Keap1-Nrf2 Activator

Resveratrol (trans-Resveratrol; SRT501) is a CNS-penetrant natural polyphenolic phytoalexin that possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties. Resveratrol (SRT 501) has a wide spectrum of targets including mTOR, JAK, β-amyloid, Adenylyl cyclase, IKKβ, DNA polymerase. Resveratrol also is a specific SIRT1 activator. Resveratrol is a potent pregnane X receptor (PXR) inhibitor. Resveratrol is an Nrf2 activator, ameliorates aging-related progressive renal injury in mice model. Resveratrol increases production of NO in endothelial cells.

4-Octyl Itaconate is a cell-permeable Itaconate derivative. Itaconate is an anti-inflammatory metabolite that activates Nrf2 via alkylation of KEAP1.

Curcumin (Diferuloylmethane), a natural phenolic compound, is a p300/CREB-binding protein-specific inhibitor of acetyltransferase, represses the acetylation of histone/nonhistone proteins and histone acetyltransferase-dependent chromatin transcription. Curcumin is a photosensitizer against microorganisms. Curcumin shows inhibitory effects on NF-κB and MAPKs, and has diverse pharmacologic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities. Curcumin induces stabilization of Nrf2 protein through Keap1 cysteine modification.

Sulforaphane is an orally active inducer of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway. Sulforaphane promotes the transcription of tumor-suppressing proteins and effectively inhibits the activity of HDACs. Through the activation of the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE pathway and further induction of HO-1 expression, Sulforaphane protects the heart. Sulforaphane suppresses high glucose-induced pancreatic cancer through AMPK-dependent signal transmission. Sulforaphane exhibits both anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.

Isosorbide di-(methyl fumarate) (IDMF), topical DMF (HY-17363) derivative, is an NRF2/ARE pathway activator. Isosorbide di-(methyl fumarate) downregulates ANCR targets, modulates epithelial differentiation, represses proinflammatory cytokine genes, IL-17A- and TNF-induced keratinocyte genes, psoriatic skin lesion-specific genes, and immune response genes. Isosorbide di-(methyl fumarate) stimulates oxidative stress response gene transcription, reduces erythema and scaling in Imiquimod (HY-B0180)-induced psoriasiform lesions. Isosorbide di-(methyl fumarate) exhibits no genotoxicity or radiation sensitivity in skin fibroblasts, is nonirritating and nonsensitizing in rodent models. Isosorbide di-(methyl fumarate) can be used for the research of psoriasis vulgaris.

CMIT/MIT (2.0-2.5% in water) (CMI/MI (2.0-2.5% in water)) is a mixture of CMIT and MIT, and is also a preservative and skin sensitizer. CMIT/MIT (2.0-2.5% in water) increases the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2, p38, JNK1/2, p53, p21 and Bax, decreases the level of Bcl-2, and activates the Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway. CMIT/MIT (2.0-2.5% in water) increases LDH release and lipid peroxidation levels, impairs antioxidant defense capacity, promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine release, induces apoptosis, triggers cell cycle arrest, exhibits neurotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells, and causes dysregulation of Th2/Th17 immune responses. CMIT/MIT (2.0-2.5% in water) can be used in studies related to allergy, atopic dermatitis and lung injury.

Necrosulfonamide is a MLKL and Gasdermin D (GSDMD) inhibitor, capable of separately inhibiting necroptosis and pyroptosis of cells. Necrosulfonamide does not affect the activation of upstream signals, but specifically inhibits the downstream executor oligomerization step. Necrosulfonamide reduces the expression of the key kinases NLRP3 and caspase-1 involved in necroptosis and pyroptosis, activate the Nrf2 pathway and the downstream antioxidant enzymes, and also downregulates a variety of inflammatory factors. Necrosulfonamide plays significant roles in various diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s disease), tissue damage and ischemia-reperfusion injury, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis and fracture repair, and hair loss by regulating two important programmed necrosis pathways.

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an orally active and brain-penetrant Nrf2 activator and induces upregulation of antioxidant gene expression. Dimethyl fumarate induces necroptosis in colon cancer cells through GSH depletion/ROS increase/MAPKs activation pathway, and also induces cell autophagy. Dimethyl fumarate can be used for multiple sclerosis research.

Omaveloxolone (RTA 408) is an antioxidant inflammation modulator (AIM), which activates Nrf2 and suppresses nitric oxide (NO). Omaveloxolone attenuates osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting STING dependent NF-κb signaling.

TBHQ (tert-Butylhydroquinone) is a widely used Nrf2 activator, protects against Doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity through activation of Nrf2. TBHQ (tert-Butylhydroquinone) is also an ERK activator; rescues Dehydrocorydaline (DHC)-induced cell proliferation inhibitionin melanoma.

L-Methionine is an L-isomer of orally active Methionine, an essential amino acid. Methionine is a strong liver antidote that acts as a liver protector. L-Methionine can inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis. L-Methionine has antitumor and antioxidant activity.

Pentagalloylglucose (Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose) is an orally active gallic tannin compound and an inducer of apoptosis and autophagy. Pentagalloglucose induces cell apoptosis and autophagy through the GSK3β/β-catenin pathway. Pentagalloylglucose inhibits UBE2T-mediated p53 ubiquitination, upregulates p53, downregulates RRM1/RRM2 in pancreatic cancer organoids. Pentagalloglucose has antioxidant, anti mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, cardioprotective, anti allergic, cholesterol lowering, and anti-tumor activities.

Bardoxolone methyl (RTA 402) is an orally active and blood-brain-barrier-penetrant activator of Nrf2 and an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease. Bardoxolone methyl inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in Vero cells with an EC₅₀ value of 0.29 μM. Bardoxolone methyl increases levels of pNrf2 and HO-1, inhibits inflammatory mediators like pNFκB and MCP-1. Bardoxolone methyl activates the Nrf2 pathway to enhance antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, inhibits viral replication, and improves mitochondrial function. Bardoxolone methyl can be used in research on chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain (CINP), COVID-19, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Ezetimibe (SCH 58235) is a potent cholesterol absorption inhibitor. Ezetimibe is a Niemann-Pick C1-like1 (NPC1L1) inhibitor, and is a potent Nrf2 activator.

Thiamine hydrochloride (Thiamine chloride hydrochloride) is an essential micronutrient needed as a cofactor for many central metabolic enzymes.Thiamine hydrochloride activates NrF-2/HO-1 and inhibits TLR4, NF-κB. Thiamine hydrochloride has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Thiamine hydrochloride can be used in the studys of diabetic complications, neurological diseases, cancers, and colitis.

Bardoxolone (CDDO; RTA 401) is a Nrf2 activator. Bardoxolone shows anti-SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro with IC50 of 27.99 μM. Bardoxolone activates the Nrf2 pathway and inhibits the NF-κB pathway. Bardoxolone can induce cells differentiation, apoptosis and shows antiproliferative activity against cancer cells. Bardoxolone can increase ROS and decrease intracellular GSH levels. Bardoxolone inhibits Z-VAD-FMK (HY-16658B)-induced necroptosis. Bardoxolone can be used for the research of cancer, inflammation and infection, such as SARS-CoV infection and glioblastoma.

Clemastine (HS-592; Meclastine) fumarate is an orally active, blood-brain barrier-permeable H1 histamine receptor (H1 histamine receptor) antagonist with potent antiallergic effects. Clemastine fumarate also antagonizes muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR), particularly the M1 and M4 subtypes. In addition to antihistamine effects, Clemastine fumarate exhibits multiple pharmacological activities, especially in promoting central nervous system remyelination, activating autophagy and pyroptosis, exerting anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects, and suppressing inflammation .

Carnosol is a potent Ribosomal S6 Kinase (RSK2) inhibitor that could be useful for treating gastric cancer, with an IC₅₀ of ~5.5 μM. Carnosol, a Nrf2 activator, increases the nuclear levels of Nrf2 and can promote the expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1).

L-Cystine is an orally active extracellular form of L-Cysteine (HY-Y0337), occurring in proteins of plants and animals. L-Cystine elevates Nrf2 protein expression and activates Nrf2 transcription factor. L-cystine reduces ROS generation and protects against oxidant- or Doxorubicin (HY-15142A)-induced apoptosis. L-Cystine combined with L-theanine (HY-15121) enhances the production of antigen-specific IgG by increasing glutathione (GSH) levels and T helper 2 (Th2) mediated responses in mice. L-Cystine is promising for research of cystinuria and kidney stones

Mangiferin is a Nrf2 activator. Mangiferin suppresses nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunits p65 and p50. Mangiferin exhibits antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihyperuricemic, antiviral, anticancer and antiinflammatory activities.