Pyrimidinylimidazole inhibitors of CSBP/P37 kinase demonstrating decreased inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes

Pyrimidine analogs of the pyridinylimidazole class of CSBP/p38 kinase inhibitors were prepared in an effort to reduce the potent inhibition of hepatic cytochrome P450 observed for the pyridinyl compounds. The substitution of pyrimidin-4-yl, 2-methoxypyrimidin-4-yl, or 2-methylaminopyrimidin-4-yl for pyridin-4-yl effectively dissociates CSBP/p38 kinctse from P450 inhibition for this series and furthermore achieves an increase in oral activity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.