Nobiletin metabolites: synthesis and inhibitory activity against matrix metalloproteinase-9 production

Abstract

A divergent synthesis of nobiletin metabolites was developed through highly oxygenated acetophenone derivative. We used commercially available methyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate as a starting material for concise preparation of the key intermediate, 2'-hydroxy-3',4',5',6'-tetramethoxyacetophenone (I). These metabolites showed strong inhibitory activity against matrix metalloproteinase-9 production in human lens epithelial cells.