Design, synthesis, and 5-lipoxygenase-inhibiting properties of 1-thio-substituted butadienes

The synthesis of novel 1-thio-substituted butadienes, designed as mechanism-based 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, is described. The structure of these compounds closely resembles a proposed high-energy intermediate during the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid. They demonstrate 5-lipoxygenase inhibition in vitro and in vivo. The most potent compound is 15a with an IC50 of 1.8 microM in vitro. LTC4 release was inhibited by 80% after intraperitoneal administration of 15c at a dose of 2 mg/kg.