Cyclooxygenase is a membrane bound enzyme responsible for the oxidation arachidonic acid to prostaglandins which are implicated in various physiological functions. One isoform of this enzyme, COX-2, is associated with inflammation and cancerous tumors. Studies reveal that selective inhibition of COX-2 results in a decrease in the metastasis and growth of cancer tumors, suggesting that it could be a therapeutic target in treating various cancers. Research shows that free radicals are generated as intermediates in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Thus, neutralizing these radical intermediates could reduce the amount of prostaglandins produced by COX-2. Aurones, a subfamily of antioxidant flavonoids, have shown potential in inhibiting prostaglandin production via their free radical scavenging properties.  In order to further investigate the free radical scavenging activity of novel aurone derivatives, a model of this reaction using DPPH as the radical generator was developed and tested.

Modeling the free radical scavenging activity of aurone derivatives, potential inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX)

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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