A new class of ibuprofen derivatives with reduced gastrotoxicity

A new series of nonsteroidal and inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) obtained by li nking ibuprofen to selected furoxan moieties and to related furazans were s ynthesized and tested for their antiinflammatory, antiaggregatory, and ulce rogenic properties. All the derivatives are endowed with antiinflammatory a ctivity comparable to that of ibuprofen, but, unlike this drug, they displa y reduced acute gastrotoxicity. The masking of the ibuprofen-free carboxyli c group seems to be principally at the basis of this reduced topical irrita nt action. The two furoxan derivatives 8 and 9 also trigger potent antiaggr egatory effects, principally as a consequence of their NO-donor ability.