Styrylheterocycles: a novel class of inhibitors on lipopolysaccharide-Induced nitric oxide production.

A series of styrylheterocycles was prepared and their inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) production were evaluated in a cell culture system using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Our studies have identified a new series of inhibitors on NO production, providing the basis for further development of potent inhibitors. The preliminary structure-activity relationship, to elucidate the essential structural requirements, has been described. Mechanistic studies suggest that the suppression of iNOS mRNA transcription is, at least in part, related to the inhibitory activity of styrylheterocycles.