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.