Curini, Massimo; Epifano, Francesco; Genovese, Salvatore; Menghini, Luigi; Ricci, Donata; Fraternale, Daniele; Giamperi, Laura; Bucchini, Anahi; Bellacchio, Emanuele
Lipoxygenase inhibitory activity of boropinic acid, active principle of Boronia pinnata
NATURAL PRODUCT COMMUNICATIONS, 1:1141-1145, 2006

Boropinic acid and other natural prenyloxycinnamic and benzoic acids were easily synthesized in high yield by a two-step sequence from the corresponding p-hydroxy aromatic acids and were assayed for radical scavenging activity using the DPPH test and for inhibition of enzymatic lipid peroxidation mediated by soybean 5-lipoxygenase. Compared to other acids and to known antioxidant compounds like BHT, Trolox and ascorbic acid, boropinic acid was far more active in the lipoxygenase test IC50 7.6 ng/mL, p < 0.05). The recorded inhibition value suggested that boropinic acid acted as an enzyme inhibitor rather than a mere radical or peroxide scavenger. This hypothesis was confirmed by studying the interaction between boropinic acid and soybean 5-lipoxygenase by molecular modelling techniques.

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