Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a new series of COX-2 selective inhibitors: 1,5-diarylimidazoles

J Med Chem. 2003 Jul 31;46(16):3463-75. doi: 10.1021/jm030765s.

Abstract

The synthesis and the pharmacological activity of a series of 1,5-diarylimidazoles developed as potent and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are described. The new compounds were evaluated both in vitro (COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition in human whole blood) and in vivo (carrageenan-induced paw edema, air-pouch, and hyperalgesia tests). Modification of all the positions of two regioisomeric imidazole cores led to the identification of 4-[4-chloro-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (UR-8880, 51f) as the best candidate, which is now undergoing Phase I clinical trials.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / chemical synthesis*
  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Arthritis, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Dinoprostone / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Models, Molecular
  • Pain Measurement
  • Peptic Ulcer / chemically induced
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Lew
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / chemical synthesis*
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology

Substances

  • 4-(4-chloro-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)imidazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide
  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Imidazoles
  • Isoenzymes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Sulfonamides
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • Dinoprostone