Nitrooxymethyl-substituted analogues of rofecoxib: synthesis and pharmacological characterization

Chem Biodivers. 2010 May;7(5):1173-82. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.200900421.

Abstract

Nitrooxymethyl-substituted derivatives of Rofecoxib were synthesized and tested for their cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibiting activity in whole human blood, vasodilator potency on rat aorta strips, and for their capacity of inhibiting platelet aggregation of human platelet-rich plasma. The results show that their potency and selectivity in inhibiting COX isoforms, as well as their anti-aggregatory properties, are closely dependent on the position at which the NO-donor nitrooxymethyl function is introduced into the Rofecoxib scaffold. All the products were capable of dilating rat aorta strips precontracted with phenylephrine in a dose-dependent manner, through a cGMP-dependent mechanism. Compound 10 emerged as a quite potent COX-2-selective inhibitor endowed with good vasodilator activity. Interestingly, compound 19 behaved as a potent selective COX-1 inhibitor, and displayed good vasodilator and anti-aggregatory properties. The hydroxymethyl derivatives, potential metabolites of the nitrooxymethyl analogues, were similarly studied for a comparison.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclooxygenase 1 / chemistry
  • Cyclooxygenase 1 / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / chemistry
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Lactones / chemical synthesis
  • Lactones / chemistry*
  • Lactones / pharmacology
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Sulfones / chemical synthesis
  • Sulfones / chemistry*
  • Sulfones / pharmacology
  • Vasodilator Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Vasodilator Agents / chemistry
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Lactones
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Sulfones
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • rofecoxib
  • Cyclooxygenase 1
  • Cyclooxygenase 2