In vitro metabolism of 2-(5-ethylpyridin-2-yl)benzimidazole.

The in vitro metabolic transformation of the anti-inflammatory agent 2-(5-ethylpyridin-2-yl)benzimidazole (KB-1043) was studied with phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene induced rat liver microsomal fractions containing an NADPH-generating system. The major metabolite was a benzylic oxidation product and a secondary metabolite was also recovered. The metabolites were isolated by TLC and HPLC techniques and identified by comparison with known pure compounds.