Oxaprozin prodrug as safer nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug: Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation

Oxaprozin is a popular non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) and its chronic oral use is clinically restricted due to its gastrointestinal (GI) complications. In order to circumvent the GI complications, oxaprozin was amended as a prodrug in a one‐pot reaction using N,N‐carbonyldiimidazole as an activating agent. Dextran of average molecular weight (60,000–90,000 Da) was exploited as a carrier in the process of oxaprozin prodrug production by esterification. The structural profiles of the synthesized oxaprozin prodrug were characterized by FT‐IR and NMR spectroscopy. The oxaprozin prodrug possessed optimal molecular weight, lipophilicity, partition coefficient, protein binding, and degree of substitution of 52.4%. The release of oxaprozin upon hydrolysis of the prodrug in both simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid followed first‐order kinetics with 55.2 min of half‐life. Varied ADME properties of the prodrug resulted upon Schrodinger's QikProp tool application. Oxaprozin prodrug displayed significant analgesic, antipyretic, and anti‐inflammatory activities, with a remarkable decrease in the ulcer index and being devoid of antigenicity in experimental animals. Thus, it is evident that oxaprozin prodrug is a safer oral NSAID without causing any ulcerations.

     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 3‐(4‐chloro phenyl)‐2‐substituted‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐ones as analgesic and anti‐inflammatory agents

A new series of 3‐(4‐chloro phenyl)‐2‐substituted‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐ones were synthesized by reacting the amino group of 2‐hydrazino‐3‐(4‐chloro phenyl)‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐one with different aldehydes and ketones. The compounds were investigated for their analgesic activity in albino mice, and for their anti‐inflammatory and ulcerogenic activities in Wistar rats. All test compounds exhibited analgesic and anti‐inflammatory activities. Compound VA2 (2‐(1‐ethylpropylidene‐hydrazino)‐3‐(4‐chloro phenyl)‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐one) showed moderately more potent analgesic activity and compound VA3 (2‐(1‐methylbutylidene‐hydrazino)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐one) showed moderately more potent anti‐inflammatory activity when compared with the reference standard, diclofenac sodium. The test compounds showed only mild ulcerogenic side effects when compared with aspirin. Drug Dev Res 69: 226–233, 2008 ©2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

In vitro evaluation of the effects of anti‐fungals,benzodiazepines and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on the glucuronidation of 19‐norandrosterone: implications on doping control analysis

We have studied whether the phase II metabolism of 19‐norandrosterone, the most representative metabolite of 19‐nortestosterone (nandrolone), can be altered in the presence of other drugs that are not presently included on the Prohibited List of the World Anti‐Doping Agency. In detail, we have evaluated the effect of non‐prohibited drugs belonging to the classes of anti‐fungals, benzodiazepines, and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on the glucuronidation of 19‐norandrosterone. In vitro assays based on the use of either pooled human liver microsomes or specific recombinant isoforms of uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl‐transferase were designed and performed to monitor the formation of 19‐norandrosterone glucuronide from 19‐norandrosterone. Determination of 19‐norandrosterone (free and conjugated fraction) was performed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry after sample pretreatment consisting of an enzymatic hydrolysis (performed only for the conjugated fraction), liquid/liquid extraction with tert‐butylmethyl ether, and derivatization to form the trimethylsilyl derivative. In parallel, a method based on reversed‐phase liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in positive electrospray ionization with acquisition in selected reaction monitoring mode was also developed to identify the non‐prohibited drugs considered in this study. Incubation experiments have preliminarily shown that the glucuronidation of 19‐norandrosterone is principally carried out by UGT2B7 (39%) and UGT2B17 (31%). Inhibition studies have shown that the yield of the glucuronidation reaction is reduced in the presence of the anti‐fungals itraconazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole, of the benzodiazepine triazolam and of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs diclofenac and ibuprofen, while no alteration was recorded in the presence of all other compounds considered in this study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Quantification and validation of nine nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in equine urine using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for doping control

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in therapeutic doses in human and veterinary medicine for the treatment of inflammation, pain, and fever. A method for the simultaneous determination of nine NSAIDs, known as therapeutic prohibited substances, in equine urine was developed and fully validated according to the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and Association of Official Racing Chemists criteria. The validation was performed for naproxen, flunixin, ketoprofen, diclofenac, eltenac, meclofenamic acid, phenylbutazone, vedaprofen, and carprofen in equine urine in accordance with the International Screening Limits (ISL) regulated by International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. After basic hydrolysis, samples were extracted with a C18 cartridge using automated solid‐phase extraction. Several derivatization reagents were investigated, and trimethylphenylammonium hydroxide/methanol (20/80, v/v) was selected. Analyses were carried out using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring mode, but the method can be applied to a large number of analytes. The within‐laboratory reproducibility was not more than 12.8% (≤15%), and mean relative recoveries ranged from 91.1% to 104.1% for inter‐day and intra‐day precision. The decision limits (CCα) and detection capabilities (CCβ) were evaluated at concentrations near the ISL for each therapeutic substance. The validation results demonstrated that the method is highly reproducible, easily applicable, and suitable for the analysis of some NSAIDs in equine urine that have not been previously published. Finally, the method was also applied to known positive samples.     

Synthesis and anti‐inflammatory activity of diversified heterocyclic systems

In continuation with our research program on the development of novel bioactive molecules, we report herein the design and synthesis of a series of diversified heterocycles ( 4 – 22 ). The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory activity. The chemical structures of the newly synthesized compounds have been confirmed by NMR, FTIR, and microanalysis.     

Evaluation of anti‐angiogenic,anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of coenzyme Q10 in experimental animals

Objectives This work aimed to assess some pharmacological activities of coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) in animal experimental models. Methods The chick chorioallantoic membrane assay was used to evaluate anti‐angiogenic activity of CoQ₁₀. Anti‐inflammatory activity of CoQ₁₀ was confirmed using two animal models of inflammation. These were the vascular permeability and air pouch models, models of acute and sub‐acute inflammation, respectively. Antinociceptive activity was assessed by the acetic acid‐induced abdominal constriction response. Key findings CoQ₁₀ dose‐dependently displayed inhibition of chick chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis. In the acetic acid‐induced vascular permeability model in mice, CoQ₁₀ at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced vascular permeability from 0.74 ± 0.01 (A₅₉₀) to 0.67 ± 0.01 (P < 0.01), 0.46 ± 0.02 (P < 0.01) and 0.30 ± 0.01 (P < 0.01), respectively. In the carrageenan‐induced inflammation in the air pouch, CoQ₁₀ was able to diminish exudate volume, the number of polymorphonulcear leucocytes and nitrite content in the air pouches. CoQ₁₀ at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced acetic acid‐induced abdominal constriction in mice from 27.0 ± 2.00 (number of abdominal constrictions) to 17.7 ± 0.33 (P < 0.01), 9.3 ± 0.67 (P < 0.01) and 1.3 ± 0.33 (P < 0.01), respectively, suggesting a strong antinociceptive activity. Conclusions CoQ₁₀ possessed considerable anti‐angiogenic, anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive activity, possibly via down‐regulating the level of nitric oxide, which partly supported its use as a dietary supplement and in combination therapy.     

Preclinical pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of thiazolidinone PG15: an anti‐inflammatory candidate

Objectives Novel 5‐benzilidene thiazolidinones have been synthesized and exhibited anti‐inflammatory activity. In this work one of the compounds of the thiazolidinone chemical series, (5Z,E)‐3‐[2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2‐oxoethyl]‐5‐(1H‐indol‐3‐ ylmethylene)‐thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione (PG15) was investigated aiming to determine the drug's anti‐inflammatory potential in pre‐clinical studies. Methods Methods used included the in‐vitro inhibition of cyclooxygenase‐1 and ‐2, in‐vivo evaluation of anti‐inflammatory activity by air pouch and peritonitis models and the pharmacokinetic profile after intravenous (3 mg/kg) and oral (3 and 6 mg/kg) dosing to rats. Key findings A two‐compartment model with a fast distribution and an elimination half‐life of 5.9 ± 3.8 h described the PG15 plasma profile after intravenous dosing. PG15 showed an erratic and rapid absorption following oral administration with peak concentrations between 0.5 and 1 h. PG15 0.1 μM inhibited more than 30% and 13% of purified cyclooxygenase‐1 and ‐2 activity in vitro, respectively. A lack of dose dependency was observed for the anti‐inflammatory effect in the dose range investigated (0.8–50 mg/kg), with a maximum of 67.2 ± 4.6% inhibition of leucocyte migration in the carrageenan‐induced air pouch model obtained with the 3 mg/kg dose, similar to that observed for indometacin 10 mg/kg. Conclusions The erratic absorption of PG15 observed after oral dosing could explain the lack of anti‐inflammatory dose dependency.     

Synthesis,molecular docking,and pharmacological evaluation of N‐(2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)benzoxazole‐5‐yl)benzamide derivatives as selective COX‐2 inhibitors and anti‐inflammatory agents

A series of N‐(2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)benzoxazole‐5‐yl)benzamide derivatives ( 3am ) was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against COX‐1 and COX‐2. The compounds with considerable in vitro activity (IC₅₀ < 1 μM) were evaluated in vivo for their anti‐inflammatory potential by the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. Out of 13 newly synthesized compounds, 3a , 3b , 3d , 3g , 3j , and 3k were found to be the most potent COX‐2 inhibitors in the in vitro enzymatic assay, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.06–0.71 μM. The in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity of these six compounds ( 3a , 3b , 3d , 3g , 3j , and 3k ) was assessed by the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. Compounds 3d (84.09%), 3g (79.54%), and 3a (70.45%) demonstrated significant anti‐inflammatory activity compared to the standard drug ibuprofen (65.90%) and were also found to be safer than ibuprofen, by ulcerogenic studies. A docking study was done using the crystal structure of human COX‐2, to understand the binding mechanism of these inhibitors to the active site of COX‐2.

     

Synthesis,Molecular Docking,and Biological Evaluation of Some Novel Hydrazones and Pyrazole Derivatives as Anti‐inflammatory Agents

2‐Hydrazinyl‐N‐(4‐sulfamoylphenyl)acetamide 3 was the key intermediate for the synthesis of novel hydrazones 4–10 and pyrazole derivatives 11–17 . All compounds were tested for their in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity and their ability to inhibit the production of PGE₂ in serum samples of rats. IC₅₀ values for the most active compounds for inhibition of COX‐1 and COX‐2 enzymes were determined in vitro, and they were also tested for their ulcerogenic effect. Molecular docking was performed on the active site of COX‐2 to predict their mode of binding to the amino acids. Most of the synthesized compounds showed good anti‐inflammatory activity especially compounds 3, 4, 8, 9, 15, and 17 which showed better activity than diclofenac as the reference drug. Compounds 3, 8, 9, 13, and 15–17 were less ulcerogenic than indomethacine as the reference drug. Most of the synthesized compounds interacted with Tyr 385 and Ser 530 in molecular docking study with additional hydrogen bond for compound 17 . Compound 17 showed good selectivity index value of 11.1 for COX‐1/COX‐2 inhibition in vitro.     

Synthesis,analgesic, anti‐inflammatory and ulcerogenic index activities of novel 2‐methylthio‐3‐substituted‐5,6‐dimethyl thieno [2,3‐d] pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones

A variety of novel 2‐methylthio‐3‐substituted amino‐5,6‐dimethyl thieno [2,3‐d] pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones were synthesized by reacting 3‐amino‐2‐methylthio‐5,6‐dimethyl thieno [2,3‐d] pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one with different aldehydes and ketones. The starting material 3‐amino‐2‐methylthio‐5,6‐dimethyl thieno [2,3‐d] pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one was synthesized from 2‐amino‐3‐carbethoxy‐4,5‐dimethyl thiophene. The compounds were investigated for their analgesic activity in albino mice, and for their anti‐inflammatory and ulcerogenic index activities in Wistar rats. The compound 2‐(1‐ethylpropylideneamino)‐2‐methylthio‐5,6‐dimethyl thieno [2,3‐d] pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one (AS2) showed the most potent analgesic activity of the series. It also showed more potent anti‐inflammatory activity when compared to the reference standard, diclofenac sodium. The test compounds showed only mild ulcerogenic potential when compared to aspirin. Drug Dev Res 68:134–142, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Curcumin‐loaded poly(ε‐caprolactone) nanofibres: Diabetic wound dressing with anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties

• 1 Curcumin is a naturally occurring poly‐phenolic compound with a broad range of favourable biological functions, including anti‐cancer, anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. The low bioavailability and in vivo stability of curcumin require the development of suitable carrier vehicles to deliver the molecule in a sustained manner at therapeutic levels.
• 2 In the present study, we investigated the feasibility and potential of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibres as a delivery vehicle for curcumin for wound healing applications. By optimizing the electrospinning parameters, bead‐free curcumin‐loaded PCL nanofibres were developed.
• 3 The fibres showed sustained release of curcumin for 72 h and could be made to deliver a dose much lower than the reported cytotoxic concentration while remaining bioactive. Human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFF‐1) showed more than 70% viability on curcumin‐loaded nanofibres.
• 4 The anti‐oxidant activity of curcumin‐loaded nanofibres was demonstrated using an oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and by the ability of the fibres to maintain the viability of HFF‐1 cells under conditions of oxidative stress.
• 5 The curcumin‐loaded nanofibres also reduced inflammatory induction, as evidenced by low levels of interleukin‐6 release from mouse monocyte–macrophages seeded onto the fibres following stimulation by Escherichia coli‐derived lipopolysaccharide.
• 6 The in vivo wound healing capability of the curcumin loaded PCL nanofibres was demonstrated by an increased rate of wound closure in a streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice model.
• 7 These results demonstrate that the curcumin‐loaded PCL nanofibre matrix is bioactive and has potential as a wound dressing with anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties.