Design and synthesis of 4-O-methylhonokiol analogs as inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and PGF₁ production.

A series of novel 4-O-methylhonokiol analogs were synthesized in light of revealing structure-activity relationship for inhibitory effect of COX-2 enzyme. The key strategy of the molecular design was oriented towards modification of the potential metabolic soft spots (e.g.