Development of Novel Pyrrole Derivatives and Their Cinnamic Hybrids as Dual COX-2/LOX Inhibitors

Molecular hybridization has emerged as a promising approach in the treatment of diseases exhibiting multifactorial etiology. With regard to this, dual cyclooxygenase-2/lipoxygenase (COX-2/LOX) inhibitors could be considered a safe alternative to traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs) and selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Taking this into account, six novel pyrrole derivatives and pyrrole-cinnamate hybrids were developed as potential COX-2 and soybean LOX (sLOX) inhibitors with antioxidant activity. In silico calculations were performed to predict their ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity) properties and drug-likeness, while lipophilicity was experimentally determined as R_M values. All synthesized compounds (1-4, 5-8) could be described as drug-like. The results from the docking studies on COX-2 were in accordance with the in vitro studies. According to molecular docking studies on soybean LOX, the compounds displayed allosteric interactions with the enzyme. Pyrrole 2 appeared to be the most potent s-LOX inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 7.5 μM). Hybrids 5 and 6 presented a promising combination of in vitro LOX (IC₅₀ for 5 = 30 μM, IC₅₀ for 6 = 27.5 μM) and COX-2 (IC₅₀ for 5 = 0.55 μM, IC₅₀ for 6 = 7.0 μM) inhibitory activities, and therefore could be used as the lead compounds for the synthesis of more effective multi-target agents.