Synthesis and biological evaluation of new nicotinate derivatives as potential anti-inflammatory agents targeting COX-2 enzyme.

Abstract Two novel series derived from nicotinic acid were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenases COX-1 and COX-2, and their selectivity indices were determined. Celecoxib, diclofenac and indomethacin were used as reference drugs. All compounds showed highly potent COX-2 inhibitory activity and higher selectivity towards COX-2 inhibition compared to indomethacin. In addition, these compounds except 3a showed clear preferential COX-2 over COX-1 inhibition compared to diclofenac. Compounds 3b, 3e, 4c and 4f showed COX-2 inhibitory activity equipotent to celecoxib. Compounds 4c and 4f demonstrated selectivity indices 1.8-1.9 fold higher than celecoxib. These two most potent and COX-2 selective compounds were further tested in vivo for anti-inflammatory activity by means of carrageenan induced rat paw edema method. Ulcerogenic activity with histopathological studies were performed. The results showed no ulceration, which implies their safe gastric profile. Compound 4f exhibited the most potent in vivo anti-inflammatory activity comparable to all reference drugs. Further, compounds 4c and 4f were investigated for their influence on certain inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β in addition to PEG2. The findings revealed that these candidates could be identified as promising potent anti-inflammatory agents. Molecular docking of 4c and 4f in the COX-2 active site was performed to rationalize their COX-2 inhibitory potency. The results were found to be in line with the biological findings as they exerted more favorable interactions compared to that of celecoxib, explaining their remarkable COX-2 inhibitory activity.