Systemic vitamin E metabolites have been proposed as signaling molecules, but their physiological role is unknown. Here we show, by library screening of potential human vitamin E metabolites, that long-chain ω-carboxylates are potent allosteric inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of chemoattractant and vasoactive leukotrienes. 13-((2R)-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl)-2,6,10-trimethyltridecanoic acid (α-T-13′-COOH) can be synthesized from α-tocopherol in a human liver-on-chip, and is detected in human and mouse plasma at concentrations (8–49 nM) that inhibit 5-lipoxygenase in human leukocytes. α-T-13′-COOH accumulates in immune cells and inflamed murine exudates, selectively inhibits the biosynthesis of 5-lipoxygenase-derived lipid mediators in vitro and in vivo, and efficiently suppresses inflammation and bronchial hyper-reactivity in mouse models of peritonitis and asthma. Together, our data suggest that the immune regulatory and anti-inflammatory functions of α-tocopherol depend on its endogenous metabolite α-T-13′-COOH, potentially through inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase in immune cells.

Over the last twenty years, tocotrienol analogues raised great interest because of their higher level and larger domain of biological activities when compared with tocopherols. Amongst the most promising therapeutic application, anti-inflammatory potency has been evaluated through the inhibition of various mediators of inflammation. Here, we worked on the isolation of two natural isoforms of garcinoic acid (i.e., δ and γ) from two different sources, respectively, Garcinia kola seeds and Garcinia amplexicaulis bark. We also developed semisynthetic strategies to access the other two non-natural α- and β-garcinoic acid isoforms. In the next stage of our work, microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase was defined as a target to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of the four garcinoic acid isomers. Both dimethylated isoforms, β- and γ-garcinoic acid, exhibited the lowest IC50, 2.8 µM and 2.0 µM, respectively. These results showed that the affinity of tocotrienol analogues to microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 most probably contributes to the anti-inflammatory potential of this class of derivatives.

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New 5‐substituted vitamin E derivatives were semisynthesized, and their antibacterial activity against human Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative pathogens was evaluated. Several vitamin E analogues were active against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and/or methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE); structure‐activity relationships (SARs) are discussed. As a result, it is shown that the presence of a carboxylic acid function at the C‐5 position and/or at the end of the side chain is crucial for the antibacterial activity. The bactericidal or bacteriostatic action of three compounds against MRSA and MRSE was confirmed in a time‐kill kinetics study, and the cytotoxicity on human cells was evaluated. The preliminary mechanism study by confocal microscopy indicated that those vitamin E analogues led to bacterial cell death through membrane disruption.

Endogenous long-chain metabolites of vitamin E (LCMs) mediate immune functions by targeting 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and increasing the systemic concentrations of resolvin E3, a specialized proresolving lipid mediator. SAR studies on semisynthesized analogues highlight α-amplexichromanol ( 27a ), which allosterically inhibits 5-LOX, being considerably more potent than endogenous LCMs in human primary immune cells and blood. Other enzymes within lipid mediator biosynthesis were not substantially inhibited, except for microsomal prostaglandin E 2 synthase-1. Compound 27a is metabolized by sulfation and β-oxidation in human liver-on-chips and exhibits superior metabolic stability in mice over LCMs. Pharmacokinetic studies show distribution of 27a from plasma to the inflamed peritoneal cavity and lung. In parallel, 5-LOX-derived leukotriene levels decrease, and the inflammatory reaction is suppressed in reconstructed human epidermis, murine peritonitis, and experimental asthma in mice. Our study highlights 27a as an orally active, LCM-inspired drug candidate that limits inflammation with superior potency and metabolic stability to the endogenous lead.