The pyrrole moiety as a template for COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors

Aroyl- and thiophene-substituted pyrrole derivatives have been synthesized as a new class of COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors. The inhibition of COX-1 was evaluated in a biological system using bovine PMNLs as the enzyme source, whereas LPS-stimulated human monocytes served as the enzyme source for inducible COX-2. The determination of the concentration of arachidonic acid metabolites was performed by HPLC for COX-1 and RIA for COX-2. Variation of the substitution pattern led to a series of active compounds which showed inhibition for COX-1 and COX-2. Structural requirements for the development of COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors are discussed.