Abstract

Extracellular adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) triggers the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) ionic channel to stimulate the release of the interleukin-IL-1β cytokine into macrophages. The current study explored the reaction of six structurally diverse triazole derivatives on P2X7-mediated dye uptake into murine peritoneal macrophages. P2X7R activity determined by ATP-evoked fluorescent dye uptake. Triazole derivatives toxicity measured using dextran rhodamine exclusion based colorimetric assay. A740004 and BBG, both P2X7R antagonist, inhibited ATP-induced dye uptake. In contrast, the derivatives 5a, 5b, 5e, and 5f did not diminish P2X7R activity in concentrations until 100 µM. 5c and 5d analogs caused a potent inhibitory activity on P2X7-induced dye uptake. Dextran Rhodamine exclusion measurements after 24 h of continuous treatment with triazole derivatives indicated a moderated toxicity for all molecules. In conclusion, this study showed that a series of new hybrid 1,2,3-triazolic naphthoquinones reduces P2X7R-induced dye uptake into murine macrophages. In silico analysis indicates a good pharmacokinetic profile and molecular docking results of these analogs indicate the potential to bind into an allosteric site located into the P2X7R pore and juxtaposed with the ATP binding pocket. In this manner, the compounds 5c and 5d may be used as a scaffold for new P2X7R inhibitors with reduced toxicity, and good anti-inflammatory activity.