Design and synthesis of celecoxib and rofecoxib analogues as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors: replacement of sulfonamide and methylsulfonyl pharmacophores by an azido bioisostere

Celecoxib (13) and rofecoxib (17) analogues, in which the respective SO2NH2 and SO2Me hydrogen-bonding pharmacophores were replaced by a dipolar azido bioisosteric substituent, were investigated. Molecular modeling (docking) studies showed that the azido substituent of these two analogues (13, 17) was inserted deep into the secondary pocket of the human COX-2 binding site where it undergoes electrostatic interaction with Arg(513). The azido analogue of rofecoxib (17), the most potent and selective inhibitor of COX-2 (COX-1 IC(50) = 159.7 microM; COX-2 IC(50) = 0.196 microM; COX-2 selectivity index = 812), exhibited good oral antiinflammatory and analgesic activities.     

Disposition of a specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, valdecoxib, in human.

Valdecoxib is a potent and specific inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, which is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and the dysmenorrhea pain. Eight male human subjects each received a single 50-mg oral dose of [(14)C]valdecoxib. Urine, feces, and blood samples were collected after administration of the radioactive dose. Most of the radioactivity in plasma was associated with valdecoxib and the hydroxylated metabolite of valdecoxib (M1). The estimated terminal half-life for valdecoxib was about 7 h. About 76.1% of the radioactive dose was recovered in urine and 18% of the radioactive dose was recovered in feces. Valdecoxib was extensively metabolized in human, and nine phase I metabolites were identified. The primary oxidative metabolic pathways of valdecoxib involved hydroxylation at either the methyl group to form M1 or N-hydroxylation at the sulfonamide moiety to form M2. Further oxidation of M1 led to the formation of several other phase I metabolites. Oxidative breakdown of the N-hydroxy sulfonamide function group in M2 led to the formation of corresponding sulfinic acid and sulfonic acid metabolites. The O-glucuronide conjugate of M1 and N-glucuronide conjugate of valdecoxib were the major urinary metabolites, which accounted for 23.3 and 19.5% of the total administered dose, respectively. The remaining urinary metabolites were glucuronide conjugates of other phase I metabolites. Only 3% of the administered dose was recovered in urine as unchanged parent, suggesting that renal clearance is insignificant for valdecoxib. Absorption of valdecoxib was excellent since the recovery of unchanged valdecoxib in feces was <1% of the administered dose.     

Novel pirfenidone analogues: synthesis of pyridin-2-ones for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis

A new series of polysubstituted 1-aryl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitriles and pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carbonitriles and pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carbonitriles have been synthesized and tested for their antifibrotic activity. Among the tested compounds, compounds IIc and IVb exhibited higher antifibrotic activity than the standard pirfenidone PD with a reduction of the hydroxyproline level to 50 and 140 micromol/lung, respectively. However, bicyclic pyridone VIIIb displayed a high mortality rate. Detailed syntheses, spectroscopic and biological data are reported.     

Mechanism underlying the reversal of contractility dysfunction in experimental colitis by cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition

Inflammatory bowel diseases are associated with reduced colonic contractility and induction of cyclooxygenase-2. In this study a possible role of cyclooxygenase-2 in and the underlying mechanism of the reduced contractility were investigated in experimental colitis. The effects of meloxicam, a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor were examined on colonic contractility and MAP kinase p38 and ERK_1/2 expression. Colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley male rats by intra-colonic instillation of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNBS; 40 mg/rat in 50 ethanol). The animals were divided into three groups. Group 1 (n=9) received meloxicam (3 mg/kg-day) gavage 1 h before and 1 day (Group 2) after induction of colitis. Group 3 (n=9) received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in a similar manner and served as colitic control. The non colitic control animals received meloxicam in a similar manner. The animals were sacrificed after 5 days of treatment, colon was cleaned with PBS and colonic smooth muscle was obtained which was used in this study. Meloxicam treatment given 1 h before or 1 day after administration of colitis restored the reduced colonic contractility without affecting the sensitivity to carbachol. The levels of colonic smooth muscle IL-1β mRNA, PGE₂, ERK_1/2, p38, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase activity and colonic mass were increased, whereas the body weight was decreased due to TNBS. The changes except colonic muscle mass and p38 expression were reversed by meloxicam treatment. These findings indicate that restoration of reduced colonic contractility by meloxicam is mediated by ERK_1/2, and that ERK_1/2 may serve as an important anti inflammatory target for treatment of colitis.     

Design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of pyridinic analogues of nimesulide as cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitors

In this study, we report the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of original pyridinic sulfonamides related to nimesulide, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) preferential inhibitor widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent. These original pyridinic derivatives were synthesized in three steps starting from the condensation of 3-bromo-4-nitropyridine N-oxide with appropriately substituted phenols, thiophenols, or anilines followed by a reduction of the nitro moiety into the corresponding aminopyridine, which was finally condensed with alkane- or trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride to obtain the corresponding sulfonamides. The pK(a) determinations demonstrated that the major ionic form present in solution at physiological pH depends on the nature of the sulfonamide moiety subsituent. Indeed, alkanesulfonamides were mainly present as zwitterionic molecules while trifluoromethanesulfonamides, more acidic derivatives, were mainly present as anionic molecules. The in vitro pharmacological evaluation of the synthesized compounds against COX-1 and COX-2 was performed in a human whole blood model. Results obtained demonstrated that most of alkanesulfonamide derivatives displayed a COX-2 preferential inhibition with selectivity ratio values (IC(50)(COX-1)/IC(50)(COX-2)) up to 7.92 (celecoxib displaying a ratio value of 7.46 in the same test). On the other hand, trifluoromethanesulfonamide derivatives displayed weaker selectivity ratios although they exhibited IC(50) values against COX-2 up to 0.09 microM (celecoxib IC(50) against COX-2: 0.35 microM). Finally, in vivo evaluation of selected compounds showed that they exhibited anti-inflammatory properties similar to that of nimesulide when tested in a carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model.     

Improved selectivity in the removal of the tert.-butyloxycarbonyl group

Removal of the tert.-butyloxycarbonyl group by trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of benzyloxycarbonyl groups, benzyl esters and benzyl ethers is rendered more selective by dilution with acetic acid. Trifluoroacetic acid-acetic acid mixtures, however, cause acetylation of hydroxyl groups and also some formation of tert.-butyl esters at free carboxyls. Hence, such mixtures are useful only for the deprotection of intermediates in which the hydroxyl and carboxyl groups are fully blocked. A search for a diluent without such inherent limitation led to the application of a mixture of phenol and p-cresol. Dilution of trifluoroacetic acid with phenols both improved the selectivity in the removal of the tert.-butyloxycarbonyl group and suppressed the alkylation of amino acid side chains as well. A 4:3:3 mixture of trifluoroacetic acid, phenol and p-cresol was found useful in the practical execution of partial deprotection.     

Evaluation of 2 celecoxib derivatives： analgesic effect and selectivity to cyclooxygenase-2/1

AIM: To evaluate the analgesic effects of 2 celecoxib derivatives and their inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase (COX). METHODS: Four antinociceptive assays were used: the acetic acid-induced writhing test, hot plate test, hot tail-flick test and formalin test. Three doses were used in the analgesic assays and ED50 values were calculated. For the selectivity assay, macrophages were incubated with test compounds at various concentrations and then stimulated with calcimycin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The amounts of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha(6-keto-PGF1alpha) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the supernatant were examined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The selectivity of the test compounds was expressed as the IC(50,COX-1)/IC(50,COX-2) value. RESULTS: Celecoxib and its 2 derivatives had a significant analgesic effect. The ED50 values of celecoxib, PC-406 and PC-407 were 94.2, 67.9, and 63.3 mg/kg, respectively, for the acetic acid-induced writhing test; 104.7, 89.1, and 30.0 mg/kg, respectively, for the hot tail-flick response test; 60.7, 56.7, and 86.2 mg/kg, respectively, for the hot plate response test; 67.1, 55.8, and 68.8 mg/kg, respectively, for the formalin-induced response. That is, the ED50 of PC-406 was the lowest for the formalin and hot plate tests, which focus on changes above the spinal cord level; however, the ED50 of PC-407 was lowest for the tail-flick and writhing tests, which focus on changes at the spinal cord level. Celecoxib and PC-407 inhibited COX-1 with IC50 values of 39.8 and 27.5 nmol/L, respectively. PC-406 inhibited COX-1 with an IC50 value of more than 1000 nmol/L. The IC50 values for the effect of celecoxib, PC-406 and PC-407 on COX-2 were 4.8, 8.9, and 1.9 nmol/L respectively. The IC(50, COX-1)/IC(50,COX-2) ratios for celecoxib and PC-407 were 8.3 and 14.4, respec-tively. For PC-406, the ratio was greater than 112.2. CONCLUSION: Derivatives of celecoxib via substitution with an isopropyl or naphthyl group at the 5 position in the pyrazole ring still have analgesic effects and the ability to selectively inhibit COX-2. Substitution with a naphthyl group may have more effect on the peripheral pain pathway, whereas substitution with an isopropyl group may have more effect on the central pain pathway. This phenomenon occurs partly because substitution with an isopropyl group is more beneficial for COX-2 selectivity than is substitution with a naphthyl group.     

Novel analogues of sydnone: synthesis, characterization and antibacterial evaluation

New sydnone derivatives bearing a substituted phenyl ring at the 3-position have been synthesized. Two separate series of 3-(carboxyphenyl)sydnone derivatives have been prepared by cyclization of the corresponding N-nitroso-N-(carboxyphenyl)-glycine 3. The obtained 3-(carboxyphenyl)sydnones 4 were subjected to a series of different chemical reactions on the carboxylic acid group. Compound 5, the potassium salt of 4a, was reacted with alpha-chloroacetanilide derivatives 6 to give the corresponding esters 7. On the other hand, the acid hydrazide 9 was condensed with different aromatic aldehydes to give the corresponding arylidene derivatives 10. The synthesized compounds were tested for their antibacterial activities against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. Some of the test compounds exhibited high activity; among them, 10d is considered to be a lead compound possessing high broad-spectrum antibacterial activity.     

N-benzylisatin sulfonamide analogues as potent caspase-3 inhibitors: synthesis, in vitro activity, and molecular modeling studies

A number of isatin sulfonamide analogues were prepared and their potencies for inhibiting caspase-1, -3, -6, -7, and -8 were evaluated in vitro. Several compounds displaying a nanomolar potency for inhibiting the executioner caspases, caspase-3 and caspase-7, were identified. These compounds were also observed to have a low potency for inhibiting the initiator caspases, caspase-1 and caspase-8, and caspase-6. Molecular modeling studies provided further insight into the interaction of this class of compounds with activated caspase-3. The results of the current study revealed a number of non-peptide-based caspase inhibitors that may be useful in assessing the role of inhibiting the executioner caspases in minimizing tissue damage in disease conditions characterized by unregulated apoptosis.     

Ozone induces synthesis of systemic prostacyclin by cyclooxygenase-2 dependent mechanism in vivo

Under certain pathological conditions, e.g., infectious or neoplastic diseases, application of ozone exerts therapeutic effects. However, pharmacological mechanisms are not understood. Since an interaction with the arachidonic acid metabolism is suggested we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal insufflation of ozone on prostanoid system in vivo. Upon ozone application (4 mg/kg) to rats we observed an approximate 3-fold increase in excretion rate of 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1α and of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PG F1α, the measurable stable products of prostacyclin. In plasma and vessel tissue 6-keto-PG F1α concentration was also significantly increased. In contrast, excretion rates for PGE2 and thromboxane (TX) B2 did not change. F2-isoprostanes, regarded as endogenous indicators of oxidative stress, were also unaffected by ozone application. Oxygen insufflation used as control was without any effect on prostanoid levels. Ozone caused increase in 6-keto-PG F1α by arterial but not by venous vessel tissues with peak activity 6-9h following insufflation. The increase in PGI2 synthesis was dependent on cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity, demonstrated by its sensitivity towards COX-2 inhibition, and by enhanced COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in vessels. Ozone exerted no rise in excretion rate of prostacyclin metabolites in COX-2(-/-) but in COX-1(-/-) mice. Enzymatic activity and mRNA expression of vascular PGI2 synthase (PGIS) was unaffected by ozone treatment. In summary our study shows for the first time that ozone insufflation causes enhanced expression of COX-2 in the vessel system leading to exclusive elevation of systemic PGI2 levels. We assume that PGI2 stimulation may contribute to the beneficial effects of ozone treatment.     

Design and synthesis of human immunodeficiency virus entry inhibitors: sulfonamide as an isostere for the alpha-ketoamide group

The crystal structures of many tertiary alpha-ketoamides reveal an orthogonal arrangement of the two carbonyl groups. Based on the hypothesis that the alpha-ketoamide HIV attachment inhibitor BMS 806 (formally BMS378806, 26) might bind to its gp120 target via a similar conformation, we designed and synthesized a series of analogs in which the ketoamide group is replaced by an isosteric sulfonamide group. The most potent of these analogs, 14i, demonstrated antiviral potency comparable to 26 in the M33 pseudotyped antiviral assay. Flexible overlay calculations of a ketoamide inhibitor with a sulfonamide inhibitor revealed a single conformation of each that gave significantly better overlap of key pharmacophore features than other conformations and thus suggest a possible binding conformation for each class.     

Novel selective inhibitors of hydroxyxanthone derivatives for human cyclooxygenase-2

Aim： To screen the selective inhibitors for human cyclooxygenase-2 （（h）COX-2） utilizing molecular simulation. Methods： Eight xanthone derivatives, compounds A-H, were employed by the structure-based research methodology. Resveratrol and NS-398 were selected as the control compounds for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. The docking results were scored and the interaction energies of the complexes were calculated by CHARMm forcefield. Results： NS-398 could not dock into the active site of COX-1. However, resveratrol, the specific selective compound for COX-1, gained lower interaction energy while docked in COX-1. The lower interaction energies were investigated, while compound B and F were docked into the catalytic sites of COX- 1 and COX-2, respectively. Compound A, 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone, revealed high inhibitory potency to both COX-1 and COX-2. Conclusion： The conformations of the docking would influence the values of interaction energies. The hydrogen bond could also increase the stabi- lity of the whole complex, which might suggest that compound B had a suitable conformation in the tunnel-like active site of COX-1. Compound F, a potent agent for COX-2, revealed a strong hydrogen bond with Ser516 in human COX-2 to form a stable complex.     

Cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 selectivity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: investigation using human peripheral monocytes.

Since the pharmacological profiles of various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) might depend on their differing selectivity for cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) and 2 (COX-2), we developed a new screening method using human peripheral monocytes. Monocytes from healthy volunteers were separated, and the cells were incubated with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Monocytes without LPS stimulation exclusively expressed COX-1 on Western blotting analysis, whereas LPS stimulation induced COX-2 expression. Unstimulated monocytes (COX-1) and LPS-stimulated monocytes (COX-2) were then used to determinethe COX selectivity of various NSAIDs. The respective mean IC50 values for COX-1 and COX-2 IC50 (microM), and the COX-1/COX-2 ratio of each NSAID were as follows: celecoxib, 82, 6.8, 12; diclofenac, 0.076, 0.026, 2.9; etodolac, > 100, 53, > 1.9; ibuprofen, 12, 80, 0.15; indometacin, 0.0090, 0.31, 0.029; meloxicam, 37, 6.1, 6.1; 6-MNA (the active metabolite of nabumetone), 149, 230, 0.65; NS-398, 125, 5.6, 22; piroxicam, 47, 25, 1.9; rofecoxib, > 100, 25, > 4.0; S-2474, > 100, 8.9, > 11; SC-560, 0.0048, 1.4, 0.0034. The percentage inhibition of COX-1 activity at the IC50 of COX-2 also showed a wide variation among these NSAIDs. The bioassay system using human monocytes to assess the inhibitory effects of various NSAIDs on COX-1 and COX-2 may become a clinically useful screening method.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3,4-diaryloxazolones: A new class of orally active cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

A series of 3,4-diaryloxazolones were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Extensive structure-activity relationship work was carried out within this series, and a number of potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors were identified. The replacement of the methyl sulfone group on the 4-phenyl ring by a sulfonamide moiety resulted in compounds with superior in vivo antiinflammatory properties. In the sulfonamide series, the introduction of a methyl group at the 5-position of the oxazolone ring gave rise to very COX-2-selective compounds but with decreased in vivo activity. Selected 3,4-diaryloxazolones exhibited excellent activities in experimental models of arthritis and hyperalgesia. The in vivo activity of these compounds was confirmed with the evaluation of their antipyretic effectiveness and their ability to inhibit migration of proinflammatory cells. As expected from their COX-2 selectivity, most of the active compounds lacked gastrointestinal toxicity in vivo in rats after a 4-day treatment of 100 mg/kg/day. Within this novel series, sulfonamides 9-11 have been selected for further preclinical evaluation.     

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine analogues: synthesis, characterization and their in vitro antiamoebic activity

Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine analogues were synthesized by treating 3-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-amine with different sulfonyl chlorides and triethylamine in dry dichloromethane. The structure of all the compounds was elucidated by spectral data and their purity was confirmed by elemental analysis. In vitro antiamoebic activity was performed against HM1:IMSS strain of Entamoeba histolytica and two compounds, 4 (IC₅₀ = 0.57) and 6 (IC₅₀ = 0.68), were found better inhibitors than the reference drug metronidazole (IC₅₀ = 1.80). Further, both the compounds (4 and 6) were low cytotoxic against the human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line in the concentration range of 2.5–250 μM. These preliminary results reveal that pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine analogues could help in designing better molecules with enhanced antiamoebic activity.     

Novel cryptophycin antitumor agents: synthesis and cytotoxicity of fragment "B" analogues.

A general synthetic approach to novel cryptophycin analogues 6 is described. N-Hydroxysuccinimide active ester 15, a key common intermediate, was converted to beta-epoxide 6 in three steps, via initial coupling with unprotected amino acid 9, followed by deprotection/macrolactamization of acyclic precursor 16, and final oxidation of styrene 7 to install the C7-C8 beta-epoxide. Cryptophycin styrenes 7 and beta-epoxides 6, bearing diverse side chains in fragment "B", were evaluated for cytotoxic activity. beta-Epoxides 6, in general, were significantly more potent than the corresponding alpha-epoxides 17 and styrenes 7. A benzyl side chain was required for potent activity, with beta-epoxide 6u, possessing a 3-Cl,4-(dimethylamino)benzyl moiety, as the most potent cytotoxic agent prepared, with an IC(50) = 54 pM, only 2-fold less than that of Cryptophycin-52 (3).     

Amplification of the inhibitory activity and reversal of the selectivity of miglitol by C(2')-monofluorination

Selective monofluorination of the α-glycosidase inhibitor and antidiabetic agent miglitol at positions C(2') or C(6) creates competitive inhibitors of glycosidases. Introducing a fluorine substituent at position C(6) results in a reduced binding to the enzyme whereas fluorination at C(2') produces an inhibitor with an activity four times higher than the parent compound. This compound is selective for the α-galactosidase from green coffee beans. Its screening against a panel of human cell lines showed a low cytotoxicity, therefore, making this compound an interesting candidate for further clinical investigations.     

The reversal by oximes and their de oximinomethyl analogues of neuromuscular block produced by soman

A series of oximes and related compounds were assessed for their ability to restore soman-induced neuromuscular block in the isolated diaphragm preparation of the rat, guinea-pig and marmoset. In the rat the bispyridinium oximes HS6, HI6 and HS14 were superior to P2S and all other compounds tested. Conversely, in the guinea-pig, most of the compounds tested produced a good reversal of neuromuscular block. In a limited number of experiments in the marmoset, only a partial reversal of neuromuscular block, was obtained with the oximes HI6 and HS6. The restoration of neuromuscular block was due to one or more of the following factors: (i) enzyme reactivation (ii) direct action (iii) adaptation. The results of this study suggest that both the acetylcholine receptor and the rate of 'ageing' of soman inhibited AChE are different in these three species.     

Novel synthesis of pyrrolo [2,3-d] pyrimidines bearing sulfonamide moieties as potential antitumor and radioprotective agents

A novel series of pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyrimidines bearing sulfonamide moieties have been synthesized and tested for their antitumor activity. Among them, compounds 4, 8b, Bd, 8g and 14 showed promising antitumor activity. Moreover, compound 8d exhibited radioprotective activity. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established by their elemental analyses and spectral data.