4-(Benzoylindolizinyl)butyric acids; novel nonsteroidal inhibitors of steroid 5alpha-reductase. III.

A novel series of indolizinebutyric acids with various benzoyl substituents was synthesized to develop nonsteroidal inhibitors of steroid 5alpha-reductase, and the structure-activity relationships in this series were studied. We previously reported the structure-activity relationships in a series of indolebutyric acids as well as the discovery of the novel nonsteroidal 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, FK143. We have now made other modifications to this compound to improve in vivo inhibitory activity. By altering the heterocyclic nucleus and changing the benzoyl substituent we have succeeded in identifying the strongly active compound, FK687, (S)-4-[1-[4-[[1-(4-isobutylphenyl)butyl]oxy]benzoyl]indolizin-3-yl]butyric acid, which displays strong in vitro inhibitory activity against the human enzyme and in vivo inhibitory activity against the castrated young rat model. This compound should be a useful agent for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.     

A novel class of inhibitors for human steroid 5alpha-reductase: synthesis and biological evaluation of indole derivatives. II

In a search for novel nonsteroidal inhibitors of human prostatic 5alpha-reductase, we found a new series of indole derivatives that showed potent inhibitory activities for the human enzyme. Among them, 4-[(1-benzyl-1H-indol-5-yl)oxyl-3-chlorobenzoic acid (2d, YM-32906) showed more potent inhibitory activity than finasteride with an IC50 value of 0.44 nM. 3-Chloro-4-[[1-(4-phenoxybenzyl)-1H-indol-5-yl]oxy]benzoic acid (2m) showed inhibitory activities for both human and rat prostatic 5alpha-reductase with IC50 values of 2.1 and 73 nM, respectively. The synthesis and structure-activity relationships of these indole derivatives are presented.     

A novel class of inhibitors for human and rat steroid 5alpha-reductases: synthesis and biological evaluation of indoline and aniline derivatives. III

While searching for novel nonsteroidal inhibitors of human and rat prostatic 5alpha-reductases, we found a new series of indoline and aniline derivatives that showed potent inhibitory activities for both enzymes. Among them, 3-chloro-4-?[1-(4-phenoxybenzyl)indolin-5-yl]oxylbenzoic acid (2e, YM-36117) showed a more potent inhibitory activity for the human enzyme than ONO-3805 with an IC50 value of 5.3 nM and a reduced rat prostatic dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentration by oral administration. The synthesis and the structure-activity relationships of these indoline and aniline derivatives are presented.     

A novel class of inhibitors for human steroid 5 alpha-reductase: phenoxybenzoic acid derivatives. I.

In a search for novel nonsteroidal inhibitors of human prostatic 5 alpha-reductase, we found a new series of phenoxybenzoic acid derivatives to be potent human prostatic 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. Among them, 4-(biphenyl-4-yloxy)benzoic acid derivatives (2n, YM-31758), 2o and 2s showed more potent inhibitory activities than finasteride with IC50 values of 0.87, 0.67 and 0.56 nM, respectively. The optimized structures for the phenoxybenzoic acid derivatives 2d-2i were calculated by molecular modeling analysis, and the favorable distance between the carbon of the carboxyl group and the centroid of the phenyl group (benzene ring C) was found to be in the 9-11 A range.     

Novel malonamide derivatives as alpha v beta 3 antagonists. Syntheses and evaluation of 3-(3-indolin-1-yl-3-oxopropanoyl)aminopropanoic acids on vitronectin interaction with alpha v beta 3.

In attempt to find novel integrin alphavbeta3 antagonists, we selected SC65811 and its guanidine analogue (1) as lead compounds. Modification of the glycine part of SC65811 led to a new series of malonamide derivatives that exhibited alphavbeta3 inhibitory activity. Among them, (R,S)-3-[3-[6-(3-benzylureido)indolin-1-yl]-3-oxopropanoylamino]-3- (pyridin-3-yl)propanoic acid (43a) showed not only potent activity with an IC50 value of 3.0 nM but also good selectivity for alphavbeta3 relative to alphaIIbbeta3, alpha5beta1, and alphavbeta5 with IC50 values of 19,000, 11,000, and 14 nM, respectively. Furthermore, optimization of 43a led to the most potent alphavbeta3 antagonist, (R,S)-3-(3-[6-[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)amino]indolin-1-yl]-3-oxopropanoylamino)-3-(quinolin-3-yl)propanoic acid (431) with an IC50 value of 0.42 nM. The synthesis and the structure-activity relationships of these malonamide derivatives are presented.     

Potential cytotoxic and amoebicide activity of first row transition metal compounds with 2,9-bis-(2',5'-diazahexanyl)-1,1-phenanthroline (L1)

A new synthetic pathway was reported to obtain N6 donor ligand 2,9-bis-(2',5'-diazahexanyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L1) and its coordination compounds of essential divalent metal ions Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn. Complete characterization of all compounds was done with the conventional techniques. Crystal structures of [NiL1](PF(6))(2) and [ZnL1](PF(6))(2)·H(2)O were also reported. Electrochemical studies have shown an active participation of the aromatic moiety of the ligand in redox reactions. The in vitro tests of the cytotoxic activity against human tumour cell lines HeLa (cervix) and CHP-212 (neuroblastoma) showed that all coordination compounds that involve redox active metal ions exhibit noteworthy antiproliferative activity, superior in all cases to cisplatin. [CuL1](2+) showed the lower IC(50) value in the HeLa cell line with 1.84 μM, meanwhile, [CoL1](2+) showed the lower value in neuroblastoma CHP-212 with IC(50) = 45.28 μM. None of these compounds were active against the SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell line. In Entamoeba histolytica cultures, remarkable nanomolar IC(50) values were found for [NiL1](2+) and [MnL1](2+) with 60 nM and 80 nM respectively, improving the antiproliferative activity more than 1000 times compared with the first choice drug for clinical treatments of human amoebiasis, metronidazole. On the other hand, a free ligand does not show antiproliferative activity either on human tumor cell lines or on Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites, highlighting the role played by metal ions to produce cytotoxicity in tumor cells and protozoa systems.     

A novel class of platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists. II. Modification of the 2-position of the glycerol backbone of PAF-sulfonamide isosteres.

In a continuing effort to obtain more potent platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists, we tried to synthesize a series of PAF-sulfonamide isosteres in which the substituent at the 2-position was modified to an acetoxy equivalent other than the methoxy group. These modifications produced highly active PAF antagonists. Compound 3-[2-(5-methyl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)-3-(octadecylcarbamoyloxy) propylaminosulfonyl]propylquinolinium iodide (52) showed the most potent activity in the in vitro inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in rabbit platelet-rich plasma (IC50 = 125 nM) and also in the in vivo protective effect on PAF-induced lethality in mice, with prolonged duration of action. Optically active enantiomers of this compound were synthesized and the (S)-(-)-isomer (IC50 = 87 nM) was found to be three times more potent that the (R)-(+)-isomer (IC50 = 289 nM), clearly exemplifying the enantioselectivity in the PAF-antagonist action of this novel compound.     

Synthesis and characterization of orally active nonpeptide vasopressin V2 receptor antagonists.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether a novel series of 2,6-diaza-5-oxobicyclo[5.4.0]undeca-1(7),8,10-triene derivatives exhibited antagonistic activity for vasopressin V1 and V2 receptors. Most of these compounds were synthesized and showed a high affinity potential for V2 receptor and low to moderate affinity potential for V1 receptor. The most potent and V2-selective compound, N-[4-[2,6-diaza-6-[2-(4-methylpiperazinyl)-2-oxoethyl] -5- oxobicyclo[5.4.0]undeca-1(7),8,10-trien-2-yl]-carbonyl]pheny l][2-(4- methylphenyl)phenyl]-formamide (11b), exhibited IC50's of 2.9 nM for the V2 receptor and 200 nM for the V1 receptor, respectively. When administered orally to rat, 11b showed an approximately 18-fold increased urine volume in comparison with control rat.     

Novel 17 substituted pregnadiene derivatives as 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors and their binding affinity for the androgen receptor

The in vitro antiandrogenic activity of four new progesterone derivatives: 4, 5, 6 and 7 (8 is a known compound) was determined. These compounds were evaluated as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors as well as by their capacity to bind to the androgen receptor in gonadectomized hamster prostate. The IC(50) value was determined using increasing concentrations of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in the presence of [(3)H]T and the microsomal fraction of the hamster prostate containing the 5alpha-reductase enzyme. In this paper we also demonstrated the effect of increasing concentrations of the novel steroids upon [(3)H]DHT binding to the androgen receptors from hamster prostate which produces competition for the androgen receptor sites. The in vitro studies showed that steroids 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 had an inhibitory activity for the 5alpha-reductase with IC(50) of: 4 (0.17 microM), 5 (0.19 microM), 6 (1 microM), 7 (4.2 microM), and 8 (2.7 microM). On the other hand, the IC(50) value for compounds 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and DHT showed the following order of affinity for the androgen receptor: 6>7>5>DHT. Surprisingly compounds 4 and 8 did not bind to the androgen receptor. The overall data indicate that all synthesized compounds are inhibitors for the enzyme 5alpha-reductase present in the hamster prostate. In contrast, compounds 5, 6 and 7, which have a cyclohexyl group in the side chain showed a high affinity for the androgen receptor.     

Molecular interactions of new pregnenedione derivatives

The in vitro inhibitory activity of five new progesterone derivatives: 17alpha-hydroxy-16beta-methylpregna-1,4,6-triene-3,20-dione 1; 16beta-methyl-17alpha-toluoyloxypregna-1,4,6-triene-3,20-dione 2; 17alpha-hydroxy-6-methylenepregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 3; 6-methylene-17alpha-toluoyloxypregn-4ene-3,20-dione 4 and 17alpha-(p-bromobenzoyloxy)-6-methylenepregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 5 was determined. These compounds were evaluated as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors as well as antagonists for the androgen receptor. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 showed the following inhibitory activity for the 5alpha-reductase enzyme with IC(50) values of: 1 (1.65 microM), 2 (10 microM), 3 (19 nM), 4 (100 nM) and 5 (100 nM). The results of this study also showed the effect of increasing concentrations of the novel steroids upon [(3)H]dihydrotestosterone binding to androgen receptors from male hamster prostate. The K(i) values for compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and dihydrotestosterone showed the following order of affinity for the androgen receptor: 4>5>dihydrotestosterone>2>3>1. The overall data indicated that all synthesized compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are inhibitors of the 5alpha-reductase enzyme present in the hamster prostate. In addition compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 also presented an affinity for the androgen receptor.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of some novel N-pyridinyl-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-yl)acetamide derivatives

A series of novel compounds bearing imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole scaffolds were designed and synthesized based on the optimization of the virtual screening hit compound N-(6-morpholinopyridin-3-yl)-2-(6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-yl)acetamide (5a), and tested for their cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, including HepG2 and MDA-MB-231. The results indicated that the compound 2-(6-(4-chlorophenyl)imidazo[2,1-b]thiazol-3-yl)-N-(6-(4-(4-methoxybenzyl)piperazin-1-yl)pyridin-3-yl)acetamide (5l), with slightly higher inhibition on VEGFR2 than 5a (5.72% and 3.76% inhibitory rate at 20 μM, respectively), was a potential inhibitor against MDA-MB-231 (IC(50) = 1.4 μM) compared with sorafenib (IC(50) = 5.2 μM), and showed more selectivity against MDA-MB-231 than HepG2 cell line (IC(50) = 22.6 μM).     

Lactone and cyclic ether analogues of platelet-activating factor. Synthesis and biological activities

Six-membered lactone and tetrahydropyran analogues of platelet-activating factor (PAF), 4-11, and related antagonistic derivatives 41-46 were synthesized. None of the delta-lactones 4-7 showed PAF-like activities, while the corresponding cyclic ethers 8, 9 and 11 were slightly active. Some of the cyclic antagonists showed more potent inhibitory activities than the open chain antagonist CV-3988 against platelet aggregation (rabbit platelet-rich plasma, IC50) and hypotension (rat, ID50) induced by C16-PAF: e.g. dl-3-[6-[O-(trans-3-heptadecylcarbamoyloxytetrahydropyran-2- yl)methyl]phosphonoxy]hexylthiazolium (inner salt) (41d) (IC50 5.5 x 10(-7) M, ID50 0.046 mg/kg, i.v.); dl-3-[5-[O-(cis-3-heptadecylcarbamoylthiotetrahydropyran-2- yl)methyl]phosphonoxy]pentylthiazolium (inner salt) (43c) (IC50 5.7 x 10(-7) M, ID50 0.076 mg/kg, i.v.).     

Synthesis of novel curcumin analogues and their evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibitors

Curcumin, a major yellow pigment and active component of turmeric, has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Recent studies have indicated that cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) plays an important role in inflammation and carcinogenesis. In order to find more selective COX-1 inhibitors a series of novel curcumin derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit this enzyme using in vitro inhibition assays for COX-1 and COX-2 by measuring PGE(2) production. All curcumin analogues showed a higher rate of COX-1 inhibition. The most potent curcumin compounds were (1E,6E)-1,7-di-(2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadien-3,5-dione (4) (COX-1: IC(50) = 0.06 microM, COX-2: IC(50) > 100 microM, selectivity index>1666) and (1E,6E)-methyl 4-[7-(4-methoxycarbonyl)phenyl]-3,5-dioxo-1,6-heptadienyl]benzoate (6) (COX-1: IC(50) = 0.05 microM, COX-2: IC(50) > 100 microM, selectivity index > 2000). Curcumin analogues therefore represent a novel class of highly selective COX-1 inhibitors and promising candidates for in vivo studies.     

Novel 3-phenylprop-2-ynylamines as inhibitors of mammalian squalene epoxidase

The synthesis of a novel series of 3-phenylprop-2-ynylamines as selective mammalian squalene epoxidase inhibitors is described. Structure activity relationship studies led to the discovery of compound 19, 1-[3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-prop-2-ynyl]-3- methylpiperidine hydrochloride with an IC50 of 2.8 +/- 0.6 microM against rat liver squalene epoxidase. Against 23 strains of fungal squalene epoxidase compound 19 was found to be inactive.     

Synthesis and characterization of radioiodinated MD-230254: a new ligand for potential imaging of monoamine oxidase B activity by single photon emission computed tomography

A series of iodinated analogues of MD-230254 was synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory potency and selectivity toward monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). Among them, 5-[4-(2-iodobenzyloxy)phenyl]-3-(cyanoethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2(3H)one (2-IBPO) was found to have high inhibitory potency and selectivity toward MAO-B (IC50=2.0 nM, MAO-A/MAO-B >50000). Analysis of the inhibition kinetics indicated that 2-IBPO acts in a two-step mechanism as a competitive, slow, and tight-binding inhibitor of MAO-B with a Ki value of 2.4 nM and an overall Ki* value at an equilibrium of 3.8 nM. The new radioligand for MAO-B, [125I]2-IBPO was conveniently synthesized from a tributylstannyl precursor by an iododestannylation reaction using sodium [125I]iodide and hydrogen peroxide with high radiochemical yield. The in vivo tissue distribution studies of [125I]2-IBPO demonstrated its high initial uptake and prolonged retention in the brain. A selective interaction of [125I]2-IBPO with MAO-B was confirmed by the pretreatment experiment with well known MAO specific inhibitors, l-deprenyl, Ro-16-6491, clorgyline, and Ro-41-1049. These very desirable characteristics of [125I]2-IBPO suggested that a 123I-labeled counterpart, [123I]2-IBPO, would have great potential in in vivo studies of MAO-B in the human brain with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).     

Structure, stereochemistry, and biological activity of integramycin, a novel hexacyclic natural product produced by Actinoplanes sp. that inhibits HIV-1 integrase

[structure: see text] HIV-1 integrase is a critical enzyme for viral replication, and its inhibition is an emerging target for potential antiviral chemotherapy. We have discovered a novel inhibitor, integramycin, from screening of fermentation extracts using an in vitro assay. Integramycin possesses a hexacyclic ring system and exhibited an IC50 value of 4 microM against HIV-1 integrase (strand transfer). The isolation, structure elucidation, stereochemistry, conformation, and biological activity has been described.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-arylfuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines as novel dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors

A series of about fifty novel 5-arylfuro[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized as potential inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) arising from different species. Weak enzyme inhibition was observed for most of the compounds, with only a few reaching IC50 values less than 30 microM. With regards to antibacterial and anti-malarial potency, only seven compounds showed a modest in vitro activity against some bacteria strains and only three products proved significantly active against P. falciparum.     

Potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors incorporating meso-bicyclic urethanes as P2-ligands: structure-based design, synthesis, biological evaluation and protein-ligand X-ray studies

Recently, we designed a series of novel HIV-1 protease inhibitors incorporating a stereochemically defined bicyclic fused cyclopentyl (Cp-THF) urethane as the high affinity P2-ligand. Inhibitor with this P2-ligand has shown very impressive potency against multi-drug-resistant clinical isolates. Based upon the -bound HIV-1 protease X-ray structure, we have now designed and synthesized a number of meso-bicyclic ligands which can conceivably interact similarly to the Cp-THF ligand. The design of meso-ligands is quite attractive as they do not contain any stereocenters. Inhibitors incorporating urethanes of bicyclic-1,3-dioxolane and bicyclic-1,4-dioxane have shown potent enzyme inhibitory and antiviral activities. Inhibitor (K(i) = 0.11 nM; IC(50) = 3.8 nM) displayed very potent antiviral activity in this series. While inhibitor showed comparable enzyme inhibitory activity (K(i) = 0.18 nM) its antiviral activity (IC(50) = 170 nM) was significantly weaker than inhibitor . Inhibitor maintained an antiviral potency against a series of multi-drug resistant clinical isolates comparable to amprenavir. A protein-ligand X-ray structure of -bound HIV-1 protease revealed a number of key hydrogen bonding interactions at the S2-subsite. We have created an active model of inhibitor based upon this X-ray structure.     

Polyhydroxylated bicyclic isoureas and guanidines are potent glucocerebrosidase inhibitors and nanomolar enzyme activity enhancers in Gaucher cells

Four diastereomeric series of N-alkylated [6+5] bicyclic isoureas having hydroxyl substituents mimicking glucose hydroxyl groups have been synthesized as potential β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase) inhibitors with the aim of developing pharmacological chaperones for enzyme deficiency in Gaucher disease (GD). The bicyclic compounds differ either by the configuration of the ring fusion carbon atoms or by the nature of the N-alkyl substituents. When assayed for effects on GCase activity, the isoureas displayed selective inhibition of GCase with low micromolar to nanomolar IC(50)'s in isolated enzyme experiments. One of the series of isoureas, a family having a specific cis ring fusion, exhibited strong inhibition of recombinant GCase activity with K(i) values in the 2-42 nM range. In addition, the [6+5] bicyclic guanidine derivatives with a substitution pattern analogous to the most active isoureas were also found to be potent inhibitors of GCase with K(i) values between 3 and 10 nM. Interestingly, the active bicyclic isoureas and guanidines also behaved as GCase inhibitors in wild-type human fibroblasts at nanomolar concentrations. The potential of these compounds as pharmaceutical chaperones was determined by analyzing their capacity for increasing GCase activity in GD lymphoblasts derived from N370S and L444P variants, two of the most prevalent Gaucher mutations. Six compounds were selected from the different bicyclic isoureas and guanidines obtained that increased GCase activity by 40-110% in N370S and 10-50% in L444P cells at low micromolar to nanomolar concentrations following a 3 day incubation. These results describe a promising series of potent GCase ligands having the cellular properties required for pharmacological chaperones.     

Thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists. I. Synthesis and pharmacological activity of 7-oxabicyclo-[2.2.1]heptane derivatives with the benzenesulfonylamino group

Four stereoisomers of 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane derivatives with the benzenesulfonylamino group, 11, 14, 23 and 33, were synthesized and their sodium salts were examined in vitro for inhibitory activity against aggregation of rabbit platelet-rich plasma and of rat washed platelets. The trans-isomer 23 exhibited high potency but showed a partial agonistic effect. Compound 11 did not show a partial agonistic effect, though it was a less active inhibitor. The following trans compounds were synthesized and their IC50 values were measured: homologated trans-isomers with one methylene chain (47 and 53), an olefin derivative (58), and optically active derivatives [-)-11 and (+)-23).