Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazolopyrimidinone based potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors for treatment of erectile dysfunction

Our previous discovery of series of pyrazolopyrimidinone based PDE5 inhibitors led to find potent leads but with low aqueous solubility and poor bioavailability, and low selectivity. Now, a new series of same pyrazolopyrimidinone scaffold is designed, synthesized and evaluated for its PDE5 inhibitory potential. In this study, some of the molecules are found more potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors in vitro than sildenafil. The studies revealed that compound 5 is 20 fold selective to PDE5 against PDE6. As PDE6 enzyme is involved in the phototransduction pathway in the retina and creates distortion problem, the selectivity for PDE5 specifically against PDE6 enzyme is preferred for any development candidate and in present study, compound 5 has been found to be devoid of this liability of selectivity issue. Moreover, compound 5 has shown excellent in vivo efficacy in conscious rabbit model, it's almost comparable to sildenafil. The preclinical pharmacology including pharmacokinetic and physicochemical parameter studies were also performed for compound 5, it was found to have good PK properties and other physicochemical parameters. The development of these selective PDE5 inhibitors can further lead to draw strategies for the novel preclinical and/or clinical candidates based on pyrazolopyrimidinone scaffold.     

Discovery of benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b]thiazole as a new class of phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitors

The design, synthesis and structure activity relationship studies of a series of compounds from benzo[d]imidazo[5,1-b]thiazole scaffold as phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitors are discussed. Several potent analogs with heteroaromatic substitutions (9a–d) were identified. The anticipated binding mode of these analogs was confirmed by performing the in silico docking experiments. Later, the heteroaromatics were substituted with saturated heteroalkyl groups which provided a tool compound 9e with excellent PDE10A activity, PDE selectivity, CNS penetrability and with favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rats. Furthermore, the compound 9e was shown to be efficacious in the MK-801 induced psychosis model and in the CAR model of psychosis.     

Optimization of purine based PDE1/PDE5 inhibitors to a potent and selective PDE5 inhibitor for the treatment of male ED

In search of a PDE5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction, an SAR was developed from a PDE1/PDE5 purine series of leads, which had modest PDE5 potency and poor isozyme selectivity. A compound (41) with PDE5 inhibition and in vivo activity similar to sildenafil was discovered from this effort. In addition, purine 41 demonstrated superior overall PDE isozyme selectivity when compared to the approved PDE5 inhibitors sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil, which may result in a more favorable side-effect profile.     

In silico design of novel hERG-neutral sildenafil-like PDE5 inhibitors

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase enzymes (PDEs) have functions in regulating the levels of intracellular second messengers, 3′, 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 3′, 5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), via hydrolysis and decomposing mechanisms in cells. They take essential roles in modulating various cellular activities such as memory and smooth muscle functions. PDE type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors enhance the vasodilatory effects of cGMP in the corpus cavernosum and they are used to treat erectile dysfunction. Patch clamp experiments showed that the IC₅₀ values of the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG1) potassium (K) ion channel blocking affinity of PDE5 inhibitors sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil as 33, 12, and 100 μM, respectively. hERG1 channel is responsible for the regulation of the action potential of human ventricular myocyte by contributing the rapid component of delayed rectifier K⁺ current (I_Kr) component of the cardiac action potential. In this work, interaction patterns and binding affinity predictions of selected PDE5 inhibitors against the hERG1 channel are studied. It is attempted to develop PDE5 inhibitor analogs with lower binding affinity to hERG1 ion channel while keeping their pharmacological activity against their principal target PDE5 using in silico methods. Based on detailed analyses of docking poses and predicted interaction energies, novel analogs of PDE5 inhibitors with lower predicted binding affinity to hERG1 channels without loosing their principal target activity were proposed. Moreover, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and post-processing MD analyses (i.e. Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area calculations) were performed. Detailed analysis of molecular simulations helped us to better understand the PDE5 inhibitor–target binding interactions in the atomic level. Results of this study can be useful for designing of novel and safe PDE5 inhibitors with enhanced activity and other tailored properties.     

Design,synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 6-hydroxy-4-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one derivatives as inotropic agents

Selective PDE3 inhibitors improve cardiac contractility and may be used in congestive heart failure. However, their proarrhythmic potential is the most important side effect. In this research we designed, synthesized and evaluated the potential cardiotonic activity of thirteen PDE3 inhibitors (4-[(4-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-6-quinolinyl)oxy]butanamide analogs) using the spontaneously beating atria model. The design strategy was based on the structure of cilostamide, a selective PDE3 inhibitor. In each experiment, atrium of reserpine-treated rat was isolated and the contractile and chronotropic effects of a synthetic compounds were assessed. All experiments were carried out in comparison with IBMX, amrinone and cilostamide as standard compounds. The results showed that, among the new compounds, the best pharmacological profile was obtained with the compound 6-[4-(4-methylpiperazine-1-yl)-4-oxobutoxy]-4-methylquinolin-2(1H)-one, 4j, which displayed selectivity for increasing the force of contraction (165 ± 4% change over the control) rather than the frequency rate (115 ± 7% change over the control) at 100 μM and potent inhibitory activity of PDE3 with IC₅₀ = 0.20 μM.     

Targeting cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) in brain: Toward the development of a PET radioligand labeled with fluorine-18

With the aim to develop a specific radioligand for imaging the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) in brain by positron emission tomography (PET), seven new fluorinated inhibitors (3–9) were synthesized on the basis of a quinoline core. The inhibitory activity for PDE5 together with a panel of other PDEs was determined in vitro and two derivatives were selected for IC₅₀ value determination. The most promising compound 7 (IC₅₀ = 5.92 nM for PDE5A), containing a 3-fluoroazetidine moiety, was further radiolabeled by aliphatic nucleophilic substitution of two different leaving groups (nosylate and tosylate) using [¹⁸F]fluoride. The use of the nosylate precursor and tetra-n-butyl ammonium [¹⁸F]fluoride ([¹⁸F]TBAF) in 3-methyl-3-pentanol combined with the addition of a small amount of water proved to be the best radiolabeling conditions achieving a RCY of 4.9 ± 1.5% in an automated procedure. Preliminary biological investigations in vitro and in vivo were performed to characterize this new PDE5 radioligand. Metabolism studies of [¹⁸F]7 in mice revealed a fast metabolic degradation with the formation of radiometabolites which have been detected in the brain.     

Exploration of the 5-bromopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones as potent inhibitors of PDE5

The substituents both at the 6-position of the 5-bromopyrimidinone ring and at the 5′-position of the phenyl ring of 5-bromopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones were explored. 5-Bromo-6-isopropyl-2-(2-propoxy-phenyl)pyrimidin-4(3H)-one was identified as a new scaffold for potent PDE5 inhibitors. The crystal structures of PDE5/2e and PDE5/10a complexes provided a structural basis for the inhibition of 5-bromopyrimidinones to PDE5. In addition, it was also found that there is a great tolerance for the substitution at the 5′-position of the phenyl ring of 5-bormopyrimidinones and the resulted compound 13a has the highest inhibition activity to PDE5 (IC₅₀, 1.7 nM).     

Design,synthesis of novel purin-6-one derivatives as phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) inhibitors: The neuroprotective and anxiolytic-like effects

Phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) has received much attention for the potential treatment of the central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Herein, based on the existing PDE2 inhibitors and their binding modes, a series of purin-6-one derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for PDE2 inhibitory activities, which led to the discovery of the best compounds 6p and 6s with significant inhibitory potency (IC₅₀: 72 and 81?nM, respectively). Docking simulation was performed to insert compound 6s into the crystal structure of PDE2 at the active site to determine the binding mode. Furthermore, compound 6s significantly protected HT-22 cells against corticosterone-induced cytotoxicity and rescued corticosterone-induced decreases in cAMP and cGMP levels. It also produced anxiolytic-like effect in the elevated plus-maze test and exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic properties in vivo. These results might bring significant instruction for further development of potent PDE2 inhibitors.     

Synthesis of N-alkyl glycine amides as potent inhibitors of leukotriene A4 hydrolase

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of N-alkyl glycine amide analogs as LTA₄-h inhibitors and the importance of the introduction of a benzoic acid group to the potency and pharmacokinetic parameters of our analogs are described. The lead compound in the series, 4q, has excellent potency and oral bioavailability.     

Discovery of potent selective bioavailable phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) inhibitors active in an osteoarthritis pain model. Part II: Optimization studies and demonstration of in vivo efficacy

Selective phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) inhibitors are shown to have efficacy in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA) pain. We identified potent, selective PDE2 inhibitors by optimizing residual PDE2 activity in a series of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, while minimizing PDE4 inhibitory activity. These newly designed PDE2 inhibitors bind to the PDE2 enzyme in a cGMP-like binding mode orthogonal to the cAMP-like binding mode found in PDE4. Extensive structure activity relationship studies ultimately led to identification of pyrazolodiazepinone, 22, which was >1000-fold selective for PDE2 over recombinant, full length PDEs 1B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9, 10 and 11. Compound 22 also retained excellent PDE2 selectivity (241-fold to 419-fold) over the remaining recombinant, full length PDEs, 1A, 4D, 5, and 6. Compound 22 exhibited good pharmacokinetic properties and excellent oral bioavailability (F = 78%, rat). In an in vivo rat model of OA pain, compound 22 had significant analgesic activity 1 and 3 h after a single, 10 mg/kg, subcutaneous dose.     

New Combretastatin Analogs as Anticancer Agents: Design,Synthesis, Microtubules Polymerization Inhibition,and Molecular Docking Studies

A new series of 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol derivatives were synthesized as analogs for the anticancer drug combretastatin A-4 ( CA-4 ) and characterized using FT-IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³CNMR, and HR-MS techniques. The new CA-4 analogs were designed to meet the structural requirements of the highest expected anticancer activity of CA-4 analogs by maintaining ring A 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl moiety, and at the same time varying the substituents effect of the triazole moiety (ring B ). In silico analysis indicated that compound 3 has higher total energy and dipole moment than colchicine and the other analogs, and it has excellent distribution of electron density and is more stable, resulting in an increased binding affinity during tubulin inhibition. Additionally, compound 3 was found to interact with three apoptotic markers, namely p53, Bcl-2, and caspase 3. Compound 3 showed strong similarity to colchicine , and it has excellent pharmacokinetics properties and a good dynamic profile. The in vitro anti-proliferation studies showed that compound 3 is the most cytotoxic CA-4 analog against cancer cells (IC₅₀ of 6.35 μM against Hep G2 hepatocarcinoma cells), and based on its selectivity index (4.7), compound 3 is a cancer cytotoxic-selective agent. As expected and similar to colchicine , compound 3 -treated Hep G2 hepatocarcinoma cells were arrested at the G2/M phase resulting in induction of apoptosis. Compound 3 tubulin polymerization IC₅₀ (9.50 μM) and effect on V_max of tubulin polymerization was comparable to that of colchicine (5.49 μM). Taken together, the findings of the current study suggest that compound 3 , through its binding to the colchicine-binding site at β-tubulin, is a promising microtubule-disrupting agent with excellent potential to be used as cancer therapeutic agent.     

Synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazinones as potent,subtype selective PDE4 inhibitors

A series of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazinones was synthesized and tested for their inhibitory activity on PDE4 subtypes A, B and D and selectivity toward Rolipram high affinity binding site (HARBS). New agents with interesting profile were reported; in particular compound 9e showed a good PDE4 subtype selectivity, being 8 times more potent (IC₅₀ = 0.32 μM) for PDE4B (anti-inflammatory) than for PDE4D (IC₅₀ = 2.5 μM), generally considered the subtype responsible for emesis. Moreover the ratio HARBS/PDE4B was particularly favourable for 9e (147), suggesting that the best arranged groups around the pyrrolopyridazinone core are an isopropyl at position-1, an ethoxycarbonyl at position-2, together with an ethyl group at position-6.

For compounds 8 and 15a the ability to inhibit TNFα production in PBMC was evaluated and the results are consistent with their PDE4 inhibitory activity.     

Naphthalene/quinoline amides and sulfonylureas as potent and selective antagonists of the EP4 receptor

Two new series of EP₄ antagonists based on naphthalene/quinoline scaffolds have been identified as part of our on-going efforts to develop treatments for inflammatory pain. One series contains an acidic sulfonylurea pharmacophore, whereas the other is a neutral amide. Both series show subnanomolar intrinsic binding potency towards the EP₄ receptor, and excellent selectivity towards other prostanoid receptors. While the amide series generally displays poor pharmacokinetic parameters, the sulfonylureas exhibit greatly improved profile. MF-592, the optimal compound from the sulfonylurea series, has a desirable overall preclinical profile that suggests it is suitable for further development.     

Discovery of a pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative (MT-3014) as a highly selective PDE10A inhibitor via core structure transformation from the stilbene moiety

We have developed a new class of PDE10A inhibitor, a pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative MT-3014 (1). A previous compound introduced was deprioritized due to concerns for E/Z-isomerization and glutathione-adduct formation at the core stilbene structure. We discovered pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidine as a new lead scaffold by structure-based drug design utilizing a co-crystal structure with PDE10A. The lead compound was optimized for in vitro activity, solubility, and selectivity against human ether-á-go-go related gene cardiac channel binding. We observed that MT-3014 shows excellent efficacy in rat conditioned avoidance response test and suitable pharmacokinetic properties in rats, especially high brain penetration.     

Characterization of the Isoenzymes of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in human platelets and the effects of E4021

In extracts of human platelets, three isoenzymes of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE), namely, PDE2, PDE3, and PDE5, were identified; activities of PDE1 and PDE4 were not detected. In human platelets, the cGMP-hydrolytic activity was about six times higher than the cAMP-hydrolytic activity, and PDE5 and PDE3 are the major phosphodiesterase isoenzymes that hydrolyze cGMP and CAMP, respectively. PDE5 exhibited organ-specific expression in humans, and platelets were among the tissues richest in PDE5. A novel inhibitor of PDE5, sodium 1-[6-chloro-4-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)aminoquinazolin-2-yl] piperidine-4-carboxylate sesquihydrate (E4021), was a potent and highly selective inhibitor of human platelet PDE5. However, E4021 (up to 10 μM) did not inhibit 9,11-epithio-11,12-methano-thromboxane A₂-induced platelet aggregation, in vitro. E4021 plus SIN-1 (3-morpholino-sydnonimine), at concentrations that had little effect individually, inhibited aggregation. These results suggest the unique distribution of phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in human platelets and the PDE5 inhibitors might be useful as a new class of antiplatelet drugs.     

Novel PDE5 inhibitors derived from rutaecarpine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

A series of novel rutaecarpine derivatives were synthesized and subjected to pharmacological evaluation as PDE5 inhibitors. The structure–activity relationships were discussed and their binding conformation and simultaneous interaction mode were further clarified by the molecular docking studies. Among the 25 analogues, compound 8i exhibited most potent PDE5 inhibition with IC₅₀ values about 0.086 μM. Moreover, it also produced good effects against scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in vivo. These results might bring significant instruction for further development of potential PDE5 inhibitors derived from rutaecarpine as a good candidate drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Synthesis and bioactivity of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole derivatives as potential PDE4 inhibitors

A series of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole derivatives containing 5-phenyl-2-furan moiety were designed and synthesized as phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors. Bioassay results showed that the title compounds exhibited considerable inhibitory activity against PDE4B and blockade of LPS-induced TNFα release. Among the designed compounds, compound If showed the best inhibitory activity against PDE4B with the IC₅₀ value of 1.7?μM, which also showed good in vivo activity in animal models of asthma/COPD and sepsis induced by LPS. The primary structure–activity relationship (SAR) study and docking results suggested that introduction of the substituent groups to the phenyl ring at the para-position, especially methoxy group, was helpful to enhance inhibitory activity against PDE4B.     

Allosteric-site and catalytic-site ligand effects on PDE5 functions are associated with distinct changes in physical form of the enzyme

Native phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) homodimer contains distinct non-catalytic cGMP allosteric sites and catalytic sites for cGMP hydrolysis. Purified recombinant PDE5 was activated by pre-incubation with cGMP. Relatively low concentrations of cGMP produced a Native PAGE gel shift of PDE5 from a single band position (lower band) to a band with decreased mobility (upper band); higher concentrations of cGMP produced a band of intermediate mobility (middle band) in addition to the upper band. Two point mutations (G659A and G659P) near the catalytic site that reduced affinity for cGMP substrate retained allosteric cGMP-binding affinity like that of WT PDE5 but displayed cGMP-induced gel shift only to the middle-band position. The upper band could represent a form produced by cGMP binding to the catalytic site, while the middle band could represent a form produced by cGMP binding to the allosteric site. Millimolar cGMP was required for gel shift of PDE5 when added to the pre-incubation before Native PAGE, presumably due to removal of most of the cGMP during electrophoresis, but micromolar cGMP was sufficient for this effect if cGMP was included in the native gel buffer. cGMP-induced gel shift was associated with stimulation of PDE5 catalytic activity, and the rates of onset and reversibility of this effect suggested that it was due to cGMP binding to the allosteric site. Incubation of PDE5 with non-hydrolyzable, catalytic site-specific, substrate analogs such as the inhibitors sildenafil and tadalafil, followed by dilution, did not produce activation of catalytic activity like that obtained with cGMP, although both inhibitors produced a similar gel shift to the upper band as that obtained with cGMP. This implied that occupation of the catalytic site alone can produce a gel shift to the upper band. PDE5 activation or gel shift was reversed by lowering cGMP with dilution followed by at least 1 h of incubation. Such slow reversibility could prolong effects of cGMP on PDE5 in cells after decline of this nucleotide. Reversal was also achieved by Mg⁺⁺ addition to the pre-incubation mixture to promote cGMP degradation, but Mg⁺⁺ addition did not reverse the gel shift caused by sildenafil, which is not hydrolyzed by PDE5. Upon extensive dilution, the effect of tadalafil, a potent PDE5 inhibitor, to enhance catalytic-site affinity for this inhibitor was rapidly reversed. Thus, kinetic effect of binding of a high-affinity PDE5 inhibitor to the catalytic site is more readily reversible than that obtained by cGMP binding to the allosteric site. It is concluded that cGMP or PDE5 inhibitor binding to the catalytic site, or ligand binding to both the catalytic site and allosteric site simultaneously, changes PDE5 to a similar physical form; this form is distinct from that produced by cGMP binding to the allosteric site, which activates the enzyme and reverses more slowly.     

Investigation of the pyrazinones as PDE5 inhibitors: evaluation of regioisomeric projections into the solvent region

We describe the design, synthesis and profiling of a novel series of PDE5 inhibitors. We take advantage of an alternate projection into the solvent region to identify compounds with excellent potency, selectivity and pharmacokinetic profiles.     

Identification of the fused bicyclic 4-amino-2-phenylpyrimidine derivatives as novel and potent PDE4 inhibitors

2-Phenyl-4-piperidinyl-6,7-dihydrothieno[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivative (2) was found to be a new PDE4 inhibitor with moderate PDE4B activity (IC₅₀ = 150 nM). A number of derivatives with a variety of 4-amino substituents and fused bicyclic pyrimidines were synthesized. Among these, 5,5-dioxo-7,8-dihydro-6H-thiopyrano[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivative (18) showed potent PDE4B inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 25 nM). Finally, N-propylacetamide derivative (31b) was determined as a potent inhibitor for both PDE4B (IC₅₀ = 7.5 nM) and TNF-α production in mouse splenocytes (IC₅₀ = 9.8 nM) and showed good in vivo anti-inflammatory activity in the LPS-induced lung inflammation model in mice (ID₅₀ = 18 mg/kg). The binding mode of the new inhibitor (31e) in the catalytic site of PDE4B is presented based on an X-ray crystal structure of the ligand–enzyme complex.