Abstract
A novel series of triazole-tethered monoterpenoid-lignan hybrid molecules has been designed to target xanthine oxidase (XO), the enzyme responsible for hyperuricemia when it is up-regulated, resulting in gout and other metabolic disorders. Designed molecules were synthesized and initially evaluated for their XO inhibitory potential, and MT7 was most active (XO: IC(50) = 0.263 ± 0.06 μM) with radical scavenging efficacy. MT7 showed higher cytotoxic potential against XO harboring cancer cells (MBDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells) than non-XO-harboring cells (A547 skin cancer cells), confirming intracellular XO inhibition. MT7 was nontoxic to mouse fibroblast cells (L929) and had favorable pharmacokinetic profiles. In vivo investigations in rodent-based animal models revealed the LD(50) (300 mg/kg) value of MT7 and a dose-dependent reduction in serum uric acid. Overall, this suggests MT7 as an effective lead molecule for further investigations as a potential clinical candidate for the management of hyperuricemia via XO inhibition.