Design,synthesis and anti-diabetic activity of triazolotriazine derivatives as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the major global metabolic disorders characterized by insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycemia. Inhibition of the enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) has been proved as successful and safe therapy for the treatment of T2DM since last decade. In order to design novel DPP-4 inhibitors, various in silico studies such as 3D-QSAR, pharmacophore modeling and virtual screening were performed and on the basis of the combined results of them, total 50 triazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine derivatives were designed and mapped on the best pharmacophore model. From this, best 25 derivatives were docked onto the active site of DPP-4 enzyme and in silico ADMET properties were also predicted. Finally, top 17 derivatives were synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, Mass, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Purity of compounds was checked using HPLC. These derivatives were then evaluated for in vitro DPP-4 inhibition. The most promising compound 15q showed 28.05 μM DPP-4 IC₅₀ with 8–10-fold selectivity over DPP-8 and DPP-9 so selected for further in vivo anti-diabetic evaluation. During OGTT in normal C57BL/6J mice, compound 15q reduced blood glucose excursion in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic treatment for 28 days with compound 15q improved the serum glucose levels in type 2 diabetic Sprague Dawley rats wherein diabetes was induced by high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin. This suggested that compound 15q is a moderately potent and selective hit molecule which can be further optimized structurally to increase the efficacy and overall pharmacological profile as DPP-4 inhibitor.     

Structure-activity relationship studies of novel 3-oxazolidinedione-6-naphthyl-2-pyridinones as potent and orally bioavailable EP3 receptor antagonists

Multiple regions of the 3-oxazolidinedione-6-naphthyl-pyridinone series identified via high throughput screening were explored. SAR studies of these regions including the left-hand side oxazolidinedione moiety, α-substituent on the oxazolidinedione ring, central pyridinone core, and substituents on the central pyridinone core led to the discovery of potent EP₃ receptor antagonists such as compound 29 which possesses outstanding rat pharmacokinetic properties. Synthesis and SAR of these novel compounds and DMPK properties of representative compounds are discussed.     

Discovery of AAT-008, a novel,potent, and selective prostaglandin EP4 receptor antagonist

Starting from acylsufonamide HTS hit 2, a novel series of para-N-acylaminomethylbenzoic acids was identified and developed as selective prostaglandin EP4 receptor antagonists. Structural modifications on lead compound 4a were explored with the aim of improving potency, physicochemical properties, and animal PK predictive of QD (once a day) dosing regimen in human. These efforts led to the discovery of the clinical candidate AAT-008 (4j), which exhibited significantly improved pharmacological profiles over grapiprant (1).     

Synthesis and SAR of 5-aryl-furan-2-carboxamide derivatives as potent urotensin-II receptor antagonists

The synthesis and biological evaluation as potential urotensin-II receptor antagonists of a series of 5-arylfuran-2-carboxamide derivatives 1, bearing a 4-(3-chloro-4-(piperidin-4-yloxy)benzyl)piperazin-1-yl group, are described. The results of a systematic SAR investigation of furan-2-carboxamides with C-5 aryl groups possessing a variety of aryl ring substituents led to identification of the 3,4-difluorophenyl analog 1y as a highly potent UT antagonist with an IC₅₀ value of 6?nM. In addition, this substance was found to display high metabolic stability, and low hERG inhibition and cytotoxicity, and to have an acceptable PK profile.     

Synthesis and characterization of 8-ethynyl-1,3-dihydro-benzo[b][1,4]diazepin-2-one derivatives: new potent non-competitive metabotropic glutamate receptor 2/3 antagonists. Part 1

A series of 1,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]diazepin-2-one derivatives was evaluated as non-competitive mGluR2/3 antagonists. Attachment of an 8-(2-aryl)-ethynyl-moiety produced compounds inhibiting the binding of [³H]-LY354740 to rat mGluR2 with low nanomolar affinity and consistent functional effect at both mGluR2 and mGluR3.     

Discovery of {4-[4,9-bis(ethyloxy)-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[f]isoindol-2-yl]-2-fluorophenyl}acetic acid (GSK726701A), a novel EP4 receptor partial agonist for the treatment of pain

A novel series of EP₄ agonists and antagonists have been identified, and then used to validate their potential in the treatment of inflammatory pain. This paper describes these novel ligands and their activity within a number of pre-clinical models of pain, ultimately leading to the identification of the EP₄ partial agonist GSK726701A.     

Synthesis of novel 5-substituted-2-aminotetralin analogs: 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 G protein-coupled receptor affinity, 3D-QSAR and molecular modeling

The serotonin 5-HT₇ G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) is a proposed pharmacotherapeutic target for a variety of central and peripheral indications, albeit, there are no approved drugs selective for binding 5-HT₇. We previously reported that a lead analog based on the 5-substituted-N,N-disubstituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-amine (5-substituted-2-aminotetralin, 5-SAT) scaffold binds with high affinity at the 5-HT₇ GPCR, and can treat symptoms of autism in mouse models; subsequently, the lead was found to have high affinity at the 5-HT_1A GPCR. Herein, we report the synthesis of novel 5-SAT analogs to develop a 3-dimensional quantitative structure—affinity relationship (3D-QSAR) at the human 5-HT₇ receptor for comparison with similar studies at the highly homologous 5-HT_1A receptor. We report 35 new 5-SAT ligands, some with very high affinity (K_i ≤ 1 nM) and stereoselectivity at 5-HT₇ + or 5-HT_1A receptors, several with modest selectivity (up to 12-fold) for binding at 5-HT₇, and, several ligands with high selectivity (up to 40-fold) at the 5-HT_1A receptor. 3D-QSAR results indicate that steric extensions at the C(5)-position improve selectivity for the 5-HT₇ over 5-HT_1A receptor, while steric and hydrophobic extensions at the chiral C(2)-amino position impart 5-HT_1A selectivity. In silico receptor homology modeling studies, supplemented with molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations, were used to rationalize experimentally-determined receptor selectivity and stereoselective affinity results. The data from these studies indicate that the 5-SAT chemotype, previously shown to be safe and efficacious in rodent paradigms of neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, is amenable to structural modification to optimize affinity at serotonin 5-HT₇ vs. 5-HT_1A GPCRs, as may be required for successful clinical translation.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular modeling of 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amide derivatives as novel antitubulin agents

A series of 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amide derivatives (6a–w) were designed and synthesized as potential inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and as anticancer agents. The in vitro anticancer activities of these compounds were evaluated against three cancer cell lines by the MTT method. Among all the designed compounds, compound 6f exhibited the most potent anticancer activity against A549, MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 0.03 μM, 0.06 μM and 0.05 μM, respectively. Compound 6f also exhibited significant tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 1.73 μM), which was superior to the positive control. The obtained results, along with a 3D-QSAR study and molecular docking that were used for investigating the probable binding mode, could provide an important basis for further optimization of compound 6f as a novel anticancer agent.     

Synthesis, structure-affinity relationships, and molecular modeling studies of novel pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline derivatives as adenosine receptor antagonists

This paper reports the study of new 2-phenyl- and 2-methylpyrazolo[3,4-c]quinolin-4-ones (series A) and 4-amines (series B), designed as adenosine receptor (AR) antagonists. The synthesized compounds bear at the 6-position various groups, with different lipophilicity and steric hindrance, that were thought to increase human A(1) and A(2A) AR affinities and selectivities, with respect to those of the parent 6-unsubstituted compounds. In series A, this modification was not tolerated since it reduced AR affinity, while in series B it shifted the binding towards the hA(1) subtype. To rationalize the observed structure-affinity relationships, molecular docking studies at A(2A)AR-based homology models of the A(1) and A(3) ARs and at the A(2A)AR crystal structure were carried out.     

Synthesis and SAR investigations of novel 2-arylbenzimidazole derivatives as melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCH-R1) antagonists

Compounds containing 2-arybenzimidazole ring systems linked to arylpiperidines were synthesized and evaluated as MCH-R1 antagonists. The results of structure-activity relationship studies led to the identification of compound 4c as a potent MCH-R1 antagonist (IC₅₀ = 1 nM). This compound also has good metabolic stability, and favorable pharmacokinetic and brain penetration properties. However 4c was found to be potent inhibitor of the hERG potassium channel.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel biphenyl-4-carboxamide derivatives as orally available TRPV1 antagonists

A new series of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) antagonists were designed and synthesized from N-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(piperidin-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl-4-carboxamide hydrochloride (8). SAR studies identified (R)-N-(1-methyl-2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-7-quinolyl)-2-[(2-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl]biphenyl-4-carboxamide hydrochloride (ASP8370, 7), as a compound with high aqueous solubility, satisfactory stability in human liver microsomes, and reduced CYP3A4 inhibition. ASP8370 was selected as a clinical development candidate with significant ameliorative effects on neuropathic pain. SAR studies also revealed the structural mechanisms underlying the switching between TRPV1 antagonism and agonism.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 3-pyrrolo[b]cyclohexylene-2-dihydroindolinone derivatives as potent receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

A novel series of 3-pyrrolo[b]cyclohexylene-2-dihydroindolinone derivatives targeting VEGFR-2, PDGFR-β and c-Kit kinases were designed and synthesized. The molecular design was based on the SAR features of indolin-2-ones as kinase inhibitors. SAR study of the series allowed us to identify compounds possessing more potent inhibitory activities against the three kinases than sunitinb with IC₅₀ values in the low nanomolar range in vitro. Additionally, some compounds also showed favorable antiproliferative activities against a panel of cancer cell lines (BXPC-3, T24, BGC, HEPG2 and HT29).     

Discovery of 6-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl]-benzoxazin-3-one derivatives as novel selective nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists

In the course of our study on selective nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists, a series of novel benzoxazine derivatives possessing an azole ring as the core scaffold was designed for the purpose of attenuating the partial agonistic activity of the previously reported dihydropyrrol-2-one derivatives. Screening of alternative azole rings identified 1,3-dimethyl pyrazole 6a as a lead compound with reduced partial agonistic activity. Subsequent replacement of the 1-methyl group of the pyrazole ring with larger lipophilic side chains or polar side chains targeting Arg817 and Gln776 increased MR binding activity while maintaining the agonistic response at the lower level. Among these compounds, 6-[1-(2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (37a) showed highly potent in vitro activity, high selectivity versus other steroid hormone receptors, and good pharmacokinetic profiles. Oral administration of 37a in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertensive rats showed a significant blood pressure-lowering effect with no signs of antiandrogenic effects.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-carbamoyl-2-phenylpyrimidine derivatives as novel and potent PDE4 inhibitors

5-Carbamoyl-2-phenylpyrimidine derivative 2 has been identified as a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor with moderate PDE4B inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 200 nM). Modification of the carboxylic acid moiety of 2 gave N-neopentylacetamide derivative 10f, which had high in vitro PDE4B inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 8.3 nM) and in vivo efficacy against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pulmonary neutrophilia in mice (ID₅₀ = 16 mg/kg, ip). Furthermore, based on the X-ray crystallography of 10f bound to the human PDE4B catalytic domain, we designed 7,8-dihydro-6H-pyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidin-5-one derivative 39 which has a fused bicyclic lactam scaffold. Compound 39 exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production in mouse splenocytes (IC₅₀ = 0.21 nM) and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced pulmonary neutrophilia in mice (41% inhibition at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, i.t.).     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of the new 9-aminoacridine, 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,f]azepine, polyfluoro 5,6-dihydro-1,3,5-oxadiazine derivatives]

Screening among 9-aminoacridine, 10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenz[b, f]azepine and polyfluoro 5,6-dihydro-1,3,5-oxadiazine derivatives allowed to isolate compounds with potential antibacterial activity. Schemes of the active compounds synthesis are given. The most important is the estimation of the oxydiazines activity against gram-positive microorganisms including methicillin-resistant staphylococci. Special attention is paid to the activity of iminodibenzyl derivatives against multiresistant gram-negative microorganisms.     

2-Aryladenine derivatives as a potent scaffold for A1, A3 and dual A1/A3 adenosine receptor antagonists: Synthesis and structure-activity relationships

From a collection containing more than 1500 academic compounds, in silico screening identified a hit for the human A₁ adenosine receptor containing a new purine scaffold. To study the structure activity relationships of this new chemical series for adenosine receptors, a library of 24 purines was synthesized and tested in radioligand binding assays at human A₁, A_2A, A_2B and A₃ adenosine receptor subtypes. Fourteen molecules showed potent antagonism at A₁, A₃ or dual A₁/A₃ adenosine receptors. This purine scaffold is an important source for novel biochemical tools and/or therapeutic drugs.     

Synthesis and biological activity of oxo-7H-benzo[e]perimidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives as potent, nonpeptide corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor antagonists

A novel series of derivatives of oxo-7H-benzo[e]perimidine-4-carboxylic acid (I) potently displaced radioligand binding of 125I-CRF to both CRF1 and CRF2 receptors. The members of this series antagonized CRF-stimulated cAMP formation and CRF-stimulated corticotropin release from rat pituitary in vivo. These are the first nonpeptide antagonists to show activity at both CRF1 and CRF2 receptors.     

Synthesis, ligand-receptor modeling studies and pharmacological evaluation of novel 4-modified-2-aryl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one derivatives as potent and selective human A3 adenosine receptor antagonists

The study of some 4-substituted-2-aryl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one derivatives, designed as hA(3) adenosine receptor antagonists, is reported. The new compounds bear on the four-position different acylamino, sulfonylamino, benzylureido and benzyloxy moieties, which have also been combined with a para-methoxy group on the 2-phenyl ring or with a nitro residue at the six-position. Many derivatives show high hA(3) adenosine receptor affinities and selectivities both versus hA(1) and hA(2A) receptors. The observed structure-affinity relationships of this class of antagonists have been exhaustively rationalized using the recently published ligand-based homology modeling (LBHM) approach. The selected 4-bismethanesulfonylamino-2-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (13), which shows high hA(3) affinity (K(i)=5.5nM) and selectivity versus hA(1), hA(2A) (both selectivity ratios>1800) and hA(2B) (cAMP assay, IC(50)>10,000nM) receptors, was tested in an in vitro rat model of cerebral ischemia, proving to be effective in preventing the failure of synaptic activity, induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation in the hippocampus, and in delaying the occurrence of anoxic depolarization.     

Synthesis,molecular modeling and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 inducer activity of novel 2-phenylquinazolin-4-amine derivatives

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an integral role in the pathogenesis of most diseases. This work presents the design and synthesis of novel 2-phenylquinazolin-4-amine derivatives (2–12) and evaluation of their NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) inducer activity in murine cells. Also, molecular docking of all the new compounds was performed to assess their ability to inhibit Keap1–Nrf2 protein–protein interaction through occupying the Keap1–Nrf2-binding domain which biologically leads to a consequent Nrf2 accumulation and enhanced gene expression of NQO1. Docking results showed that all compounds have the ability to interact with Keap1; however compound 7, the most active compound in this study, showed more interactions with key amino acids.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of 1,3,6-trisubstituted-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid derivatives as ETA receptor selective antagonists using FRET assay

The endothelin axis and in particular the two receptor subtypes, ET_A and ET_B, are under investigation for the treatment of various diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, fibrosis, renal failure and cancer. Previous work in our lab has shown that 1,3,6-trisubstituted-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acid derivatives exhibit noteworthy endothelin receptor antagonist activity. A series of analogues with modifications centered around position 6 of the heterocyclic quinolone core and replacement of the aryl carboxylic acid group with an isosteric tetrazole ring was designed and synthesized to further optimize the structure activity relationship. The endothelin receptor antagonist activity was determined by in vitro Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) using GeneBLAzer® assay technology. The most potent member of this series exhibited ET_A receptor antagonist activity in the subnanomolar range with an IC₅₀ value of 0.8 nM, and was 1000-fold selective for the ET_A receptor compared to the ET_B receptor. Its activity and selectivity profile resembles that of the most recently approved drug, macitentan.