Search

A series of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole/oxime hybrids were synthesized and designed as potent COX inhibitors. The prepared compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and ulcerogenic activities. The results indicated that the prepared compounds exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activity with (69.60–109.60% of indomethacin activity) after 4 h. In vitro COX inhibitory assay showed that compounds 6d and 7h are potent COX inhibitors with IC 50 of (1.10–0.94) and (2.30–5.00) µM on both COX-1 and COX-2 respectively. Compound 7h was found to inhibit both COXs non-competitively with K i values of 73 µM and 89 µM. Most of the tested compounds showed ulcer-free stomachs compared to indomethacin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used medications as analgesics and antipyretics. Currently, there is a growing interest in their antitumor activity and their ability to reduce the risk and mortality of several cancers. While several studies revealed the ability of NSAIDs to induce apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis in cancer cells, their exact anticancer mechanism is not fully understood. However, both cyclooxygenase (COX)-dependent and -independent pathways were reported to have a role. In an attempt to develop new anticancer agents, a series of diphenylthiazole substituted thiazolidinone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity against a panel of cancer cell lines. Additionally, the inhibitory activity of the synthesized derivatives against COX enzymes was investigated as a potential mechanism for the anticancer activity. Cytotoxicity assay results showed that compounds 15b and 16b were the most potent anticancer agents with half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC 50 ) between 8.88 and 19.25 μM against five different human cancer cell lines. Interestingly, COX inhibition assay results were in agreement with that of the cytotoxicity assays where the most potent anticancer compounds showed good COX-2 inhibition comparable to that of celecoxib. Further support to our results were gained by the docking studies which suggested the ability of compound 15b to bind into COX-2 enzyme with low energy scores. Collectively, these results demonstrated the promising activity of the newly designed compounds as leads for subsequent development into potential anticancer agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Parkinson''s disease (PD) is known to be a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by a selective degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). A large body of experimental evidence indicates that the factors involved in the pathogenesis of this disease are several, occurring inside and outside the DAergic neuron. Recently, the role of the neuron–glia interaction and the inflammatory process, in particular, has been the object of intense study by the research community. It seems to represent a new therapeutic approach opportunity for this neurological disorder. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that the cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) is up-regulated in SNc DAergic neurons in both PD patients and animal models of PD and, furthermore, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) pre-treatment protects against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or 6 hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced nigro-striatal dopamine degeneration. Moreover, recent epidemiological studies have revealed that the risk of developing PD is reduced in humans who make therapeutical use of NSAIDs. Consequently, it is hypothesized that they might delay or prevent the onset of PD. However, whether or not these common drugs may also be of benefit to those individuals who already have Parkinson''s disease has not as yet been shown. In this paper, evidence relating to the protective effects of aspirin or other NSAIDs on DAergic neurons in animal models of Parkinson''s disease will be discussed. In addition, the pharmacological mechanisms by which these molecules can exert their neuroprotective effects will be reviewed. Finally, epidemiological data exploring the effectiveness of NSAIDs in the prevention of PD and their possible use as adjuvants in the therapy of this neurodegenerative disease will also be examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]