NNGH is a potent and cell-permeable inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3, stromelysin 1, progelatinase). Inhibition of MMP-3 with NNGH significantly suppressed the expression of iNOS and pro-inflammatory cytokines and the activities of NF-KB, AP-1, and MAPK in LPS-stimulated microglia, suggesting a role for MMP-3 in neuroinflammation. NNGH additionally shows broad spectrum inhibition activity at other MMPs and is cell permeable.
