Cytotoxicity and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Apigenin-Derived Isolaxifolin

The rare flavonoid isolaxifolin,
a potent insecticide, has been
touted as a potential grain-protecting agent. In order to assess any
impact of this natural product on human health and to explore its
various other biological properties, we have established a semisynthesis
from the simpler but structurally related and more abundant natural
product apigenin. The five-step reaction sequence has provided, for
the first time, sufficient material for an in-depth evaluation of
the cytotoxic properties of the title natural product. The impact
of isolaxifolin on certain pro-inflammatory cytokines in murine macrophage
RAW 264.7 cells has also been examined. Such studies have revealed
that isolaxifolin displays no toxic effects toward normal cells while
displaying greater cytotoxicities against certain cancer cell lines
than its synthetic precursor apigenin. Furthermore, unlike apigenin,
isolaxifolin only reduced NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 secretions in
LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells in a rather modest and dose-independent
manner.