3-Arylcoumarins: Synthesis and potent anti-inflammatory activity

Chronic inflammation is the persistent and excessive immune response and can lead to a variety of diseases. Aiming to discover new compounds with anti-inflammatory activity, we report herein the synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-arylcoumarins. Thirty five 3-arylcoumarins were prepared through Perkin condensation and further acid-promoted hydrolysis if necessary. In lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells, 6,8-dichloro-3-(2-methoxyphenyl) coumarin (16) and 6-bromo-8-methoxy-3-(3-methoxyphenyl) coumarin (25) exhibited nitric oxide production inhibitory activity with the IC50 values of 8.5 mu M and 6.9 mu M, respectively, providing a pharmacological potential as anti-inflammatory agents. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.