Design and synthesis of novel quinazolinones conjugated ibuprofen, indole acetamide, or thioacetohydrazide as selective COX-2 inhibitors: anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anticancer activities

Novel quinazolinones conjugated with indole acetamide (4a–c), ibuprofen (7a–e), or thioacetohydrazide (13a,b, and 14a-d) were designed to increase COX-2 selectivity. The three synthesised series exhibited superior COX-2 selectivity compared with the previously reported quinazolinones and their NSAID analogue and had equipotent COX-2 selectivity as celecoxib. Compared with celecoxib, 4 b, 7c, and 13 b showed similar anti-inflammatory activity in vivo, while 13 b and 14a showed superior inhibition of the inflammatory mediator nitric oxide, and 7 showed greater antioxidant potential in macrophages cells. Moreover, all selected compounds showed improved analgesic activity and 13 b completely abolished the pain response. Additionally, compound 4a showed anticancer activity in tested cell lines HCT116, HT29, and HCA7. Docking results were consistent with COX-1/2 enzyme assay results. In silico studies suggest their high oral bioavailability. The overall findings for compounds (4a,b, 7c, 13 b, and 14c) support their potential role as anti-inflammatory agents.