Synthesis, characterization and molecular docking of novel lonazolac analogues 3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-arylpropanoic acid derivatives: Highly potential COX-1/COX-2, matrix metalloproteinase and protein denaturation inhibitors

•A simple, economic, eco-friendly acid catalysed pyran ring opening led to single isomer of novel lonazolac analogous, 3-(3‑hydroxy-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)−3-arylpropanoic acid derivatives with exceptional yields and high purity.•All the tested compounds exerted splendid activity against both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.•All the targets emerged as good inhibitors of both MMP2 and MMP9 and compound 2l is an excellent inhibitor of both MMP2 and MMP9. Whereas, compound 2i exhibited manifesting activity against heat induced protein denaturation.•Molecular docking has been performed to recognize best way of interaction of the targets with the ligand and are successfully match with the experimental results.