Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 5-pyridazin-3-one phenoxypiperidines as potent, selective histamine H(3) receptor inverse agonists

Optimization of the R(2) and R(6) positions of (5-{4-[3-(R)-2-methylpyrrolin-1-yl-propoxy]phenyl}-2H-pyridazin-3-one) 2a with constrained phenoxypiperidines led to the identification of 5-[4-(cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-6-methyl-2H-pyridazin-3-one 8b as a potent, selective histamine H(3) receptor antagonist with favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 8b had an excellent safety genotoxocity profile for a CNS-active compound in the Ames and micronucleus tests, also displayed potent H(3)R antagonist activity in the brain in the rat dipsogenia model and robust wake activity in the rat EEG/EMG model.     

Discovery of novel steroidal histamine H3 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists

Emerging from an HTS campaign, novel steroid-based histamine H₃ receptor antagonists were identified and characterized. Structural moieties of the hit compounds were combined to improve binding affinities which resulted in compound 4 as lead molecule. During the lead optimization due to the versatile modifications of diamino steroid derivatives, several in vitro potent compounds with subnanomolar binding affinities to histamine H₃ receptors were found. The unfavorable binding to rat muscarinic receptors was successfully reduced by tuning the basicity. Compound 20 showed significant in vivo activity in the rat dipsogenia model and could serve as a pharmacological tool in the future.     

8-Hydroxy-3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1(2H)-one HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

A series of potent novel 8-hydroxy-3,4-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1(2H)-one HIV-1 integrase inhibitors was identified. These compounds inhibited the strand transfer process of HIV-1 integrase and viral replication in cells. Compound 12 is active against replication of HIV-1 in cell culture with a CIC(95) of 0.31microM. Further SAR exploration led to the preparation of pseudosymmetrical tricyclic pyrrolopyrazine inhibitors 23 and 24 with further improvement in antiviral activity.     

4-phenoxypiperidine pyridazin-3-one histamine H(3) receptor inverse agonists demonstrating potent and robust wake promoting activity

Structure-activity relationships for a series of phenoxypiperidine pyridazin-3-one H(3)R antagonists/inverse agonists are disclosed. The search for compounds with improved hERG and DAT selectivity without the formation of in vivo active metabolites identified 6-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-4,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-2H-pyridazin-3-one 17b. Compound 17b met discovery flow criteria, demonstrated potent H(3)R functional antagonism in vivo in the rat dipsogenia model and potent wake activity in the rat EEG/EMG model at doses as low as 0.1 mg/kg ip.     

Development of novel 2-[4-(aminoalkoxy)phenyl]-4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives as potent and selective histamine H3 receptor inverse agonists

Novel 2-[4-(aminoalkoxy)phenyl]-4(3H)-quinazolinone derivatives were identified as potent human H(3) receptor inverse agonists. After systematic modification of lead 5a, the potent and selective analog 5r was identified. Elimination of hERG K(+) channel and human alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor activities is the main focus of the present study.     

3,4-Dihydropyrimido(1,2-a)indol-10(2H)-ones as potent non-peptidic inhibitors of caspase-3

Cysteine-dependant aspartyl protease (caspase) activation has been implicated as a part of the signal transduction pathway leading to apoptosis. It has been postulated that caspase-3 inhibition could attenuate cell damage after an ischemic event and thereby providing for a novel neuroprotective treatment for stroke. As part of a program to develop a small molecule inhibitor of caspase-3, a novel series of 3,4-dihydropyrimido(1,2-a)indol-10(2H)-ones (pyrimidoindolones) was identified. The synthesis, biological evaluation and structure–activity relationships of the pyrimidoindolones are described.     

The neuroprotective action of JNK3 inhibitors based on the 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole scaffold

Imidazole-based structures of p38 inhibitors served as a starting point for the design of JNK3 inhibitors. Construction of a 6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazole scaffold led to the synthesis of the (S)-enantiomers, which exhibited p38/JNK3 IC50 ratio of up to 10 and were up to 20 times more potent inhibitors of JNK3 than the relevant (R)-enantiomers. The JNK3 inhibitory potency correlated well with inhibition of c-Jun phosphorylation and neuroprotective properties of the compounds in low K+-induced cell death of rat cerebellar granule neurones.     

Discovery of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines as potent MCH1R antagonists

A series of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives was identified and evaluated for MCH1R binding and antagonistic activity. Introduction of a methyl substituent at the 3-position of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine provided compounds with a significant improvement in MCH1R affinity. Representative compounds in this series exhibited good potency and brain exposure in rats.     

Novel morpholine ketone analogs as potent histamine H3 receptor inverse agonists with wake activity

Structure-activity relationship on a novel ketone class of H(3)R antagonists/inverse agonists is disclosed. Compound 4 showed excellent target potency, selectivity and brain penetration. Evaluation of antagonist 4 in the rat EEG/EMG model demonstrated robust wake activity thereby establishing preclinical proof of concept.     

Discovery of novel potent GPR40 agonists containing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine core as antidiabetic agents

Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1 or GPR40) has been studied for many years as a target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In order to increase potency and reduce hepatotoxicity, a series of novel compounds containing imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine scaffold as GPR40 agonist were synthesized. Compound I-14 was identified as an effective agonist as shown by the conspicuous drop in blood glucose in normal and diabetic mice. It had no risk of hepatotoxicity compared with TAK-875. Moreover, good pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of I-14 were observed (CL = 27.26 ml/h/kg, t_1/2 = 5.93 h). The results indicate that I-14 could serve as a possible candidate to treat diabetes.     

Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine and pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine: Novel,potent, and selective series of Vasopressin1b receptor antagonists

Novel series of pyrrole-pyrazinone and pyrazole-pyrazinone have been identified as potent and selective Vasopressin_1b receptor antagonists. Exploration of the substitution pattern around the core of these templates allowed generation of compounds with high inhibitory potency at the Vasopressin_1b receptor, including examples that showed good selectivity with respect to Vasopressin_1a, Vasopressin₂, and Oxytocin receptor subtypes.     

Synthesis and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) activity of 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalin-5-(6H)ones and 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalines

A series of 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalin-5-(6H)ones and 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalines was shown to exhibit 5-HT2C agonist binding and functional activity. Compound 21R inhibited food intake over 2 h in fasted, male Sprague Dawley rats with ED50 values of 2 mg/kg (i.p.) and 10 mg/kg (p.o.).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel hexahydro-pyrido[3',2':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines as potent and selective 5-HT(2C) receptor agonists

Further lead optimization efforts on previously described 1,2,3,4,10,10a-hexahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]indoles led to the new class of 5,5a,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-pyrido[3',2':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines culminating in the discovery of (5aR,9R)-2-[(cyclopropylmethoxy)methyl]-5,5a,6,7,8,9-hexahydro-9-methyl-pyrido[3', 2':4,5]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine 18 as a potent, full 5-HT(2C) receptor agonist with an outstanding selectivity profile and excellent hERG and phospholipidosis properties.     

Synthesis of constrained benzocinnolinone analogues of CEP-26401 (irdabisant) as potent, selective histamine H3 receptor inverse agonists

A novel class of benzocinnolinones analogs of irdabisant were designed and synthesized as histamine H3R antagonists/inverse agonists. Modifications to the pyridazinone portion of the core and linker led to the identification of molecules with excellent target potency and selectivity with improved rat pharmacokinetic properties and reduced potential hERG liabilities.     

Luminescence of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3(7H)-one compounds

In this review I will discuss chemical principles of the luminescence of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazin-3(7H)-one compounds described to date. The review is composed of two main parts, the first dealing with the bioluminescence of coelenterate luciferin “coelenterazine” and Cypridina luciferin in marine organisms and the second with the chemiluminescence of these luciferins and their analogues. In the second section, possible applications of chemiluminescence and enhanced chemiluminescence in the area of bioassay are also discussed.     

Discovery of pyrimidine carboxamides as potent and selective CCK1 receptor agonists

A series of six-membered heterocycle carboxamides were synthesized and evaluated as cholecystokinin 1 receptor (CCK1R) agonists. A pyrimidine core proved to be the best heterocycle, and SAR studies resulted in the discovery of analog 5, a potent and structurally diverse CCK1R agonist.     

Discovery of nonpeptide 3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-carboxamides as potent and selective sst2 agonists

Nonpeptide sst2 agonists can provide a new treatment option for patients with acromegaly, carcinoid tumors, and neuroendocrine tumors. Our medicinal chemistry efforts have led to the discovery of novel 3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-carboxamides as sst2 agonists. This class of molecules exhibits excellent human sst2 potency and selectivity against sst1, sst3, sst4 and sst5 receptors. Leading compound 3-(3-chloro-5-methylphenyl)-6-(3-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-N,7-dimethyl-N-{[(2S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl}-3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-carboxamide (28) showed no inhibition of major CYP450 enzymes (2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 3A4) and weak inhibition of the hERG channel.     

Mesoionic pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinones: Discovery of triflumezopyrim as a potent hopper insecticide1

A novel class of mesoionic pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidinones has been discovered with exceptional insecticidal activity controlling a number of insect species. In this communication, we report the part of the optimization program which led to the discovery of triflumezopyrim as a highly potent insecticide controlling various hopper species. Our efforts in discovery, synthesis, structure-activity relationship elucidation, and biological activity evaluation are also presented.