Synthesis and evaluation of 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione derivatives as cholesterol absorption inhibitors for suppressing the formation of foam cells and inflammatory response

Excess lipid accumulation in the arterial intima and formation of macrophage-derived foam cells in the plaque could cause atherosclerotic lesion. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors could suppress the lipid accumulation of human macrophage, inflammatory response and the development of atherosclerosis. In this research, a series of 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione derivatives were synthesized as cholesterol absorption inhibitor and tested in in vitro experiments. One of the most active inhibitors, compound 20 exhibited stronger in vitro cholesterol absorption activity than ezetimibe, no cytotoxicity in HEK293 and RAW264.7 cell lines and satisfied lipophilicity. The further study indicated that 20 could inhibit lipid accumulation of macrophage and reduce the secretion of LDH, MDA, TNF-α and ROS in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, as a novel and potent cholesterol absorption inhibitor, compound 20 could suppress the formation of foam cells and inflammatory response.