Discovery and Characterization of Moracin C as an Anti-Gouty Arthritis/Hyperuricemia Candidate by Docking-Based Virtual Screening and Pharmacological Evaluation

J Nat Prod. 2023 Sep 22;86(9):2091-2101. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00099. Epub 2023 Aug 25.

Abstract

In the present study, a natural product database of compounds associated with herbs traditionally verified to treat gout/hyperuricemia/arthritis was constructed. 3D-shape and docking-based virtual screening was conducted. To identify potential xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitors in the database, eight compounds with commercial availability were identified as high 3D-shape similarity with febuxostat (1), a known XOD inhibitor. Docking was used to further predict the possible interactions between XOD and these compounds. Moracin C (2), moracin D (3), and isoformononetin (8) exhibited higher docking scores and binding energies than other compounds. In vitro, 2 inhibited XOD with an IC50 value of 0.25 ± 0.14 μM, which is similar to that of 1 (0.16 ± 0.08 μM). In a hyperuricemic mouse model, 5-20 mg/kg 2 exhibited satisfying urate-lowering and XOD inhibitory effects. Compound 2 also exhibited antiarthritis activities. In RAW264.7 cells, 2 at 1-10 μM inhibited the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α induced by MSU. In an acute gouty arthritis model in SD rats, 5-20 mg/kg 2 significantly alleviated the toe swelling, inflammatory response, and dysfunction disorder caused by monosodium urate (MSU). Compound 2 inhibited serum IL-1β and TNF-α cytokines as well as reduced the expression of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 inflammasome in joints. In summary, 2 was an effective compound for the treatment of hyperuricemia/gouty arthritis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arthritis, Gouty* / chemically induced
  • Arthritis, Gouty* / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Gouty* / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Hyperuricemia* / drug therapy
  • Hyperuricemia* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Uric Acid / adverse effects

Substances

  • moracin C
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • isoformononetin
  • Uric Acid
  • Enzyme Inhibitors