1-(3-biaryloxy-2-oxopropyl)indole-5-carboxylic acids and related compounds as dual inhibitors of human cytosolic phospholipase A2α and fatty acid amide hydrolase.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are enzymes that have emerged as attractive targets for the development of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. We recently reported that 1-[3-(4-octylphenoxy)-2-oxopropyl]indole-5-carboxylic acid (5) is a dual inhibitor of cPLA2α and FAAH. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that substituents at the indole 3- and 5-positions and replacement of the indole scaffold of this compound by other heterocycles strongly influences the inhibitory potency against cPLA2α and FAAH, respectively.

1-(5-carboxyindol-1-yl)propan-2-one inhibitors of human cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha with reduced lipophilicity: synthesis, biological activity, metabolic stability, solubility, bioavailability, and topical in vivo activity.

Indole-5-carboxylic acids with 3-aryloxy-2-oxopropyl residues in position 1 were previously reported to be potent inhibitors of human cytosolic phospholipase A(2)alpha (cPLA(2)alpha). In continuation of our attempts to develop clinical active cPLA(2)alpha inhibitors, a series of structurally related indole-5-carboxylic acids with reduced lipophilicity was synthesized and tested for cPLA(2)alpha-inhibitory potency. Furthermore, the thermodynamic solubility of these compounds and their metabolic stability in rat liver microsomes were evaluated.