Novel drug designing approach for dual inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents: implication of pyridine template

Compounds incorporating thiophene moiety, a pi excess five membered heterocycle, have attracted a great deal of research interest, owing to the therapeutic utility of the template as useful drug molecular scaffolding. We report the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of thiophenes substituted with 4-methanesulfonyl benzoyl moiety at the fifth position of the ring, as possible anti-inflammatory lead candidates. The aryl sulfonyl methyl thiophene analogs AP29, AP82, and AP37, when screened for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin induced rat paw edema, an acute in vivo model, exhibited moderate to good activity at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight P.o compared to Ibuprofen. In a five day formalin induced rat paw edema, a chronic in vivo anti-inflammatory model, candidates AP29, AP82, and AP37 inhibited the disease progression by 53%, 34%, and 65%, respectively on the fifth day, at a dose level of 100 mg/kg body weight P.o compared to Rofecoxib, Ibuprofen, and Dexamethasone at therapeutic doses which gave a protection of 53.8%, 81.5%, and 81.5%, respectively. The replacement of the 4-methanesulfonyl benzoyl moiety in AP82 with the pyridine template, 3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy-2-pyridyl function, gave rise to AP84, which was less active in the acute model, but gave 54% and 75% protection both during the first day and fifth day, respectively, in the chronic model. A dual mechanism of action is proposed for AP84, a non-steroidal drug which has exhibited remarkable activity when compared to the steroid dexamethasone. These results open up new avenues in designing novel anti-inflammatory drugs as dual inhibitors with the incorporation of a pyridine template as part of the pharmacophore.     

Design, synthesis, and SAR studies of some 5-aliphatic oximino esters of thiophene as potential anti-inflammatory leads: comparative biological activity profile of aliphatic oximes vs aromatic oximes

A series of novel tetra substituted thiophenes were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin induced rat paw edema model-an acute in vivo model. Compounds V1, V3, V11, V12, V17, and V18 showed good anti-inflammatory activity, indicating the importance of oxime moiety in modulating the activity. The structure-activity relationship studies explore "the aliphatic oxime esters" attached via a ketone bridge to fifth position of the thiophene, and indicate that this feature may enhance the anti-inflammatory activity as compared to aromatic oximes. Since free radicals are implicated in various inflammatory disorders, the free radical scavenging activity of some of the synthesized candidates was assessed using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl assay. The oxime containing analogs exhibited weak to moderate activity as free radical scavengers in DPPH assay. A plausible reasoning for its free radical scavenging ability is discussed. All the compounds were also screened in nitro blue tetrazolium model, to assess them as superoxide anion radical scavengers. A direct correlation between anti-inflammatory activity and free radical scavenging activity was not seen. The results disclose a new class of anti-inflammatory agents designed and synthesized for the first time wherein the utility of aliphatic oxime esters in modulating the anti-inflammatory activity profile is apparent. This will give us potential anti-inflammatory leads.     

Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel tetrasubstituted thiophene analogues as anti-inflammatory agents

A new series of tetrasubstituted thiophene analogues (4a-4f, 5a-5f and 8a-8i) were designed incorporating the pharmacophoric features of COX-1 (as in fenamates), 5-LOX and the p38 MAP kinase inhibitors. The designed series was synthesized by nucleophilic addition of aryl/aroylisothiocyanate and enamine (2) yielding the addition product l-(alpha-Carbomethoxy-beta-aminothiocrotonoyl)-aryl/aroyl amines (3/7); which on reaction with substituted phenacyl bromides gave the targeted tetrasubstituted thiophene esters (4a-4f / 8a-8i). The tetrasubstituted thiophenes esters (4a-4f ) on hydrolysis with one equivalent of potassium hydroxide solution in methanol at room temperature gave corresponding acids (5a-5f ). All the targeted compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin-induced rat hind paw oedema model at the doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight using standard drugs mefanamic acid and ibuprofen. The compounds (4c, 4e, 4f, 5f, 8a- 8i) which gave reasonable protection to the inflamed paw, eliciting good or moderate comparable anti-inflammatory activity were selected for investigating their analgesic activity using acetic acid induced writhing response test in albino mice at 10 mg/kg dose using standard drug ibuprofen and in order to arrive at possible mechanism of their anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro antioxidant nitric oxide radical scavenging assay at the concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 microg/mL were performed using standard drug ascorbic acid.     

Tetra substituted thiophenes as anti-inflammatory agents: exploitation of analogue-based drug design

A series of 17 novel tetra substituted thiophenes was designed, synthesized, and screened for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin induced rat paw edema model, an acute in vivo model. The lead molecule selected was Tenidap, a dual COX/LOX inhibitor. Compounds I (43%), III (60%), IV (60%), and VIII (64%) showed moderate to good anti-inflammatory activity. The best candidate among the whole series was VIII, which gave 64% protection to the inflamed paw. The side chain of candidate VIII had resemblance to that of Romazarit, a DMARD, which was withdrawn due to its toxicity profile. A probable reason for the metabolic stability of the proposed side chain not having the possibility of generating peroxy type radicals or acrylic acid moieties, unlike Romazarit, is discussed. The biological activity exhibited by the three designed series was in the order of methyl amino series > ethyl amino series > carbethoxy amino series. The –(CO)–CH₂–COOR side chain at the fifth position as in candidate VIII, the methyl amino group at the second position, and the ester at the third position of the thiophene can be considered as a three-point pharmacophore for designing better anti-inflammatory agents. The present study is a classical example of the exploitation of an analogue based drug design, which culminated in the development of good anti-inflammatory agents that have the potential of becoming dual inhibitors.     

Design,synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel tetrasubstituted thiophene analogues as anti-inflammatory agents

A new series of tetrasubstituted thiophene analogues (4a-4f, 5a-5f and 8a-8i) were designed incorporating the pharmacophoric features of COX-1 (as in fenamates), 5-LOX and the p38 MAP kinase inhibitors. The designed series was synthesized by nucleophilic addition of aryl/aroylisothiocyanate and enamine (2) yielding the addition product l-(α-Carbomethoxy-β-aminothiocrotonoyl)-aryl/aroyl amines (3/7); which on reaction with substituted phenacyl bromides gave the targeted tetrasubstituted thiophene esters (4a-4f / 8a-8i). The tetrasubstituted thiophenes esters (4a-4f ) on hydrolysis with one equivalent of potassium hydroxide solution in methanol at room temperature gave corresponding acids (5a-5f ). All the targeted compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin-induced rat hind paw oedema model at the doses of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight using standard drugs mefanamic acid and ibuprofen. The compounds (4c, 4e, 4f, 5f, 8a- 8i) which gave reasonable protection to the inflamed paw, eliciting good or moderate comparable anti-inflammatory activity were selected for investigating their analgesic activity using acetic acid induced writhing response test in albino mice at 10 mg/kg dose using standard drug ibuprofen and in order to arrive at possible mechanism of their anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro antioxidant nitric oxide radical scavenging assay at the concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 μg/mL were performed using standard drug ascorbic acid.     

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of some 3-(4,6-disubtituted-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-5-yl) propanoic acid derivatives

A series of 3-(4,6-disubtituted-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-5-yl) propanoic acid derivatives has been synthesized by condensation of thiourea, 5-(4-subtituted phenyl)-5-oxopentanoic acid and substituted aldehyde. The synthesized compounds were screened for their anti-inflammatory activity using rat paw edema method. Most of the compounds from the series showed significant (p <0.05) anti-inflammatory activity.     

5-Arylidene-2-imino-4-thiazolidinones: design and synthesis of novel anti-inflammatory agents

The synthesis and pharmacological activity of 5-arylidene-2-imino-4-thiazolidinones (3a-8a) are described. All derivatives exhibited significant activity levels in models of acute inflammation such as carrageenan-induced paw and pleurisy edema in rats. In particular, 5-(3-methoxyphenylidene)-2-phenylimino-3-propyl-4-thiazolidinone (3a) displayed high levels of carrageenan-induced paw edema inhibition comparable to those of indomethacin. In addition the ability of such a new class of anti-inflammatory agents to inhibit COX isoforms was assessed in murine monocyte/macrophage J774 cell line assay. 5-(4-Methoxyphenylidene)-2-phenylimino-3-propyl-4-thiazolidinone (6a), the most interesting compound in such an experiment, was docked in the known active site of COX-2 protein and showed that its 4-methoxyarylidene moiety can easily occupy the COX-2 secondary pocket considered as the critical interaction for COX-2 selectivity.     

Design,synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of novel oxadiazole and oxadiazoline analogs as anti-inflammatory agents

Two novel series of oxadiazole and oxadiazoline analogs possessing an indole nucleus were synthesized for their potential anti-inflammatory activity. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by elemental and spectral (IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and MS) analysis. Most of the test compounds demonstrated appreciable anti-inflammatory activities. The anti-inflammatory activity of oxadiazoles at doses of 100?mg/kg was shown by their ability to provide 27–66%, 14–32%, and 20-51%. protection against carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, moist cotton pellet-induced, and dry cotton pellet-induced granuloma, respectively. On the other hand, the anti-inflammatory properties of oxadiazolines at doses of 100?mg/kg were reflected by their ability to provide 20-56%, 11–26%, and 25–47% protection against carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, moist cotton pellet-induced, and dry cotton pellet-induced granuloma, respectively. The ulcerogenic potential of the compounds was determined. Structure–activity relationships among synthesized compounds were also established.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and docking studies of 3-(substituted)-aryl-5-(9-methyl-3-carbazole)-1H-2-pyrazolines as potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents

A novel series of 3-(substituted)-aryl-5-(9-methyl-3-carbazole)-1H-2-pyrazolines (5a-o) has been synthesized and the structures of newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, (1)H NMR and mass spectral analysis. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, and also for their antioxidant activity. Compounds 5b, 5c, 5d and 5n were found to be selective COX-2 inhibitors. Compound 5c was found to potent inhibitor of the carrageenin induced paw edema in rats. Most of the compounds exhibited good DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging activity, while compounds 5c, 5d, 5i and 5k exhibited good hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. Molecular docking result, along with the biological assay data, suggested that compound 5c was a potential anti-inflammatory agent.     

Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Vernonia cinerea Less. extract in rats.

The methanol extract of the whole plant of Vernonia cinerea Less. was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory activity in acute (carrageenin, histamine and serotonin induced rat paw edema) and a chronic model (cotton pouch induced granuloma). The methanol extract (250 and 500 mg/kg(-1) p.o.) exhibited significant activity (p < 0.001) against all phlogistic agents used in a dose dependant manner. In the chronic model (cotton pouch granuloma method) the methanol extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity. All these effects were compared with standard drug phenylbutazone (100 mg/kg(-1) p.o.).     

Separation of tubulin-binding and anti-inflammatory activity in colchicine analogs and congeners

The effects of colchicine and its analogs on the carrageenin-induced footpad edema in rats were investigated. The anti-inflammatory effects of colchicine analogs were measured at 3 and 5 hr after the carrageenin injection. Colchicine, 1-demethylcolchicine and 3-demethylcolchicine markedly inhibited the carrageenin edema whereas 2-demethylcolchicine was much less active. Thiocolchicinoids, having a thiomethyl group at C-10 instead of a methoxy group, were considerably less potent. These results suggest that the presence of methoxy groups at C-2 and C-10 in colchicine is necessary to maintain anti-inflammatory activity. Inactivity of deacetylcolchicine indicates that substitution of the amino group at C-7 with electron withdrawing groups is also important. Significant inhibition of carrageenin edema and strong binding to tubulin in vitro were manifested by colchicine, 3-demethylcolchicine, N-butyryldeacetylcolchicine and colchifoline. On the other hand, N-carbethoxydeacetylcolchicine which did bind well to tubulin, did not show much effect on the carrageenin edema. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory action of colchicinoids may not be regulated through the microtubule system.     

Synthesis, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of some tetrasubstituted thiophenes

Sets of tetrasubstituted thiophene esters 4a-4g, 5a-5f and 6a-6e were synthesized by reaction of 1-(alpha-Carbomethoxy-beta-aminothiocrotonoyl)-aryl/aroyl amines (3) with 3-(bromoacetyl)coumarin, 1,4-dibromodiacetyl and chloroacetone respectively. The compound 3 were synthesized by nucleophilic addition of aryl/aroylisothiocyanate and enamine (2). The synthesized targeted compounds (4a-4g, 5a-5f and 6a-6e) were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin-induced rat hind paw oedema model at three graded doses employed at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg body weight using mefanamic acid, ibuprofen and in vivo analgesic activity in acetic acid induced writhing response model at 10 mg/kg dose using ibuprofen as standard drug. The compounds 4a-4f, 5c, 5f, 6c and 6e were evaluated for their in vitro antioxidant nitric oxide radical scavenging assay at the concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 microg/mL using ascorbic acid as standard drug. Among all the targeted compounds 4c showed maximum anti-inflammatory activity of 71% protection at 10 mg/kg and 77% protection at 20 mg/kg to inflamed paw and analgesic activity of 56% inhibition and also maximum in vitro nitric oxide radical scavenging activity having IC(50) value 31.59 microg/mL.     

The use of DPPD (N,N'-diphenyl-P-phenylenediamine) as an anti-inflammatory agent

The anti-oxidant compound, DPPD, was found to be an effctive anti-inflammatory compound by inhibiting carrageenin rat paw edema, adjuvant athritis and serum sickness expression of vascular and renal injury. It is proposed these effects are due to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis or fatty acid peroxide formation.     

New 3- and 4-hydroxyfuranones as anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory agents

Two series of new furanones substituted by methylsulfonylphenyl or methylsulfamidophenyl moieties were found to protect against oxidation damage by inhibiting or quenching free radicals and reactive oxygen species in in vitro experiments. The effect on lipid peroxidation was also examined. In addition, we investigated the activity of products in two models of inflammation: phorbol ester-induced ear edema in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat. The most powerful compounds and with reducing activity against DPPH (IC50=1779 and 57 microM, respectively), superoxide anion quenching capacity (IC50=511 and 49 microM, respectively), lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect and anti-inflammatory properties (about 50-65% inhibition of edema at 200 mg/kg ip in both tests used) were selected for further pharmacological and toxicological tests because of their attractive profile for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.     

Syntheses of two deacetyl-thymosin beta4 analogs and their anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenin-induced edema in the mouse paw

Two [Met(0)6]deacetyl-thymosin beta4 analogs containing Phe(4F) or Tyr(Me) at position 12 were synthesized by the manual solid-phase method, and their anti-inflammatory effect on carrageenin-induced edema in the mouse paw was studied. Fluorination of the para-position of Phe12 resulted in a marked antiinflammatory effect on carrageenin-induced edema in the mouse paw compared with that of our synthetic [Met(0)6]deacetyl-thymosin beta4, but the other analog, [Met(0)6, Tyr(Me)12]deacetyl-thymosin beta4, showed a marked reduction of the anti-inflammatory effect.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrazolyl-2,4-thiazolidinediones as anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents

Novel pyrazolyl-2,4-thiazolidinediones were prepared via the reaction of appropriate pyrazolecarboxaldehydes with 2,4-thiazolidinediones and substituted benzyl-2,4-thiazolidinediones. The resultant compounds were first evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in vitro. The active compounds were further studied in vivo by using the formalin-induced paw edema and the turpentine oil-induced granuloma pouch bioassays. We identified four novel compounds that showed protective effects in vitro at non-toxic concentrations, and were also effective in the animal models of acute and sub-acute inflammation.     

Synthesis of acridinyl-thiazolino derivatives and their evaluation for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and kinase inhibition activities

Variety of N-(4-phenyl-3-(2',3',4'(un)substituted phenyl)thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)-2,4(un)substituted acridin-9-amine (4a-o) and 1-[(2,4-(un)substituted acridin-9-yl)-3-(4-phenyl-3-(2',3',4'(un)substituted phenyl)thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)]isothiourea (5a-h) derivatives have been synthesized by condensation of 4-phenyl-3-(2',3',4'(un)substituted phenyl)thiazol-2(3H)-imine (3a-g) with 9-chloro-2,4-(un)substituted acridine (1a-c) and 9-isothiocyanato-2,4-(un)substituted acridine (2a-d), respectively. All these compounds were characterized by correct 1H NMR, FT-IR, MS and elemental analyses. These compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and kinase (CDK1, CDK5 and GSK3) inhibition activities. Some compounds exhibited good anti-inflammatory (25-32%) and potent analgesic (50-75%) activities, at 50 mg/kg p.o. A compound, 4o (R1 = H, R2 = OCH3, R3 = CH3, R4 = CH3, R5 = H) exhibited moderate CDK1 (IC50 = 8.5 microM) inhibition activity.     

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.     

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, (1)H NMR, (13)C 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.