A number of 1,5-diarylimidazole analogs were synthesized and evaluated their inhibitory activities of cyclooxygenase-2 catalyzed prostaglandin E(2) production. Reactions of 1,5-diarylimidazoles with halogenating reagents (NCS, NBS, NIS) afforded halogenated analogs. Among the analogs tested, compounds Ib, IIa, IIb and IIe exhibited significantly improved inhibitory activities against COX-2-mediated PGE(2) production from LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells compared to those of the parent 1,5-diarylimidazoles. Especially, the analogs Ib (IC(50)=0.55 μM) and IIa (IC(50)=0.58 μM) showed best results. Halogenation on the 1,5-diarylimidazole ring enhanced inhibitory activities against COX-2 catalyzed PGE(2) production, however, inhibitory activities were significantly varied by position(s) and species of the substituted halogen(s).
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