Structural optimization of alkyl-substituted 2-(7-5H-[1]benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridyl)propionic acid as anti-inflammatory agents

Several alkyl-analogues of pranoprofen were synthesized and their cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities were evaluated in a screening test. The chosen compounds were analyzed on the relationships between structure, lipophilicity (log P) and cell binding affinity. 2-Methyl analogue (4b) was confirmed to be an optimal compound in this series.