Synthesis,structure–activity relationships,and biological profiles of a dihydrobenzoxathiin class of histamine H3 receptor inverse agonists

A series of novel dihydrobenzoxathiin derivatives was synthesized and evaluated as potent human histamine H₃ receptor inverse agonists. After systematic modification of lead 1a, the potent and selective histamine H₃ inverse agonist 1-(3-{4-[(2S,3S)-8-methoxy-3-methyl-4,4-dioxido-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-2-yl]phenoxy}propyl)pyrrolidine (5k) was identified. Compound 5k showed good pharmacokinetic profiles and brain penetrability in laboratory animals. After 3 mg/kg oral administration of 5k, significant elevation of brain histamine levels was observed in rats where the brain H₃ receptor was fully occupied.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological assessment of the four stereoisomers of the H3 receptor antagonist 5-fluoro-2-methyl-N-[2-methyl-4-(2-methyl[1,3′]bipyrrolidinyl-1′-yl)phenyl]benzamide

This Letter describes the asymmetric synthesis of the four stereoisomers (8a–8d) of a potent and highly selective histamine H₃ receptor (H₃R) antagonist, 5-fluoro-2-methyl-N-[2-methyl-4-(2-methyl[1,3′]bipyrrolidinyl-1′-yl) phenyl]benzamide (1). The physico-chemical properties, in vitro H₃R affinities and ADME of 8a–8d were determined. Stereoisomer 8c (2S,3′S) displayed superior in vitro H₃R affinity over other three stereoisomers and was selected for further profiling in in vivo PK and drug safety. Compound 8c exhibited excellent PK properties with high exposure, desired brain to plasma ratio and reasonable brain half life. However, all stereoisomers showed similar unwanted hERG affinities.     

Discovery of INCB10820/PF-4178903, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable dual CCR2 and CCR5 antagonist

We report the discovery of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable dual CCR2 and CCR5 antagonist (3S,4S)-N-[(1R,3S)-3-isopropyl-3-({4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl]piperazin-1-yl}carbonyl)cyclopentyl]-3-methoxytetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-amine (19). After evaluation in 28-day toxicology studies, compound 19 (INCB10820/PF-4178903) was selected as a clinical candidate.     

Novel substituted pyrrolidines are high affinity histamine H3 receptor antagonists

Pre-clinical characterization of novel substituted pyrrolidines that are high affinity histamine H₃ receptor antagonists is described. These compounds efficiently penetrate the CNS and occupy the histamine H₃ receptor in rat brain following oral administration. One compound, (2S,4R)-1-[2-(4-cyclobutyl-[1,4]diazepane-1-carbonyl)-4-(3-fluoro-phenoxy)-pyrrolidin-1-yl]-ethanone, was extensively profiled and shows promise as a potential clinical candidate.     

Discovery of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a): Histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist demonstrating potent cognitive enhancing and wake promoting activity

A series of fused cyclopropyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-one (3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one) phenoxypiperidine analogs was designed and synthesized, leading to the identification of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a) as a second-generation pyridazin-3-one H₃R antagonist. Compound R,S-4a was a potent H₃R functional antagonist in vivo in the rat dipsogenia model, demonstrated potent wake activity in the rat EEG/EMG model, and enhanced short-term memory in the rat social recognition memory model at doses as low as 0.03–0.3 mg/kg po.     

Clobenpropit analogs as dual activity ligands for the histamine H3 and H4 receptors: Synthesis,pharmacological evaluation,and cross-target QSAR studies

Previous studies have demonstrated that clobenpropit (N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-S-[3-(4(5)-imidazolyl)propyl]isothiourea) binds to both the human histamine H₃ receptor (H₃R) and H₄ receptor (H₄R). In this paper, we describe the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a series of clobenpropit analogs, which vary in the functional group adjacent to the isothiourea moiety in order to study structural requirements for H₃R and H₄R ligands. The compounds show moderate to high affinity for both the human H₃R and H₄R. Furthermore, the changes in the functional group attached to the isothiourea moiety modulate the intrinsic activity of the ligands at the H₄R, ranging from neutral antagonism to full agonism. QSAR models have been generated in order to explain the H₃R and H₄R affinities.     

Development of a selective and potent radioactive ligand for histamine H3 receptors: A compound potentially useful for receptor occupancy studies

Radioligands are powerful tools for examining the pharmacological profiles of chemical leads and thus facilitate drug discovery. In this study, we identified and characterized 3-([1,1,1-³H]methyl)-2-(4-{[3-(1-pyrrolidinyl)propyl]oxy} phenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinone ([³H]1) as a potent and selective radioligand for histamine H₃ receptors. Radioligand [³H]1 exhibited appreciable specific signal in brain slices prepared from wild-type mice but not from histamine H₃ receptor-deficient mice, demonstrating the specificity and utility of [³H]1 as a selective histamine H₃ receptor radioligand for ex-vivo receptor occupancy assays.     

Structure-activity relationship study towards non-peptidic positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for gastrin releasing peptide receptors: Development of [18F] (S)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-[1-[5-(2-fluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yl]cyclohexylmethyl]-2-methyl-2-[3-(4-nitrophenyl)ureido]propionamide

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRP-Rs, also known as bombesin 2 receptors) are overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, including prostate cancer, and therefore they represent a promising target for in vivo imaging of tumors using positron emission tomography (PET). Structural modifications of the non-peptidic GRP-R antagonist PD-176252 ((S)-1a) led to the identification of the fluorinated analog (S)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-[1-[5-(2-fluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yl]cyclohexylmethyl]-2-methyl-2-[3-(4-nitrophenyl)ureido]propionamide ((S)-1m) that showed high affinity and antagonistic properties for GRP-R. This antagonist was stable in rat plasma and towards microsomal oxidative metabolism in vitro. (S)-1m was successfully radiolabeled with fluorine-18 through a conventional radiochemistry procedure. [¹⁸F](S)-1m showed high affinity and displaceable interaction for GRP-Rs in PC3 cells in vitro.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of [3H]PF-7191, a highly specific nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor radiotracer for in vivo receptor occupancy (RO) studies

Herein we report the identification of (+)-N-(2-((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-((1R,3r,5S)-6′-fluoro-8-azaspiro[bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3,1′-isochroman]-8-yl)propyl)-N-[³H]-methylacetamide {[³H]PF-7191 [(+)-11]} as a promising radiotracer for the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor. (+)-11 demonstrated high NOP binding affinity (K_i = 0.1 nM), excellent selectivity over other opioid receptors (>1000×) and good brain permeability in rats (C_b,u/C_p,u = 0.29). Subsequent characterization of [³H](+)-11 showed a high level of specific binding and a brain bio-distribution pattern consistent with known NOP receptor expression. Furthermore, the in vivo brain binding of [³H](+)-11 in rats was inhibited by a selective NOP receptor antagonist in a dose–responsive manner. This overall favorable profile indicated that [³H](+)-11 is a robust radiotracer for pre-clinical in vivo receptor occupancy (RO) measurements and a possible substrate for carbon-11 labeling for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in higher species.     

Diether derivatives of homo- or substituted piperidines as non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor ligands

Synthesis and biological activities of a series of homo- or substituted piperidine unsymmetrical diethers are described. The novel compounds were evaluated for histamine H₃ receptor binding affinities at recombinant human H₃ receptor stably expressed in HEK-293 cells. All diethers showed in vitro affinities in nanomolar concentration range. The most potent compounds are 1-[3-(3-(4-chlorophenoxy)propoxy)propyl]-3-methylpiperidine 11 (K_i = 3.2 nM) and 1-[3-(3-(4-chlorophenoxy)propoxy)propyl]azepane 13 (K_i = 3.5 nM).     

Facile synthesis of SSR180575 and discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[18F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide,a potent pyridazinoindole ligand for PET imaging of TSPO in cancer

A novel synthesis of the translocator protein (TSPO) ligand 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (SSR180575, 3) was achieved in four steps from commercially available starting materials. Focused structure–activity relationship development about the pyridazinoindole ring at the N3 position led to the discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (14), a novel ligand of comparable affinity. Radiolabeling with fluorine-18 (¹⁸F) yielded 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[¹⁸F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide ([¹⁸F]-14) in high radiochemical yield and specific activity. In vivo studies of [¹⁸F]-14 revealed this agent as a promising probe for molecular imaging of glioma.     

Phosphane effects on formation and reactivity of [Ru(L)(PR3)(`N2Me2S2')] complexes with L=N2, N2H4, NH3, and CO

Metal-sulfur complex fragments, to which small molecules like N₂, N₂H₂, N₂H₄, NH₃, or CO can bind, are desirable model compounds concerning enzymatic N₂ fixation.This paper reports on the effects of the phosphane co-ligand on formation and reactivity of [Ru(L)(PR₃)(`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>')] [`N₂Me₂S₂'²⁻=1,2-ethanediamine-N,N^′-dimethyl-N,N^′-bis(2-benzenethiolate)(2−)] complexes with nitrogenase relevant ligands, especially N₂, N₂H₄, NH₃, and CO.Treatment of [Ru(NCCH₃)₄Cl₂] with Li₂`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>', excessive LiOMe, bulky PPh<sub>3</sub> or PCy<sub>3</sub>, respectively, led to the formation of two series of [Ru(L)(PR<sub>3</sub>)(`N₂Me₂S₂')] complexes [for R=Ph: 1b, 1c (L=NCCH₃), 6b (L=N₂H₄), 7b (L=N₂), 8b_1-3 (L=CO), 9b (L=NH₃); for R=Cy: 1a (L=NCCH₃), 6a (L=N₂H₄), 7a (L=N₂), 8a (L=CO), 9a (L=NH₃)]. While the use of PPh₃ (θ=145°) yielded cis,trans and cis,cis isomers of [Ru(NCCH₃)(PPh₃)(`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>')] (1b, 1c), no isomer formation was observed with the bulkier phosphane PCy<sub>3</sub> (θ=170°). Sterically less demanding phosphanes (θ=118-132°) afforded bisphosphane complexes [Ru(PR<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(`N₂Me₂S₂')] [2d (R=Me), 2e (R=Et), 2f (R=nPr), and 2g (R=nBu)], which were practically inert and could only be converted in two cases and under drastic reaction conditions into the CO complexes [Ru(CO)(PR₃)(`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>')] [4e (R=Et), 4f (R=nPr)]. The chelating bidentate phosphane dppe (bisdiphenylphosphanoethane) yielded exclusively the mononuclear complex [Ru(dppe)(`N₂Me₂S₂')] (3).     

Development of selective inhibitors for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: (R)-3-(3-(Methyl(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile as a JAK1-selective inhibitor

A series of 3(R)-aminopyrrolidine derivatives were designed and synthesized for JAK1-selective inhibitors through the modification of tofacitinib’s core structure, (3R,4R)-3-amino-4-methylpiperidine. From the new core structures, we selected (R)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolidin-3-yl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine as a scaffold for further SAR studies. From biochemical enzyme assays and liver microsomal stability tests, (R)-3-(3-(methyl(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (6) was chosen for further in vivo test through oral administration. Compound 6 showed improved selectivity for JAK1 compared to that of tofacitinib (IC₅₀ 11, 2.4?×?10², 2.8?×?10³, and 1.1?×?10²?nM for JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2, respectively). In CIA and AIA model tests, compound 6 exhibited similar efficacy to tofacitinib citrate.     

Facile route for the synthesis of the iminosugar nucleoside (3R,4R)-1-(pyren-1-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol

N-(Pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4S)-4-[(1S,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]pyrrolidin-3-ol (4) was obtained in 36% yield from 3-deoxy-3-C-formyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (3) by combined hydrolysis and aminoalkylation reactions with 1-aminopyrene in a one-pot reaction. Cleavage reactions of the exocyclic triol chain in 4 with NaIO₄ and NaBH₄ resulted in iminosugars 7 and 8, which are analogues of the furanose forms of 2-deoxy-d-allose and of 2-deoxy-d-ribose, the latter analogue N-(pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4R)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol (8) being formed in 83% yield.     

Discovery of a novel series of indoline carbamate and indolinylpyrimidine derivatives as potent GPR119 agonists

GPR119 has emerged as an attractive target for anti-diabetic agents. We identified a structurally novel GPR119 agonist 22c that carries a 5-(methylsulfonyl)indoline motif as an early lead compound. To generate more potent compounds of this series, structural modifications were performed mainly to the central alkylene spacer. Installation of a carbonyl group and a methyl group on this spacer significantly enhanced agonistic activity, resulting in the identification of 2-[1-(5-ethylpyrimidin-2-yl)piperidin-4-yl]propyl 7-fluoro-5-(methylsulfonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-1-carboxylate (20). To further expand the chemical series of indoline-based GPR119 agonists, several heterocyclic core systems were introduced as surrogates of the carbamate spacer that mimic the presumed active conformation. This approach successfully produced an indolinylpyrimidine derivative 37, 5-(methylsulfonyl)-1-[6-({1-[3-(propan-2-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]piperidin-4-yl}oxy)pyrimidin-4-yl]-2,3-dihydro-1H-indole, which has potent GPR119 agonist activity. In rat oral glucose tolerance tests, these two indoline-based compounds effectively lowered plasma glucose excursion and glucose-dependent insulin secretion after oral administration.     

Synthesis of carbon-11-labeled CK1 inhibitors as new potential PET radiotracers for imaging of Alzheimer’s disease

The reference standards methyl 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate (5a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-methoxybenzamide (5c), and their corresponding desmethylated precursors 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoic acid (6a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-hydroxybenzamide (6b), were synthesized from 5-amino-2,2-difluoro-1,3-benzodioxole and 3-substituted benzoic acids in 5 and 6 steps with 33% and 11%, 30% and 7% overall chemical yield, respectively. Carbon-11-labeled casein kinase 1 (CK1) inhibitors, [¹¹C]methyl 3-((2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)carbamoyl)benzoate ([¹¹C]5a) and N-(2,2-difluoro-5H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′:4,5]benzo[1,2-d]imidazol-6-yl)-3-[¹¹C]methoxybenzamide ([¹¹C]5c), were prepared from their O-desmethylated precursor 6a or 6b with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–45% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (MA) at EOB was 370–740?GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB.     

Copper and manganese complexes with C2-multitopic ligands. X-ray crystal structure of [Cu(N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl]phenylenediamine)H2O]. Catalytic properties

Eight mononuclear complexes with multitopic C₂-symmetry ligands, [Cu(L)]ClO₄, [Mn(L)Cl(H₂O)]PF₆, (L=N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl]phenylenediamine (1), N,N′-bis[(S)-N-benzylprolyl]phenylenediamine (2), N,N′-bis{[(S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine (3), N,N′-bis-{[(S)-N-benzyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}phenylenediamine (4)) have been prepared and characterised by analytical (elemental analysis, and mass spectroscopy) and FT IR, NMR and electronic spectroscopies. The data show that the ligands are neutral and coordinate to the metal in a tetradentate manner. The N,N′-bis[(S)-prolyl]phenylenediamine ligand also appears as an anionic species, (LH-2), and the single crystal structure determination of the respective complex, [Cu(1)]H₂O, is reported. This new family of Cu-complexes catalyse the cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl and t-butyl diazoacetate to afford cis/trans 2-phenylcyclopropan-1-carboxylates with good yields and selectivity against dimerisation and low ee (<10%). On the other hand, the manganese and copper complexes also catalyse the oxidation of organic sulfides to sulfoxides with high selectivity, and moderate to low enantioselectivity. If an excess of oxidant were used the reaction yields sulfone as only product with excellent yield.     

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of N-aryl(indol-3-yl)glyoxamides as antitumor agents

The synthesis and study of the structure–activity relationships of cytotoxic compounds based on N-pyridinyl or N-aryl-2-(1-benzylindol-3-yl)glyoxamide skeleton, represented by the lead structures D-24241 and D-24851, are described. The presence of N-(pyridin-4-yl) moiety was crucial for activity and 2-[1-(4-chloro-3-nitrobenzyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-2-oxo-N-(pyridin-4-yl)acetamide (55), the most potent derivative, showed IC₅₀ = 39 nM, 51 nM and 11 nM against HeLa/KB (human cervix carcinoma), L1210 (murine leukemia) and SKOV3 (human ovarian carcinoma) cell lines proliferation assay, respectively, as active as the lead compounds.     

Discovery and preclinical profile of teneligliptin (3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine): A highly potent,selective, long-lasting and orally active dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibition is suitable mechanism for once daily oral dosing regimen because of its low risk of hypoglycemia. We explored linked bicyclic heteroarylpiperazines substituted at the γ-position of the proline structure in the course of the investigation of l-prolylthiazolidines. The efforts led to the discovery of a highly potent, selective, long-lasting and orally active DPP-4 inhibitor, 3-[(2S,4S)-4-[4-(3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)piperazin-1-yl]pyrrolidin-2-ylcarbonyl]thiazolidine (8g), which has a unique structure characterized by five consecutive rings. An X-ray co-crystal structure of 8g in DPP-4 demonstrated that the key interaction between the phenyl ring on the pyrazole and the S₂ extensive subsite of DPP-4 not only boosted potency, but also increased selectivity. Compound 8g, at 0.03 mg/kg or higher doses, significantly inhibited the increase of plasma glucose levels after an oral glucose load in Zucker fatty rats. Compound 8g (teneligliptin) has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japan.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of [18F]BMS-754807: A potential PET ligand for IGF-1R

Radiosynthesis and in vitro evaluation of [¹⁸F](S)-1-(4-((5-cyclopropyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-2-yl)-N-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-2-methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide ([¹⁸F]BMS-754807 or [¹⁸F]1) a specific IGF-1R inhibitor was performed. [¹⁸F]1 demonstrated specific binding in vitro to human cancer tissues. Synthesis of reference standard 1 and corresponding bromo derivative (1a), the precursor for radiolabeling were achieved from 2,4-dichloropyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine (4) in three steps with 50% overall yield. The radioproduct was obtained in 8% yield by reacting 1a with [¹⁸F]TBAF in DMSO at 170 °C at high radiochemical purity and specific activity (1–2 Ci/μmol, N = 10). The proof of concept of IGF-IR imaging with [¹⁸F]1 was demonstrated by in vitro autoradiography studies using pathologically identified surgically removed grade IV glioblastoma, breast cancer and pancreatic tumor tissues. These studies indicate that [¹⁸F]1 can be a potential PET tracer for monitoring IGF-1R.