Evaluation of Antiinflammatory Activity of 4'-О-Methylhonokiol Derivatives in a Neuroinflammation Model

The synthesis of two derivatives of lignan 4'-O-methylhonokiol (MH), i.e., 4'-methoxy-5-propyl-1,1'-biphenyl-2-ol (III) and 4'-(2-fluoroethoxy)-2-hydroxy-5-propyl-1,1'-biphenyl (VI) has been described. Derivative (VI) demonstrates the highest anti-inflammatory activity in the lipopolysaccharide-induced (LPS-induced) neuroinflammation mouse model. Its effect on the morphological changes in the brain is comparable to that of celecoxib, a well-known nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug and a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2).