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The present work describes the design and synthesis of novel series of ten pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrazolo derivatives. Four compounds 3a , 3d , 4d and 4f were notable for their anti-inflammatory activity that was comparable to that of the clinically available cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib. They are even more potent than non-sterodial anti-inflammatory drug cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac sodium. Our best hit 4d appears to adopt similar binding modes to the standard COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, proposing room for possible selectivity. The in silico findings come in line with the in vitro and in vivo assay results and also suggest that these compounds have the potetntial to be COX-2 selective inhibitors since they have typical binding modes of the benchmark drug celecoxib. • Design and synthesis of novel series of pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrazolo derivatives. • The best hit, 4d with COX-1 IC 50 of 28 µM and COX-2 IC 50 of 23 µM. • 4d adopt similar binding modes to the standard COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. • 3a , 3d , 4d and 4f exhibited anti-inflammatory activity that was comparable to celecoxib. In this study, the acid chlorides of pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrimidine compounds were prepared and reacted with a number of nucleophiles. The novel compounds were experimentally tested via enzyme assay and they showed cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition activity in the middle micro molar range (4b had a COX-1 IC 50 of 26 µM and a COX-2 IC 50 of 34 µM, 3b had a COX-1 IC 50 of 19 µM and a COX-2 IC 50 of 31 µM, 3a had a COX-2 IC 50 of 42 µM). These compounds were analyzed via docking and were predicted to interact with some of the COX-2 key residues. Our best hit, 4d (COX-1 IC 50 of 28 µM, COX-2 IC 50 of 23 µM), appears to adopt similar binding modes to the standard COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, proposing room for possible selectivity. Additionally, the resultant novel compounds were tested in several in vivo assays. Four compounds 3a (COX-2 IC 50 of 42 µM), 3d , 4d and 4f were notable for their anti-inflammatory activity that was comparable to that of the clinically available COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. Interestingly, they showed greater potency than the famous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Diclofenac sodium. In summary, these novel pyrazolo[3,4- d ]pyrimidine analogues showed interesting anti-inflammatory activity and could act as a starting point for future drugs. [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]