Design, synthesis and evaluation of aspirin analogues having an additional carboxylate substituent for antithrombotic activity.

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is an effective long-term prophylaxis of thrombotic events such as heart attacks and strokes. It covalently inhibits prostaglandin-H-synthase by interacting with Arg120 or Tyr385 at the active site allowing delivery of its acetyl group to Ser530. However the structure has not been optimized to fit the active site. We have designed acetylsalicylate analogues with an additional carboxylate substituent which allows simultaneous interaction with Arg120 and Tyr385 whilst positioning the acetyl group in close proximity to Ser530. One of these, an ester derivative which unlike acetylsalicylic acid is non-acidic, may act as useful lead compound for further exploitation of this approach.