选择性环氧合酶-2抑制剂的研究现状及进展

非甾体抗炎药（NSAIDs）是临床上应用非常广泛的一类药物，但严重的不良反应使其应用受到很大限制。研究已经发现，NSAIDs对炎症的有效治疗源干其对环氧合酶-2（COX-2）的抑制作用。综述了选择性COX-2抑制剂作用的分子基础、构效关系及其目前研究开发的现状和最新进展。     

Gastrointestinal effects of COX-2 inhibitors

The developing popularity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) over the last 100 years has been paralleled by an increase in associated complications, particularly affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract [1]. Over this period, there have been several attempts to develop less toxic NSAIDs, most of which have been unsuccessful. Since the discovery that the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) exists as two isoforms, the largely constitutive COX-1 and the mainly inducible COX-2, much interest has centred on the development of drugs capable of selectively inhibiting COX-2. Early studies that investigated specific COX-2 inhibitors (with no effect on the COX-1 isoform over the whole range of concentrations achieved in clinical usage) are encouraging, as they demonstrate that these drugs have fewer effects on gastroduodenal mucosa than standard NSAIDs given at equivalent doses. Further clinical experience with these agents outside trial settings and additional studies to assess the role of COX-2 when induced in the GI tract are needed, before such agents can be safely recommended for widespread prescribing.     

Etodolac: An overview of a selective COX-2 inhibitor

Etodolac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and a selective COX-2 inhibitor in a wide range of clinically relevant assays in direct comparisons with other NSAIDs. Studies have shown etodolac to have no overall suppression of gastric or duodenal prostaglandins and endoscopic analysis with etodolac showed placebo level scores in comparison with ibuprofen, which showed inducement of gastro-intestinal (GI) side effects. This high degree of gastric tolerability was further demonstrated by microbleeding studies. The favourable GI tolerability profile of etodolac has been shown in long-term and large-scale trials and by routine clinical observation. In summary, etodolac is a well established selective COX-2 inhibitor that has been shown not to suppress gastric or duodenal prostaglandins, to have minimal hepatic or renal effects and to have favourable GI tolerability in comparison with ibuprofen.     

COX-2抑制剂的临床应用

非甾体类抗炎药(NSAIDs)是当今世界各国广泛应用的一类药物,每天全世界约有3千万人使用,主要应用于类风湿关节炎、骨关节炎及其他类型的关节炎。目前选择性COX-2抑制剂除用于镇痛、抗炎、解热,还用于治疗帕金森病、口腔癌、结肠肿瘤、前列腺癌等。     

选择性环氧合酶-2抑制剂体外筛选模型的建立

目的:建立选择性环氧合酶-2(COX-2)抑制剂筛选模型。方法:以脂多糖(LPS)为刺激剂刺激大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞产生前列腺素E2(PGE2),采用放免法确定最佳刺激浓度和时间,以选择性COX-2抑制剂戊地昔布和达布非隆(darbufelone)为阳性对照药验证实验模型。结果:达布非隆和戊地昔布对COX-2和COX-1的半数抑制浓度(IC50)的比值分别为3．175×10-4和3．576×10-3。结论:本实验建立的COX-2抑制剂筛选模型比较灵敏,可靠,可用于选择性COX-2抑制剂的筛选。     

选择性环氧化酶-2抑制剂与抗炎植物药研究概况

目的 介绍选择性环氧化酶（COX）-2抑制剂与抗炎植物药研究概况。方法 综合分析国内外相关文献资料。结果 与结论COX是前列腺素合成过程中一个重要的限速酶，选择性COX-2抑制剂的开发已成为不良反应小的非甾体抗炎药的重要发展方向，从抗炎植物药中筛选疗效好、不起反应小的抗炎新药也具有良好的前景。     

Differential inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and-2 (COX-2) by NSAIDS: Consequences on anti-inflammatory activity versus gastric and renal safety

The discovery of an inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase (COX-2) requires a refinement of the theory that inhibition of cyclooxygenase activity is responsible for both therapeutic and side-effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pharmacological results with developmental compounds suggest that COX-2 is the relevant target for the therapeutic (i.e. anti-inflammatory) effects of NSAIDs, whereas gastric and renal side-effects are related to inhibition of constitutive COX-1. However a role of COX-1 in inflammation cannot be excluded. Furthermore, more research effort is needed to investigate the functional relevance of COX-2 in normal tissue.     

COX-2 inhibitors

These three applications claim 4-fluoroalkyl-6-(4-alkylsulfonyl)phenylpyrimidine derivatives that are selective COX-2 inhibitors. The presence of an additional 5-alkyl substituent markedly attenuates their potency but both 4-alkylamino and 4-alkoxy substituted compounds are potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors in the absence of the 5-substituent.     

Clinical use and pharmacological properties of selective COX-2 inhibitors

Selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) are approved for the relief of acute pain and symptoms of chronic inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They have similar pharmacological properties but a slightly improved gastrointestinal (GI) safety profile if compared to traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs). However, long-term use of coxibs can be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) adverse events (AEs). For this reason, two coxibs were withdrawn from the market. Currently celecoxib, etoricoxib, and lumiracoxib are used. These three coxibs differ in their chemical structure and selectivity for COX-2, which might explain some of their pharmacological features. Following oral administration, the less lipophilic celecoxib has a lower bioavailability (20–40%) than the other two coxibs (74–100%). All are eliminated by hepatic metabolism involving mainly CYP2C9 (celecoxib, lumiracoxib) and CYP3A4 (etoricoxib). Elimination half-life varies from 5 to 8 h (lumiracoxib), 11 to 16 h (celecoxib) and 19 to 32 h (etoricoxib). In patients with liver disease, plasma levels of celecoxib and etoricoxib are increased about two-fold. Clinical efficacies of the coxibs are comparable to tNSAIDs. There is an ongoing discussion about whether the slightly better GI tolerability (which is lost if acetylsalicylic acid is coadministered) of the coxibs is offset by their elevated risks for CV AEs (also seen with tNSAIDs other than naproxen), which apparently increase with dose and duration of exposure. In addition, the higher costs for coxibs (if compared to tNSAIDs, even when a “gastroprotective” proton pump inhibitor is coadministered) should be taken into consideration, if a coxib will be selected for certain patients with a high risk for GI complications. For such treatment, the lowest effective dose should be used for a limited time. Monitoring of kidney function and blood pressure appears advisable. It is hoped that further controlled studies can better define the therapeutic place of the coxibs.     

Therapeutic potential of COX-2 inhibitors in arthritis

Arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions occur with great frequency in the population world wide, causing significant morbidity and, in some instances, increased mortality. Affecting both the young and the old, 15% of the population in the US was estimated in 1995 to have some form of arthritis with an increase to 18% projected by the year 2020 [1]. The economic impact of arthritis and related disorders in the US alone was estimated to be US $194.4 billion in 1992 and future costs are virtually certain to increase given the chronic nature of these diseases, their expanding prevalence and the considerable expense associated with newer therapies [2]. With no cure presently available, the aim of current treatment is to reduce inflammation, ameliorate symptoms and improve functional capacity. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which suppress the formation of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins by antagonising the action of cyclooxygenase (COX), have been the mainstay of arthritis treatment for hundreds, if not, thousands of years. The clinical use of NSAIDs, however, has long been associated with significant toxicity. The recognition of two COX isoforms, cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), both suppressed by traditional NSAIDs, has led to an expanded hypothesis of NSAID action which consists of two postulates, namely, the efficacy of NSAIDs in the treatment of arthritis is due to the suppression of COX-2, while much of the toxicity associated with non-selective NSAIDs is the consequence of COX-1 suppression. The emergence of agents which selectively inhibit COX-2 has made it possible to clinically evaluate the validity of each of these postulates. In this report, the published experience with selective COX-2 inhibitors in the treatment of mechanical and inflammatory arthropathies is reviewed to examine the premise that isolated COX-2 suppression is comparable in efficacy to the dual COX-1/COX-2 suppression produced by non-selective NSAIDs.     

COX-2 selective inhibitors: analysis of the renal effects

COX-2 selective inhibitors provide analgesia and blunt inflammation while also sparing the gastrointestinal tract from classic NSAID toxicity. Therapeutic effects are thought to result from inhibition of the inflammatory COX-2 isoform. Organ sparing is considered the result of preservation of homeostatic COX-1 enzyme function. Similar roles of the COX isoforms in the kidney would reduce NSAID-associated nephrotoxicity. However, human kidney tissue expresses COX-2 enzyme, suggesting a role for this isoform in maintenance of physiological renal processes. Available clinical data on the renal effects of COX-2 selective inhibitors in humans also demonstrate nephrotoxic potential.     

Profiles of COX-2 inhibitors: present and future

Cyclooxygenases are responsible for the biosynthesis of prostanoids, the overt presence of which is often associated with inflammation and pain. Since the discovery of COX-2 in the last decade, a myriad of selective COX-2 inhibitors and their pharmacological profiles have been witnessed. Pharmacological observations of selective inhibition of COX-2 often go beyond initial expectations. This review is an overview of issues on selective COX-2 inhibitors, which include gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety, emerging therapeutic areas and differentiation in drug profiles expected to be addressed by future generation COX-2 inhibitors. This article also covers recent patents and papers on new COX-2 inhibitors published since 2002. Future generation COX-2 inhibitors are sure to be safer and meet better medical needs than the COX-2 inhibitors currently available for the treatment or prevention of broadly ranged COX-2-mediated disorders.     

Selective COX-2 inhibitors as anticancer agents: a patent review (2014-2018)

Introduction: COX-2 is a key enzyme in the process of prostaglandins (PGs) synthesis. The products of this enzyme could play a major role as the mediators of the inflammatory response and some other medical states such as cancer. The design and synthesis of novel selective COX-2 inhibitors have always been attractive to researchers. This review discusses the structures of novel COX-2 inhibitors synthesized during the last five years and describes their efficacy as anticancer agents.

Areas covered: It is well established that COX-2 is overexpressed in many different cancers and treatment with selective COX-2 inhibitors could relieve their symptoms and limit their adverse sequences.

Expert opinion: The diversity of selective COX-2 inhibitors is mainly related to the types of scaffolds. Monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic, and acyclic scaffolds with different pharmacological effects and toxicological profiles could be found in the family of selective COX-2 inhibitors. The great interest of the researchers in this field is due to the importance of selective COX-2 inhibitors as a relatively safe and effective set of compounds which could present different properties such as antirheumatic, anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anti-Parkinson’s disease, and anticancer.     

Disturbance of vision by COX-2 inhibitors

In this review, 35 cases of acute, reversible, sometimes severe, disturbances of vision closely associated with the use of celecoxib or rofecoxib are described. These were identified from three different databases using strict selection criteria. The events included temporary blindness, visual field defect, scotoma, teichopsia, blurred vision, decreased vision and abnormal vision. The reactions had a mean onset time of 9.5 days and recovery occurred within 3 days following withdrawal of the drug. The reactions do not appear to be related to age, gender, dose, or indication for use. The incidence of reported cases is estimated to be not less than 5 per 10,000 patients. Possible mechanisms for this type of reaction are described. The most likely appears to be the result of interference with the retinal blood supply through reduced production of prostanoids. Genetic polymorphisms that affect drug metabolism or uptake could be risk factors and are discussed along with suggestions for research.     

Characterization of eltenac and novel COX-2 selective thiopheneacetic acid analogues in vitro and in vivo

We assessed the effect of novel selective thiopheneacetic acids on cyclooxygenase isoenzymes in vitro and in vivo. Thiopheneacetic acid Eltenac and derivatives were investigated in this study. In human whole blood experiments these derivatives were potent inhibitors of COX-2 (IC(50)=0.02-0.4 microM) with less pronounced effect on COX-1 (IC(50)=0.15-5.6 microM). With COX-1/COX-2 ratios between 7.5- and 16-fold they are in the range of Celecoxib (13-fold). The parent drug Eltenac demonstrated no selectivity for COX-2. In a rat paw edema model, these compounds showed reduction of edema volume in the range of 36-45% at 10 mg/kg (Eltenac 52%, Diclofenac 51%). However, the compounds were superior to Diclofenac and Eltenac with respect to their ulcerogenic and gastrointestinal properties. Introduction of a nitrate-ester moiety to either Eltenac or a derivative did neither improve selectivity or potency in vitro, nor ulcerogenicity in vivo. Molecular modeling of selective thiopheneacetic acid derivatives to the active site of human COX-2 suggested similar binding properties as Lumiracoxib and Diclofenac. In summary, modification of Eltenac generates moderately selective COX-2 drugs in the range of Celecoxib with respect to potency and selectivity. The drugs showed potent anti-inflammatory properties and significant improvement of animal survival in a sub-chronical experimental set up. Thiopheneacetic derivatives are characterized by low pK(a) values, short microsomal half-lives and binding mode to COX-2 similar to Diclofenac and Lumiracoxib. These properties may also have an impact on the transient inhibition of COX-2-dependent prostacyclin, thereby being less associated with vascular complications.