The synthesis and the pharmacological activity of a series of 1,5-diarylimidazoles developed as potent and selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors are described. The new compounds were evaluated both in vitro (COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition in human whole blood) and in vivo (carrageenan-induced paw edema, air-pouch, and hyperalgesia tests). Modification of all the positions of two regioisomeric imidazole cores led to the identification of 4-[4-chloro-5-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)imidazol-1-yl]benzenesulfonamide (UR-8880, 51f) as the best candidate, which is now undergoing Phase I clinical trials.

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The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a new series of potent AT1 selective diphenylpropionic acid nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists are reported. The new compounds were evaluated for in vitro AT1 (rat liver) and AT2 (rat adrenal) binding affinity as well as for in vivo inhibition of angiotensin II-induced increase in mean arterial blood pressure in pithed rats. Unsaturation of the diphenylpropionic acids as well as substitution or replacement by alkyl groups of the pendant phenyl ring resulted in a decrease of potency. On the other hand, the presence of small alkyl groups in the alpha-position to the carboxylic acid was important for activity, with one of the resultant diastereoisomers (R*,R*) being ca. 10-fold more active than the other (R*,S*). Oral evaluation of the most active compounds in a furosemide-treated sodium-depleted rat model showed that compound 36g (UR-7198) reduced blood pressure dose dependently. This compound showed in vitro and iv potencies similar to that of the reference compound losartan but faster onset of action and somewhat greater oral activity, presumably due to its improved bioavailability.

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A new series of 2,2-dialkylnaphthalen-1-one potassium channel activators has been prepared, and their in vitro relaxant activities in isolated rat portal vein and guinea pig tracheal spirals as well as their oral antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats have been evaluated. The group of 1,2-dihydro-4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-2,2-dimethylnaphthalen -1- ones with an electron-withdrawing substituent at the 6-position contain the most active compounds and 1,2-dihydro-4-(1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-1-pyridyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1-oxonaphtha lene-6- carbonitrile, 17f (UR-8225), has been selected for further pharmacological development.