Neuroprotective effect of novel celecoxib derivatives against spinal cord injury via attenuation of COX-2, oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation

A novel series of celecoxib derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cyclooxygenase (COX-1/COX-2) in-hibitory activities for benefit in spinal cord injury (SCI). The title compounds were synthesized by conventional methods in good yields and subsequently tested for inhibitory activity against COX-1/COX-2. The most potent COX-2 inhibitor among the tested derivatives was further assayed for protective effect against experimental SCI of Sprague-Dawley rats. The designed compounds showed considerable inhibition of COX-2 as compared to COX -1 revealing compound 7m as most potent inhibitor of COX-2 isoenzyme (IC50 = 0.04 mu M). The expression of mitochondrial apoptotic genes (Bcl-2 and Bax) together with COX-2 and iNOS was restored near to normal as evidenced by western blot analysis in SCI rats. Taken altogether, compound 7m was identified as most potent inhibitor of COX-2. It also showed protective action against SCI via attenuation of COX-2, oxidative stress and apoptosis and inflammation in Male Sprague-Dawley rats.