COX-2 Binding Site Research Articles

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of 3,4,6-triphenylpyran-2-ones as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors.

A group of regioisomeric 3,4,6-triphenylpyran-2-ones with a MeSO(2) pharmacophore at the para-position of either a C-3 phenyl or a C-4 phenyl substituent on the central six-membered pyran-2-one ring were prepared and evaluated in vitro for their abilities to inhibit the isozymes COX-1 and COX-2. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) data, acquired by substituent modification at the para-position of the C-6 phenyl ring attached to the central pyranone, showed that 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-4-phenylpyran-2-one (12e) was the most potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 IC(50) = 0.02 microM; COX-1 IC(50) > 100 microM) with a high COX-2 selectivity index (SI > 5000) relative to the reference drugs celecoxib (COX-2 IC(50) = 0.07 microM; SI = 474) and rofecoxib (COX-2 IC(50) = 0.50 microM; SI > 200). 6-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-4-phenylpyran-2-one (12e) was a more potent oral antiinflammatory agent (ID(50) = 5.6 mg/kg) than celecoxib (ID(50) = 10.8 mg/kg) in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. In a 4% NaCl-induced abdominal constriction assay, a 5 mg/kg oral dose of 12e exhibited good analgesic activity at different time intervals producing 37.5 and 69% inhibition of writhing at 30 and 60 min, respectively. In contrast, the corresponding 6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-phenylpyran-2-one regiosiomer (12o) was a less potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 IC(50) = 0.45 microM; SI = 70). A molecular modeling study for 12e indicated that the p-OMe substituent on the C-6 phenyl ring interacts with the COX-2 binding site amino acids Ile(345), Val(349), Leu(359), Leu(531), and Met(535) and that the OMe substituent may be responsible for proper orientation of the C-3 p-SO(2)Me-phenyl ring within the COX-2 secondary pocket (Gln(192), Arg(513), and Phe(518)). These results show that the COX-2 selectivity and potency of 3,4,6-triphenylpyranone regioisomers can be modulated by appropriate placement of the p-SO(2)Me pharmacophore on either the C-3 or C-4 phenyl moiety. In addition, electronic properties at the para-position of a C-6 phenyl substituent on the central pyranone ring govern COX-2 inhibitory potency and selectivity by controlling the orientation of the p-SO(2)Me pharmacophore within the COX-2 secondary pocket.

Design and synthesis of novel celecoxib analogues as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors: replacement of the sulfonamide pharmacophore by a sulfonylazide bioisostere

A group of celecoxib analogues in which the para-SO2NH2 substituent on the N1-phenyl ring was replaced by a para-sulfonylazido (SO2N3) 4, or a meta-SO2N38, substituent were designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition studies showed that 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonyl azide (4) with a para-SO2N3 substituent was a selective COX-1 inhibitor. In contrast, 3-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonyl azide (8a) having a meta-SO2N3 substituent (COX-1 IC50 >100μM; COX-2 IC50=5.16μM; COX-2 selectivity index >19.3) is a selective COX-2 inhibitor. A molecular modeling (docking) study showed that the SO2N3 group of 8a inserts deep inside the secondary pocket of the COX-2 binding site. The SO2N3 moiety of 8a can undergo a dual H-bonding interaction via one of its SO2 oxygen-atoms, and an electrostatic (ion–ion) interaction via the terminal azido (N3) nitrogen-atom, to the guanidino NH2 of Arg513 in the secondary pocket of COX-2. These observations indicate that an appropriately positioned SO2N3 moiety is a novel alternative bioisostere to the traditional SO2NH2 and SO2Me pharmacophores present in selective COX-2 inhibitors, that are only capable of H-bonding interactions with the COX-2 isozyme, for use in drug design.

Design, syntheses, and evaluation of 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones and oxime derivatives as potential cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors with analgesic‐antiinflammatory activity

AbstractA group of 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐enes having a variety of substituents at the para‐position of the C‐2 phenyl ring (H, F), and C‐3 phenyl ring (H, F, SMe, SOMe, SO2Me), in conjunction with either a C‐1 carbonyl, oxime, oxime acetate, benzoyl hydrazone, or hydrogen substituent were synthesized for in vivo evaluation as analgesic and antiinflammatory (AI) agents, and as potential selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors. This group of cycloprop‐2‐ene compounds exhibited significant analgesic activity, since 4% NaCl‐induced abdominal constriction was reduced by 43–90% at 30 min, and 41–100% at 60 min, after drug administration relative to the reference drugs aspirin and celecoxib (58% and 32% inhibition at 30 min after drug administration) for a 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal dose. AI activities, determined using the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema assay, showed that this class of cycloprop‐2‐ene compounds exhibited AI activities in the inactive‐to‐modest activity range (0–26% inhibition) for a 50 mg/kg oral dose. The AI potency order for a group of 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐enes with respect to the C‐1 substituent was oxime>hydrogen>carbonyl>benzoyl hydrazone. 2,3‐Diphenylcycloprop‐2‐en‐1‐one oxime (20) was the most active AI agent, inducing a 26% reduction in inflammation, relative to the reference drugs ibuprofen and celecoxib, which showed 52% and 58% reductions in inflammation, at 5 h after drug administration. In vitro COX‐1 and COX‐2 inhibition studies showed that 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐en‐1‐one oxime (20) is a selective COX‐2 inhibitor (COX‐1 IC50>100 μM; COX‐2 IC50=2.94 μM; COX‐2 selectivity index>34). A molecular modeling study that docked the oxime (20) in the active site of the human COX‐2 isozyme showed that it binds in the vicinity of the mouth of the COX‐2 binding site with the O‐atom of the oxime (=N–OH) moiety separated from the NH2 group of Arg120 by about 3.65 Å. This orientation of the oxime compound (20) in the COX‐2 binding site could be due to a potentially strong ionic interaction between the =NOH oxime moiety and the guanidinium moiety of Arg120. Drug Dev. Res. 57:6–17, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Design, syntheses, and evaluation of novel 1,1‐dihalo‐2,3‐diphenylcyclopropanes as potential cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors with analgesic‐antiinflammatory activity

AbstractA group of (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,1‐dihalo‐2‐(4‐substituted‐phenyl)‐3‐phenylcyclopropane [(Z)‐10, (E)‐11] stereoisomers having a variety of substituents (H, Br, Cl, F, NO2, SO2Me) at the para‐position of the C‐2 phenyl ring in conjunction with either two chloro or bromo substituents at C‐1 were synthesized for in vivo evaluation as analgesic and antiinflammatory (AI) agents, and as potential selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors. This group of compounds (10‐11) exhibited significant analgesic activity since 4% NaCl‐induced abdominal constriction was reduced by 44–73% at 30 min, and 48–77% at 60 min, post‐drug administration relative to the reference drugs aspirin and celecoxib (58 and 32% inhibition at 30 min post‐drug administration) for a 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal dose. In the 1,1‐dichloro group of compounds, a Cl or MeSO2 substituent at the para‐position of the C‐2 phenyl ring generally provided superior analgesic activity. The most active analgesic compound, (E)‐1,1‐dichloro‐2‐(4‐methanesufonylphenyl)‐3‐phenylcyclopropane (11h) inhibited abdominal constriction by 72 and 77% at 30 and 60 min post‐drug administration, respectively. AI activities, determined using the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema assay, showed that this class of (Z)‐10 and (E)‐11 compounds exhibited AI activities in the inactive‐to‐moderate activity range (1.5–45% inhibition) for a 50 mg/kg oral dose. The AI potency order, with respect to the para‐substitutent on the C‐2 phenyl ring, for the (Z)‐10 compounds was NO2 > MeSO2 ≈ H ≥ Cl, and for the (E)‐11 compounds was H ≥ MeSO2 > Cl ≈ Br. (E)‐1,1‐dibromo‐2‐(4‐methanesufonylphenyl)‐3‐phenylcyclopropane (11l), which was the most active AI compound, reduced inflammation by 45 and 37% at 3 and 5 h post‐drug administration, respectively. The (E)‐11 stereoisomer was generally a more potent AI agent than the corresponding (Z)‐10 stereoisomer. In vitro COX‐1 and COX‐2 inhibition studies showed that (E)‐1,1‐dichloro‐2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐phenylcyclopropane (11c) inhibited COX‐1 (IC50 = 278.8 μM) and COX‐2 (IC50 = 80.5 μM) for a COX‐2 selectivity index of 3.5, whereas (E)‐1,1‐dichloro‐2‐(4‐methanesulfonylphenyl)‐3‐phenylcyclopropane (11h) was a more potent inhibitor of COX‐1 and COX‐2, but it was more selective for COX‐1 (COX‐1 IC50 = 0.59 μM, COX‐2 IC50 = 3.04 μM). A molecular modeling (docking) study for (E)‐1,1‐dichloro‐2‐(4‐methanesulfonylphenyl)‐3‐phenylcyclopropane (11h) on the active site of the human COX‐2 isozyme shows it binds in the center of the active site with the 1,1‐dichloro substituents oriented in the direction of the mouth of the channel towards Arg120, and the C‐2 MeSO2 moiety oriented towards the apex of the active site with the S‐atom of the MeSO2 substituent positioned about 6.56 Å inside the entrance to the secondary pocket (Val523) of COX‐2. In contrast, the corresponding (Z)‐10h stereoisomer assumes a different position in the COX‐2 binding site where the S‐atom of the MeSO2 moiety is near (4.02 Å) the Ser530 OH, but a much greater distance from the COX‐2 secondary pocket (Val523). The results from these docking studies are consistent with the observation that (E)‐11h is an inhibitor of both COX isozymes, whereas the (Z)‐10h stereoisomer is an inactive COX inhibitor (COX‐1 IC50 > 100 μM, COX‐2 IC50 > 200 μM). Drug Dev. Res. 55:79–90, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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.

Design and syntheses of methyl 2‐methyl‐2‐[2‐(4‐benzoyl‐5‐phenyl‐7‐halo‐2‐azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐3‐ene)]acetates: novel inhibitors of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) with analgesic‐antiinflammatory activity

A group of methyl 2-methyl-2-[2-(4-benzoyl-5-phenyl-7-halo-2-azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept-3-ene)]acetates (10-15), and the related acetamide derivative (16), that possess a variety of C-7 substituents (Br, Cl, F, H), were designed for evaluation as analgesic-antiinflammatory agents. The effect of the C-7 substituent(s) and the nature of the acetic acid ester (R 1 = OMe) or acetamide (R 1 = NH 2 ) moiety on analgesic activity was determined using a 4% NaCI-induced abdominal constriction assay. Compounds 10-16 inhibited writhing by 36-82%, relative to the reference drugs aspirin (58% inhibition) and celecoxib (62% inhibition). The nature of the C-7 substituents was a determinant of analgesic activity in the 7,7-dihalo group of compounds where the relative activity profile was 7-Cl 2 > 7-Br 2 > 7-F 2 > 7-Cl,7-F, and for 7-monohalo compounds where the potency order was 7-Br > 7-Cl. Elaboration of the 7,7-dibromo methyl acetate ester (10) to the corresponding acetamide derivative (16) enhanced analgesic activity. The nature of the 7-halo substituent(s) in the 7,7-dihalo group of compounds was a determinant of antiinflammatory activity, determined using the carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay, where the relative potency order was 7-Br 2 > 7-Cl 2 > 7-F 2 > 7-Cl,7-F. The most potent 7,7-dibromo compound (10) inhibited inflammation by 62%, relative to the reference drug ibuprofen (44%), and 10 inhibited COX-2 (IC 50 = 26.4 μM) and COX-1 (IC 50 = 227 μM) for a COX-2 selectivity index of 8.6. Docking 10 in the active site of human COX-2 showed it binds in the center of the COX-2 binding site with the C-5 phenyl ring oriented toward the acetylation site (Ser 530 ), and the phenyl group of the C-4 benzoyl moiety oriented in the vicinity of the COX-2 secondary binding pocket near Val 523 .

Molecular model of the interaction between nimesulide and human cyclooxygenase-2.

The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoenzyme is a key target for COX-2-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). An important difference in binding of nimesulide compared with non-selective NSAIDs appears to involve the amino acid at position 523 of the enzyme. Replacement of valine with isoleucine at this position provides access to a binding site that is larger in COX-2 than in COX-1. Nimesulide appears to exploit this enlarged binding site for establishing a number of favourable contacts with the enzyme that lead to selective inhibition of COX-2. We made these conclusions from a three-dimensional molecular model of the active site of human COX-2, constructed using the X-ray coordinates of COX-1 from sheep seminal vesicles and COX-2 from mouse fibroblasts as templates, with the aid of sequence alignment methods and molecular modelling techniques. The resulting model was refined, and the active site was probed for regions of steric and electrostatic complementarity for ligand binding. Docking studies were then undertaken with many different nimesulide conformers, a family of which could establish very favourable interactions with the NSAID binding site of human COX-2 by exploiting the extra space made available by the isoleucine/valine replacement. The stability of the resulting complexes was studied by simulating molecular dynamics.