Scientific paper Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Activity of New N-Acyl-2-pyrazolines Bearing Homologous Alkyloxy Side Chains Asghar Abbas and Muhammad Moazzam Naseer Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad-45320, Pakistan. * Corresponding author: E-mail: profazmi@hotmail.com (AA), moazzam@ qau.edu.pk (MMN) Tel.; +92 51 90642129; fax: +92 51 90642241. Received: 03-04-2014 Abstract A series of new pyrazoline derivatives (1a-2h) equipped with N-acyl arms and homologous alkyloxy side chains were synthesized and characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data and microanalysis. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity to examine the effect of alkyloxy side chain length on activity. Compounds with odd number of carbons in alkyloxy side chain showed better activity as compared to even ones. Compound 2c (96% inhibition, IC50 = 173.06 ± 2.312 mM) was found to be the most active compound of the series with better activity than the standard (Indomethacine, 92% inhibition, IC50 = 273.12 ± 2.33 mM). Compound 1a (86%, IC50 = 296.16 ± 2.091 mM) was the second best with comparable activity to the standard drug. However, the other compounds of series showed moderate to low activity. Interestingly, parallel cytotoxicity studies of compounds 1a-2h against PC-3 cell line revealed either no or very low cytotoxicity. The study may contribute in developing useful alternatives to presently used NSAIDs with harmful gastric effects due to direct cytotoxicity. Keywords: N-Acyl-2-pyrazolines, synthesis, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity 1. Introduction Pyrazolines being a member of five memebered he-terocycles family, represent a class of compounds having immense importance in heterocyclic chemistry. Pyrazoline is a dihydropyrazole having two nitrogen atoms in adjacent positions and possessing only one endocyclic double bond. Considerable interest on the pyrazoline structure has been focused in the field of medicinal chemistry. Among all the pyrazolines, 2-pyrazoline has gained much attention due to its broad spectrum biological activities1-3 such as antiamoebic,4-7 antimycobacterial,5 antibacte-rial/antifungal,6 anti-inflammatory,8 anticancer,9,10 antidepressant,11,12 neuroprotector,13,14 antiviral15,16 and anti-obesity17 and its presence in a number of pharmacologically active molecules such as azolid/ tandearil (anti-inflammatory), phenazone/ amidopyrene/ methampyrone (analgesic and antipyretic), anturane (uricosuric) and in-doxacarb (insecticidal). Although, a number of pyrazoli-ne-based new compounds have been made and patented in recent years possessing diverse biological activities 1-3 but still it is an active area of research18-23 and many new aspects need to be explored and worked on. Inflammation occurs as a defensive biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli resulting in some physiological adaptations to minimize tissue damage and initiate the healing process.24-26 Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually used to treat inflammation. The delay in treatment may lead to vasomotor rhinnorrhoea, rheumatoid arthritis, and atheroscle-rosis.27 NSAIDs inhibit the activity of both cyclooxygena-se-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which are the key enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of prosta-glandin from arachidonic acid.28,29 Such inhibition reduces the levels of protection resulting in harmful gastric ef-fects.30 Therefore, most of the presently used NSAIDs are not very useful in all inflammatory disorders.31 However, it has recently been found that harmful gastric effects of NSAIDs are not related to PGE2 inhibition but are rather due to the direct cytotoxicity in the stomach to gastric cells.32,33 Therefore, new anti-inflammatory agents with no/less such adverse gastric effects are needed. As a conti- nuation of our ongoing project on synthesis and applications of pyrazolines,34-37 herein, we report the synthesis of some new anti-inflammatory N-acyl pyrazolines bearing homologous alkyloxy side chains with almost negligible cytotoxicity. 2. Results and Discussion 2. 1. Chemistry The compounds 1a-2h were synthesized by reflu-xing an equimolar mixture of (£)-3-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-1-phenylprop-2-en-1-ones (1-8)38 and hydrazine in the respective solvents such as glacial acetic acid and propionic acid containing catalytic amount of hydrochloric acid (Scheme 1 & 2) and purified by silica gel column chroma- tography using petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (4:1) as mobile phase. All the products were obtained as solids in 81-89% yield. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were deduced by their spectroscopic (IR, 1H NMR & 13C NMR) and elemental analyses data. In the IR spectra of compounds (1a-2h), a sharp band at 1647-1633 cm-1 and 1688-1675 cm-1 was assigned to the stretching of v(C=N) and v(C=O), respectively.34-37,39-41 The carbon-nitrogen single bond (C-N) stretching frequencies were observed at 1298-1290 cm-1. The presence of these frequencies suggests the formation of cyclization product. Two strong bands at stretching frequencies in the range of 1259-1250 cm-1 and 1056-1042 cm-1 indicate the presence of Ar-O-R group. The formation of the five membered pyrazoline ring was further confirmed by the presence of three doublet of doublets due to CH, V, , NaOH/H^O/Llhanol RT, Stir 6-8 I) la, 2a: R=CH3; le,2c: R=CsHn lb, 2b: R=C2H5; If, 21: R=C()HI3 lc, 2c: R-C3H7; 1g,2g: R=C7HI5 Id, 2d: R=C4H9; lh,2h: R=CSHI7 Scheme 1. Synthesis of 2-functionalised pyrazolines 1a-2h. Scheme 2. Proposed mechanism for the synthesis of 2-functionalised pyrazolines 1a-2h two methylene protons (Ha and Hb) and one methine proton (Hx) in :H NMR spectroscopy. The methyl protons of acetyl group (O=C-CH3) were observed at 2.43 ppm as singlet for compounds 1a-1h, whereas a triplet and quartet at 1.20-1.22 and 2.83-2.84 ppm was noticed for methyl protons (O=C-CH2-CH3) and the methylene protons (O=C-CH2-CH3), respectively for propionyl group of compounds 2a-2h. A triplet was observed in the range of 3.79-4.00 ppm for the methylenic protons (Ar-O-CH2-) of the alkoxy chain directly attached to the oxygen atom. All the other protons of alkoxy chain appeared in the range of 0.90-1.77 ppm. The 13C NMR spectra of compounds (1a-2h) displayed peaks at 55-65 ppm, 59-70 ppm and 41-44 ppm for C5, C3 and C4 carbons, respectively. All the aromatic carbons were observed in the range of 114-159 ppm. The signals for acyl carbons were noticed in the range of 167-173 ppm. Furthermore, a molecular ion peak (M+") for each compound was also observed at their respective masses along with their typical pyrazoline fragmentation pattern.42 In addition, the number of the protons and carbons were found in good agreement with elemental (CHN) analyses suggesting the formation of the target compounds. The structures of the two compounds 1a 43 and 1f 44 were unambiguously confirmed through single crystal X-Ray diffraction technique (Figure 1). 2. 2. Antiinflammatory Activity (in vitro) The defensive process of host in response to foreign challenge or tissue injury for restoration of normal tissue structure and function is initiated by the activation of phagocyte-specific enzyme, NADPH oxidase which generates superoxide anion (a reactive free radical) by transferring electrons from NADPH to molecular oxygen insi- de the cell across the membrane. The generated superoxide then kills bacteria and fungi by still unknown mechanisms. This is the key step of immune response and inflammatory cascade. However, this superoxide may lead to the formation of hydrogen peroxide which is capable of undergoing further reactions to produce highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). In immune compromised patients, ROS are formed in large quantities. Therefore, their inhibition is one approach to treat chronic inflammation and to modulate immune response. This study used the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) to measure superoxide production by neutrop-hils activated by opsonized zymosan, which induces pha-gocytic activation of neutrophils. This technique is more sensitive and reliable to measure the superoxide scavenging properties as compared to other available techniques, a perfect protocol for indirect evaluation of anti-inflammatory potential.45 Using this technique, the anti-inflammatory potential of the N-acyl-2-pyrazolines 1a-2h bearing homologous alkyloxy side chains was determined in terms of percent inhibition. The compounds with ~50% inhibition were retested for their IC50 (inhibitory concentration 50%), the concentration of the compound which inhibits superoxide production by 50% of three independent experiments (Table 1, Figure 2). Indomethacine was used as the standard reference drug in this study. The compounds (1a-2h) showed a varying degree of anti-inflammatory activity, when compared to standard drug. Compound 2c (96%, 173.06 ± 2.312) showed excellent anti-inflammatory activity even better than the standard (92%, 273.12 ± 2.33). Compound 1a (86%, 296.16 ± 2.091) also exhibited good and comparable anti-inflammatory activity. Compound 1e (55%, 465.23 ± 1.763), 1h (52%, 492.20 ± 3.176), 2e (76%, 346.13 ± 2.341) and 7c (51%, 425.21 ± 2.732) showed moderate anti-inflammatory potential. However, compound 1b, 1c, 1d, 1f, 1g, 2a, 2b, 2d, 2f and 2h were considered to be least active compound among the series having less than 50% inhibition and were not further tested for their IC50 values. This varying degree of anti-inflammatory activity of 16 tested compounds (1a-2h) can be attributed to alky-loxy side chain length because central nucleus N-acyl-2-pyrazolines is the same for all the compounds. Surprisingly, compounds with odd number of carbons in alky-loxy group showed maximum activity as compared to the compounds having even numbered alkyloxy side chain (Table 1, Figure 2). For example, compound 1a (86%, 296.16 ± 2.091) and compound 2c (96%, 173.06 ± 2.312) with methoxy and propyloxy substitutents, respectively showed maximum activity. This difference in activity with the change in alkyloxy side chain length in compound (1a-2h) may be credited to some specific conformational arrangements of alkoxy side chains due to different amount of non-covalent interactions in their packed state. The precise mechanism of inhibitory action of these compounds is now under investigation. Table 1. Anti-inflammatory Activity of 1a-2h. % Inhibition and IC50 Profile Compd. R1 R2 % Inhibition (at 500 ^M) IC50 (^M) Activity 1a ch3 ch3 86 296.16 ± 2.091 Good 1b C2H5 ch3 32 - Weak 1c C3H7 ch3 21 - Weak 1d c4h9 ch3 43 - Weak 1e C5H11 ch3 55 465.23 ± 1.763 Moderate 1f C6H13 ch3 11 - Weak 1g C7H15 ch3 17 - Weak 1h C8H17 ch3 52 492.20 ± 3.176 Moderate 2a ch3 C2H5 15 - Weak 2b C2H5 C2H5 06 - Weak 2c C3H7 C2H5 96 173.06 ± 2.312 Excellent 2d c4h9 C2H5 42 - Weak 2e C5H11 C2H5 76 346.13 ± 2.341 Moderate 2f C6H13 C2H5 32 - Weak 2g C7H15 C2H5 51 425.21 ± 2.732 Moderate 2h C8H17 C2H5 22 - Weak INDOM [a] 92 273.12 ± 2.33 Standard [a] INDOM : Indomethacine (Standard Drug). 100 90 SO e 70 1 60 _ GO 40 30 20 10 0 86 96 9: \ 55 A 52 / \/ \ A51 \ /43 \ 42 \ / \ V 32 / \ * 32 \ V 21 \ J 17 N® / 6 22 1a lb 1c 1d 1e If 1g 1h 2a 2b Compounds 2c 2d 2e 2f 2g 2h SD Figure 2: Anti-inflammatory activity of 1a-2h, % inhibition (top) and IC50 (bottom) of compounds with more than 50% inhibition. SD = Indomethacine 2. 3. Cytotoxicity Assay Against Prostate Cancer (PC-3 Cell Line) The newly synthesized compounds 1a-2h were initially screened at the single concentration of 100 pM using the colorimetric MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] to test their in vitro cytotoxicity,46 against human prostate cancer cell line (PC3). Do-xorubicin was used as the standard reference drug in this study. The cytotoxicity of tested compounds was estimated in terms of percent growth inhibition compared to untreated control cells. Then, the compounds effecting ~70% inhibition in one dose prescreening were retested by serial dilution from 100-20 pM. The results were expressed as IC50 (inhibitory concentration 50%), the concentration of the compound which inhibits the tumor cell growth by 50% and the data are presented in Table 2 & Figure 3. Close inspection of the acquired cytotoxic data revealed that almost all of the tested compounds showed no/very low cyctotoxity against the PC-3 tested cell line. The compounds 1b, 1h, 2a, 2b, 2c and 2e were found to be slightly toxic against the PC-3 tested cell line with IC50 values ranging from 27-67 ^M compared to DOX, IC50 (0.912 ^M) whereas the other compounds showed almost no cytotoxicity. The results of this study indicate that compounds 1a and 2c of this series having anti-inflamma- Table 2. Cytotoxcity bioassay of compounds 1a-2h against prostate cancer cell line (PC-3). Compd. R1 R2 IC50 (^M) Compd. R1 R2 IC50 (M*M) 1a ch3 ch3 >100 2a ch3 C2H5 41 1b C2H5 ch3 57 2b C2H5 C2H5 29 1c C3H7 ch3 >100 2c C3H7 C2H5 27 1d c4h9 ch3 >100 2d c4h9 C2H5 >100 1e C5H11 ch3 >100 2e C5H11 C2H5 67 1f C6H13 ch3 >100 2f C6H13 C2H5 >100 1g C7H15 ch3 >100 2g C7H15 C2H5 >100 1h C8H17 ch3 42 2h C8H17 C2H5 >100 DOX [a] - 0.912 DOX 0.912 [a] DOX: Doxorubinin (Standard Drug) Compounds Figure 3. Cytotoxicity of 1a-2h against PC-3 cell line, SD = Doxorubicin tory activity better than and comparable to standard drug, and with no/little cytotoxicity are promising future candidates for further anti-inflammatory research to minimize harmful gastric effects, usually originate from direct cyto-toxicity of NSAIDs. 3. Conclusions In conclusion, we have presented the synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of some new N-acyl arms & homologous alkyloxy side chains bearing pyrazoline derivatives (1a-2h). In general, compounds with odd carbon alkyloxy side chain showed better activity. Compound 2c (96% inhibition, IC50 = 173.06 ± 2.312 pM) and 1a (86%, IC50 = 296.16 ± 2.091 pM) showed maximum activity with 2c even better than the standard drug, Indomethaci-ne, (92% inhibition, IC50 = 273.12 ± 2.33 pM). Parrallel cytotoxicity studies on Prostate cancer (PC-3) cell line demonstrated no or very low activity for all the compounds. It has been shown recently that harmful gastric effects of NSAIDs are not related to PGE2 inhibition but are rather due to the direct cytotoxicity in the stomach to gastric cells.32,33 The compounds of the present series may therefore be promising replacement anti-inflammatory agents to existing NSAIDs having harmful gastric effects due to direct cytotoxicity and merits further research. This study also insinuates constructive hints for the design of new effective anti-inflammatory agents having either no or very low cytotoxicity to gastric cells. 4. Experimental Protocols 4. 1. Materials and Methods All reagents and solvents were used as obtained from the supplier or recrystallized/redistilled as required. Thin layer chromatography was performed using aluminium sheets (Merck) coated with silica gel 60 F254. Elemental analyses were carried out with a LECO-183 model. 1H and 13C NMR spectra of compounds were recorded with a Bruker 300 MHz spectrometer using deuterated solvents and TMS as internal standard. IR spectra of compounds were recorded on a Bio-Rad FTS 3000 MX spectrophoto- meter (400-4000 cm1). The melting points of compounds were determined using capillary tubes and an electrothermal melting point apparatus, model MP-D Mitamura Ri-ken Kogyo, Japan. In vitro anti-inflammatory, antifungal and cytotoxic properties were studied at HEJ research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical Sciences, university of Karachi, Pakistan. 4. 2. General procedure for the synthesis of compounds (1a-2h) The carboxylic acid (25 mL) solution of the respective 4-alkoxychalcone (1-8)38 (0.01 mole), hydrochloric acid (5-7 drops) was heated at 60-65 °C for 30 minutes with constant stirring. Hydrazine hydrate (80%) (1.0 g, 0.02 mole) was then added dropwise to the reaction flask and the reaction mixture was refluxed for about 4-5 hour before cooling it to room temperature and adding crushed ice into it to get the precipitates. The precipitates so obtained were filtered, washed with distilled water and dried, and further purified by column chromatography using silica gel and petroleum ether/ethyl acetate (4:1) as mobile phase to get pure 1a-2h in 81-89% yields (Figure 4). 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (1a) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 85%. M. p. 123-125 °C; Rf = 0.68 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1): 1682, 1637, 1495, 1298, 1255, 1046, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 2.43 (s, 3H, O=C-CH7), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.75 (dd, 1H, J = 11.77, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.79 (s, 3H, -O-CH7), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc=c,), 7.19 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d,), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H,CArH/_/, g), 7.74-7.79 (m, 2H, AiH~_e),13C NMR (75 MHz, CDClg) 5 22.0, 42.2, 55.2, 59.4, 114.2 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.3, 131.4, 134.1, 153.8, 159.0, 168.8, (EI) m/z (M+- 294, Base Peak 251); Anal. calcd. For C18H18N2O2 : C, 73.45; H, 6.16; N, 9.52; Found: C, 73.49; H, 6.1-4; NT, 9.59 %. 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (1b) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 89%. M. p. 116-118 °C; Rf = 0.70 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KB- Figure 4. Labelling scheme of protons of compounds 1a-1h. r, cm-1) 1678, 1632, 1499, 1295, 1257, 1042, NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 1.40 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-CH2-CH3), 2.43 (s, 3H, O=C-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 17.77 Hz, Ha), 3.75 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 4.0 (q, 3H, J = 6.9 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 12.0 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.72 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d,), 7.43-7.47 (m, 3H, ArHf_f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArH__e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 14.8, 22.0, 42.3, 59% 63.4, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.3, 131.4, 133.9, 153.8, 158.3, 168.8; (EI) m/z (M+ 308, Base Peak 265). Anal. calcd. for C19H20N2O2 : C, 74.00; H, 6.54; N, 9.08; Found: C, 73.94; H, 6.49; N, 9.17 %. 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-propyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoli-ne (1c) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 83%. M. p. 114-116 °C; Rf = 0.72 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KB-r, cm-1) 1679, 1644, 1489, 1297, 1252, 1043, , 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 1.03 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, -O-(CH2)2-CH3), 1.80 (sextet 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-CH3), 2.43 (s, 3H, O=C-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.75 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.90 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H, ArHf_f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3g 5 10.5, 22.0, 22.5, 42.2, 59.4, 69.5, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.5, 133.9, 153.8, 158.6, 168.8, (EI) m/z (M+^ 322, Base Peak 279). Anal. calcd. for C20H22N2O2 : C, 74.51; H, 6.88; N, 8.69; Found: C, 74.48; H, 6.81; N, 8.78 %. 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-butyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (1d) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 86%. M. p. 88-90 °C; Rf = 0.71 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1675, 1642, 1490, 1292, 1259, 1048, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.95 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, -O-(CH2)3-CH3), I.48 (sextet 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3), 1.76 (qn 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-C2H5), 2.43 (s, 3H, O=C-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.94 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 12.0 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c.), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H, A_CHf_f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3g 5 13.8, 19.2, 22.0, 31.2, 42*2, 59.4, 67.6, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.5, 133.8, 153.8, 158.6, 168.8, (EI) m/z (M+ 336, Base Peak 293). Anal. calcd. for C21H24N2O2 : C, 74.97; H, 7.19; N, 8.33; Found: C, 74.92; H, 7.15; N, 8.41%. 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-pentyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (1e) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 87%. M. p. 85-87 °C; Rf = 0.68 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1682, 1636, 1493, 1293, 1253, 1045, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.94 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)4-CH3), 1.35-1.46 (m 4H, J = 7.8 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-(CH2)2 -CH3), 1.77 (qn 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-C3H7), 2.43 (s, 3H, O=C-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.4 Hz, Hb), 3.92 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H, ArH__f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 14.6, 22.0, 22.4, 28.1, =28.9, 42.3, 59.4, 67.9, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.5, 133.8, 153.8, 158.6, 168.8, (EI) m/z (M+^ 350, Base Peak 307). Anal. calcd. for C22H26N2O2 : C, 75.40; H, 7.48; N, 7.99; Found: C, 75.36; H, 7.42; N, 8.07 %. 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-hexyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (1f) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 83%. M.p. 82-85 °C; Rf = 0.69 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1676, 1634, 1497, 1295, 1250, 1049, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.91 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)5-CH3), I.31-1.47 (m 6H, -O-CH2-CH2-(CH2)3- CH3), 1.76 (qn 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-CH2 2-CH2 2-C42H39), 2.433 (s, 3H, O=C-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.93 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.2, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H, AsH__f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 14.0, 22.0, 22.6, 25.7, 29.2, 31.5, 42.3, 59.4, 67.9, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.5, 133.8, 153.8, 158.6, 168.8, (EI) m/z (M+ 364, Base Peak 321). Anal. calcd. for C23H28N2O2 : C, 75.79; H, 7.74; N, 7.69; Found: C, 75.74; H, 7.69; N, 7.78 %. 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-heptyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (1g) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 89%. M.p. 89-91 °C; Rf = 0.71 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1678, 1639, 1487, 1291, 1256, 1052, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.91 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)6-CH3), I.32-1.47 (m 8H, -O-CH2-CH2-(CH2)4- CH3), 1.77 (qn 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-C5Hn), 2.43 (s, 3H, O=C-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J= 4.5, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.93 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 12.0 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H, P_Hf_f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArH,_,.), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDC l3g 5 14.1, 22.0, 22.6, 26.0, 29.0, 29.2, 31.7, 42.2, 59.4, 68.0, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.5, 133.8, 153.8, 158.6, 168.8, (EI) m/z (M+^ 378, Base Peak 335). Anal. calcd. for C24H30N2O2 : C, 76.16; H, 7.99; N, 7.40; Found: C, 76.12; H, 7.91; N, 7.49%. 1-Acetyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-octyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoline (1h) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 82%. M.p. 73-75 °C; Rf = 0.72 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1681, 1645, 1492, 1297, 1258, 1056, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.90 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)7-CH3), 1.29-1.49 (m 10H, -O-CH2-CH2-(CH2)5- CH3), 1.76 (qn 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, -O-CH2-C#2-C6H13), 2.43 (s, 3H, O=C-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J =4.5, 17.7 Hz, H), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.4 Hz, Hb), 3.92 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d,), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H, AiH__f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 14.3, 22.4, 22.6, 26.0, 29.1, 29.2, 29.3, 31.8, 42.3, 59.43, 67.9, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.5, 133.8, 153.8, 158.6, 168.8, (EI) m/z (M+^ 392, Base Peak 349). Anal. calcd. for C25H32N2O2 : C, 76.49; H, 8.22; N, 7.14; Found: C, 76.44; H, 8.18; N, 7.21%. 1- Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-propyloxyphenyl)-2-pyra-zoline (2c) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 88%. M.p. 107-109 °C; Rf = 0.71 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1683, 1641, 1490, 1296, 1255, 1047, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 1.03 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, -G-(CH2)2-CH3), 1.21 (t, 3H, J = 7.8 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 1.80 (sextet, 2H, J = 7.2 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-CH3), 2.83 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.17 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.73 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.4 Hz, Hb), 3.90 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-CH3), 5.55 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.77 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d,), 7.44-7.46 (m, 3H, ArH__f, g), 7.76-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e),13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 9.0, 10.5, 22.5, 27.6,=2.0, 59.6, 69.4, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.6, 134.1, 153.5, 158.5, 172.2, (EI) m/z (M+ 336, Base Peak 280). Anal. calcd. for C21H24N2O2 : C, 74.97; H, 7.19; N, 8.33; Found: C, 74.91; H, 7.16; N, 8.42%. 1- Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrazo-line (2a) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 81%. M.p. 100-103 °C; Rf = 0.73 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr cm-1) 1685, 1635, 1493, 1294, 1254, 1049, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 1.22 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 2.84 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.17 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.73 (dd, 1H, J = 12.0, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.79 (s, 3H, -O-CH3), 5.56 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.86 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.19 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d,), 7.44-7.46 (m, 3H, ArHf_f, g), 7.76-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e_), 13C NMR (75 MHz, cDCl3) 5 9.0, 27.6, 42.0, 55.2^9.6, 114.2 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.6, 134.3, 153.5, 158.9, 172.2, (EI) m/z (M+ 308, Base Peak 252). Anal. calcd. for C^H^N^ : C, 74.00; H, 6.54; N, 9.08; Found: C, 73.93; H, 6.48; N, 9.19% 1- Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2-pyrazoli- ne (2b) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 85%. M.p. 98-101 °C; Rf = 0.70 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1688, 1637, 1497, 1298, 1252, 1045, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 1.20 (t, 3H, J= 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 1.40 (t, 3H, J = 7.2 Hz, -O-CH2-CH3), 2.83 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.16 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.72 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.4 Hz, Hb), 4.00 (q, 2H, J = 7. Hz, -O-CH2-CH3), 5.55 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.84 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.43-7.45 (m, 3H, ArHf_f, g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e_), 13C NMR (75 MHz, cDCl3) 5 9.0, 14.8, 27.6, 42.0e_59.6, 63.4, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.6, 134.1, 153.6, 158.3, 172.3, (EI) m/z (M+ 322, Base Peak 265). Anal. calcd. for QoH^NA : C, 74.51; H, 6.88; N, 8.69; Found: C, 74.46; H, 6.78; N, 8.79%. 1- Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-butyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazo-line (2d) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 86%. M.p. 104-107 °C; Rf = 0.69 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm1) 1677, 1645, 1494, 1290, 1257, 1051, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.95 (t, 3H, J= 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)3-CH3), 1.21 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 1.47 (sextet 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, -O-CH1-CH1-CH1-CH3), 1.76 (qn 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-CH^CH^C^), 2.83 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.18 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.94 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.57 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 12.0 Hz, Hx), 6.85 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c.), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.44-7.47 (m, 3H, A_Hf_r g), 7.75-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e.), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDClg) 5 9.0, 12.5, 22.5, 27.6, 28.1, 42.0, 59.6, 68.4, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.5, 134.1, 153.5, 158.5, 172.4, (EI) m/z (M+ 350, Base Peak 294). Anal. calcd. for C^H^N^ : C, 75.40; H, 7.48; N, 7.99; Found: C, 75.33; H, 7.45; N, 8.08% 1- Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-pentyloxyphenyl)-2-pyra-zoline (2e) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 85%. M.p. 101-103 °C; Rf = 0.72 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr cm1) 1681, 1639, 1492, 1297, 1255, 1053, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.94 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)4-CH3), I.21 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 1.35-1.48 (m 4H, -O-C^-CH^CH^-^), 1.77 (qn 2H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-CH22-CH22-C3H27)2, 2.833 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.16 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.72 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.93 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.55 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.84 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.43-7.47 (m, 3H, A_Hf_f, g), 7.75-7.78 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 9.0, 14.0, 22.4, 27.6, 28.1, 28.9, 42.0, 59.6, 67.9, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.1, 131.6, 134.0, 153.5, 158.5, 172.2, (EI) m/z (M+ 364, Base Peak 308). Anal. calcd. for C23H28N2O2 : C, 75.79; H, 7.74; N, 7.69; Found: C, 75.73; H, 7.71; N, 7.78%. 1- Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-hexyloxyphenyl)-2-pyrazo-line (2f) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 82%. M.p. 95-98 °C; Rf = 0.68 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm1) 1679, 1638, 1498, 1293, 1253, 1045, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.92 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)5-CH3), I.21 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 1.31-1.47 (m 6H, -O-CH2-CH2-(CH2)3-CH3), 1.77 (qn 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-C4H9), 2.83 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.17 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.73 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.7 Hz, Hb), 3.93 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.55 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 12.0 Hz, Hx), 6.84 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d,), 7.43-7.47 (m, 3H, A_H__f, g), 7.74-7.79 (m, 2H, AiHe_e)), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CD_Clg) 5 9.0, 14.0, 22.6, 25.7, 27*.6, 29.2, 31.5, 42.0, 59.6, 67.9, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.1, 131.6, 134.0, 153.5, 158.5, 172.2, (EI) m/z (M+^ 378, Base Peak 322). Anal. calcd. for C24H30N2O2 : C, 76.16; H, 7.99; N, 7.40; Found: C, 76.09; H, 7.91; N, 7.51%. 1- Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-heptyloxyphenyl)-2-pyra-zoline (2g) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 84%. M.p. 90-92 °C; Rf = 0.71 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1678, 1633, 1489, 1296, 1252, 1048, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.91 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)6-CH3), I.21 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 1.32-1.47 (m 8H, -O-CH2-CH2-(CH2)4-CH3), 1.77 (qn 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, -O-CH22-CH22-C5H2114), 2.833 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.17 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.73 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.4 Hz, Hb), 3.93 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.55 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.84 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c.), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d.), 7.44-7.46 (m, 3H, Arf,, g), 7.76-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 9.0, 14.1, 22.6, 26.0, 27.6, 29.0, 29.2, 31.8, 42.0, 59.6, 67.9, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.6, 134.0, 153.5, 158.5, 172.2, (EI) m/z (M+- 392, Base Peak 336). Anal. calcd. for C25H32N2O2 : C, 76.49; H, 8.22; N, 7.14; Found: C, 76.43; H, 8.18; N, 7.23%. 1 - Propionyl-3-phenyl-5-(4-octyloxyphenyl)-2-pyra-zoline (2h) Yellowish white crystals. Yield 87%. M.p. 73-75 °C; Rf = 0.73 (petroleum ether:ethyl acetate, 4:1), FT-IR (KBr, cm-1) 1682, 1647, 1495, 1294, 1255, 1051, 1H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) 5 0.91 (t, 3H, J = 7.0 Hz, -O-(CH2)7-CH3), I.21 (t, 3H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 1.31-1.46 (m 10H, -O-CH2-CH2-(CH2)5-CH3), 1.77 (qn 2H, J = 7.8 Hz, -O-CH2-CH2-C6H13), 2.83 (q, 2H, J = 7.5 Hz, O=C-CH2-CH3), 3.17 (dd, 1H, J = 4.8, 17.7 Hz, Ha), 3.72 (dd, 1H, J = 11.7, 17.4 Hz, Hb), 3.93 (t, 2H, J = 6.6 Hz, -O-CH2-), 5.55 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 11.7 Hz, Hx), 6.84 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHc_c,), 7.17 (d, 2H, J = 8.7 Hz, ArHd_d,), 7.44-7.46 (m, 3H, A_H__f, g), 7.76-7.79 (m, 2H, ArHe_e,), 13C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl3) 5 9.0, 9.4, 14.1, 22.6, 26.0, 27.6, 29.2, 29.3, 31.8, 42.0, 59.6, 67.9, 114.7 (2C), 126.5 (2C), 126.9 (2C), 128.7 (2C), 130.2, 131.6, 134.0, 153.5, 158.5, 172.2, (EI) m/z (M+- 406, Base Peak 350). Anal. calcd. for C26H34N2O2: C, 76.81; H, 8.43; N, 6.89; Found: C, 76.77; H, 8.39; N, 6.96%. 4. 3. Anti-inflammatory Activity (in vitro) Inflammation occurs as a defensive response, which induces physiological adaptations to limit tissue damage and removes the pathogenic infection. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed subsequent to the assembly and activation of the phagocyte-specific enzyme, NADPH Oxidase. This process is initiated by the production of superoxide anion during a 'respiratory burst' of non-mitochon-drial oxygen uptake by an NADPH oxidase system. This study used the water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) to measure superoxide production by neutrophils activated by opsonized zymosan, which induces phagocytic activation of neutrophils.47 This techniqueis is more sensitive and reliable as compared to other available techniques. 4. 3. 1. Respiratory Burst Assay Anti-inflammatory activity of the test compounds was determined by using a modified assay of Tan & Ber-ridge.45 This in vitro assay was based on the reduction of highly water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) in the presence of activated neutrophils. Anti-inflammatory activity was determined in a total volume of 200 pL MHS (pH 7.4) containing 1.0-104 neutrophils/mL, 250 pM WST-1 and various concentrations of test compounds. The control contained buffer, neutrophils and WST-1. All compounds were equilibrated at 37 °C and the reaction was initiated by adding opsonized zymosan A (15 mg/mL), which was prepared by mixing with human pooled serum, followed by centrifugation at 3000 rpm whereby the pellet was resuspended in PBS buffer. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm. Aspirin and indomethacin were used as positive controls which are widely used as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of several inflammatory diseases. Values of IC50 were calculated by comparison with the DMSO as the blank and expressed as the percent inhibition of superoxide anions produced. The percent inhibitory activity by the samples was determined against a DMSO blank and calculated using the following formula: % Inhibition = 100 - [(OD test compound/OD control) x 100] IC50 of samples was determined by using EZ-FIT Windows-based software. 4. 4. Cytotoxicity Assay Against PC-3 Cell Line (Prostate Cancer) Cytotoxic activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated in 96-well flat-bottomed micro plates by using the standard MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay.46 For this purpose, PC-3 cells (Prostate Cancer) were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, supplemented with 5% of fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 IU/mL of penicillin and 100 pg/mL of streptomycin in 25 cm3 flask, and kept in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 oC. Exponentially growing cells were harvested, counted with hae-mocytometer and diluted with a particular medium. Cell culture with the concentration of 1 x 105 cells/mL was prepared and introduced (100 pL/well) into 96-well plates. After overnight incubation, medium was removed and 200 pL of fresh medium was added with different concentrations of compounds (1-100 pM). After 48 h, 50 pL MTT (2 mg/mL) was added to each well and incubated further for 4 hrs. Subsequently, 100 pL of DMSO was added to each well. The extent of MTT reduction to for-mazan within cells was calculated by measuring the ab-sorbance at 570 nm, using a micro plate reader (Spectra Max plus, Molecular Devices, CA, USA). The cytotoxi-city was recorded as concentration causing 50% growth inhibition (IC50) for PC3. 5. Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan for financial support. 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Leukocyte Biol. 1995, 58, 189-195. Povzetek Sintetizirali smo serijo novih pirazolinskih derivativov 1a-2h, ki vsebujejo N-acilne skupine in homologne alkiloksi stranske verige. Karakterizacija novih spojin je temeljila na spektroskopskih in mikroanalitskih rezultatih. Vse pripravljene spojine smo in vitro testirali za njihovo proti vnetno učinkovanje; zanimal nas je predvsem vpliv dolžine alkiloksi stranske verige na aktivnost. Izkazalo se je, da spojine z lihim številom ogljikovih atomov v alkiloksi stranski verigi izkazujejo boljšo aktivnost kot spojine s sodim številom ogljikov. Spojina 2c (96% inhibicija, IC50 = 173.06 ± 2.312 mM) se je izkazala kot najbolj aktivna izmed vseh spojin v seriji; bila je celo bolj aktivna kot standardna učinkovina (indome-tacin, 92% inhibicija, IC50 = 273.12 ± 2.33 mM). Spojina 1a (86%, IC50 = 296.16 ± 2.091 mM) je bila druga najbolj učinkovita z aktivnostjo, primerljivo z aktivnostjo standardne učinkovine. Ostale spojine v seriji pa so pokazale le zmerno do nizko aktivnost. Zanimivo pa je, da so vzporedne študije citotoksičnosti spojin 1a-2h proti celični liniji PC-3 pokazale zelo majhno ali celo ničelno aktivnost. Pričujoča študija bo morda lahko prispevala k razvoju novih alternativnih učinkovin trenutno uporabljanim nesteroidnim proti vnetnim učinkovinam (NSAID), ki zaradi neposredne citotoksičnosti kažejo škodljive vplive na prebavila. Supplementary material Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Activity of New N-Acyl-2-pyrazolines Bearing Homologous Alkyloxy Side Chains Asghar Abbas and Muhammad Moazzam Naseer Received: 03-04-2014 Copies of JH and 13C NMR of 1b-8c Compound lc ifl ifl O r- tft m c\i uD iT) iT) LTI lo IO in LO 111 / o o iTl Ov UJ O r- m cj w m to in m lO LA u"l u*i 111 / CD o