Design, Synthesis, Anti-inflammatory Evaluation and in silico Molecular Docking of Novel Furan-based Derivatives as Potential TNF-α Production Inhibitors

Inflammation is the first response and an alarming signal for the onset of chronic disease. Most of the anti-inflammatory drugs available in the market are reported to have undesirable gastrointestinal toxicities. Therefore, it is of urgent significance to develop anti-inflammatory drugs with low toxicity and good efficacy. We created a targeted scaffold based on a literature review by combining the different structural characteristics of furan and benzyl amides into a single pharmacophore. A series of eighteen furan-based derivatives (1-18) were designed, synthesized for in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The characterization of synthesized compounds was elucidated by techniques like 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR and MS. The synthetic compounds were examined through molecular docking studies on TNF-α for probable binding mode and interactions with hydrophilic and hydrophobic pocket of TNF-α in comparison to standard drug (Indomethacin). When compared to the standard treatment, compounds 18, 15 and 9 displayed a remarkable inhibitory effect on the production of TNF-α and in-vivo inflammatory activity with no damage to stomach and reduction of LPO. The compounds 18, 15 and 9 might be a good consideration for potential anti-inflammatory agents.