Improvement of hERG-ROMK index of spirocyclic ROMK inhibitors through scaffold optimization and incorporation of novel pharmacophores

SAR in the previously described spirocyclic ROMK inhibitor series was further evolved from lead 4 by modification of the spirocyclic core and identification of novel right-side pharmacophores. In this process, it was discovered that the spiropyrrolidinone core with the carbonyl group α to the spirocenter was preferred for potent ROMK activity. Efforts aimed at decreasing hERG affinity within the series led to the discovery of multiple novel right-hand pharmacophores including 3-methoxythiadiazole, 2-methoxypyrimidine, and pyridazinone. The most promising candidate is pyridazinone analog 32 that showed an improved functional hERG/ROMK potency ratio and preclinical PK profile. In vivo evaluation of 32 demonstrated blood pressure lowering effects in the spontaneously hypertensive rat model.     

Discovery of a novel sub-class of ROMK channel inhibitors typified by 5-(2-(4-(2-(4-(1H-Tetrazol-1-yl)phenyl)acetyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one

A sub-class of distinct small molecule ROMK inhibitors were developed from the original lead 1. Medicinal chemistry endeavors led to novel ROMK inhibitors with good ROMK functional potency and improved hERG selectivity. Two of the described ROMK inhibitors were characterized for the first in vivo proof-of-concept biology studies, and results from an acute rat diuresis model confirmed the hypothesis that ROMK inhibitors represent new mechanism diuretic and natriuretic agents.     

Design,synthesis and structure–activity relationships of zwitterionic spirocyclic compounds as potent CCR1 antagonists

A series of zwitterionic spirocyclic compounds were synthesised. In vitro data revealed that these compounds were potent CCR1 antagonists. In particular, 2, 4, 11 and 20 inhibited CCR1 mediated chemotaxis of THP-1 cells in a functional assay.     

Design,synthesis and structure activity relationships of spirocyclic compounds as potent CCR1 antagonists

A series of CCR1 antagonists based upon spirocyclic compounds 1b and 2b were synthesised in which substituted aniline moiety was replaced with substituted benzamides. In vitro data revealed that CCR1 potency could be retained in such compounds.     

The discovery and preclinical evaluation of BMS-707035, a potent HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor

BMS-707035 is an HIV-1 integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) discovered by systematic optimization of N-methylpyrimidinone carboxamides guided by structure-activity relationships (SARs) and the single crystal X-ray structure of compound 10. It was rationalized that the unexpectedly advantageous profiles of N-methylpyrimidinone carboxamides with a saturated C2-substitutent may be due, in part, to the geometric relationship between the C2-substituent and the pyrimidinone core. The single crystal X-ray structure of 10 provided support for this reasoning and guided the design of a spirocyclic series 12 which led to discovery of the morpholino-fused pyrimidinone series 13. Several carboxamides derived from this bicyclic scaffold displayed improved antiviral activity and pharmacokinetic profiles when compared with corresponding spirocyclic analogs. Based on the excellent antiviral activity, preclinical profiles and acceptable in vitro and in vivo toxicity profiles, 13a (BMS-707035) was selected for advancement into phase I clinical trials.     

Lead generation and optimization of novel GPR119 agonists with a spirocyclic cyclohexane structure

We describe here the generation of a lead compound and its optimization studies that led to the identification of a novel GPR119 agonist. Based on a spirocyclic cyclohexane structure reported in our previous work, we identified compound 8 as a lead compound, being guided by ligand-lipophilicity efficiency (LLE), which linked potency and lipophilicity. Subsequent optimization studies of 8 for improvement of solubility afforded representative 21. Compound 21 had no inhibitory activity against six CYP isoforms and showed favorable pharmacokinetic properties and hypoglycemic activity in rats.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 3,4,5-trisubstituted aminothiophenes as inhibitors of p53–MDM2 interaction. Part 1

A series of 3,4,5-trisubstituted aminothiophenes were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their p53–MDM2 binding inhibitory potency and anti-proliferation activities against A549 and PC3 tumor cell lines. Fourteen compounds had appreciably improved MDM2 binding affinities than lead compound MCL0527 (3) and a few compounds showed comparable activities to that of Nutlin-3. Meanwhile, most of the 3,4,5-trisubstituted aminothiophenes displayed better or equivalent anti-proliferation activities against wild-type p53 cell line A549 compared to that of Nutlin-3. Over ten compounds exhibited desirable selective profiles of p53 status. Particularly, compounds 9, 16 and 18 displayed 22-, 6- and 22-fold selectivity of p53 status, respectively, much better than that of Nutlin-3 (fourfold).     

Design,synthesis, docking studies and biological evaluation of novel chalcone derivatives as potential histone deacetylase inhibitors

A group of novel chalcone derivatives comprising hydroxamic acid or 2-aminobenzamide group as zinc binding groups (ZBG) were synthesized. The structure of the prepared compounds was fully characterized by IR, NMR and elemental microanalyses. Most of the tested compounds displayed strong to moderate HDAC inhibitory activity. Some of these compounds showed potent anti-proliferative activity against human HepG2, MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines. In particular, compounds 4a and 4b exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity against the three cell lines compared to SAHA as reference drug and displayed promising profile as anti-tumor candidates. The results indicated that these chalcone derivatives could serve as a promising lead compounds for further optimization as antitumor agents.     

Oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction as key step in the synthesis of novel σ receptor ligands with 2-benzopyran structure

The Oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction of methyl 3-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoate (8) was explored to obtain novel σ receptor ligands. 1-Acyl protected piperidone ketals 10 and 11 reacted with phenylethanol 8 to yield spirocyclic compounds. Aliphatic aldehyde acetals 19 provided 1,3-disubstituted 2-benzopyrans 20 with high cis-diastereoselectivity. The intramolecular Oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction of 24 led to the tricyclic compound 25. The spirocyclic compounds 18 show high σ₁ affinity (K_i 20–26 nM) and σ₁/σ₂ selectivity (>9-fold), when a large substituent (n-octyl, benzyl, phenylpropyl) is attached to the piperidine N-atom. Opening of the piperidine ring to yield aminoethyl (22, 23) or aminomethyl derivatives (21) resulted in reduced σ₁ affinity and σ₁/σ₂ selectivity.     

Atovaquone derivatives as potent cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing agents

2-Piperazinyl naphthoquinones (2) and 2-piperidinyl naphthoquinones (3) were designed and synthesized as new cytotoxic and apoptosis inducing agents by utilizing the anti-parasite drug atovaquone as lead compound. Several compounds displayed significantly improved cytotoxic activities against a panel of cancer cell lines than that of atovaquone. These compounds also induced apoptosis through activating pro-apoptotic caspases 9 and 3.     

Design and synthesis of novel and potent GPR119 agonists with a spirocyclic structure

Exploration of alternative structures of the substituted piperidine or piperazine ring which are characteristic in most of the reported GPR119 agonists provided novel spirocyclic cyclohexane derivatives. The representative 17 with a high three-dimensionality exhibited potent agonistic activity (EC₅₀?=?4?nM) with no CYP inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ >10?μM). Compound 17 also displayed hypoglycemic activity with insulin secretion dependent on glucose concentration in an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test in rats.     

Development of novel ferulic acid derivatives as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) offer a promising strategy for cancer therapy. The discovery of potent ferulic acid-based HDACIs with hydroxamic acid or 2-aminobenzamide group as zinc binding group was reported. The halogeno-acetanilide was introduced as novel surface recognition moiety (SRM). The majority of title compounds displayed potent HDAC inhibitory activity. In particular, FA6 and FA16 exhibited significant enzymatic inhibitory activities, with IC₅₀ values of 3.94 and 2.82 μM, respectively. Furthermore, these compounds showed moderate antiproliferative activity against a panel of human cancer cells. FA17 displayed promising profile as an antitumor candidate. The results indicated that these ferulic acid derivatives could serve as promising lead compounds for further optimization.     

Synthesis of cembranoid analogues and evaluation of their potential as quorum sensing inhibitors

Natural cembranoids have shown Quorum Sensing Inhibitory (QSI) activity, but their structure–function interactions are not well understood. Thirty-four cembranoid analogues were synthesized using six natural cembranoids (1–6) previously isolated from the Colombian Caribbean octocorals Eunicea knighti and Pseudoplexaura flagellosa as lead compounds. The analogues (7–40) obtained through the selected chemical transformations were tested in vitro against the QS systems of a Chromobacterium violaceum biosensor. Half of the cembranoid analogues assayed showed superior QSI activity to the lead compounds; three (8, 13, and 18) displayed remarkable potency up to three times higher than the natural compounds. Thereby, we have synthesized a pool of cembranoid QS inhibitors that can be used in concert with natural compounds to develop antipathogenic drugs and antifouling agents.     

Redefining the structure–activity relationships of 2,6-methano-3-benzazocines. Part 7: Syntheses and opioid receptor properties of cyclic variants of cyclazocine

A series of 7,8- and 8,9-fused triazole and imidazole analogues of cyclazocine have been made and characterized in opioid receptor binding and [³⁵S]GTPγS assays. Target compounds were designed to explore the SAR surrounding our lead molecule for this study, namely the 8,9-fused pyrrolo analogue 2 of cyclazocine. Compared to 2, many of the new compounds in this study displayed very high affinity for opioid receptors.     

Deciphering the robustness of pyrazolo-pyridine carboxylate core structure-based compounds for inhibiting α-synuclein in transgenic C. elegans model of Synucleinopathy

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a calamitous neurodegenerative disorder with no cure till date, is closely allied with the misfolding and aggregation of α-Synuclein (α -Syn). Inhibition of α-Syn aggregation is one of the optimistic approaches for the treatment for PD. Here, we carried out hypothesis-driven studies towards synthesising a series of pyrazolo-pyridine carboxylate containing compounds (7a–7m) targeted at reducing deleterious α-Syn aggregation. The target compounds were synthesized through multi-step organic synthesis reactions. From docking studies, compounds 7b, 7g and 7i displayed better interaction with the key residues of α-Syn with values: −6.8, −8.9 and −7.2 Kcal/mol, respectively. In vivo transgenic C. elegans model of Synucleinopathy was used to evaluate the ability of the designed and synthesized compounds to inhibit α-Syn aggregation. These lead compounds 7b, 7g and 7i displayed 1.7, 2.4 and 1.5-fold inhibition of α-Syn with respect to the control. Further, the strategy of employing pyrazolo-pyridine-based compounds worked with success and these scaffolds could be further modified and validated for betterment of endpoints associated with PD.     

Anilino-monoindolylmaleimides as potent and selective JAK3 inhibitors

We designed a series of anilino-indoylmaleimides based on structural elements from literature JAK3 inhibitors 3 and 4, and our lead 5. These new compounds were tested as inhibitors of JAKs 1, 2 and 3 and TYK2 for therapeutic intervention in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our requirements, based on current scientific rationale for optimum efficacy against RA with reduced side effects, was for potent, mixed JAK1 and 3 inhibition, and selectivity over JAK2. Our efforts yielded a potent JAK3 inhibitor 11d and its eutomer 11e. These compounds were highly selective for inhibition of JAK3 over JAK2 and TYK. The compounds displayed only modest JAK1 inhibition.     

Optimization of oxadiazole derivatives with a spirocyclic cyclohexane structure as novel GPR119 agonists

We describe here a novel GPR119 agonist 24, which showed a potent and long-acting hypoglycemic effect in rats via oral dosing. For the discovery of 24, we chose compound 5, which possessed an oxadiazole linker, as a lead compound among our spirocyclic cyclohexane GPR119 agonist series, taking into account its lower plasma protein binding nature. 3,5-Difluoro and 4-methylsulfonylmethy groups on the left side phenyl group, and a gem-difluoro group on the right side of 24 are important for its agonist potency and metabolic stability, respectively.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel antitumor spirodihydrothiopyran-oxindole derivatives

Sulfur containing spiroheterocyclic oxindoles are promising privileged scaffolds in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Previously, we identified a new class of spirodihydrothiopyran-oxindoles with good in vitro antitumor activity against A549 lung cancer cell line. Herein, various spirooxindole-dihydrothiopyrans with diverse substitutions were synthesized and assayed to investigate the structure-activity relationships. Among the derivatives, compounds 4b, 4i, 4m, 4n and 4q displayed superior or comparable antitumor activity than nutlin-3. Molecular mechanism study revealed this scaffold displayed moderate MDM2 inhibitory activity, significantly induced cancer cell apoptosis and arrested cell cycle at G0/G1 phase, which represented a good lead compound for antitumor drug discovery.     

Design,synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of (E)-3,4-dihydroxy styryl sulfonamides derivatives as multifunctional neuroprotective agents against oxidative and inflammatory injury

A novel class of (E)-3,4-dihydroxy styryl sulfonamides and their 3,4-diacetylated derivatives as caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) analogs was designed and prepared for improving stability and solubility of the lead compound. Their neuroprotective properties were assessed by several models. The results showed that target compounds displayed positive free radical quenching abilities, superior to that of CAPE. Compounds 6j–k and 7j–k demonstrated remarkable protection effects against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide which were apparently stronger than that of CAPE. Most of target compounds could inhibit nitric oxide production. Additionally, target compounds showed high blood–brain barrier permeability.