Potent 2'-aminoanilide inhibitors of cFMS as potential anti-inflammatory agents

A series of 2'-aminoanilides have been identified which exhibit potent and selective inhibitory activity against the cFMS tyrosine kinase. Initial SAR studies within this series are described which examine aroyl and amino group substitutions, as well as the introduction of hydrophilic substituents on the benzene core. Compound 47 inhibits the isolated enzyme (IC(50)=0.027 microM) and blocks CSF-1-induced proliferation of bone marrow-derived macrophages (IC(50)=0.11 microM) and as such, serves as a lead candidate for further optimization studies.     

New 'chemical probes' to examine the role of the hFPRL1 (or ALXR) receptor in inflammation

We report the development of the novel N-substituted benzimidazole 11 as a potent and selective human formyl peptide receptor-like 1 (hFPRL1) agonist. This compound and its less active enantiomer 12 were identified as useful tools for studying receptor function in vitro.     

New jasmonate analogues as potential anti-inflammatory agents

In an effort to develop new anti-inflammatory agents, methyl jasmonate analogues (2-20) were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, IL-6, and TNF-alpha) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 murine macrophage cells. The introduction of an enone functionality to the structure of a plant hormone (1) rendered the product (2) a significant anti-inflammatory activity. Analogues further derived from 2 (7, 9, 13, and 15) exhibited even more enhanced activity, and these compounds were much more potent than natural anti-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGA(1), PGA(2), and 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2)). Among them, compounds 9 and 15 showed the highest potency, while compounds 7 and 13 would be more desirable with respect to safety. This is the first study demonstrating the anti-inflammatory potential of jasmonate derivatives, and the present results suggest that alpha-haloenone jasmonates (7, 9, 13, and 15) may serve as potential anti-inflammatory leads.     

NO inhibitory diterpenoids as potential anti-inflammatory agents from Euphorbia antiquorum

Two new ent-atisane-type diterpenoids (1 and 2), three new lathyrane-type diterpenoids (3–5), and seven known analogues (6–12) were isolated from Euphorbia antiquorum. The structures of these diterpenoids were established by analysis of their NMR, MS, and electronic circular dichroism data. The anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated biologically and compounds 1, 4, 7, 8, and 10 displayed strong NO inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values less than 40 μM. The potential anti-inflammatory mechanism was also investigated using molecular docking and Western blotting.     

Design and synthesis of 1,3-benzothiazinone derivatives as potential anti-inflammatory agents

A series of 1,3-benzothiazinone derivatives were designed and synthesized for pharmacological assessments. Among the synthesized 19 compounds, some compounds showed high activities on inhibiting LPS-induced nitrite oxide and TNF-α production, down-regulating COX-2 and increasing IL-10 production in RAW264.7 cells. All the compounds had no obvious cytotoxicity in in vitro assay. LD₅₀ value of compound 25 was greater than 2000 mg/kg, which was safer than meloxicam. Compound 25 significantly inhibited phosphorylation of NF-κB and STAT3 in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of synthesized compounds on COX activity was weaker than meloxicam. Compound 25 displayed lower gastrointestinal toxicity than meloxicam. Besides, compound 25 decreased the swelling in carrageenan-induced paw edema models of inflammation and reduced PGE₂ level significantly. In summary, 1,3-benzothiazinone derivatives are unique scaffolds with anti-inflammatory activity and low toxicity.     

1-(4-Methane(amino)sulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-substituted-phenyl)-5-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1H-2-pyrazolines/pyrazoles as potential anti-inflammatory agents

2-Pyrazolins 14a–l and pyrazoles 15a–l were designed as celecoxib analogs for the evaluation of their in vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibitory activity and the in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 14i, 15a, 15d and 15f were the most COX-2 selective derivatives (S.I. = 5.93, 6.08, 5.03 and 5.27 respectively) while the pyrazoline derivatives 14g and 14i exhibited the highest AI activity (ED₅₀ = 190.5 and 160.1 μmol/kg po, respectively).     

5-((1-Aroyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-diones as potential anticancer agents with anti-inflammatory properties

A series of novel 5-((1-aroyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-2-thioxodihydropyrimidine-4,6(1H,5H)-diones (3a–z) have been evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel of 60 human tumor cell lines. Compound 3k exhibited the most potent growth inhibition against melanoma MDA-MB-435 cells (GI₅₀ = 850 nM), against leukemia SR cancer cells (GI₅₀ = 1.45 μM), and OVCAR-3 (GI₅₀ = 1.26 μM) ovarian cancer cell lines. The structurally related compound 3s had a GI₅₀ value of 1.77 μM against MDA-MB-435 cells. The N-naphthoyl analogue 3t had GI₅₀ values of 1.30 and 1.91 μM against HOP-92 non-small cell lung cancer and MDA-MB-435 melanoma cell lines, respectively. The related analogue 3w had GI₅₀ values of 1.09 μM against HOP-92 non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. Interestingly, docking of the two active molecules 3k and 3w into the active site of COX-2 indicates that these compounds are COX-2 ligands with strong hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions. Thus, compounds 3k, 3t, 3s, and 3w constitute a new class of anticancer/anti-inflammatory agents that may have unique potential for cancer therapy.     

Potent benzimidazolone based human beta(3)-adrenergic receptor agonists

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of benzimidazolone beta(3) adrenergic receptor agonists are described. A trend toward the reduction of rat atrial tachycardia upon increasing steric bulk at the 3-position of the benzimidazolone moiety was observed.     

New N-pyridinyl(methyl)-N1-substituted-3-indolepropanamides acting as topical and systemic anti-inflammatory agents

N-Pyridinyl(methyl)-N1-substituted-3-indolepropanamides (17-32) were prepared starting from the corresponding acids and screened for their anti-inflammatory activity. Pharmacomodulation was carried out on the indole and amidic nitrogens by incorporation of substituents associated with higher potency in previously synthesized related 3-indolepropanamides series. In the inhibition of topical inflammation determined by reduction of ear thickness in the acute PMA mouse ear swelling test, high levels of activity (ID50 approximately 0.030 mMol kg(-1)) were noticed for the five propanamides 17, 21, 22, 27 and 31. A comparative study showed the positive influence of a methyl group at the indole nitrogen in the 4-pyridinyl sub-series (1 --> 21) and of a 4-fluorobenzyl group in the 3-pyridinylmethyl sub-series (19 --> 31), at least after oral administration. After topical application, although compounds 17, 21, 22, 27 and 31 exerted significant (50%) ear edema inhibition at 2 x 50 microg/ear, they remained less potent than 24,29 and 30 (almost 70% inhibition). Among these eight amides, only 17, 21, 22 and 27 showed a significant activity in the carrageenan rat paw aedema model at 0.2 mMol kg(-1). Finally, although less active than the N-(4-pyridinyl) amide 21, the N-4,6-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl derivatives 17 and 27 were devoid of the toxic effects observed with 21 and to a lesser extent with 22.     

(E)-2-Styrylchromones as potential anti-norovirus agents

Human noroviruses (NoV) are now recognized as the most frequent cause of outbreaks and sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis. Despite the significant economic impact and considerable morbidity of norovirus disease, no drug or vaccine is currently available to treat or prevent this disease, therefore the discovery of anti-norovirus drugs is urgent.In the present work, a total of 12 structure related chromone and (E)-2-styrylchromones were evaluated for their potential anti-norovirus activity using the murine norovirus (MNV) as a surrogate model for human NoV.From the 12 compounds studied, six (E)-2-styrylchromones were found to have with interesting anti-norovirus activity. The best compounds of the series were (E)-5-hydroxy-2-styrylchromone and (E)-4′-methoxy-2-styrylchromone with an IC₅₀ ≈ 7 μM. A first insight into the mechanism of action of these compounds was possible. An interesting relationship between the anti-norovirus activity and the chemical structure was observed. The present study points out that the (E)-2-styrylchromones skeleton is an important one which deserves to be developed and further explored as new antiviral drugs against NoV.     

(1,4-Benzothiazinyloxy)alkylpiperazine derivatives as potential antihypertensive agents

A series of compounds having a piperazine moiety variously linked to the benzothiazine nucleus were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro alpha-adrenoceptor affinity by radioligand receptor binding assays. Some compounds bearing a oxyalkyl-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine side chain were good alpha1-adrenoreceptor ligands.     

NO inhibitory phytochemicals as potential anti-inflammatory agents from the twigs of Trigonostemon heterophyllus

Studies on the relationship of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammation have revealed that compounds with NO inhibitory effects are potentially useful for inflammation and related inflammatory disorders. A phytochemical investigation to obtain new NO inhibitors resulted in the isolation of two new cleistanthane diterpenoids (1 and 2) and 11 known terpenoids (3–13) from Trigonostemon heterophyllus. The structures of these terpenoids were established by analysis of their NMR, MS, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data. Compounds 1 and 2 possess rare 3,4-seco-cleistanthane diterpenoid skeletons. All of the isolates were evaluated biologically for their NO inhibitory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine microglial BV-2 cells and compounds 1, 6, and 8–10 showed strong NO inhibitory effects with IC₅₀ values less than 40 μM. Using Western blotting experiments and molecular docking, the possible mechanism of NO inhibition was investigated.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of amide derivatives of diflunisal as potential anti-inflammatory agents

To improve the medicinal activity, the structure of diflunisal has been modified. Twenty-one amide derivatives of diflunisal were synthesized starting from diflunisal in three steps with total yields from 72% to 89%. All compounds were identified by ¹H NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities for 19 compounds were evaluated. It was found that 5m possesses an excellent anti-inflammatory activity and a good analgesic activity, maybe a potential anti-inflammatory agent.     

Prospects for cannabinoids as anti-inflammatory agents

The marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa) and preparations derived from it have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It is likely that the therapeutic benefits of smoked marijuana are due to some combination of its more than 60 cannabinoids and 200-250 non-cannabinoid constituents. Several marijuana constituents, the carboxylic acid metabolites of tetrahydrocannabinol, and synthetic analogs are free of cannabimimetic central nervous system activity, do not produce behavioral changes in humans, and are effective antiinflammatory and analgesic agents. One cannabinoid acid in particular, ajulemic acid, has been studied extensively in in vitro systems and animal models of inflammation and immune responses. This commentary reviews a portion of the work done by investigators interested in separating the medicinal properties of marijuana from its psychoactive effects. Understanding the mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of nonpsychoactive cannabinoids should lead to development of safe effective treatment for several diseases, and may render moot the debate about "medical marijuana".     

Platinum(II) metal complexes as potential anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agents

In the search for new therapeutic tools against Chagas’ disease (American Trypanosomiasis) two series of new platinum(II) complexes with bioactive 5-nitrofuryl containing thiosemicarbazones as ligands were synthesized, characterized and in vitro evaluated. Most of the complexes showed IC₅₀ values in the μM range against two different strains of Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of the disease, being as active as the anti-trypanosomal drug Nifurtimox. In particular, the coordination of L3 (4-ethyl-1-(5-nitrofurfurylidene)thiosemicarbazide) to Pt(II) forming [Pt(L3)₂] lead to almost a five-fold activity increase in respect to the free ligand. Trying to get an insight into the trypanocidal mechanism of action of these compounds, DNA and redox metabolism (intra-parasite free radical production) were evaluated as potential parasite targets. Results suggest that the complexes could inhibit parasite growth through a dual mechanism of action involving production of toxic free radicals by bioreduction and DNA interaction.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel sulfamoylphenyl-pyridazinone as anti-inflammatory agents (Part-II)

Seven novel 6-aryl-2-(p-sulfamoylphenyl)-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3(2H)-ones (2a-g) were synthesized by the condensation of appropriate aroylpropionic acid and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide hydrochloride in ethanol. Structure of all compounds have been elucidated by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT and MS spectrscopy. These compounds were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Compound 2b exhibited anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of celecoxib (at 5?h). Two other compounds 2d and 2g showed promising anti-inflammatory activity (edema reduction more than 80% at 5?h). These compounds (2b, 2d and 2g) did not produce any ulceration in gastric region.     

Nitric oxide donor-based FFA1 agonists: Design,synthesis and biological evaluation as potential anti-diabetic and anti-thrombotic agents

The cardiovascular complications were highly prevalent in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), even at the early stage of T2DM or the state of intensive glycemic control. Thus, there is an urgent need for the intervention of cardiovascular complications in T2DM. Herein, the new hybrids of FFA1 agonist and NO donor were design to obtain dual effects of anti-hyperglycemic and anti-thrombosis. As expected, the induced-fit docking study suggested that it is feasible for our design strategy to hybrid NO donor with compound 1. These hybrids exhibited moderate FFA1 agonistic activities and anti-platelet aggregation activities, and their anti-platelet effects mediated by NO were also confirmed in the presence of NO scavenger. Moreover, compound 3 revealed significantly hypoglycemic effect and even stronger than that of TAK-875 during an oral glucose tolerance test in mice. Potent and multifunctional hybrid, such as compound 3, is expected as a potential candidate with additional cardiovascular benefits for the treatment of T2DM.     

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs): cardiovascular actions and therapeutic potential

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including atherosclerosis, hypertension and heart failure. Some anti-diabetic medications are linked with an increased risk of weight gain or hypoglycemia which may reduce the efficacy of the intended anti-hyperglycemic effects of these therapies. The recently developed receptor agonists for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1RAs), stimulate insulin secretion and reduce glycated hemoglobin levels without having side effects such as weight gain and hypoglycemia. In addition, GLP1-RAs demonstrate numerous cardiovascular protective effects in subjects with or without diabetes. There have been several cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) involving GLP-1RAs, which have supported the overall cardiovascular benefits of these drugs. GLP1-RAs lower plasma lipid levels and lower blood pressure (BP), both of which contribute to a reduction of atherosclerosis and reduced CVD. GLP-1R is expressed in multiple cardiovascular cell types such as monocyte/macrophages, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and cardiomyocytes. Recent studies have indicated that the protective properties against endothelial dysfunction, anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages and the anti-proliferative action on smooth muscle cells may contribute to atheroprotection through GLP-1R signaling. In the present review, we describe the cardiovascular effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of action of GLP-1RAs in CVOTs, animal models and cultured cells, and address how these findings have transformed our understanding of the pharmacotherapy of T2DM and the prevention of CVD.