Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of linear 1-(4-, 3- or 2-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-phenylacetylenes: a novel class of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

A group of regioisomeric 1-(methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-phenylacetylenes possessing a COX-2 SO(2)Me pharmacophore at the para-, meta- or ortho-position of the C-1 phenyl ring, in conjunction with a C-2 phenyl or substituted-phenyl ring substituent (3-F, 3-OMe, 3-OH, 3-OAc, 4-Me), were designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. These target linear 1,2-diarylacetylenes were synthesized via a palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction followed by oxidation of the respective 1-(methylthiophenyl)-2-phenylacetylene intermediate. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 isozyme inhibition structure-activity studies identified 1-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(4-methylphenyl)acetylene (12d) as a potent COX-2 inhibitor (IC(50) = 0.32 microM) with a high COX-2 selectivity index (SI > 320) comparable to the reference compound rofecoxib (COX-2 IC(50) = 0.50 microM; COX-2 SI > 200). A molecular modeling study where (12d) was docked in the binding site of COX-2 showed that the MeSO(2) COX-2 pharmacophore was positioned in the vicinity of the secondary COX-2 binding site near Val(523). The 1-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(3-acetoxyphenyl)acetylene (11f, COX-1 IC(50) = 1.00 microM; COX-2 IC(50) = 0.06 microM; COX-2 SI = 16.7) and 1-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(3-acetoxyphenyl)acetylene (12f, COX-1 IC(50) = 6.5 microM; COX-2 IC(50) = 0.05 microM; COX-2 SI = 130) regioisomers exhibited comparable COX-2 inhibition, and moderately lower selective COX-2 selectivity, relative to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-1 IC(50) = 33.1 microM; COX-2 IC(50) = 0.07 microM; COX-2 SI = 472). The most potent anti-inflammatory agent 1-(3-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(4-methylphenyl)acetylene (12d) exhibited moderate oral anti-inflammatory activity (ED(50)= 129 mg/kg) at 3 h postdrug administration relative to the reference drug celecoxib (ED(50) = 10.8 mg/kg) in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. The structure-activity data acquired indicate that the acetylene moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold (template) to design novel acyclic 1,2-diarylacetylenes with selective COX-2, or dual COX-1/COX-2, inhibitory activities.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of substituted 3-alkylthio-4,5-diaryl-4H-1,2,4-triazoles as selective COX-2 inhibitors

A new type of 4,5-diaryl-4H-1,2,4-triazole, possessing C-3 thio and alkylthio (SH, SMe or SEt) substituents, was designed and synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors with in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compound, 3-ethylthio-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (10d), exhibited a high in vitro selectivity (COX-1 IC50=20.5 nM; COX-2 IC50=1.8 nM; SI=11.39) relative to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-1 IC50=3.7 nM; COX-2 IC50=2.2 nM; SI=1.68) and also showed good anti-inflammatory activity compared to celecoxib in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay.     

Design and synthesis of acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins: a novel class of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

A group of acyclic 2-alkyl-1,1-diphenyl-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)ethenes was designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1 and COX-2 isozyme inhibition structure-activity studies identified 1,1-diphenyl-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)hex-1-ene as a highly potent (IC(50) = 0.014 microM), and an extremely selective [COX-2 selectivity index (SI) > 7142], COX-2 inhibitor that showed superior anti-inflammatory (AI) activity (ID(50) = 2.5 mg/kg) relative to celecoxib (ID(50) = 10.8 mg/kg). This initial study was extended to include the design of a structurally related group of acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins possessing an acetoxy (OAc) substituent at the para-position of the C-1 phenyl ring that is cis to a C-2 4-methylsulfonylphenyl substituent. COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition studies showed that (Z)-1-(4-acetoxyphenyl)-1-phenyl-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)but-1-ene [(Z)-13b] is a potent (COX-1 IC(50) = 2.4 microM; COX-2 IC(50) = 0.03 microM), and selective (COX-2 SI = 81), COX-2 inhibitor which is a potent AI agent (ID(50) = 4.1mg/kg) with equipotent analgesic activity to celecoxib. A molecular modeling (docking) study showed that the SO(2)Me substituent of (Z)-13b inserts deep inside the 2 degrees -pocket of the COX-2 active site, where one of the O-atoms of SO(2) group undergoes a H-bonding interaction with Phe(518). The p-OAc substituent on the C-1 phenyl ring is oriented in a hydrophobic pocket comprised of Met(522), Gly(526), Trp(387), Tyr(348), and Tyr(385), and the C-2 ethyl substituent is oriented towards the mouth of the COX-2 channel in the vicinity of amino acid residues Arg(120), Leu(531), and Val(349). Structure-activity data acquired indicate that a (Z)-olefin having cis C-1 4-acetoxyphenyl (phenyl) and C-2 4-methylsulfonylphenyl substituents, and a C-1 phenyl substituent in conjunction with either a C-2 hydrogen or short alkyl substituent provides a novel template to design acyclic olefinic COX-2 inhibitors that, like aspirin, have the potential to acetylate COX-2.     

Design and synthesis of 1,3-diarylurea derivatives as selective cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors

A group of 1,3-diarylurea derivatives, possessing a methylsulfonyl pharmacophore at the para-position of the N-1 phenyl ring, in conjunction with a N-3 substituted-phenyl ring (4-F, 4-Cl, 4-Me, 4-OMe), were designed and synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 isozyme inhibition structure-activity studies identified 1-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl) urea (4e) as a potent COX-2 inhibitor (IC(50)=0.11 microM) with a high COX-2 selectivity index (SI=203.6) comparable to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-2 IC(50)=0.06 microM; COX-2 SI=405). The structure-activity data acquired indicate that the urea moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold to design new acyclic 1,3-diarylurea derivatives with selective COX-2 inhibitory activity.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of N-acetyl-2-(or 3-)carboxymethylbenzenesulfonamides as cyclooxygenase isozyme inhibitors

A group of N-acetyl-2-(or 3-)carboxymethylbenzenesulfonamides, possessing either a F or a substituted-phenyl ring substituent (4-F, 2,4-F2, 4-SO2Me, 4-OCHMe2) attached to its C-4 or C-6 position, was prepared using a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Although N-acetyl-3-carboxymethyl-6-fluorobenzenesulfonamide [14, COX-1 IC50 = 2.26 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 0.012 microM; COX-2 selectivity index (SI) = 188] and N-acetyl-3-carboxymethyl-6-(4-isopropoxyphenyl)benzenesulfonamide (20c, COX-1 IC50 >100 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 0.15 microM; COX-2 SI >667) exhibited potent in vitro COX-2 inhibitory activity and high COX-2 selectivity, both compounds were inactive anti-inflammatory agents in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. In contrast, the less potent and less selective COX-2 inhibitors N-acetyl-2-carboxymethyl-4-fluorobenzenesulfonamide (12, COX-1 IC50 = 4.25 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 0.978 microM; COX-2 SI = 4.3), N-acetyl-2-carboxymethyl-4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)benzenesulfonamide (17c, COX-1 IC50 = 1.02 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 1.00 microM; COX-2 SI = 1.02), and N-acetyl-3-carboxymethyl-6-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide (20e, COX-1 IC50 = 0.109 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 1.14 microM; COX-2 SI = 0.095) exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity where a 75 mg/kg oral dose reduced inflammation 26%, 14%, and 20%, respectively, at 3 h postdrug administration relative to the reference drug aspirin where a 50 mg/kg oral dose reduced inflammation by 25% at 3 h postdrug administration.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of (E)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(aryl)acrylic acids as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases

A group of (E)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)acrylic acids possessing a substituted-phenyl ring (4-H, 4-Br, 3-Br, 4-F, 4-OH, 4-OMe, 4-OAc, and 4-NHAc) attached to the acrylic acid C-2 position were prepared using a stereospecific Perkin condensation reaction. A related group of compounds having 4- and 3-(4-isopropyloxyphenyl)phenyl, 4- and 3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)phenyl and 4- and 3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)phenyl substituents attached to the acrylic acid C-2 position were also synthesized, using a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, for evaluation as dual cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitors. (E)-2-(3-Bromophenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)acrylic acid (9h), and compounds having 4-(4-isopropyloxyphenyl-, 2,4-difluorophenyl-, or 4-methylsulfonylphenyl)phenyl moieties at the acrylic acid C-2 position (11a,b,d), were particularly potent COX-2 inhibitors with a high COX-2 selectivity index (COX-2 IC50 approximately 0.32 microM, SI > 316) similar to the reference drug rofecoxib (COX-2 IC50 = 0.5 microM, SI > 200). Acrylic acid analogs with a C-2 4-hydoxyphenyl (9d, IC50 = 0.56 microM), or 4-acetamidophenyl (9g, IC50 = 0.11 microM), substituent were particularly potent 5-LOX inhibitors that may participate in an additional specific hydrogen-bonding interaction. A number of compounds possessing a C-2 substituted-phenyl moiety (4-Br, 4-F, and 4-OH), or a 4- or 3-(2,4-difluorophenyl)phenyl moiety, showed potent 15-LOX inhibitory activity (IC50 values in the 0.31-0.49 microM range) relative to the reference drug luteolin (IC50 = 3.2 microM). Compounds having a C-2 4-acetylaminophenyl, or 4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)phenyl, moiety exhibited anti-inflammatory activities that were equipotent to aspirin, but less than that of celecoxib. The structure-activity data acquired indicate the acrylic acid moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold (template) to design novel acyclic dual inhibitors of the COX and LOX isozymes.     

Resveratrol analogues as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationship

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is found in grapes and various medical plants. Among cytotoxic, antifungal, antibacterial cardioprotective activity resveratrol also demonstrates non-selective cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition. In order to find more selective COX-2 inhibitors a series of methoxylated and hydroxylated resveratrol derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit both enzymes using in vitro inhibition assays for COX-1 and COX-2 by measuring PGE(2) production. Hydroxylated but not methoxylated resveratrol derivatives showed a high rate of inhibition. The most potent resveratrol compounds were 3,3',4',5-tetra-trans-hydroxystilbene (COX-1: IC(50)=4.713, COX-2: IC(50)=0.0113 microM, selectivity index=417.08) and 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexa-hydroxy-trans-stilbene (COX-1: IC(50)=0.748, COX-2: IC(50)=0.00104 microM, selectivity index=719.23). Their selectivity index was in part higher than celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor already established on the market (COX-1: IC(50)=19.026, COX-2: IC(50)=0.03482 microM, selectivity index=546.41). Effect of structural parameters on COX-2 inhibition was evaluated by quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis and a high correlation was found with the topological surface area TPSA (r=0.93). Docking studies on both COX-1 and COX-2 protein structures also revealed that hydroxylated but not methoxylated resveratrol analogues are able to bind to the previously identified binding sites of the enzymes. Hydroxylated resveratrol analogues therefore represent a novel class of highly selective COX-2 inhibitors and promising candidates for in vivo studies.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of N-acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamides: a novel class of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

N-Acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamide (11), and a group of analogues possessing an appropriately substituted-phenyl substituent (4-F, 2,4-F(2), 4-SO(2)Me, 4-OCHMe(2)) attached to its C-4, or C-5 position, were synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition studies showed that 11 is a more potent inhibitor (COX-1 IC(50)=0.06microM; COX-2 IC(50)=0.25microM) than aspirin (COX-1 IC(50)=0.35microM; COX-2 IC(50)=2.4microM), and like aspirin [COX-2 selectivity index (S.I.)=0.14], 11 is a nonselective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 S.I.=0.23). Regioisomers having a 2,4-difluorophenyl substituent attached to the C-4 (COX-2 IC(50)=0.087microM; COX-2 S.I. >1149), or C-5 (COX-2 IC(50)=0.77microM, SI>130), position of 11 exhibited the most potent and selective COX-2 inhibitory activity relative to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-1 IC(50)=33.1microM; COX-2 IC(50)=0.07microM; COX-2 S.I.=472). N-Acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamide (11, ED(50)=49 mg/kg), and its C-4 2,4-difluorophenyl derivative (ED(50)=91 mg/kg), exhibited superior antiinflammatory activity (oral dosing) in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay compared to aspirin (ED(50)=129 mg/kg). These latter compounds exhibited comparable analgesic activity to the reference drug diflunisal, and superior analgesic activity compared to aspirin, in a 4% NaCl-induced abdominal constriction assay. A molecular modeling (docking) study indicated that the SO(2)NHCOCH(3) substituent present in N-acetyl-2-carboxy-4-(2,4-fluorophenyl)benzenesulfonamide, like the acetoxy substituent in aspirin, is suitably positioned to acetylate the Ser(530) hydroxyl group in the COX-2 primary binding site. The results of this study indicate that the SO(2)NHCOCH(3) pharmacophore present in N-acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamides is a suitable bioisostere for the acetoxy (OCOMe) group in aspirin.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel class of rofecoxib analogues as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases (LOXs)

A group of 4-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-phenyl-2(5H)furanones possessing an acetyl, 3-oxobut-1-ynyl, [hydroxyl(or alkoxy)imino]alkyl, [hydroxyl(or alkoxy)imino]alkynyl, and N-alkoxy(or N-phenoxy)carbonyl-N-hydroxy-N-ethylamino substituents at the para-position of the C-3 phenyl ring of rofecoxib were synthesized. This group of compounds was designed for evaluation as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases (LOXs) that exhibit in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. In vitro COX-1/COX-2, and 5-LOX/15-LOX, isozyme inhibition structure-activity relationships identified 3-[4-(1-hydroxyimino)ethylphenyl]-4-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2(5H)furanone (17a) having an optimal combination of COX-2 (COX-2 IC50 = 1.4 microM; COX-2 SI > 71), and 5-LOX and 15 LOX (5-LOX IC50 = 0.28 microM; 15-LOX IC50 = 0.32 microM), inhibitory effects. It was also discovered that 3-[4-(3-hydroxyiminobut-1-ynyl)phenyl]-4-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2(5H)furanone (18a) possesses dual COX-2 (IC50 = 2.7 microM) and 5-LOX (IC50 = 0.30 microM) inhibitor actions. Further in vivo studies employing a rat carrageenan-induced paw edema model showed that the oxime compounds (17a, 18a) were more potent anti-inflammatory agents than the 5-LOX inhibitor caffeic acid, and 15-LOX inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), but less potent than the selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. The results of this investigation showed that incorporation of a para-oxime moiety on the C-3 phenyl ring of rofecoxib provides a suitable template for the design of dual inhibitors of the COX and LOX enzymes.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling study of pyrazole and pyrazoline derivatives as selective COX-2 inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents. Part 2

New pyrazole and pyrazoline derivatives have been synthesized and their ability to inhibit ovine COX-1/COX-2 isozymes was evaluated using in vitro cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition assay. Among the tested compounds, N-((5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)aniline 8d exhibit optimal COX-2 inhibitory potency (IC(50)=0.26 lM) and selectivity (SI)=>192.3] comparable with reference drug celecoxib (IC(50) value of 0.28 lM and selectivity index of 178.57). Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity of selected compounds, which are the most selective COX-2 inhibitors in the COX inhibition assay, was investigated in vivo using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Molecular modeling was conducted to study the ability of the active compounds to bind into the active site of COX-2 which revealed a similar binding mode to SC-558, a selective COX-2 inhibitor.     

Design and synthesis of new water-soluble tetrazolide derivatives of celecoxib and rofecoxib as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

In an attempt to prepare a new water-soluble, parenteral COX-2 inhibitor, rofecoxib (9) and celecoxib (13) analogues were designed and synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors with in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. In this experiment, respective SO(2)Me and SO(2)NH(2) hydrogen-bonding pharmacophores were replaced by a tetrazole ring. Molecular modeling (docking) studies showed that the tetrazole ring of these two analogues (9 and 13) was inserted deep into the secondary pocket of the human COX-2 binding site where it undergoes electrostatic interaction with Arg(513). The rofecoxib (9) and celecoxib (13) analogues exhibited a high in vitro selectivity (9, COX-1 IC(50) = 3.8 nM; COX-2 IC(50) = 1.8 nM; SI = 2.11; 13, COX-1 IC(50) = 4.1 nM; COX-2 IC(50) = 1.9 nM; SI = 2.16) relative to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-1 IC(50) = 3.7 nM; COX-2 IC(50) = .2 nM; SI=1.68) and also showed high aqueous solubility at pH higher than 7 and good anti-inflammatory activity in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. However, 9 and 13 had no significant damage on gastric mucosa.     

Design of acyclic triaryl olefins: a new class of potent and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

A new class of acyclic 1,1-diphenyl-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-alkyl-1-ethenes were synthesized, via a short two-step McMurry olefination reaction and then oxidation of the thiomethyl intermediate using Oxone, in 62-76% yield. The title compounds possess identical C-1 phenyl substituents which precludes the possibility of (Z)- and (E)-stereoisomers. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)hex-1-ene exhibited highly potent (IC(50)=0.014 microM) and selective COX-2 (Selectivity Index >7142) inhibitory activity.     

Design and synthesis of (E)-1,1,2-triarylethenes: novel inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isozyme

A novel class of acyclic 1,1,2-triaryl (E)-ethenes was designed that were synthesized via an (E)-selective Takeda olefination reaction. Among the group of compounds evaluated, (E)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-1-phenylethene (10c) emerged as the most potent (COX-2 IC(50)=0.0316 microM), and selective (selectivity index>3164), COX-2 inhibitor.     

Design and synthesis of (Z)-1,2-diphenyl-1-(4-methanesulfonamidophenyl)alk-1-enes and (Z)-1-(4-azidophenyl)-1,2-diphenylalk-1-enes: novel inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity

A group of novel (Z)-1,2-diphenyl-1-(4-methanesulfonamidophenyl)alk-1-enes was designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 enzyme inhibition studies identified (Z)-1,2-diphenyl-1-(4-methanesulfonamidophenyl)oct-1-ene (8d) as a highly potent (IC50=0.03 microM), and an extremely selective [COX-2 SI (selectivity index)>3,333], COX-2 inhibitor that showed good anti-inflammatory (AI) activity (ID50=2.8 mg/kg). A molecular modeling (docking) study showed that the p-MeSO2NH group present in (Z)-8d inserts deep inside the 2 degrees-pocket of the COX-2 binding site, it undergoes a hydrophobic interaction with Ala516 and Gly519, and one of the O-atoms of the MeSO2 group participates in a weak hydrogen bonding interaction with the NH2 of Arg513 (distance= 3.85 angstroms). Similar in vitro COX-1/COX-2 enzyme inhibition studies showed that the azido compound 1-(4-azidophenyl)-1,2-diphenyloct-1-ene (9c) is also a potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 IC50=0.11 microM: SI>909) that exhibits good AI activity (ID50=5.0 mg/kg). A docking experiment to determine the orientation of (Z)-9c within the COX-2 binding site showed that the linear p-N3 group inserts into the COX-2 2 degrees-pocket, where it undergoes an ion-ion (electrostatic) interaction with Arg513. Structure-activity data acquired indicate that an olefin having either a C-1 p-MeSO2NH-phenyl, or a p-N3-phenyl, substituent, that is, cis to a C-2 unsubstituted phenyl substituent, in conjunction with C-1 unsubstituted phenyl and C-2 alkyl substituents, provides a novel template to design acyclic olefinic COX-2 inhibitors.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones : a novel class of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

A group of regioisomeric (E)-1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives possessing a COX-2 SO2Me pharmacophore at the para position of the C-1 or C-3 phenyl ring, in conjunction with a C-3 or C-1 phenyl (4-H) or substituted-phenyl ring (4-F, 4-OMe and 4-Me), were designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. These target (E)-1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones were synthesized via a Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 isozyme inhibition structure-activity studies identified (E)-1-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (9f) as a potent COX-2 inhibitor (IC50=0.3 microM) with a high COX-2 selectivity index (SI=106) comparable to that of the reference drug rofecoxib (COX-2 IC50=0.5 microM; COX-2 SI>200). A molecular modeling study where 9f was docked in the binding site of COX-2 showed that the para-SO2Me substituent on the C-1 phenyl ring is oriented in the vicinity of the secondary COX-2 binding site near Val523. The structure-activity data acquired indicate that the propenone moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold to design novel acyclic 1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones with selective COX-2 inhibitory activity.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins possessing a 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl pharmacophore: dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases

A new class of regioisomeric acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins possessing a 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl (DTBHP) 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pharmacophore that is vicinal to a para-methanesulfonylphenyl cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pharmacophore were designed for evaluation as selective COX-2 and/or 5-LOX inhibitors. The target compounds were synthesized via a highly stereoselective McMurry olefination cross-coupling reaction. This key synthetic step afforded a (Z):(E) olefinic mixture with a predominance for the (Z)-olefin stereoisomer. Structure-activity studies for the (Z)-1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-1-phenylalk-1-ene regioisomers showed that COX-1 inhibition decreased, COX-2 inhibition increased, and the COX-2 selectivity index (SI) increased as the chain length of the alkyl substituent attached to the olefinic double bond was increased (Et-->n-butyl-->n-heptyl). In this group of compounds, inhibition of both 5-LOX and 15-LOX was dependent upon the length of the alkyl substituent with the hex-1-ene compound 9c having a n-butyl substituent exhibiting potent inhibition of both 5-LOX (IC50=0.3 microM) and 15-LOX (IC50=0.8 microM) relative to the inactive (IC50>10 microM) Et and n-heptyl analogs. Compound 9c is of particular interest since it also exhibits a dual inhibitory activity against the COX (COX-1 IC50=3.0 microM, and COX-2 IC50=0.36 microM, COX-2 SI=8.3) isozymes. A comparison of the relative inhibitory activities of the two groups of regioisomers investigated shows that the regioisomers in which the alkyl substituent is attached to the same olefinic carbon atom (C-2) as the para-methanesulfonylphenyl moiety generally exhibit a greater potency with respect to COX-2 inhibition. The 4-hydroxy substituent in the 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl moiety is essential for COX and LOX inhibition since 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-acetoxyphenyl derivatives were inactive inhibitors. These structure-activity data indicate acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins constitute a suitable template for the design of dual COX-2/LOX inhibitors.     

Selective COX-2 inhibitors. Part 2: synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-benzylideneamino- and 4-phenyliminomethyl-benzenesulfonamides

Two series of 4-benzylideneamino- and 4-phenyliminomethyl-benzenesulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized for the evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in a cellular assay using human whole blood (HWB). Extensive structure-activity relationships (SAR) were studied within these series. Several compounds were found to be novel and selective COX-2 inhibitors. Among them, the most potent and selective was 4-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxy-benzylideneamino)benzenesulfonamide (20, LA2135), (IC(50)'s for COX-1: 85.13 microM; COX-2: 0.74 microM; SI: 114.5), being more active COX-2 selective than celecoxib.     

Novel 2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)pyrimidine derivatives as highly potent and specific COX-2 inhibitors

New series of 2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl) and 2-(4-sulfamoylphenyl)pyrimidines were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity of these compounds was determined using purified enzyme (PE) and human whole blood (HWB) assays. Extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) work was carried out within these series, and a wide number of potent and specific COX-2 inhibitors were identified (HWB COX-2 IC(50)=2.4-0.3nM and 80- to 780-fold more selective than rofecoxib).     

Synthesis and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities of linear 1-(methanesulfonylphenyl or benzenesulfonamido)-2-(pyridyl)acetylene regioisomers

A group of 1-(aminosulfonylphenyl and methylsulfonylphenyl)-2-(pyridyl)acetylene regioisomers were designed such that a COX-2 SO2NH2 pharmacophore was located at the para-position of the phenyl ring, or a SO2Me pharmacophore was placed at the ortho-, meta- or para-position of the phenyl ring, on an acetylene template (scaffold). The point of attachment of the pyridyl ring to the acetylene linker was simultaneously varied (2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 3-methyl-2-pyridyl) to determine the combined effects of positional, steric, and electronic substituent properties upon COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory potency and COX isozyme selectivity. These target linear 1-(phenyl)-2-(pyridyl)acetylenes were synthesized via a palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) data (IC50 values) acquired by determination of the in vitro ability of the title compounds to inhibit the COX-1 and COX-2 isozymes showed that the position of the COX-2 SO2NH2 or SO2Me pharmacophore on the phenyl ring, and the point of attachment of the pyridyl ring to the acetylene linker, were either individual, or collective, determinants of COX-2 inhibitory potency and selectivity. A number of compounds discovered in this study, particularly 1-(4-aminosulfonylphenyl)-2-(3-methyl-2-pyridyl)acetylene (22), 1-(3-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(2-pyridyl)acetylene (27), 1-(3-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(4-pyridyl)acetylene (29), 1-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(2-pyridyl)acetylene (30), and 1-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(3-pyridyl)acetylene (31), exhibit potent (IC50 = 0.04-0.33 microM range) and selective (SI = 18 to >312 range) COX-2 inhibitory activities, that compare favorably with the reference drug celecoxib (COX-2 IC50 = 0.07 microM; COX-2 SI = 473). The sulfonamide (22), and methylsulfonyl (27 and 31), compounds exhibited anti-inflammatory activities (ID50 = 59.9-76.6 mg/kg range) that were intermediate in potency between the reference drugs aspirin (ID50 = 128.7 mg/kg) and celecoxib (ID50 = 10.8 mg/kg).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-ones as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases

A new class of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-ones possessing a p-MeSO2 COX-2 phamacophore on the C-3 phenyl ring was designed for evaluation as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). Among the group of compounds evaluated, 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-one (11j) exhibited excellent COX-2 inhibitory potency (COX-2 IC50 = 0.1 microM) and selectivity (SI = 300), whereas 1-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-one (11d) exhibited an optimal combination of COX and LOX inhibition (COX-2 IC50 = 1.0 microM; COX-2 SI = 31.5; 5-LOX IC50 = 1.0 microM; 15-LOX IC50 = 3.2 microM).