Papers of the Week

A series of NSAIDs hybrid molecules were synthesized and characterized, and their ability to inhibit NO release in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages was evaluated. Most of the compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in vitro, of which (2E,6Z,9Z,12Z,15Z)-1,1,1-trifluorohenicosa-2,6,9,12,15-pentaen-2-yl 2-(4-benzoylphenyl) propanoate (VI-60) was the most optimal (IC = 3.85 ± 0.25 μΜ) and had no cytotoxicity. In addition, VI-60 notably reduced the production of PGE in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells compared to ketoprofen. Futhur more, VI-60 significantly inhibited the expression of iNOS, cPLA, and COX-2 and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The binding of VI-60 to cPLA and COX-2 was directly verified by the CETSA technique. In vivo studies illustrated that VI-60 exerted an excellent therapeutic effect on adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats by regulating the balance between Th17 and Treg through inhibiting the p38 MAPK/cPLA/COX-2/PGE pathway. Encouragingly, VI-60 showed a lower ulcerative potential in rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg compared to ketoprofen. In conclusion, the hybrid molecules of NSAIDs and trifluoromethyl enols are promising candidates worthy of further investigation for the treatment of inflammation, pain, and other symptoms in which cPLA and COX-2 play a role in their etiology.