Potential antiarthritic agents. II. Benzoylacetonitriles and β-aminocinnamonitriles

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm00197a020

Benzoylacetonitrile and β-aminocinnamonitrile are shown to possess potent intiinflammatory activity in the rat adjuvant arthritis model. In a series of phenyl-substituted analogues, only o-, m-, and p-fluorobenzoylacetonitrile and m- and p-fluoro-β-aminocinnamonitrile retained activity. Additionally, β-amino-2- and β-amino-3-thiopheneacrylonitrile and β-oxo-2- and β-oxo-3-thiophenepropionitrile exhibited similar activity. These agents are not believed to be acting via prostaglandin synthetase inhibition. The metabolic profile of benzoylacetonitrile is also described.