Three previously undescribed coumarins (1-3) were obtained from the roots of Notopterygium incisum. Their chemical structures were elucidated using a variety of spectroscopic techniques and chemical calculations. The inhibitory effects of these new compounds on NO production and pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were investigated. Further studies revealed that compound 1 suppressed the expression of COX-2 and iNOS while also reduced ROS accumulation. Western blot analysis demonstrated that compound 1 could inhibit the PI3K/AKT pathway by decreasing the levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT. Collectively, these findings suggest that compounds 1-3 exhibit promising anti-inflammatory properties.
Keywords: Notopterygium incisum; PI3K/AKT pathway; Umbelliferae; anti-inflammatory activities; coumarins.