Indole Inhibitors of Human Nonpancreatic Secretory Phospholipase A2. 1. Indole-3-acetamides

Phospholipases (PLAs) produce rate-limiting precursors in the biosynthesis of various types of biologically active lipids involved in inflammatory processes. Increased levels of human nonpancreatic secretory phospholipase A 2 (hnps-PLA 2 ) have been detected in several pathological conditions. An inhibitor of this enzyme could have therapeutic utility. A broad screening program was carried out to identify chemical structures which could inhibit hnps-PLA 2 . One of the lead compounds generated by the screening program was 5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1 H -indole-3-acetic acid ( 13a ). We describe the syntheses, structure−activity relationships, and pharmacological activities of a series of indole-3-acetamides and related compounds derived from this lead. This SAR was undertaken with the aid of X-ray crystal structures of complexes between the inhibitors and hnps-PLA 2 which were of great value in directing the SAR.