Eight new sulfonilamidothienopyrimidinone derivatives (1-8) were synthesized and evaluated for their antiinflammatory activity on the human keratinocyte line NCTC 2544. The potential anti-inflammatory activity of the derivatives (1-8) was evaluated by determining, through Western blot, the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and the release of prostaglandins (PG)E₂ and interleukin- 8 (IL-8). Moreover, through ELISA assay, the release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin- 8 (IL-8) was analyzed.

Our results demonstrated that the derivatives 3, 5, 6 and 8 act as excellent inhibitors of inflammatory markers: iNOS, COX-2, ICAM-1, MCP-1, and IL-8. These findings could be useful for the development of new drugs for the treatment of various inflammatory pathologies.

Anti-inflammatory activity, cell cultures, COX-2 inhibitors, cytokine, immuno-modulatory membrane molecules, keratinocytes NCTC 2544, nitric oxide, pyrimidin-4-one system.

Department of Biomedical (Physiology), University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6-95125 Catania, Italy.