Dual inhibitors are drugs able to block both the COX and the 5-LOX metabolic pathways. The interest of developing such compounds is supported by a large number of pharmacological studies. Compared to COX or LOX pathways single inhibitors, dual inhibitors present at least two major advantages. First, dual inhibitors, by acting on the two major arachidonic acid metabolic pathways, possess a wide range of anti-inflammatory activity. Secondly, dual inhibitors appear to be almost exempt from gastric toxicity, which is the most troublesome side effect of COX inhibitors. The mechanism of their gastric-sparing properties is not completely understood, although it has been demonstrated that leukotrienes significantly contribute to the gastric epithelial injury. Finally, both COX and LOX derivatives (prostanoids and leukotrienes, respectively) are involved in other diseases than inflammation such as cancer proliferation where the use of dual inhibitors could be an interesting approach.

Platelet aggregation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of thromboembolic diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina and peripheral artery disease. Until recently, aspirin was the only antiplatelet agent available to prevent or treat these events. Over the past several years, there has been a substantial expansion in the antiplatelet armamentarium as well as in the understanding of the clinical importance of antiplatelet therapy in limiting the complications of thrombosis. Aspirin was one of the first agents to be adopted and it remains as the standard therapy with the higher amount of available clinical information. Following aspirin, ADP receptor antagonists like ticlopidine and clopidogrel as well as phosphodiesterase inhibitors dipyridamole and cilostazol have been introduced. Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists like eptifibatide, tirofiban and abciximab are the newer antiplatelet agents which act at the end of the common pathway of platelet aggregation. Although results of clinical studies with the first oral GPIIb/IIIa antagonists were disappointing, agents of the new generation might expand the potential application of GPIIb/IIIa targeted therapy. This review will highlight recent advances in the development of aspirin, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, ADP receptor antagonists and the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. The emphasis of this paper has been placed on the chemical aspects of these agents.

No abstract

A series of 4‐(arylsulphonylaminocarbonylamino)‐3,4‐dihydro‐2,2‐dimethyl‐2 H‐1‐benzo‐pyran derivatives were prepared and evaluated as potential ATP‐sensitive potassium‐channel activators. Pharmacological studies showed that some compounds expressed vasodilator efficacy on vascular smooth muscle. The compounds had no inhibitory activity on insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells.

No abstract