Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel N-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives with an alkyne spacer as GABA uptake inhibitors

In this study, we present the synthesis and structure–activity relationships (SAR) of novel N-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives closely related to (S)-SNAP-5114 (2) in the pursuit of finding new and potent mGAT4 selective inhibitors. By the use of iminium ion chemistry, a series of new N-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives containing a variety of heterocycles, and an alkyne spacer were synthesized. Biological evaluation of the prepared compounds showed, how the inhibitory potency and subtype selectivity for the murine GABA transporters (mGATs) were influenced by the performed modifications.     

Synthesis of 4-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives and their evaluation as potential GABA uptake inhibitors

In this study, we disclose the design and synthesis of novel 4-susbtituted nipecotic acid derivatives as inhibitors of the GABA transporter mGAT1. Based on molecular modeling studies the compounds are assumed to adopt a binding pose similar to that of the potent mGAT1 inhibitor nipecotic acid. As substitution in 4-position should not cause an energetically unfavorable orientation of nipecotic acid as it is the case for N-substituted derivatives this is expected to lead to highly potent binders. For the synthesis of novel 4-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives a linear synthetic strategy was employed. As a key step, palladium catalyzed cross coupling reactions were used to attach the required biaryl moieties to the ω-position of the alkenyl- or alkynyl spacers of varying length in the 4-position of the nipecotic acid scaffold. The resulting amino acids were characterized with respect to their binding affinities and inhibitory potencies at mGAT1. Though the biological activities found were generally insignificant to poor, two compounds, one of which possesses a reasonable binding affinity for mGAT1, rac-57, the other a notable inhibitory potency at mGAT4, rac-84, both displaying a slight subtype selectivity for the individual transporters, could be identified.     

Generation and screening of pseudostatic hydrazone libraries derived from 5-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives at the GABA transporter mGAT4

The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter mGAT4 represents a promising drug target for the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders; however, the lack of highly potent and selective inhibitors for mGAT4 still retards its pharmacological elucidation. Herein, the generation and screening of pseudostatic combinatorial hydrazone libraries at the murine GABA transporter mGAT4 for the search of novel GABA uptake inhibitors is described. The hydrazone libraries contained more than 1100 compounds derived from nipecotic acid derivatives substituted at the 5-position instead, as common, at the 1-position of the core structure. Two hits were found and evaluated, which display potencies in the lower micromolar range at mGAT4 and its human equivalent hGAT3. These compounds possess a lipophilic moiety derived from a biphenyl residue attached to the 5-position of the hydrophilic nipecotic acid moiety via a three-atom spacer. Thus, the novel structures with potencies close to that of the bench mark mGAT4 inhibitor (S)-SNAP-5114 add new insights into the structure–activity relationship of mGAT4 inhibitors and could provide a promising starting point for the development of new mGAT4 inhibitors with even higher potencies.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel N-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives with a cis-alkene spacer as GABA uptake inhibitors

To discover new, potent, and selective inhibitors for the murine gamma-aminobutyric acid transporter 4 (mGAT4), the structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of a new cis-alkene analog family based on DDPM-1457 [(S)-2], which previously showed promising inhibitory potency at and subtype selectivity for mGAT4, was conducted. To uncover the importance of the differences between the trans- and the cis-alkene moiety in the spacer, the present publication describes the synthesis of the new compounds via catalytic hydrogenation with Lindlar’s catalyst. The biological results collected by the SAR study revealed that analog rac-7j characterized by a four-instead of a three-carbon atom spacer with a cis double bond applying to the majority of the studied compounds displays a surprisingly high potency at mGAT1 (pIC₅₀?=?6.00?±?0.04) and at the same time a reasonable potency at mGAT4 (pIC₅₀?=?4.82).     

Screening oxime libraries by means of mass spectrometry (MS) binding assays: Identification of new highly potent inhibitors to optimized inhibitors γ-aminobutyric acid transporter 1

Generation and screening of oxime libraries by competitive MS Binding Assays represents a powerful tool for the identification of new compounds, with affinity to mGAT1, the most abundant plasma membrane bound GABA transporter in the CNS. By screening a guvacine derived oxime library, new potent inhibitors of mGAT1 had been revealed. In the present study, oxime libraries generated by reaction of a large excess of a rac-nipecotic acid derivative displaying a hydroxylamine functionality in which various aldehydes under suitable conditions, were examined for new potent inhibitors of mGAT1. The pK_i values obtained of the best hits were compared with those of related compounds displaying a guvacine instead of a nipecotic acid subunit as hydrophilic moiety. Amongst the new compounds one of the most affine ligands of mGAT1 known so far (pK_i?=?8.55?±?0.04) was found.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives with an unsymmetrical bis-aromatic residue attached to a vinyl ether spacer as potential GABA uptake inhibitors

γ-Amino butyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). A malfunction of the GABAergic neurotransmission is connected to several neuronal disorders like epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, neuropathic pain, and depression. One possibility to enhance GABA levels in the synaptic cleft is to inhibit mGAT1, one of the four known plasma membrane bound GABA transporters, which is considered the most important GABA transporter subtype, being in charge of the removal of GABA from the synaptic cleft after a neuronal impulse. Lipophilic derivatives of nipecotic acid like Tiagabine (Gabitril®), an approved drug used in add-on therapy of epilepsy, are known to inhibit uptake of mGAT1 with high subtype selectivity and affinity. We synthesized new N-substituted nipecotic acid derivatives with a vinyl ether spacer and an unsymmetrical bis-aromatic residue, which carries fluorine substituents at various positions of the aromatic ring-system. The new compounds were characterized with respect to their potency and subtype selectivity as mGAT1 inhibitors.     

Two new isodrimene sesquiterpenes from the fungal culture broth of Polyporus arcularius

Two new isodrimene sesquiterpene derivatives, 2(S)-hydroxyalbicanol (1, =(2S,4aS,8S,8aS)-8-(hydroxymethyl)-4,4,8a-trimethyl-7-methylenedecahydronaphthalen-2-ol) and 2(S)-hydroxyalbicanol 11-acetate (2, =((1S,4aS,7S,8aS)-7-hydroxy-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylenedecahydronaphthalen-1-yl)methyl acetate) were isolated from the culture broth of the fungus Polyporus arcularius, together with two phenylpropanediols, (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-1-phenyl-1,2-dihydroxypropane (3, 4). Compound 3 is reported as a naturally occurring compound for the first time. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 exhibited growth inhibition of lettuce seedlings with IC₅₀ values of 1.3 mM to hypocotyl and 1.7 mM to radicle.     

Oxirapentyns B–D produced by a marine sediment-derived fungus Isaria felina (DC.) Fr

Three new highly oxygenated chromene derivatives, oxirapentyns B–D (1–3) and one known oxirapentyn A (4) were isolated from the lipophilic extract of the marine-derived fungus Isaria felina KMM 4639. The structures of compounds 1–3 were determined based on spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of oxirapentyn B (1) as 2R, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7R, 8S, 9S was established by a combination of modified Mosher's method, X-ray analysis, and NOESY data. Oxirapentyn A (4) showed weak cytotoxicity against SK-Mel-5, SK-Mel-28 human malignant melanoma, and T-47D human breast cancer cell lines.     

Acylated hydroxycinnamic acid glucosides from flowers of Telekia Speciosa

One new derivative of ferulic acid (1), two new caffeic acid derivatives (2 and 3) and three known derivatives of caffeic acid: 6-O-(E)-caffeoyl-glucopyranose (4), (E)-caffeic acid 4-O-β-glucopyranoside (5) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid, 6) were isolated from a butanolic fraction of extract from Telekia speciosa flowers. Moreover, the flavonol glucoside–patulitrin (7) was identified in the analyzed extract. Structures of (E)-ferulic acid 4-O-β-(6-O-2-hydroxyisovaleryl)-glucopyranoside (1), (E)-caffeic acid 4-O-β-(6-O-2-hydroxyisovaleryl)-glucopyranoside (2) and (E)-caffeic acid 4-O-β-(6-O-3-hydroxy-2-methylpropanoyl)-glucopyranoside (3) were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS and other spectral analyses.     

Three new jacaranone derivatives from the aerial parts of Senecio chrysanoides DC. with their cytotoxic activity

Three new jacaranone derivatives, namely, (1R)-ethyl 1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclohexenylacetate (1), (1R, 6S)-ethyl 6-ethoxy-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclohexenylacetate (2) and (1R, 6R)-ethyl 6-ethoxy-1-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-cyclohexenylacetate (3), along with a known jacaranone derivative, ethyl 1-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexylacetate (4) were isolated from the aerial parts of Senecio chrysanoides DC.. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, optical rotation calculations and CD analyses. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines in vitro. Compound 2 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against these cancer cell lines.     

Diterpenoids from the needles and twigs of the cultivated endangered pine Pinus kwangtungensis and their PTP1B inhibitory effects

Pinus kwangtungensis is an endangered pine species native to China. In the present study, 15 diterpenoids including three new labdane-type analogs were isolated and characterized during a pioneer phytochemical investigation on a mass-limited sample of the needles and twigs of this plant, which is growing in a Cantonese garden. The new structures, (4S,5R,9S,10R)-6-oxo-labd-7,13-dien-16,15- olid-19-oic acid (1), 15(S)-n-butoxypinusolidic acid (2), and β-d-glucopyranosyl- (4S,5R,9S,10R)-labda-8(17),13-dien-15,16-olid-19-oate (3), were established by extensive spectroscopic methods and some chemical transformations. Among the isolates, lambertianic acid (10) and cassipourol (15) showed inhibitory activities against human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B (PTP1B), a target for the treatment of type-II diabetes and obesity, with IC₅₀ values of 25.5 and 11.2 μM, respectively.     

Design,synthesis and in vitro evaluation of a series of α-substituted phenylpropanoic acid PPARγ agonists to further investigate the stereochemistry–activity relationship

We previously demonstrated that the α-benzylphenylpropanoic acid-type PPARγ-selective agonist 6 exhibited a reversed stereochemistry–activity relationship, that is, the (R)-enantiomer is a more potent PPARγ agonist than the (S)-enantiomer, compared with structurally similar α-ethylphenylpropanoic acid-type PPAR agonists. Here, we designed, synthesized and evaluated the optically active α-cyclohexylmethylphenylpropanoic acid derivatives 7 and α-phenethylphenylpropanoic acid derivatives 8, respectively. Interestingly, α-cyclohexylmethyl derivatives showed reversal of the stereochemistry–activity relationship [i.e., (R) more potent than (S)], like α-benzyl derivatives, whereas α-phenethyl derivatives showed the ‘normal’ relationship [(S) more potent than (R)]. These results suggested that the presence of a branched carbon atom at the β-position with respect to the carboxyl group is a critical determinant of the reversed stereochemistry–activity relationship.     

Sesquiterpenoids from the Chinese endangered plant Manglietia aromatica

One new bourbonane-type (1) and one new cadinane-type (2) sesquiterpenoids, along with one known aromodendrane-type (3) and five known megastigmane-type (4–8) compounds, were isolated from the leaves and twigs of Manglietia aromatica, a Chinese endangered plant that has not been previously phytochemically investigated. The structures and absolute configurations of the new isolates, (1R,4S,5S,6S,7S,10S)-4-hydroxy-bourbon-8-one (1) and (1R,6S,7S)-1-hydroxy- cadin-4,9-dien-8-one (2), were established by means of spectroscopic methods and a combination of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Among the isolates, compound 2 was found to show a moderate inhibitory effect against the human protein tyrosine phosphatase 1 B (PTP1B) enzyme, a target for the treatment of type-II diabetes and obesity, with an IC₅₀ value of 83.5 μM.     

An epigenetic modifier enhances the production of anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenoids from Aspergillus sydowii

The addition of a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-azacytidine, to Aspergillus sydowii fungus culture broth changed its secondary metabolites profile. Analysis of the culture broth extract led to the isolation of three new bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids: (7S)-(+)-7-O-methylsydonol (1), (7S,11S)-(+)-12-hydroxysydonic acid (2) and 7-deoxy-7,14-didehydrosydonol (3), along with eight known compounds. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. Among the isolates, (S)-(+)-sydonol (4) did not only potentiate insulin-stimulated glucose consumption but also prevented lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, (S)-(+)-sydonol (4) exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity through inhibiting superoxide anion generation and elastase release by fMLP/CB-induced human neutrophils. This is the first report on isolating a secondary metabolite with anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities from microorganisms.     

Alkylsulfanyl analogs as potent α2δ ligands

We identified novel (3R, 5S)-3-aminomethyl-5-methanesulfanyl hexanoic acid (5a: DS75091588) and (3R, 5S)-3-aminomethyl-5-ethanesulfanyl hexanoic acid (6a: DS18430756) as sulfur-containing γ-amino acid derivatives that were useful for the treatment of neuropathic pain. These two compounds exhibited a potent analgesic effect in animal models of both type I diabetes and type II diabetes, and good pharmacokinetics.     

(25S)-Cholesten-26-oic acid derivatives from an Indonesian soft coral Minabea sp.

(25S)-3-Oxocholesta-1,4-dien-26-oic acid (1) and a new (25S)-18-acetoxy-3-oxocholesta-1,4-dien-26-oic acid (2) were isolated from a soft coral Minabea sp. (cf. aldersladei) collected in North Sulawesi, Indonesia, together with two known cholic-acid-type compounds, 3-oxochol-1,4-dien-24-oic acid (3) and 3-oxochol-4-en-24-oic acid (4). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The absolute stereochemistry at C-25 of 2 was determined by comparative ¹H NMR study using chiral anisotropic reagents [(S)- and (R)-phenylglycine methyl esters]. This is the first to report compound 1 as a natural product.     

3,4-Dihydroisocoumarin derivatives from the marine-derived fungus Paraconiothyrium sporulosum YK-03

Two new 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin derivatives, (3S, 4S)-4,5-dihydroxymellein (1) and R-(−)-mellein-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), together with six known analogs (3–8) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Paraconiothyrium sporulosum YK-03. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods in combination with computational electronic circular dichroism (ECD) method, optical rotation analysis and monosaccharide composition analysis using HPLC with optical rotation detector. All of them were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the human cancer cell lines A549 and MCF-7.     

Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study on Berchemiella wilsonii (Schneid.) Nakai

Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Berchemiella wilsonii (Schneid.) Nakai (Rhamnaceae) led to the isolation of four flavonoids (1–4), three phenolic acids (5–7), two megastigmane derivatives (8–9) and one triterpene (10). The structures of these compounds were elucidated as taxifolin (1), (−)-epicatechin (2), quercetin 3-O-a-l-arabinopyranoside (3), vitexin (4), methyl p-hydroxycinnamat (5), 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (6), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3,6-dimethyl benzoic acid (7), (3S,5R,6R,7E,9S)-3,5,6,9-tetrahydroxy-7-en-megastigmane (8), (6S,9R)-roseoside (9) and lupeol (10) on the basis of NMR spectral data and comparison with literature values. These results are the first chemical constituent data of the genus Berchemiella, and the chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds is discussed.     

A pair of new tetrahydro-naphthalenone enantiomers from Eremurus altaicus (Pall.) Stev.

A new racemic mixture of a 4-hydroxytetralone derivative, altaicusin A (1), was isolated from the whole plant of Eremurus altaicus (Pall.) Stev., together with three anthraquinones (compounds 2–4) and two naphthalene derivatives (5–6). The racemic altaicusin A (1) was further purified by chiral HPLC to yield a pair of enantiomers, (+)-(4S)-altaicusin A (1a) and (−)-(4R)-altaicusin A (1b). Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including IR, HR-TOF-MS, and NMR. The absolute configurations of compounds 1a and 1b were elucidated by quantum chemical ECD calculations. Compounds 3 and 6 exhibited inhibitory activity against protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).     

Novel fluorinated pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2,6-dione derivatives: Synthesis and anticonvulsant evaluation in animal models of epilepsy

A series of fluorinated analogs of the potent investigative anticonvulsant agent (4S,8aS)-4-phenylperhydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2,6-dione 1 was prepared and characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and mass spectral data. The compounds have been evaluated in the in vivo rodent models of epilepsy. They displayed high activity in the ‘classical’ maximal electroshock seizure (MES) and subcutaneous Metrazol (scMET) tests as well as in the 6 Hz model of pharmacoresistant limbic seizures. The results showed that incorporating fluorine atoms into the phenyl ring of 1 can be beneficial for the anticonvulsant potency. The most promising meta-trifluoromethyl and meta-trifluoromethoxy derivatives (4S,8aS)-5h and (4S,8aS)-5l, respectively, displayed very broad spectra of activity across the preclinical seizure models.