title: Synthesis, anti-inflammatory activity, and in vitro antitumor effect of a novel class of cyclooxygenase inhibitors: 4-(aryloyl)phenyl methyl sulfones.
abstract: Following our previous research on anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), we report on the design and synthesis of 4-(aryloyl)phenyl methyl sulfones. These substances were characterized for their capacity to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) isoenzymes. Molecular modeling studies showed that the methylsulfone group of these compounds was inserted deep in the pocket of the human COX-2 binding site, in an orientation that precludes hydrogen bonding with Arg120, Ser353, and Tyr355 through their oxygen atoms. The N-arylindole 33 was the most potent inhibitor of COX-2 and also the most selective (COX-1/COX-2 IC(50) ratio was 262). The indole derivative 33 was further tested in vivo for its anti-inflammatory activity in rats. This compound showed greater inhibitory activity than ibuprofen. Other compounds (20, 26, 9, and 30) showed strong activity against carrageenan-induced inflammation. The latter compounds showed a weak capacity to inhibit the proliferation of human cell lines K562, NCI-H460, and HT-29 in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Laboratori de Química Farmacèutica (Unitat Associada al CSIC), Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Youssef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Harrak
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Casula
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Basset
authors.forename: Glòria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosell
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Plescia
authors.forename: Demetrio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raffa
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cusimano
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pouplana
authors.forename: Maria Dolors
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pujol
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1 / Q000737:chemistry; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007211:Indoles / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008958:Models, Molecular; D051381:Rats; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013450:Sulfones / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D013450:Sulfones; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1