Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as selective COX-2 inhibitors

•Design and synthesis of 12 new methylsulfonyl-containing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines.•The new compounds were evaluated for COX-1/2 inhibitory activity and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.•Ulcerogenic liability and histopathological examination of rat stomach samples were performed for the most active compounds.•Docking study and in silico ADME physicochemical parameters of the novel compounds were determined.•Compound 10c revealed the highest in vitro/in vivo activities with good safety profile.