Systematic synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of ω-carboxylated menaquinone derivatives--Investigations on identified and putative vitamin K₂ metabolites.

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for blood coagulation and bone homeostasis, and also functions in many physiological processes including inflammation and cancer progression. However, the nature and activities of its metabolites remain unclear. We report here systematic synthesis of ω-carboxylated derivatives of menaquinone (vitamin K2), including previously identified metabolites 5, K acid I (10), and K acid II (12), and evaluation of their inhibitory activity toward LPS-stimulated induction of inflammatory cytokines. These results should contribute to an improved understanding of the biochemistry and pharmacology of vitamin K.