Cyclopenin is a benzodiazepine alkaloid that inhibits NF-κB signaling and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.
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Cyclopenin is a benzodiazepine alkaloid produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species and belongs to the cyclopenin-cyclopenol metabolite family. Recent studies demonstrate that cyclopenin inhibits SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) in vitro at submicromolar concentrations and suppresses LPS-induced NF-κB activation, reducing nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. In cellular models, it downregulates iNOS, IL-1β, and IL-6 expression and ameliorates inflammation-associated phenotypes. Cyclopenin thus functions as a dual anti-inflammatory and antiviral scaffold with value in chemical biology and drug discovery research.