Microwave‐assisted synthesis and evaluation of anti‐inflammatory activity of naphthoquinone derivatives containing a trifluoromethyl group

This study presents the evaluation of the anti‐inflammatory activity of twelve naphthoquinone compounds containing a trifluoromethyl group in lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. All compounds effectively suppressed NO production with IC 50 ranging from 0.95 ± 0.04 to 13.81 ± 1.39 µM without exerting toxic effects. Notably, compound 9f , exhibiting the strongest NO inhibitory activity with an IC 50 value of 0.95 ± 0.04 µM, significantly reduced the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine (IL‐1β and IL‐6) in a concentration‐dependent manner. Besides that, the ADMET analyses suggested that compound 9f exhibited promising drug‐like properties with acceptable safety profiles. These findings reveal the importance of these compounds in the development of anti‐inflammatory agents.