Inhibitory effects of N-(substituted benzoylamino)-4-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines on nitric oxide generation in stimulated raw 264.7 macrophages.

There has been great interest in reactive nitrogen intermediates and nitric oxide production in macrophages, particularly because of their contributory role in several pathophysiological conditions during acute and chronic inflammation. Several N-(substituted benzoylamino)-4-ethyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines were previously synthesized as potential antiinflammatory agents. In the present study, the effects of four previously synthesized tetrahydropyridines (THPs) on cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 were screened and the effects of these compounds on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced (2 micrograms/ml) nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages were examined. 4-Bromo THP showed 9.4 microM of IC50 as the most potent derivative among the tested THPs followed by 4-nbuthyl, 4-fuoro, and 4-methyl THP with IC50 values of 30.9, 38.9 and 80.3 microM, respectively (indomethacin IC50 = 53.8 microM). None of the tested compounds showed cytotoxic effects to the RAW 264.7 macrophages. All of the tested THPs exhibited COX-1 and COX-2 nonselective inhibition. These results suggest that previously synthesized THP derivatives may have dual effects through inhibiting both COX and nitric oxide by inhibiting iNOS.