Design, synthesis and biological screening of new 4-thiazolidinone derivatives with promising COX-2 selectivity, anti-inflammatory activity and gastric safety profile.

Two series of new thiazolidin-4-one derivatives 4a-c and 8a-e were designed and prepared. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro COX-2 selectivity and anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Compounds 8c and 8d showed the best overall in vitro COX-2 selectivity (selectivity indexes of 4.56 and 5.68 respectively) and in vivo activities (edema inhibition %=61.8 and 67 after 3h, respectively) in comparison with the reference drug celecoxib (S.I.=7.29, edema inhibition %=60 after 3h). In addition, 8c and 8d were evaluated for their mean effective anti-inflammatory doses (ED50=27.7 and 18.1 μmol/kg respectively, celecoxib ED50=28.2 μmol/kg) and ulcerogenic liability (reduction in ulcerogenic potential versus celecoxib=85%, 92% respectively. Molecular docking studies were performed and the results were in agreement with that obtained from the in vitro COX inhibition assays.