Structure-activity relationship study of 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives blocking N-type calcium channels

Cilnidipine is a 1,4-dihydropyridine derived L/N-type calcium channel dual blocker possessing neuroprotective and analgesic effects which are related to its N-type calcium channel inhibitory activity. In order to find specific N-type calcium channel blockers with the least effects on cardiovascular system, we performed structure-activity relationship study on APJ2708, which is a derivative of cilnidipine, and found a promising N-type calcium channel blocker 21b possessing analgesic effect in vivo with a 1600-fold lower activity against L-type calcium channels than that of cilnidipine.     

Discovery of novel tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives as orally active N-type calcium channel blockers with high selectivity for hERG potassium channels

N-type calcium channels represent a promising target for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The selective N-type calcium channel blocker ziconotide ameliorates severe chronic pain but has a narrow therapeutic window and requires intrathecal administration. We identified tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative 1a as a novel potent N-type calcium channel blocker. However, this compound also exhibited potent inhibitory activity against hERG channels. Structural optimizations led to identification of (1S)-(1-cyclohexyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-2-{[(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]amino}ethanone ((S)-1h), which exhibited high selectivity for hERG channels while retaining potency for N-type calcium channel inhibition. (S)-1h went on to demonstrate in vivo efficacy as an orally available N-type calcium channel blocker in a rat spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain.     

Scaffold-based design and synthesis of potent N-type calcium channel blockers

The therapeutic agents flunarizine and lomerizine exhibit inhibitory activities against a variety of ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors. We have optimized their scaffolds to obtain more selective N-type calcium channel blockers. During this optimization, we discovered NP118809 and NP078585, two potent N-type calcium channel blockers which have good selectivity over L-type calcium channels. Upon intraperitoneal administration both compounds exhibit analgesic activity in a rodent model of inflammatory pain. NP118809 further exhibits a number of favorable preclinical characteristics as they relate to overall pharmacokinetics and minimal off-target activity including the hERG potassium channel.     

Discovery, structure-activity relationship study, and oral analgesic efficacy of cyproheptadine derivatives possessing N-type calcium channel inhibitory activity

Antiallergic drug cyproheptadine (Cyp) is known to have inhibitory activities for L-type calcium channels in addition to histamine and serotonin receptors. Since we found that Cyp had an inhibitory activity against N-type calcium channel, Cyp was optimized to obtain more selective N-type calcium channel blocker with analgesic action. As a consequence of the optimization, we found 13 with potent N-type calcium channel inhibitory activity which had lower inhibitory activities against L-type calcium channel, histamine (H1), and serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors than those of Cyp. 13 showed an oral analgesic activity in rat formalin-induced pain model.     

Structure-activity study of L-amino acid-based N-type calcium channel blockers

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of L-amino acid-based N-type calcium channel blockers are described. The compounds synthesized were evaluated for inhibitory activity against both N-type and L-type calcium channels focusing on selectivity to reduce cardiovascular side effects due to blocking of L-type calcium channels. In the course of screening of our compound library, N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-aspartic acid derivative 1a was identified as an initial lead compound for a new series of N-type calcium channel blockers, which inhibited calcium influx into IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells with an IC(50) of 3.4 microM. Compound 1a also exhibited blockade of N-type calcium channel current in electrophysiological experiment using IMR-32 cells (34% inhibition at 10 microM, n=3). As a consequence of conversion of amino acid residue of 1a, compound 12a, that include N-(t-butoxycarbonyl)-L-cysteine, was found to be a potent N-type calcium channel blocker with an IC(50) of 0.61 microM. Thus, L-cysteine was selected as a potential structural motif for further modification. Optimization of C- and N-terminals of L-cysteine using S-cyclohexylmethyl-L-cysteine as a central scaffold led to potent and selective N-type calcium channel blocker 21f, which showed improved inhibitory potency (IC(50) 0.12 microM) and 12-fold selectivity for N-type calcium channels over L-type channels.     

Structure-Plant Phytotoxic Activity Relationship of 7,7′-epoxylignanes, (+)- and (−)-verrucosin: Simplification on the aromatic ring substituents

The synthesized 7-aryl derivatives of (7R,7′S,8S,8′S)-(+)-verrucosin were applied to growth inhibitory activity test against ryegrass at 1 mM. 7-(3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 12 and 7-(2-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 4 showed comparable activity to those of (+)-verrucosin against the root (−95%) and the shoot (−60%), respectively. The growth inhibitory activity test against lettuce using synthesized 7-aryl derivatives of (7S,7′R,8R,8′R)-(−)-verrucosin at 1 mM showed that the activities of 7-(3-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 20 and 7-(3-ethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 28 are similar to that of (−)-verrucosin against the root (−95%). Against the shoot, 7-(3-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 20 showed higher activity (−80%) than that of (−)-verrucosin (−60%). As the next step, (7S,7′R,8R,8′R)-7-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-7′-aryl-(−)-verrucosin derivatives, in which the most effective 3-hydroxyphenyl group is employed as 7-aromatic ring, were synthesized for the assay against lettuce. In this experiment, 7′-(2-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 37 and 7′-(3-hydroxyphenyl) derivative 38 showed similar activity to that of derivative 20. The effect of 7- and 7′-aryl structures of 7,7′-epoxylignanes on the plant growth inhibitory activity was clarified. The 7- and 7′-aryl structures were simplified to show comparable activity to or higher activity than that of (−)-verrucosin. The plant growth inhibitory activity of a nutmeg component, (+)-fragransin C_3b, was estimated as −80% inhibition at 1 mM against ryegrass roots.     

Synthesis of 2-(thienyl-2-yl or -3-yl)-4-furyl-6-aryl pyridine derivatives and evaluation of their topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity,cytotoxicity, and structure–activity relationship

A series of 2-(thienyl-2-yl or -3-yl)-4-furyl-6-aryl pyridine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their topoisomerase I and II inhibition and cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines. Compounds 10–19 showed moderate topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity and 20–29 showed significant topoisomerase II inhibitory activity. Structure–activity relationship study revealed that 4-(5-chlorofuran-2-yl)-2-(thiophen-3-yl) moiety has an important role in displaying topoisomerase II inhibition.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of the metabolites of 2-(1-{3-[(6-chloronaphthalen-2-yl)sulfonyl]propanoyl}piperidin-4-yl)-5-methyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-imidazo[1,5-c]imidazol-3-one

We have recently discovered imidazo[1,5-c]imidazol-3-one derivative 1 as a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor. In this study, we have synthesized metabolites of 1 and evaluated their biological activities. As a result, we identified the active metabolites S-5 and 6 with a potent FXa inhibitory activity comparable to 1 and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in monkeys.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,4-diazepane derivatives as T-type calcium channel blockers

We have synthesized and biologically evaluated 1,4-diazepane derivatives as T-type calcium channel blockers. In this study, we discovered compound 4s, a potential T-type calcium channel blocker with good selectivity over hERG and N-type calcium channels. In addition, it exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics for further investigation of T-type calcium channel related diseases.     

Structure–activity relationships of diphenylpiperazine N-type calcium channel inhibitors

A novel series of compounds derived from the previously reported N-type calcium channel blocker NP118809 (1-(4-benzhydrylpiperazin-1-yl)-3,3-diphenylpropan-1-one) is described. Extensive SAR studies resulted in compounds with IC₅₀ values in the range of 10–150 nM and selectivity over the L-type channels up to nearly 1200-fold. Orally administered compounds 5 and 21 exhibited both anti-allodynic and anti-hyperalgesic activity in the spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain.     

Anti-allodynic effect of 2-(aminomethyl)adamantane-1-carboxylic acid in a rat model of neuropathic pain: A mechanism dependent on CaV2.2 channel inhibition

Neuropathic pain is a serious physical disabling condition resulting from lesion or dysfunction of the peripheral sensory nervous system. Despite the fact that the mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain are poorly understood, the involvement of voltage-gated calcium (Ca_V) channels in its pathophysiology has justified the use of drugs that bind the Ca_V channel α₂δ auxiliary subunit, such as gabapentin (GBP), to attain analgesic and anti-allodynic effects in models involving neuronal sensitization and nerve injury. GBP binding to α₂δ inhibits nerve injury-induced trafficking of the α₁ pore forming subunits of Ca_V channels, particularly of the N-type, from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane of pre-synaptic terminals in dorsal root ganglion neurons and dorsal horn spinal neurons. In the search for alternative forms of treatment, in this study we describe the synthesis and pharmacological profile of a GABA derivative, 2-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid (GZ4), which displays a close structure–activity relationship with GBP. Behavioral assessment using von Frey filament stimuli showed that GZ4 treatment reverted mechanical allodynia/hyperalgesia in an animal model of spinal nerve ligation-induced neuropathic pain. In addition, using the patch clamp technique we show that GZ4 treatment significantly decreased whole-cell currents through N-type Ca_V channels heterologously expressed in HEK-293 cells. Interestingly, the behavioral and electrophysiological time course of GZ4 actions reflects that its mechanism of action is similar but not identical to that of GBP. While GBP actions require at least 24 h and imply uptake of the drug, which suggests that the drug acts mainly intracellularly affecting channels trafficking to the plasma membrane, the faster time course (1–3 h) of GZ4 effects suggests also a direct inhibition of Ca²⁺ currents acting on cell surface channels.     

Phosphorylation of an alpha 1-like subunit of an omega-conotoxin-sensitive brain calcium channel by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase.

Antibodies that recognize the alpha 2 delta and alpha 1 subunits of skeletal muscle L-type calcium channels have been used to investigate the subunit components and phosphorylation of omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTx)-sensitive N-type calcium channels from rabbit brain. Photolabeling of the N-type channel with a photoreactive derivative of 125I-omega-CgTx results in the identification of a single polypeptide of 240 kDa. MANC-1, a monoclonal antibody recognizing alpha 2 delta subunits of L-type calcium channels from skeletal muscle, immunoprecipitates the omega-CgTx-labeled 240-kDa polypeptide and approximately 6% of the digitonin-solubilized 125I-omega-CgTx-labeled N-type channels. MANC-1 also immunoprecipitates a phosphoprotein of 240 kDa that comigrates with 125I-omega-CgTx-labeled N-type calcium channels, but not with L-type calcium channels, in sucrose gradients. Both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C are effective in the phosphorylation of this polypeptide. Similar to the alpha 1 subunits of skeletal muscle L-type calcium channels, the immunoprecipitation of the 240-kDa phosphoprotein by MANC-1 is prevented by the detergent Triton X-100. Anti-CP-(1382-1400), an antipeptide antibody against a highly conserved segment of the alpha 1 subunits of calcium channels, immunoprecipitates the 240-kDa phosphopeptide in Triton X-100. The 240-kDa protein is phosphorylated to a stoichiometry of approximately 1 mol of phosphate/mol of omega-CgTx-binding N-type calcium channels by both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C. Our results show that the 240-kDa polypeptide is an alpha 1-like subunit of an omega-CgTx-sensitive N-type calcium channel. The N-type calcium channels containing this subunit are phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C and contain noncovalently associated alpha 1-like and alpha 2 delta-like subunits as part of their oligomeric structure.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of 2-(indolylmethylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-one and 2-(indolyl)-4H-chromen-4-one derivatives as novel monoamine oxidases inhibitors

A series of 2-(indolylmethylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-3-ones (aurone-indole hybrids) and 2-(indolyl)-4H-chromen-4-ones (flavone-indole hybrids) were designed, synthesized, and their monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B inhibitory activities were evaluated. Compounds 5b and 11b showed potent inhibitory activities against MAO-A, comparable to that of pargyline used as a positive control, and most of the compounds, except for 2a and 10b, showed potent inhibitory activities against MAO-B. Compound 9a was the most potent and highly selective inhibitor of MAO-B (IC₅₀ value for MAO-B: 0.0026 μM, and MAO-A: >100 μM). Comparison of the inhibitory activities of 1a vs. 9a vs. 13a and 1b vs. 7b vs. 11b suggested that methoxy substitution at R¹ on the A-rings of flavonoids increases MAO-A inhibition whereas methoxy substitution at R² increased MAO-B inhibition. Comparison of 4a vs. 10a, 6a vs. 11a, 3b vs. 8b and 4b vs. 9b showed incremental increases in MAO-B inhibitory activity by R² substitution on the A ring. Comparison of the MAO-B inhibitory effects of the flavone-indole hybrids and aurone-indole hybrids showed that most of the aurone-indole hybrids were stronger inhibitors than the corresponding flavone-indole hybrids. Molecular docking analysis of compounds 1a and 9a with MAO-B further supported the above structural effects of these compounds on MAO-B inhibitory activity.This is the first report identifying aurone-indole hybrids as potent MAO-B inhibitors. The results reported here suggest that 2-(1H-indol-1-ylmethylene)-6-methoxy-3(2H)-benzofuranone (9a) might be a useful lead for the design and development of novel MAO-B inhibitors     

Design,synthesis, and mechanism of action of 2-(3-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-6-pyrrolidinylquinolin-4-one as a potent anticancer lead

New 6- (or 6,7-) substituted 2-(hydroxyl substituted phenyl)quinolin-4-one derivatives were synthesized and screened for antiproliferative effects against cancer cell lines. Structure–activity relationship correlations were established and the most promising compound 2-(3-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-6-pyrrolidin-1-ylquinolin-4-one (6h) exhibited strong inhibitory activity against various human cancer cell lines, particularly non-small cell lung cancer NCI-H522. Additional studies suggested a mechanism of action resembling that of the antimitotic drug vincristine. The presence of a C-ring OH group in 6h will allow this compound to be converted readily to a water soluble and physicochemically stable hydrophilic prodrug. Compound 6h is proposed as a new anticancer lead compound.     

Design,synthesis and pharmacological characterization of analogs of 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB), a known store-operated calcium channel blocker,for inhibition of TRPV6-mediated calcium transport

2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB) is a known modulator of the IP₃ receptor, the calcium ATPase SERCA, the calcium release-activated calcium channel Orai and TRP channels. More recently, it was shown that 2-APB is an efficient inhibitor of the epithelial calcium channel TRPV6 which is overexpressed in prostate cancer. We have conducted a structure–activity relationship study of 2-APB congeners to understand their inhibitory mode of action on TRPV6. Whereas modifying the aminoethyl moiety did not significantly change TRPV6 inhibition, substitution of the phenyl rings of 2-APB did. Our data show that the diaryl borinate moiety is required for biological activity and that the substitution pattern of the aryl rings can influence TRPV6 versus SOCE inhibition. We have also discovered that 2-APB is hydrolyzed and transesterified within minutes in solution.     

Design and synthesis of 2-(3-alkylaminophenyl)-6-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinolin-4-ones as potent antitumor agents

2-(3-Alkylaminophenyl)-6-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinolin-4-ones 1–3 were synthesized and screened for anti-proliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines, as well as the normal cell line Detroit 551. All of the synthesized target compounds 1–3 demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity against the cancer cell lines, but weak inhibitory activity toward the normal cell line. 2-(3-Methyl aminophenyl)-6-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinolin-4-one (1), one of the potent compounds in vitro, was also tested in an in vivo Hep3B xenograft nude mice model, and its significant anticancer activity was reconfirmed. Therefore, compound 1 merits further investigation as an antitumor clinical trial candidate and potential anticancer agent.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluations of novel 7-[3-(1-aminocycloalkyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]-6-desfluoro-8-methoxyquinolones with potent antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant Gram-positive bacteria

A series of novel 6-desfluoro [des-F(6)] and 6-fluoro-1-[(1R,2S)-2-fluorocyclopropan-1-yl]-8-methoxyquinolones bearing 3-(1-aminocycloalkyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl substituents at the C-7 position (1–6) was synthesized to obtain potent drugs for nosocomial infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens. The des-F(6) compounds 4–6 exhibited at least four times more potent activity against representative Gram-positive bacteria than ciprofloxacin or moxifloxacin. Among the derivatives, 7-[(3R)-3-(1-aminocyclopropan-1-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl] derivative 4, which showed favorable profiles in preliminary toxicological and non-clinical pharmacokinetic studies, exhibited potent antibacterial activity against clinically isolated Gram-positive pathogens that had become resistant to one or more antibiotics.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,docking, lipophilicity and cytotoxicity of 1-[(1R)-1-(6-fluoro-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)ethyl]-3-alkyl carbamates,novel acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase pseudo-irreversible inhibitors

In the current study, sixteen novel derivatives of (R)-1-(6-fluorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)ethanamine were synthesized as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitors. Chemical structures together with purity of the synthesized compounds were substantiated by IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The optical activities were confirmed by optical rotation measurements. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their AChE and BChE inhibitory activities. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the most active compounds was investigated against human cell lines employing XTT tetrazolium salt reduction assay and xCELLigence system allowing a label-free assessment of the cells proliferation. Our results demonstrated that the inhibitory mechanism was confirmed to be pseudo-irreversible, in line with previous studies on carbamates. Compounds indicated as 3b, 3d, 3l and 3n showed the best AChE inhibitory activity of all the evaluated compounds and were up to tenfold more potent than standard drug rivastigmine. The binding mode was determined using state-of-the-art covalent docking and scoring methodology. The obtained data clearly demonstrated that 3b, 3d, 3l and 3n benzothiazole carbamates possess high inhibitory activity against AChE and BChE and concurrently negligible cytotoxicity. In conclusion, our results indicate, that these derivatives could be promising in an effective therapeutic intervention for Alzheimer’s disease.     

Discovery of SMP-304, a novel benzylpiperidine derivative with serotonin transporter inhibitory activity and 5-HT1A weak partial agonistic activity showing the antidepressant-like effect

We report the discovery of a novel benzylpiperidine derivative with serotonin transporter (SERT) inhibitory activity and 5-HT_1A receptor weak partial agonistic activity showing the antidepressant-like effect. The 3-methoxyphenyl group and the phenethyl group of compound 1, which has weak SERT binding activity, but potent 5-HT_1A binding activity, were optimized, leading to compound 35 with potent and balanced dual SERT and 5-HT_1A binding activity, but also potent CYP2D6 inhibitory activity. Replacement of the methoxy group in the left part of compound 35 with a larger alkoxy group, such as ethoxy, isopropoxy or methoxy-ethoxy group ameliorated CYP2D6 inhibition, giving SMP-304 as a candidate. SMP-304 with serotonin uptake inhibitory activity and 5-HT_1A weak partial agonistic activity, which could work as a 5-HT_1A antagonist, displayed faster onset of antidepressant-like effect than a representative SSRI paroxetine in an animal model.