Design and Synthesis of Benzofuran‐1,4‐dihydropyridine Hybrids as Novel Anti‐Inflammatory Agents: Theoretical Exploration of a Potential Dual COX‐2/TNF‐α Mechanism

of 4b in hypotonicity-induced hemolysis). Notably, the compounds showed excellent in vivo activity in a carrageenan-induced paw edema model, with 4i achieving 91.5% inhibition at 90 min. Histological analysis confirmed that the lead compounds were highly gastrointestinal (GI)-sparing, consistent with their predicted COX-2 selectivity. No liver damage was observed, and platelet count remained normal (4i). Overall, this study identifies compound 4i as a potent, orally active, and safe antinflammatory candidate with potential dual mechanisms.