Synthesis and biological studies of some novel antiinflammatory aryl-hydroxy-amino-ketones

Multitarget molecular hybrids of cinnamic acids

In an attempt to synthesize potential new multitarget agents, 11 novel hybrids incorporating cinnamic acids and paracetamol, 4-/7-hydroxycoumarin, benzocaine, p-aminophenol and m-aminophenol were synthesized. Three hybrids—2e, 2a, 2g—and 3b were found to be multifunctional agents. The hybrid 2e derived from the phenoxyphenyl cinnamic acid and m-acetamidophenol showed the highest lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition and analgesic activity (IC₅₀ = 0.34 μM and 98.1%, whereas the hybrid 3b of bromobenzyloxycinnamic acid and hymechromone exhibited simultaneously good LOX inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 50 μM) and the highest anti-proteolytic activity (IC₅₀= 5 μM). The hybrid 2a of phenyloxyphenyl acid with paracetamol showed a high analgesic activity (91%) and appears to be a promising agent for treating peripheral nerve injuries. Hybrid 2g which has an ester and an amide bond presents an interesting combination of anti-LOX and anti-proteolytic activity. The esters were found very potent and especially those derived from paracetamol and m-acetamidophenol. The amides follow. Based on 2D-structure–activity relationships it was observed that both steric and electronic parameters play major roles in the activity of these compounds. Molecular docking studies point to the fact that allosteric interactions might govern the LOX-inhibitor binding.

Structure-activity relationship of 2-oxoamide inhibition of group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 and group V secreted phospholipase A2

The Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A2 (GIVA cPLA2) is a key provider of substrates for the production of eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor. We explored the structure-activity relationship of 2-oxoamide-based compounds and GIVA cPLA2 inhibition. The most potent inhibitors are derived from delta- and gamma-amino acid-based 2-oxoamides. The optimal side-chain moiety is a short nonpolar aliphatic chain. All of the newly developed 2-oxoamides as well as those previously described have now been tested with the human Group V secreted PLA2 (GV sPLA2) and the human Group VIA calcium-independent PLA2 (GVIA iPLA2). Only one 2-oxoamide compound had appreciable inhibition of GV sPLA2, and none of the potent GIVA cPLA2 inhibitors inhibited either GV sPLA2 or GVIA iPLA2. Two of these specific GIVA cPLA2 inhibitors were also found to have potent therapeutic effects in animal models of pain and inflammation at dosages well below the control nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Inhibition of Group IVA Cytosolic Phospholipase A2by Novel 2-Oxoamides in Vitro, in Cells, and in Vivo

The Group IVA cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (GIVA PLA(2)) is a particularly attractive target for drug development because it is the rate-limiting provider of proinflammatory mediators. We previously reported the discovery of novel 2-oxoamides that inhibit GIVA PLA(2) [Kokotos, G.; et al. J. Med. Chem. 2002, 45, 2891-2893]. In the present work, we have further explored this class of inhibitors and found that the 2-oxoamide functionality is more potent when it contains a long 2-oxoacyl residue and a free carboxy group. Long-chain 2-oxoamides based on gamma-aminobutyric acid and gamma-norleucine are potent inhibitors of GIVA PLA(2). Such inhibitors act through a fast and reversible mode of inhibition in vitro, are able to block the production of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E(2) in cells, and demonstrate potent in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.

Novel syntheses of hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]ĭmidazoles and Octahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

1-Phenyl-5-(benzotriazol-1-yl)hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]ĭmidazole (18) and 1-phenyl-5-benzotriazolyloctahydroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (27) were readily prepared from succindialdehyde or glutaraldehyde, benzotriazole, and N-phenylethylenediamine. Synthons 18 and 27 reacted with Grignard reagents, allylsilanes, silyl ethers, and triethyl phosphite to produce 1-phenyl-5-substituted-hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]ĭmidazoles 20a-f, 22, 24a,b, and 25 and 1-phenyl-5-substituted-octahydroimidazo[1, 2-a]pyridines 28a-e, 32, 33a,b, and 34 in good to excellent yields. The configurations of 20, 22, 24, and 25 were determined to be cis isomers by NOE experiment, while the configurations and conformations of 28a-e, 32, 33a,b, and 34 were elucidated by (1)H-(1)H COSY and (1)H-(13)C COSY.