A convenient strategy of dimerization by microwave heating and using 2,5-diketopiperazine as scaffold

A novel and convenient microwave-assisted dimerization of an active peptide compound using the DKPs as scaffold is described. The key reaction giving rise to the diketopiperazine scaffold is the intermolecular coupling. No epimerization was detected in the reactions used. Conventional and microwave heating of the reactions are compared. Synthesis by microwave irradiation gave the desired compounds in higher yields and in shorter reaction times than those obtained by conventional heating.     

Molecular structures of quinuclidinic neurokinin antagonists: 2-(2-Phenylbenzylidene)-3-(2-X-benzylamino) derivatives

The solid-state molecular conformations and crystal structures of three analogues of the CP-96,345 molecule, an important nonpeptidic SP antagonist, namely the (±)-2-(3-phenylbenzilidene)-3-(2-benzylamino) quinuclidine, theo-chloro- and theo-methoxy-derivatives, have been determined by X-ray diffusion analyses and refined to finalR values of 0.055, 0.045, and 0.056, respectively. All three molecules in the solid state show the same disposition of the substituents of the double bond and differences in the conformation mainly caused by the need of releasing intramolecular strains and/or nonbonded interactions. The observed molecular structures are compared to the reported solid-state structure of the CP-96,345 and correlated to the biological activity as NK antagonists.     

X-Ray Structural Analysis of Ethyl [2,2-dimethyl-6-(Δ2-thiazolin-2-yl)-4H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one-4-yl]butyrate

With the aim of discovering new molecules with K⁺ channel modulating properties, we have synthesized analogues of cromakalim, an important molecule which shows specific affinity toward the K⁺ channels, by replacing the benzopyrane ring with a benzoxazine moiety. As a part of this study, we have synthesized and characterized, in solution and in the solid state as well, the compound ethyl [2,2-dimethyl-6-(²-thiazolin-2-yl)-4H-l,4-benzoxazin-3-one-4-yl]butyrate (V). This compound exhibits in the solid state the following parameters: molecular formula C₁₉H₂₄N₂O₄S, triclinic, space group , M_w = 376.5, a = 12.581(3) Å, b = 5.485(4) Å, c = 14.612(2) Å, = 91.85(2), = 108.9(3), = 82.04(4), V = 944.7 ų, Z = 2, d = 1.323 g·cm^–3. We describe here the synthesis and discuss the solid-state conformation of this new molecule; when tested on rat aorta ring precontracted with phenylephrine, the compound showed a concentration-dependent relaxation comparable to that measured for cromakalin taken as reference drug.     

Bromazepam determination in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry: a highly sensitive and specific tool for bioequivalence studies

A rapid, sensitive and specific method to quantify bromazepam in human plasma using diazepam as the internal standard (IS) is described. The analyte and the IS were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using diethyl ether-hexane (80 : 20, v/v). The extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Chromatography was performed isocratically on a Genesis C(18) analytical column (100 x 2.1 mm i.d., film thickness 4 microm). The method had a chromatographic run time of 5.0 min and a linear calibration curve over the range 5.0-150 ng ml(-1) (r(2) > 0.9952). The limit of quantification was 5 ng ml(-1). This HPLC/MS/MS procedure was used to assess the bioequivalence of two bromazepam 6 mg tablet formulations (bromazepam from Medley SA Indústria Farmacêutica as the test formulation and Lexotan from Produtos Roche Químico e Farmacêutico SA as the reference formulation). A single 6 mg dose of each formulation was administered to 24 healthy volunteers (12 males and 12 females). The study was conducted using an open, randomized, two-period crossover design with a 3 week washout interval. Since the 90% CI for C(max), AUC(last), AUC(0-240 h) (linear) and AUC((0- infinity )) ratios were all inside the 80-125% interval proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration, it was concluded that the bromazepam formulation from Medley is bioequivalent to the Lexotan formulation for both the rate and the extent of absorption.     

Efficient microwave combinatorial parallel and nonparallel synthesis of N-alkylated glycine methyl esters as peptide building blocks

An easy and convenient microwave-assisted synthesis of N-alkylated glycine methyl esters is described. Parallel and nonparallel combinatorial methods are described and compared. The described reactions are reductive alkylations of several aldehydes and glycine methyl ester in the presence of NaBH3CN. Good yields and short reaction times are the main aspects of these procedures.     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Screening of Pyridopyrimidines as Effective Anti-Diarrheal Agents through the Suppression of Cyclic Nucleotide Accumulation

The increased levels of cyclic nucleotides (cGMP and cAMP) in enterocytes trigger intracellular mechanisms of ion and fluid secretion into the lumen, causing secretory diarrhea. Twelve novel pyridopyrimidines derived from 5-(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5,11-dihydro-1H-indeno[2,1 : 5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (FPIPP) were synthesized and evaluated on intracellular cyclic nucleotide accumulation. All compounds had no effect on either cyclic nucleotide basal levels or on pre-contracted aortic rings. The metabolic activity and viability in T84 cells, assessed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and the LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assays, respectively, were not affected by incubation with the compounds (50 μM). Compound VI almost abolished cGMP accumulation (94 % inhibition) induced by STa toxin in T834 cells and significantly reduced (69 %) forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in Jurkat cells. Compound VI was active in an in vivo model for diarrhea in rabbits. These results prompted us to perform a microscopic histopathological analysis of intestinal tissues, showing that only compound VI preserves the intestine without significant pathological changes and with a decreased inflammatory pattern in comparison to FPIPP. In vitro stability test revealed that compound VI is resistant to oxidation promoted by atmospheric oxygen.     

Nevirapine quantification in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Application to bioequivalence study

A rapid, sensitive and specific method to quantify nevirapine in human plasma using dibenzepine as the internal standard (IS) was developed and validated. The method employed a liquid-liquid extraction. The analyte and the IS were chromatographed on a C(18) analytical column, (150 x 4.6 mm i.d. 4 microm) and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method had a chromatographic run time of 5.0 min and a linear calibration curve over the range 10-5000 ng ml(-1) (r(2) > 0.9970). The between-run precision, based on the relative standard deviation for replicate quality controls was 1.3% (30 ng ml(-1)), 2.8% (300 ng ml(-1)) and 3.6% (3000 ng ml(-1)). The between-run accuracy was 4.0, 7.0 and 6.2% for the above-mentioned concentrations, respectively. This method was employed in a bioequivalence study of two nevirapine tablet formulations (Nevirapina from Far-Manguinhos, Brazil, as a test formulation, and Viramune from Boehringer Ingelheim do Brasil Química e Farmacêutica, as a reference formulation) in 25 healthy volunteers of both sexes who received a single 200 mg dose of each formulation. The study was conducted using an open, randomized, two-period crossover design with a 3 week washout interval. The 90% confidence interval (CI) of the individual ratio geometric mean for Nevirapina/Viramune was 96.4-104.5% for AUC((0-last)), 91.4-105.1% for AUC((0-infinity)) and 95.3-111.6% for C(max) (AUC = area under the curve; C(max) = peak plasma concentration). Since both 90% CI for AUC((0-last)) and AUC((0-infinity)) and C(max) were included in the 80-125% interval proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration, Nevirapina was considered bioequivalent to Viramune according to both the rate and extent of absorption.     

A convenient synthesis by microwave irradiation of an active metabolite (EXP-3174) of losartan

A novel and convenient microwave-assisted synthesis of an active metabolite (EXP-3174) of losartan is described. Room temperature and microwave irradiation of the reactions are compared. Synthesis by microwave irradiation gave the desired compound in higher yields and in shorter reaction times than those obtained at room temperature.     

Determination of 21-hydroxydeflazacort in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Application to bioequivalence study

A liquid chromatographic atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometric method is described for the determination of 21-hydroxydeflazacort in human plasma using dexamethasone 21-acetate as an internal standard. The procedure requires a single diethyl ether extraction. After evaporation of the solvent under a nitrogen flow, the analytes are reconstituted in the mobile phase, chromatographed on a C18 reversed-phase column and analyzed by mass spectrometry via a heated nebulizer interface where they are detected by multiple reaction monitoring. The method has a chromatographic run time of less than 5 min and a linear calibration curve with a range of 1-400 ng ml(-1) (r>0.999). The between-run precision, based on the relative standard deviation for replicate quality controls, was < or =5.5% (10 ng ml(-1)), 1.0% (50 ng ml(-1)) and 2.7% (200 ng ml(-1)). The between-run accuracy was +/-7.1, 3.8 and 4.8% for the above concentrations, respectively. This method was employed in a bioequivalence study of two DFZ tablet formulations (Denacen from Marjan Industria e Comercio, Brazil, as a test formulation, and Calcort from Merrell Lepetit, Brazil, as a reference formulation) in 24 healthy volunteers of both sexes who received a single 30 mg dose of each formulation. The study was conducted using an open, randomized, two-period crossover design with a 7-day washout interval. The 90% confidence interval (CI) of the individual geometric mean ratio for Denacen/Calcort was 89.8-109.5% for area under the curve AUC(0-24 h) and 80.7-98.5% for Cmax. Since both the 90% CI for AUC(0-24 h) and Cmax were included in the 80-125% interval proposed by the US Food and Drug Administration, Denacen was considered bioequivalent to Calcort according to both the rate and extent of absorption.     

Microwave solvent free regioselective 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition in the synthesis of 1,4 substituted [1,2,3]‐triazoles as amide bond isosteres

1,3 Dipolar cycloaddition of Fmoc‐amino azides and acetylenic amides produces under solvent free irradiation a mixture of 1,4 or 1,5 substituted [1,2,3]‐triazoles. The presence of copper (I) iodide, plays a central role on regioselectivity. Four Fmoc‐amino azides characterized by different steric hindrance in side chains, and three different terminal alkynes, provided only the 1,4 substituted regioisomer under thermal microwave heating. Good yields, low consumption of organic solvents and short reaction times are the main aspects of our procedure. Reactions are compared to regioselective copper (I) catalysed solution synthesis performed at room temperature.