5-Amino-pyrazoles as potent and selective p38α inhibitors

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of p38{alpha} MAP kinase inhibitors based on a 5-amino-pyrazole scaffold are described. These studies led to the identification of compound 2j as a potent and selective inhibitor of p38{alpha} MAP kinase with excellent cellular potency toward the inhibition of TNF{alpha} production. Compound 2j was highly efficacious in vivo in inhibiting TNF{alpha} production in an acute murine model of TNF{alpha} production. X-ray co-crystallography of a 5-amino-pyrazole analog 2f bound to unphosphorylated p38{alpha} is also disclosed.