In this paper, a novel series of imidazole-based heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitors is reported. These compounds were obtained by modifications of previously described high potent and selective arylethanolimidazoles. In particular, simplification of the central linker and repositioning of the hydrophobic portion were carried out. Results indicate that a hydroxyl group in the central region is crucial for the potency as well as the spatial distribution of the hydrophobic portion. Docking studies revealed a similar interaction of the classical HO-1 inhibitors with the active site of the protein. The most potent and selective compound (5a) was tested for its potential cytotoxic activity against hormone-sensitive and hormone-resistant breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).
Keywords: HO-1; anticancer; heme oxygenase; imidazole; inhibitors; structure–activity relationships.