Safranal inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation by preventing ASC oligomerization

NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in several chronic inflammatory diseases. The inflammatory effect of the NLRP3 inflammasome is executed through IL-1β and IL-18. Therefore, IL-1β is one of the primary targets in chronic inflammatory conditions. However, current treatment regimens are dependent on anti- IL-1β biologicals. The therapies targeting IL-1β through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome are thus being actively explored. We identified safranal, a small molecule responsible for the essence of saffron as a potential inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Safranal significantly suppressed the release of IL-1β from ATP stimulated J774A.1 and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) by regulating CASP1 and CASP8 dependent cleavage of pro-IL-1β. Safranal markedly suppressed the expression of NLRP3 and its ATPase activity. Safranal treatment enhanced the expression of NRF2, whereas, si-RNA mediated silencing of Nrf2 abrogated the anti-NLRP3 effect of safranal. Furthermore, safranal inhibited ASC oligomerization and formation of ASC specks. Safranal also displayed anti-NLRP3 activity in multiple mice models. Treatment of animals with safranal reduced the production of IL-1β in ATP elicited peritoneal inflammation, MSU induced air pouch inflammation, and MSU injected foot paw edema in mice. Thus, our data projects safranal as a potential preclinical drug candidate against NLRP3 inflammasome triggered chronic inflammation.