Toward the development of chemoprevention agents (III): synthesis and anti-inflammatory activities of a new class of 5-glycylamino-2-substituted-phenyl-1,3-dioxacycloalkanes.

A new series of 5-glycylamino-2-substituted-phenyl-1,3-dioxacycloalkanes were designed and synthesized. The anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds were tested using the xylene-induced mouse ear edema model. Sixteen of these new compounds exhibited comparable or better anti-inflammatory activities than aspirin suggesting that they can be further developed as potential anti-inflammatory drug leads. In addition, treatment with these anti-inflammatory agents did not prolong tail bleeding time in mice. The structure/activity relationships were also analyzed among these compounds. Considering their good efficacy and safety profiles, some 5-glycylamino-2-substituted-phenyl-1,3-dioxacycloalkanes are worthy to be explored further in assessing the possible link between anti-inflammation and cancer prevention.