Diterpenoids with a novel 6/5-5 spiro tricyclic skeleton from Orthosiphon wulfenioides and their NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitory activity

Wulfenioidins A-C (1-3) with an unprecedented 6/5-5 tricyclic skeleton featuring the unusual spiro[4.4] nonane were isolated from the whole plant of Orthosiphon wulfenioides. Their structures were elucidated by X-ray diffraction, quantum chemical calculations, and extensive spectroscopic methods. Putative biosynthetic pathways of 1-3 were proposed. Compound 3 showed a potent inhibitory effect against the NLRP3 inflammasome with an IC50 value of 1.05 mu M and significantly blocked the NLRP3 inflammasomeinduced pyroptosis by inhibiting caspase-1 activation, GSDMD-NT production, and IL-1 beta secretion in J774A.1 cells.

Automated summary

Compounds Wulfenioidins A-C (1-3), isolated from Orthosiphon wulfenioides, possess an unprecedented tricyclic skeleton with a 6/5-5 configuration and a unique spiro[4.4] nonane structure. Elucidation of their structures was achieved through X-ray diffraction, quantum chemical calculations, and extensive spectroscopic methods. Compound 3 exhibited potent inhibitory activity against the NLRP3 inflammasome and effectively blocked NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis in J774A.1 cells by inhibiting caspase-1 activation, GSDMD-NT production, and IL-1 beta secretion.