Investigation into the mast cell stabilizing activity of nature-identical and synthetic indanones

As part of an ongoing search for novel molecules with therapeutic potential we examined the mediator release inhibition activity of a number of indanones and their derivatives. The aldol condensation product 18 was approximately twice as potent as disodium cromoglycate as an inhibitor of compound 48/80‐stimulated histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. The activity of this class of dimeric indanone compound is significantly higher than controls and may represent a new class of mast cell stabilizing agents. Compound 18 has been selected for further biological evaluation of its mast cell stabilization profile.