title: Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of aminobenzophenones. A novel class of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors with high antiinflammatory activity.
abstract: We wish to report the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a series of 4-aminobenzophenones, as a novel compound class with high antiinflammatory activity. Our initial lead, (4-[(2-aminophenyl)amino]phenyl)(phenyl)methanone (3), was systematically optimized and resulted in compounds that potently inhibited the release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by LPS. One of the most potent compounds, among others, was (4-[(2-aminophenyl)amino]-2-chlorophenyl)(2-methylphenyl)methanone (45) with IC(50) values of 14 and 6 nM for the inhibition of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, respectively. Furthermore, we found these types of compounds to be potent and selective p38 MAP kinase inhibitors, e.g. 45 had an IC(50) value of 10 nM. Molecular modeling was used to rationalize our SAR data and to propose a model for the interaction of compound 45 with the p38 MAP kinase. The model involved a favorable hydrogen bond between the carbonyl group of the benzophenone and the NH of Met-109, positioning ring A in the hydrophobic pocket I of the enzyme. Good antiinflammatory effects were demonstrated in two murine models of dermatitis after topical application (oxazolone and TPA model).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicinal Chemistry, LEO Pharma, Industriparken 55, DK-2750 Ballerup, Denmark. erik.ottosen@leo-pharma.com
authors.forename: Erik Rytter
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Ottosen
authors.forename: Morten Dahl
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: Fredrik
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Björkling
authors.forename: Tine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Skak-Nielsen
authors.forename: Marianne Scheel
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Fjording
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aaes
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Binderup
mesh_terms: D000814:Aniline Compounds / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
chemical_list: C480609:4-(((2-aminophenyl)amino)-2-chlorophenyl)(2-methylphenyl)methanone; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001577:Benzophenones; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008024:Ligands; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009195:Peroxidase; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases