Inhibitors of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 enzyme as emerging anti-inflammatory candidates

Cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) into PGH2 that is further metabolized by terminal prostaglandin (PG) synthases into biologically active PGs, for example, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostacyclin I2 (PGI2), thromboxane A2 (TXA2), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α). Among them, PGE2 is a widely distributed PG in the human body, and an important mediator of inflammatory processes. The successful modulation of this PG provides a beneficial strategy for the potential anti-inflammatory therapy. For instance, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), both classical nonselective (cNSAIDs) and the selective COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs) attenuate the generation of PGH2 from AA that in turn reduces the synthesis of PGE2 and modifies the inflammatory conditions. However, the long-term use of these agents causes severe side effects due to the nonselective inhibition of other PGs, such as PGI2 and TXA2, etc. Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 (mPGES-1), a downstream PG synthase, specifically catalyzes the biosynthesis of COX-2-derived PGE2 from PGH2, and describes itself as a valuable therapeutic target for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory disease conditions. Therefore, the small molecule inhibitors of mPGES-1 would serve as a beneficial anti-inflammatory therapy, with reduced side effects that are usually associated with the nonselective inhibition of PG biosynthesis.