In this study, we describe a highly selective etherification procedure of unprotected morroniside catalyzed by molecular iodine in acetone. The etherification reaction furnished 7-O-alkyl ether derivatives in reasonable yields within few hours under neutr
Morroniside cinnamic acid conjugate as an anti-inflammatory agent
A morroniside cinnamic acid conjugate was prepared and evaluated on E-selectin mediated cell-cell adhesion as an important role in inflammatory processes. 7-O-Cinnamoylmorroniside exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity (IC50 = 49.3 μM) by inhibiting the expression of E-selectin; further, it was more active than another cinnamic-acid-conjugated iridoid glycoside (harpagoside; IC50 = 88.2 μM), 7-O-methylmorroniside, and morroniside itself. As a result, 7-O- cinnamoylmorroniside was observed to be a potent inhibitor of TNF-α-induced E-selectin expression.