Preparation and configuration of racemic and optically active analgesic cycloaminoalkylnaphthalenes

Structural Insights into the Ligand–LsrK Kinase Binding Mode: A Step Forward in the Discovery of Novel Antimicrobial Agents

LsrK is a bacterial kinase that triggers the quorum sensing, and it represents a druggable target for the identification of new agents for fighting antimicrobial resistance. Herein, we exploited tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy (TFS) as a suitable technique for the identification of potential LsrK ligands from an in-house library of chemicals comprising synthetic compounds as well as secondary metabolites. Three secondary metabolites (Hib-ester, Hib-carbaldehyde and (R)-ASME) showed effective binding to LsrK, with KD values in the sub-micromolar range. The conformational changes were confirmed via circular dichroism and molecular docking results further validated the findings and displayed the specific mode of interaction. The activity of the identified compounds on the biofilm formation by some Staphylococcus spp. was investigated. Hib-carbaldehyde and (R)-ASME were able to reduce the production of biofilm, with (R)-ASME resulting in the most effective compound with an EC50 of 14 mg/well. The successful application of TFS highlights its usefulness in searching for promising LsrK inhibitor candidates with inhibitor efficacy against biofilm formation.

Enantioselective chromatography and absolute configuration of N,N-dimethyl-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)-butan-1-amines: potential sigma1 ligands

We describe the preparation of racemic N,N-dimethyl-3-(naphthalen-2-yl)-butan-1-amines, potential sigma1 ligands, and their resolution via chiral HPLC. In order to obtain enantiopure compounds, direct chromatographic methods of separation using chiral stationary phases were investigated. Different methods suitable for both analytical and semipreparative purposes are proposed. The best resolutions were achieved using cellulose tris (3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) (Chiralcel OD and OD-H) and amylose tris (3,5-dimethylphenyl carbamate) (Chiralpak AD). On the basis of the preliminary chromatographic results, the resolution of compound 1 was transferred onto a Chiralcel OD semipreparative column. The enantiomers were obtained in high enantiomeric excess. The configurational assignment was performed by circular dichroism. Computational analysis was used to explore the enantioselective recognition process of compound 1 with the Chiralcel OD stationary phase.

Chiral arylpyrrolidinols: preparation and biological profile

The preparation and biological evaluation of a new class of arylpyrrolidinols is reported. The antinociceptive activity was evaluated in vivo with the hot plate test (HPT) and formalin test (FT), excluding any involvement on motor coordination with the rota-rod test (RRT). The nociceptive behavior in the late phase of FT (representative of chronic pain) suggests an involvement of the antiinflammatory process and it is clearly influenced by the stereochemical features, being the eutomer of phenylpyrrolidinols, the (2R,3S) enantiomer. Despite this, a specific mechanism of action is not yet clarified.

Enantiomers of 2-[(Acylamino)ethyl]-1,4-benzodiazepines, potent ligands of kappa-opioid receptor: chiral chromatographic resolution, configurational assignment and biological activity

Compounds 2a and 3a-e are racemic 2-[(acylamino)ethyl]-1,4-benzodiazepines, tifluadom analogs, with high affinity and selectivity towards the kappa-opioid receptor. We describe the enantiomeric separation of all compounds through liquid chromatography with chiral stationary phases, as well as the resolution of the enantiomers of the most interesting compounds, 2a and 3a, by the semipreparative column Chiralpak AD. The configuration of the resolved enantiomers was investigated: the comparative study of CD and (1)H NMR spectra shows that compounds (-)-2a and (-)-3a have the same absolute configuration of (+)-(S)-tifluadom. A study on the stereoselective interaction with opiate receptors is reported.

Synthesis of pyrrolinylnaphthalenes and evaluation of their antinociceptive activity

In this paper the regioselective preparation of (R/S)-1,2-dimethyl-3-[2-(6-substituted naphthyl)]-2H,5H-pyrrolines 2a-d is reported. These compounds were prepared by thermal dehydration of the corresponding alcohols (2R,3S/2S,3R)-1,2-dimethyl-3-[2-(6-substituted naphthyl)]-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidines (2R,3S/2S,3R)-1a-d with anhydrous FeCl3-SiO2, under vacuum. Pharmacological properties of (R/S)-2a-d are also described. Analgesic activity was investigated by the hot plate test, also in the presence of selective antagonists of mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors. Preliminary analysis of the side-effects was also accomplished using the rota-rod test. Interesting antinociceptive activity was shown by all compounds and in particular by (R/S)-2a (AD50 = 0.31 mg/kg); delta opioid receptors were found to be mainly involved in the pharmacological process and, in general, it was found that the compounds influenced locomotory activity to a much lesser extent than did morphine.

Synthesis and antinociceptive activity of pyrrolidinylnaphthalenes

In this paper the synthesis of the racemates (2R,3S/2S,3R)-1,2-dimethyl-3-[2-(6-substituted naphthyl)]-3-hydroxypyrrolidine 1b-d [(2R,3S/2S,3R)-1b-d] are reported. Compounds 1b-d were prepared by reaction of the racemic 1,2-dimethyl-3-pyrrolidone 2 with the lithiation product obtained from 2-bromo-6-substituted naphthalene 3b-d. Pharmacological properties of (2R,3S/2S,3R)-1a-d are also described. Analgesic activity was investigated by the hot plate test and binding affinities towards mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors were evaluated. A preliminary evaluation of the in vivo side-effects was also accomplished using the rota-rod test. Interesting antinociceptive activity was shown by all compounds and in particular by 1d, which is the most active compound, since it is six-fold more potent than morphine and has lower side effects on the locomotory activity.

Stereoselective morphine-like discriminative properties of a new alkylaminonaphthalenic derivative

The morphine-like properties of a series of aminoalkyl- and cycloalkylamino-naphtalenic derivatives of 17-methyl-17-azaequilenine were studied in rats trained to discriminate morphine (5.6 mg/kg IP) from vehicle in a two-lever operant behavioral procedure reinforced by water access. It was found that one of the compounds tested (i.e., A8; 1-ethyl-1-hydroxy-1-[2-(6-hydroxynaphthyl)]-2-methyl-3- dimethylaminopropane) fully generalized for the morphine stimulus. The discriminative effects of A8 were stereospecific, as indicated by the fact that (+)-(1R,2R)-A8 was three times more potent than the racemic compound and that the (-)-(1S,2S) enantiomer was completely inactive. (+)-(1R,2R)-A8 generalization for the morphine cue was inhibited by naloxone. None of the other five derivatives examined generalized for the morphine stimulus. In conclusion, the naphthalenic structure is a source of compounds with stereospecific and naloxone-reversible morphine-like properties.

Dialkylaminoalkylnaphthalenes as novel opioid-like analgesics

The study of dialkylaminoalkylnaphthalenes as novel opioid-like analgesics is reported. In particular, the synthesis of (1R,2R/1S,2S)-1-ethyl-1-[2-(6-hydroxynaphthyl)]-1-hydrox-2-m ethyl-2-dimethylaminoethane and its structural analogue (1R,2R/1S,2S)-1-ethyl-1-[2-(6-fluoronaphthyl)]-1-hydroxy-2-methyl- 2-dimethylaminoethane and the configurational analysis by X-ray and 1H NMR spectroscopy are described. Pharmacological profiles are discussed on the basis of the experimental results of analgesia tests (hot plate and writhing test) and rota-rod test, which was performed to distinguish analgesia from drug-induced motor changes. The compounds showed dose-dependent antinociception, with less potency than morphine. Motor coordination appeared to be less involved.