Substituted oxazole benzenesulfonamides as potent human beta3 adrenergic receptor agonists

As a part of our investigation into the development of orally bioavailable beta3 adrenergic receptor agonists, we have identified a series of substituted oxazole derivatives that are potent beta3 agonists with excellent selectivity against other beta receptors. Several of these compounds showed excellent oral bioavailability in dogs. One example, cyclopentylethyloxazole 5f is a potent beta3 agonist (EC50 = 14 nM, 84% activation) with 340-fold and 160-fold selectivity over beta1 and beta2 receptors, respectively, and has 38% oral bioavailability in dogs.     

Discovery of new chemotype dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors having (R)-3-amino-3-methyl piperidine as a pharmacophore

Structures containing the (R)-3-amino-3-methyl piperidine unit as a new pharmacophore moiety have been shown to possess moderate inhibitory activity for DPP-4 with good pharmacokinetics profile. One of these compounds was found to have good oral bioavailability and PK/PD profile in ZF-rat.     

Tryptamine-based human beta3-adrenergic receptor agonists. Part 3: improved oral bioavailability via modification of the sulfonamide moiety

The continued SAR investigation of tryptamine-based human beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists is reported. Prior efforts resulted in the identification of 2 as a potent beta(3)-AR agonist. Further modification of the left side arylsulfonamide portion in 2 provided compounds with good cell permeability, which have potent agonistic activity for beta(3)-AR. Cinnamylamine analog 16i exhibited an excellent agonistic profile in vitro and good oral bioavailability in rats.     

Nonpeptide alpha V beta 3 antagonists. Part 9: Improved pharmacokinetic profile through the use of an aliphatic, des-amide backbone

A series of alphaVbeta3 receptor antagonists lacking the amide bond of previously-reported 'chain-shortened' compounds is described. Replacement of the lone amide bond with two methylene groups in this series yields more lipophilic compounds that have longer half-lives, lower clearance, and greater oral bioavailability when administered to dogs.     

Design and synthesis of factor Xa inhibitors and their prodrugs

In addition to our previously reported fluoro acrylamides Xa inhibitors 2 and 3, a series of potent and novel cyclic diimide amidine compounds has been identified. In efforts to improve their oral bioavailability, replacement of the amidine group with methyl amidrazone gives compounds of moderate potency (14, IC(50)=0.028 microM). In the amidoxime prodrug approach, the amidoxime compounds show good oral bioavailability in rats and dogs. High plasma level of prodrug 26 and significant concentration of active drug 26a were obtained upon oral administration of prodrug 26 in rats.     

Synthesis of anilino-monoindolylmaleimides as potent and selective PKCbeta inhibitors

We report herein synthesis of PKCbeta-selective inhibitors possessing the novel pharmacophore of anilino-monoindolylmaleimide. Several compounds of this series exhibited IC50's as low as 50 nM against human PKCbeta2. One of the most potent compounds, 6l, inhibited PKCbeta1 and PKCbeta2 with IC50 of 21 and 5 nM, respectively, and exhibited selectivity of more than 60-fold in favor of PKCbeta2 relative to other PKC isozymes (PKCalpha, PKCgamma, and PKCepsilon).     

The discovery of potent blockers of the canonical transient receptor channels,TRPC3 and TRPC6, based on an anilino-thiazole pharmacophore

Lead optimization of piperidine amide HTS hits, based on an anilino-thiazole core, led to the identification of analogs which displayed low nanomolar blocking activity at the canonical transient receptor channels 3 and 6 (TRPC3 & 6) based on FLIPR (carbachol stimulated) and electrophysiology (OAG stimulated) assays. In addition, the anilino-thiazole amides displayed good selectivity over other TRP channels (TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRPV4), as well as against cardiac ion channels (CaV1.2, hERG, and NaV1.5). The high oxidation potential of the aliphatic piperidine and aniline groups, as well as the lability of the thiazole amide group contributed to the high clearance observed for this class of compounds. Conversion of an isoquinoline amide to a naphthyridine amide markedly reduced clearance for the bicyclic piperidines, and improved oral bioavailability for this compound series, however TRPC3 and TRPC6 blocking activity was reduced substantially. Although the most potent anilino-thiazole amides ultimately lacked oral exposure in rodents and were not suitable for chronic dosing, analogs such as 14–19, 22, and 23 are potentially valuable in vitro tool compounds for investigating the role of TRPC3 and TRPC6 in cardiovascular disease.     

Radical scavenging and cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibitory activity of bergaptol and geranylcoumarin from grapefruit

Grapefruit juice has been shown to increase the oral bioavailability of several clinically important drugs by inhibiting first pass metabolism. Several compounds in grapefruit juice have shown different biological activities. Unique among them are furocoumarins with potent inhibitory activity against cytochrome P450 enzymes. In the present study, two bioactive compounds were isolated from grapefruit juice and grapefruit peel oil. The purity of the isolated compounds has been analyzed by HPLC. Structures of the compounds were elucidated by extensive NMR and mass spectral studies and identified as bergaptol and geranylcoumarin. The isolated compounds were tested for their radical scavenging activity using 2,2'-azobis (3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) methods at different concentrations. Bergaptol showed very good radical scavenging activity at all the tested concentrations. Furthermore, these compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against CYP3A4 enzyme. Bergaptol and geranylcoumarin were found to be potent inhibitors of debenzylation activity of CYP3A4 enzyme with an IC(50) value of 24.92 and 42.93 microM, respectively.     

HIV protease inhibitors with picomolar potency against PI-Resistant HIV-1 by extension of the P3 substituent

A biaryl pyridylfuran P(3) substituent on the hydroxyethylene isostere scaffold affords HIV protease inhibitors (PI's) with picomolar (IC(50)) potency against the protease enzymes from PI-resistant HIV-1 strains. Inclusion of a gem-dimethyl substituent afforded compound 3 with 100% oral bioavailability (dogs) and more than double the t(1/2) of indinavir. Inhibition of multiple P450 isoforms is dependent on the regiochemistry of the pyridyl nitrogen in these compounds.     

Exploration of orally available calpain inhibitors. Part 3: Dipeptidyl alpha-ketoamide derivatives containing pyridine moiety

Calpain-mediated proteolysis has been implicated as a major process in neuronal cell death including retinal neurological degeneration. The previously reported calpain inhibitor SJA6017 (1) showed oral efficacy in a retinal pharmacological model, but its oral bioavailability was low due to the metabolic lability and low water-solubility. The purpose of present study was to identify good orally bioavailable calpain inhibitors. A series of water-soluble dipeptidyl alpha-ketoamides containing a pyridine moiety at P3 were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their oral bioavailability and retinal penetration. Introduction of a pyridineethanol moiety provided the potent alpha-ketoamide inhibitor 8 with good oral bioavailability. Compound 8 showed about 12-fold higher retinal AUC than 1.     

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of novel 1,4-disubstituted piperidine/piperazine derivatives as CCR5 antagonist-based HIV-1 entry inhibitors

A series of novel 1,4-disubstituted piperidine/piperazine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro activities against HIV-1 Bal (R5) infection in CEMX174 5.25M7 cells. A majority of these compounds showed potent anti-HIV-1 activities with IC(50) at nanomolar levels. N-(4-Fluoro-benzyl)piperazine analog B07 hydrochloride exhibited potency against HIV-1 activity similar to that of TAK-220 hydrochloride, but it had much better water solubility (25 mg/ml in phosphate sodium buffer at 25 °C) and oral bioavailability (56%) than TAK-220 hydrochloride (a solubility of 2 mg/ml and oral bioavailability of 1.4%). These results suggest that B07 hydrochloride may serve as a better lead for the development of new anti-HIV-1 therapies or microbicides for treatment and prevent of HIV-1 infection.     

Design, synthesis, and bioavailability evaluation of coumarin-based prodrug of meptazinol

Based on the known coumarin-based prodrug system, a new meptazinol (Z)-3-[2-(propionyloxy) phenyl]-2-propenoic ester (3) was designed and synthesized as prodrug to minimize the first-pass effect of meptazinol (1) and improve the oral bioavailability. The prodrug (3) showed a 4-fold increase in oral bioavailability over the parent drug meptazinol in rats.     

Factor VIIa inhibitors: a prodrug strategy to improve oral bioavailability

We have developed a series of potent and selective factor VIIa inhibitors based on the 2-[5-(5-carbamimidoyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-6-hydroxy-biphenyl-3-yl]-succinic acid scaffold. These amidine-containing compounds have low oral bioavailability. Herein, we describe our efforts to improve the oral bioavailability of the parent amidine via a prodrug strategy where the amidine basicity and polarity were reduced with either an alkoxy-amidine or a carbamate prodrug.     

Discovery of [(3-bromo-7-cyano-2-naphthyl)(difluoro)methyl]phosphonic acid, a potent and orally active small molecule PTP1B inhibitor

A series of quinoline/naphthalene-difluoromethylphosphonates were prepared and were found to be potent PTP1B inhibitors. Most of these compounds bearing polar functionalities or large lipophilic residues did not show appreciable oral bioavailability in rodents while small and less polar analogs displayed moderate to good oral bioavailability. The title compound was found to have the best overall potency and pharmacokinetic profile and was found to be efficacious in animal models of diabetes and cancer.     

Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of potent and selective 2-(3-alkoxy-1-azetidinyl) quinolines as novel PDE10A inhibitors with improved solubility

We report the discovery of a novel series of 2-(3-alkoxy-1-azetidinyl) quinolines as potent and selective PDE10A inhibitors. Structure–activity studies improved the solubility (pH 7.4) and maintained high PDE10A activity compared to initial lead compound 3, with select compounds demonstrating good oral bioavailability. X-ray crystallographic studies revealed two distinct binding modes to the catalytic site of the PDE10A enzyme. An ex vivo receptor occupancy assay in rats demonstrated that this series of compounds covered the target within the striatum.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of triazolopiperazine-based beta-amino amides as potent, orally active dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors

Various beta-amino amides containing triazolopiperazine heterocycles have been prepared and evaluated as potent, selective, orally active dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitors. These compounds display excellent oral bioavailability and good overall pharmacokinetic profiles in preclinical species. Moreover, in vivo efficacy in an oral glucose tolerance test in lean mice is demonstrated.     

Low molecular weight thrombin inhibitors with excellent potency, metabolic stability, and oral bioavailability

Modification of lead compound 1 by reducing lipophilicity in the P3 group produced a series of low molecular weight thrombin inhibitors with excellent potency in functional assays, metabolic stability, and oral bioavailability. These modifications led to the identification of two optimized compounds, 14 and 16.     

Pharmacophore-based search, synthesis, and biological evaluation of anthranilic amides as novel blockers of the Kv1.5 channel

The search for novel, potent Kv1.5 blockers based on an anthranilic amide scaffold employing a pharmacophore-based virtual screening approach is described. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) with respect to inhibition of the Kv1.5 channel are discussed. The most potent compounds display sub-micromolar inhibition of Kv1.5 and no significant effect on the HERG channel. In addition, good oral bioavailability is demonstrated for compound 3i in rats.     

Prodrugs of 3-(3,4-dichlorobenzyloxy)-2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (MGS0039): a potent and orally active group II mGluR antagonist with antidepressant-like potential

3-(3,4-Dichlorobenzyloxy)-2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid 5 (MGS0039) is a highly selective and potent group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) antagonist (antagonist activities for mGluR2; IC50=20.0 nM, mGluR3; IC50=24.0 nM) and is detected in both plasma (492 ng/mL) and brain (13.2 ng/g) at oral administration of 10 ng/mL [J. Med. Chem.2004, 47, 4750], but the oral bioavailability of 5 was 10.9%. In order to improve the oral bioavailability of 5, prodrugs of 5 were discovered by esterification of carboxyl group on C6-position of bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane ring. Among these compounds, 6-alkyl esters exhibited approximately 10-fold higher concentrations of 5 in the plasma and brain of rats after oral administration (e.g., ethyl ester of 5; plasma, Cmax=20.7+/-1.3 microM) compared to oral administration of 5 (plasma, Cmax=2.46+/-0.62 microM). 3-(3,4-Dichlorobenzyloxy)-2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid 6-heptyl ester (7ao), a prodrug of MGS0039, showed antidepressant-like effects in rat forced swimming test and mouse tail suspension test following oral administration. Moreover, following oral administration of 7ao in mice, high concentrations of MGS0039 were detected in both the brain and plasma, while 7ao was barely detected. In this paper, we report the synthesis, in vitro metabolic stabilities, and pharmacokinetic profiles of the prodrugs of 5, and the antidepressant-like effects of 7ao.     

Synergy of epidermal growth factor and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoate on protein kinase C activation in lens epithelial cells

12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)HETE) is a bioactive metabolite of arachidonic acid synthesized by 12-lipoxygenase. The 12-lipoxygenase blocker, baicalein, prevents epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) alpha and beta in lens epithelial cells, whereas supplementation with 12(S)HETE reverses this effect, suggesting that EGF and 12(S)HETE may work together to activate PKC. This study investigates the mechanism of PKCbeta activation by EGF and 12(S)HETE. 12(S)HETE alone directed translocation of PKCbeta through the C1 rather than the C2 domain, without activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or MAPK signaling or increasing intracellular calcium concentration. In the presence of baicalein, EGF triggered an asymmetric phosphorylation of the EGF receptor initiating signaling through PI3K and MAPK, but not PLCgamma. Together, 12(S)HETE and EGF synergistically increased phosphorylation of PKCbeta in the activation loop and C terminus as well as PKCbeta-specific activity. PI3K inhibitors blocked phosphorylation, but MEK1 inhibitors did not. Microvesicles containing phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate mimicked the action of EGF on PKCbeta activity in the presence of 12(S)HETE. Kinase-inactive PKCbeta mutations in either activation loop or C terminus were effectively translocated by 12(S)HETE, as was PKCbeta in the presence of chelerythrine or G?-6983. These findings indicate that unphosphorylated PKCbeta is translocated to the membrane by 12(S)HETE and phosphorylated by EGF-dependent PI3K signaling, to generate catalytically competent PKCbeta.