Author(s)

Charles I. Ezeamuzie, Hanan Zamil, Hawraa Al-Baghli, Ivan O. Edafiogho

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Saint Joseph, Hartford, USA.
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

CEE-1 (ethyl 4-phenylhydrazinocyclohex-3-en-2-oxo-6-phenyl-1-oate)—a novel enhydrazone ester, was tested in vitro for anti-inflammatory activity against the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine and prostanoid from lipopolysaccharide-activated human monocytes or human monocytic cell line (U937). The effects were compared with those of standard anti-inflammatory drugs dexamethasone and indomethacin. CEE-1 potently and strongly inhibited the release of both tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). The concentrations producing 50% inhibition (IC₅₀ values) were 2.0 μM and 2.4 μM for TNF-α and PGE₂, respectively. At 30 μM, the drug achieved almost complete inhibition of both mediators. Dexamethasone had similar effects but indomethacin inhibited only the PGE₂ release, and although CEE-1 was less potent than these two drugs, it had comparable efficacy. The compound appeared to act, at least, in part by inhibiting the up-regulation of the mRNA for TNF-α as well as that of the prostanoid-synthetic enzyme, cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). However, like dexamethasone, but unlike indomethacin, CEE-1 did not affect COX-2 enzyme function. Thus, the profile of activity of CEE-1 is similar to that of steroids rather than the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Structure-activity study showed that the presence of a simple aromatic ring attached via an NH-NH group was critical for activity. At the concentrations that completely inhibited mediator release, the compound displayed no significant in vitro toxicity on the cells. These results show that CEE-1 is a dual inhibitor of the release of cytokines and prostanoids, and therefore could be a potential alternative to steroids in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Enhydrazone Ester; Prostaglandin E₂; Monocyte; Anti-Inflammatory; Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha; Cytokines

Ezeamuzie, C. , Zamil, H. , Al-Baghli, H. and Edafiogho, I. (2013) Pharmacological evaluation of a novel enhydrazone ester (CEE-1) as a dual inhibitor of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostanoids from human monocytes. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 4, 54-63. doi: 10.4236/abb.2013.48A2008.