We investigated the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitory activity of sesquiterpenes from Saussurea lappa root extracts. According to the hexane and EtOAc extracts showing significant activity with IC50 values of 0.5 and 1.0 µg/mL, respectively, chromatographic fractionation of the extracts was performed and led to the isolation of 10 sesquiterpenes (1: -10: ). Costunolide (1: ), a major compound, and dehydrocostus lactone (4: ) exhibited high efficiency in decreasing TNF-α levels, with IC50 values of 2.05 and 2.06 µM, respectively. In addition, sesquiterpene analogues were synthesized to establish their structure-activity relationship (SAR) profile. Among the semi-synthetic analogues, compounds 6A: and 16: showed the most potent activity with IC50 values of 1.84 and 1.97 µM, respectively. More importantly, compound 6A: showed less toxicity than costunolide and 16: . These results provided the first SAR profile of sesquiterpene lactones and indicated that the α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety plays a crucial role in TNF-α inhibition. Additionally, the epoxide derivative 6A: might represent a lead compound for further anti-TNF-α therapies, owing to its potent activity and reduced toxicity.
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