Novel Benzimidazole Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase 1 for the Potential Treatment of Inflammation, Pain, and Fever

J Med Chem. 2024 Dec 12;67(23):21143-21162. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01883. Epub 2024 Dec 2.

Abstract

Microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase 1 (mPGES-1) is a promising target for treating inflammatory diseases and pain. This study introduces a novel series of benzimidazoles, with the most potent analogs exhibiting IC50 values of 0.27-7.0 nM in a cell-free assay for prostaglandin (PG)E2 production. Compound 44 (AGU654) demonstrated remarkable selectivity for mPGES-1 (IC50 = 2.9 nM) over COX-1, COX-2, 5-LOX, and FLAP, along with excellent bioavailability. Metabololipidomics analysis with activated human monocyte-derived macrophages and human whole blood revealed that AGU654 selectively suppresses PGE2 production triggered by bacterial exotoxins while sparing other prostaglandins. Furthermore, in vivo studies showed that AGU654 significantly alleviated fever, inflammation, and inflammatory pain in preclinical guinea pig models, suggesting that it could be an effective strategy for managing inflammatory diseases. In conclusion, these benzimidazole derivatives warrant further exploration into new and alternative analogs, potentially uncovering novel compounds with a favorable pharmacological profile possessing significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / chemical synthesis
  • Analgesics / chemistry
  • Analgesics / pharmacology
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Benzimidazoles* / chemical synthesis
  • Benzimidazoles* / chemistry
  • Benzimidazoles* / pharmacology
  • Benzimidazoles* / therapeutic use
  • Dinoprostone / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Dinoprostone / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Fever* / drug therapy
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Inflammation* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Microsomes / drug effects
  • Microsomes / metabolism
  • Pain* / drug therapy
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases* / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Prostaglandin-E Synthases
  • Benzimidazoles
  • Analgesics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • PTGES protein, human
  • Dinoprostone
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents