Discovery and characterization of the N-phenyl-N'-naphthylurea class of p38 kinase inhibitors
- Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2009 May 1;19(9):2386-91. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.03.104.
- 1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical, Inc., 900 Ridgebury Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877, USA.
An effort aimed at exploring structural diversity in the N-pyrazole-N'-naphthylurea class of p38 kinase inhibitors led to the synthesis and characterization of N-phenyl-N'-naphthylureas. Examples of these compounds displayed excellent inhibition of TNF-alpha production in vitro, as well as efficacy in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide induced endotoxemia. In addition, perspective is provided on the role of a sulfonamide functionality in defining inhibitor potency.