Synthesis and Characterization of a Phosphate Prodrug of Isoliquiritigenin

J Nat Prod. 2017 Apr 28;80(4):879-886. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00600. Epub 2017 Mar 2.

Abstract

Isoliquiritigenin (1) possesses a variety of biological activities in vitro. However, its poor aqueous solubility limits its use for subsequent in vivo experimentation. In order to enable the use of 1 for in vivo studies without the use of toxic carriers or cosolvents, a phosphate prodrug strategy was implemented relying on the availability of phenol groups in the molecule. In this study, a phosphate group was added to position C-4 of 1, leading to the more water-soluble prodrug 2 and its ammonium salt 3, which possesses increased stability compared to 2. Herein are reported the synthesis, characterization, solubility, and stability of phosphate prodrug 3 in biological medium in comparison to 1, as well as new results on its anti-inflammatory properties in vivo. As designed, the solubility of prodrug 3 was superior to that of the parent natural product 1 (9.6 mg/mL as opposed to 3.9 μg/mL). Prodrug 3 as an ammonium salt was also found to possess excellent stability as a solid and in aqueous solution, as opposed to its phosphoric acid precursor 2.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chalcones / chemistry
  • Chalcones / pharmacology*
  • Glycyrrhiza / chemistry
  • Molecular Structure
  • Organophosphates / chemical synthesis*
  • Organophosphates / chemistry
  • Organophosphates / pharmacology
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis*
  • Prodrugs / chemistry
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / chemistry
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Solubility
  • Water

Substances

  • Chalcones
  • Isoliquiritigenin phosphate ammonium salt
  • Organophosphates
  • Prodrugs
  • Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
  • Water
  • isoliquiritigenin