Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activities of mono-carbonyl analogues of curcumin

Curcumin has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory activities. However, its potential beneficial effects on various disease preventions and treatments are limited by its unstable structure. The β-diketone moiety renders curcumin to be rapidly metabolized by aldo–keto reductase in liver. In the present study, a series of curcumin analogues with more stable chemical structures were synthesized and several compounds showed an enhanced ability to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-α and IL-6 synthesis in macrophages.