent therapeutic activity against lupus-like diseases in autoimmune mice. In this report, the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of SM934 on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was investigated using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. We demonstrated that SM934 treatment alleviate the severity of arthritis in CIA mice with established manifestations.

Artemisinin analogue SM934 ameliorates the proteinuria and renal fibrosis in rat experimental membranous nephropathy.

Aim: SM934 is a novel water-soluble artemisinin derivative with immunoregulatory activities that has been used to treat murine lupus nephritis. In the current study, we investigated the effects of SM934 on rat experimental membranous nephropathy.

Methods: Passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) was induced in SD rats by intraperitoneal injection of anti-Fx1A serum.

Isothiafludine, a novel non-nucleoside compound, inhibits hepatitis B virus replication through blocking pregenomic RNA encapsidation.

Aim: To investigate the action of isothiafludine (NZ-4), a derivative of bis-heterocycle tandem pairs from the natural product leucamide A, on the replication cycle of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: HBV replication cycle was monitored in HepG2.2.

Therapeutic effects of DZ2002, a reversible SAHH inhibitor, on lupus-prone NZB×NZW F1 mice via interference with TLR-mediated APC response.

Aim: To examine the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of DZ2002, a reversible S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase (SAHH) inhibitor, on lupus-prone female NZB×NZW F1 (NZB/W F1) mice.

Methods: Female NZB/W F1 mice were treated orally with DZ2002 (0.5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) for 11 weeks, and the proteinuria level and body weight were monitored.

Artemisinin analogue SM934 ameliorates murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through enhancing the expansion and functions of regulatory T cell.

Background: Artemisinin analogue SM934 was previously reported to possess immunosuppressive properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effects and the underlying mechanisms of SM934 in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice immunized with MOG35-55 were treated with or without SM934, then the clinical scores and other relevant parameters were assessed.

Mycophenolic acid derivative 118 improves outcome of skin grafts by suppressing IL-17 production.

Aim: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of 118, a novel derivative of mycophenolic acid, in a murine allogeneic skin graft model.

Methods: Skin grafts were conducted by grafting BALB/c donor tail skin into C57BL/6 skin beds (allograft) or by grafting female C57BL/6 donor tail skin into female C57BL/6 skin beds (syngraft). The mice were treated with the derivative 118 (40 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), po) for 13 d (3 d before and 10 d after transplantation).

Discovery and Structural Modification of 1-Phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea Derivatives as Inhibitors of Complement.

A series of 1-phenyl-3-(1-phenylethyl)urea derivatives were identified as novel and potent complement inhibitors through structural modification of the original compound from high-throughput screening. Various analogues (7 and 13-15) were synthesized and identified as complement inhibitors, with the introduction of a five- or six-carbon chain (7c, 7d, 7k, 7l, and 7o) greatly improving their activity. Optimized compound 7l has an excellent inhibition activity with IC50 values as low as 13 nM.

SM934 treated lupus-prone NZB × NZW F1 mice by enhancing macrophage interleukin-10 production and suppressing pathogenic T cell development.

Background: Artemisinin and its derivatives were reported to possess strong regulatory effects on inflammation and autoimmune diseases. This study was designed to examine the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of SM934, a water-soluble artemisinin analogue, on lupus-prone female NZB × NZW F(1) mice.

Methodology/principal Findings: NZB/W F(1) mice were treated orally with SM934 for 3 or 6 months respectively to investigate the effect on clinical manifestations and immunological correlates.

Oral administration of artemisinin analog SM934 ameliorates lupus syndromes in MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cell responses.

Objective: SM934, an artemisinin derivative, possesses potent antiproliferative and antiinflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effects and explore the mechanisms of SM934 to treat autoimmune disease in lupus-prone female MRL/lpr mice.

Methods: In vitro, the effects of SM934 on the activation of polyclonal CD4+ T cells and the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells were examined.

SM934, a water-soluble derivative of arteminisin, exerts immunosuppressive functions in vitro and in vivo.

In the present study, we investigated the immunosuppressive effects and underlying mechanisms of beta-aminoarteether maleate (SM934), a derivative of artemisinin, against T cell activation in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, SM934 significantly inhibited the proliferation of splenocytes induced by concanavalin A (Con A), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), and anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 (anti-CD3/28). SM934 significantly inhibited interferon (IFN)-gamma production and CD4(+) T cell division stimulated by anti-CD3/28.

Anti-hepatitis B virus activity of chlorogenic acid, quinic acid and caffeic acid in vivo and in vitro.

Chlorogenic acid and its related compounds are abundant plant polyphenols that have a diverse antiviral activity. In this study, HepG2.2.

Synthesis and anti-hepatitis B virus activity of novel benzimidazole derivatives.

A series of novel benzimidazole derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity and cytotoxicity in vitro. Strong activity against HBV replication and low cytotoxicity were generally observed in these benzimidazoles. The most promising compounds were 12a and 12b, with similar high antiviral potency (IC50 = 0.