Hypolipidemic Activity of 3-N-(1′,8′-Naphthalimido)propionic Acid in Rodents

Hypolipidaemic and antiplatelet activity of phenoxyacetic acid derivatives related to α-asarone

The phenoxyacetic acid derivatives 1–6 [2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenoxyacetic acid (1); 2-methoxy-5-nitro-4-(2-propenyl)phenoxyacetic acid (2); methyl 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenoxyacetate (3); ethyl 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenoxyacetate (4); methyl 2-methoxy-5-nitro-4-(2-propenyl)phenoxyacetate (5); ethyl 2-methoxy-5-nitro-4-(2-propenyl)phenoxyacetate (6)] related to α-asarone have been reported previously as hypolipidaemic agents in diet-induced hyperlipidaemic mice. We have aimed to expand the pharmacological profile of these derivatives by investigating their hypolipidaemic activity in rats and mice under different experimental conditions. The antiplatelet activity was tested also in-vitro from blood derived from consenting healthy volunteers. In normolipidaemic rats, compounds 2, 3 and 5 at oral doses of 40 and 80 mg kg−1 significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. Moreover, analogues 3 and 5 administered to hypercholesterolaemic rats at the same doses for seven days also produced a reduction in the content of these same lipoproteins. In neither case were the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations affected. However, practically all tested compounds were found to be hypocholesterolaemic agents, and were shown to effectively lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in Triton-induced hyperlipidaemic mice at oral doses of 50 and 100 mg kg−1. In all tests, all animals appeared to be healthy throughout the experimental period in their therapeutic ranges. Triton-induced hypercholesterolaemic mice appeared to be a desirable model for this class of hypolipidaemic drugs. On the other hand, compounds 1, 2, 4 and 5 significantly inhibited ADP-induced aggregation in-vitro. These findings indicated that all of these compounds appeared to be promising for the treatment of human hyperlipidaemia and thrombotic diseases.

Hypolipidemic activity in rodents of phenobarbital and related derivatives

A series of 5-alkyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid analogues were shown to be potent hypolipidemic agents in rats and mice at 20 mg/kg/day. This dose is lower than that required for hypolipidemic activity for clofibrate and nicotinic acid derivatives in rodents and man. These new derivatives reduced both serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rodents by either the oral or intraperitoneal route of administration. Previous studies have demonstrated that similar heterocyclic compounds, i.e. cyclic imides, glutarimides and hydantoins are potent hypolipidemic agents in rodents. The barbituric acid derivatives probably interfered with de novo synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids in the early steps since the agents inhibit the activities of ATP-dependent citrate lyase and acetyl-CoA synthetase. Triglyceride synthesis may be blocked since the agents inhibited the rate limiting enzyme, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate-acyl-transferase. Rat tissue lipids especially cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced after 14 days treatment. Fecal lipids were increased in cholesterol and phospholipid content by selected compounds. The rat serum lipoprotein after 14 days drug administration showed reduced VLDL-cholesterol and HDL-triglyceride contents. The modulation of the lipid content of the serum lipoproteins by the barbituric acids suggest that these agents may be helpful in treating clinical hyperlipidemic disease states.

Structure activity relationships of imido N-alkyl semicarbazones, thiosemicarbazones and acethydrazones as hypolipidemic agents in rodents

A series of nitrogen substituted N-butan-3-one derivatives of cyclic imides (phthalimide, substituted phthalimide, o-benzosulfimide, 1,8-naphthalimide, 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione and diphenimide) and their semicarbazone, thiosemicarbazone and acethydrazone derivatives were investigated for hypolipidemic activity in rodents. These compounds were generally potent hypolipidemic agents, lowering serum cholesterol levels on an average of 37% and serum triglyceride levels on an average of 29% after 16 days dosing at 20 mg/kg day intraperitoneally (I.P.) in mice. Several analogs, most notably the semicarbazone and acethydrazone derivatives of 1-N-(1,8-naphthalimido)-butan-3-one, demonstrated improved hypocholesterolemic activity relative to their ketone precursors. Similarly, the acethydrazone derivatives generally resulted in improved hypotriglyceridemic activity in each series of 2-(3-oxobutyl)-2,3-dihydrophthalazone-1,4-dione analogs tested. The thiosemicarbazones in mice generally resulted in a loss in hypolipidemic activity. Select compounds, 1-N-3-methylphthalimido butan-3-semicarbazone (Ig) and 1-(4-methoxyphthalazine-1(2H)-one)yl butan-3(N-acetyl)hydrazone (IVg), at 10 mg/kg/day orally administered to rats demonstrated potent hypolipidemic activity after 14 days. These compounds lowered liver, small intestine mucosa and aorta wall tissue lipids, e.g. cholesterol and triglycerides, and raised fecal excretion of cholesterol moderately and of triglyceride significantly. Rat serum lipoprotein fractions after treatment for 14 days showed that the two agents lowered VLDL cholesterol and raised HDL cholesterol content.

Hypolipidemic activity of cyclic imido alkyl ethers, thioethers, sulfoxides, and sulfones

N-Substituted alkyl ethers, thioethers, sulfoxides, and sulfones of cyclic imides (e.g., phthalimide, saccharin, 1,8-naphthalimide, succinimide, and 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione) were shown to have potent hypolipidemic activity at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/d in rodents. These N-substitutions afforded no improvement over other known N-substitutions (e.g., butyl, 3-butanone, or the propionic acid derivatives of phthalimide, saccharin, and 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-1,4-dione) compared with the respective parent compounds. However, 2-(methoxyethyl)-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)dione (3a), 2-[2-methylsulfinyl]ethyl-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-1,3-(2H)dione (3c), 1-(2-methylsulfinyl)-2,5-pyrrolidenedione (4c), and 1-(2-methoxyethyl-2,5-pyrrolidenedione (4a) significantly improved activity compared with parent compounds, as well as previously reported N-substituted analogues, reducing serum cholesterol levels and serum triglyceride levels by 40%. The thioether of succinimide afforded a 54% reduction of serum cholesterol and a 41% reduction of serum triglyceride levels in mice after 16 d. The alkyl thioethers of 1,8-naphthalimide and succinimide significantly lowered cholesterol levels in serum VLDL and LDL, while the alkyl thioethers of succinimide elevated HDL cholesterol content. Tissue lipids were reduced in the liver and aorta by these selected derivatives. The activities of regulatory enzymes in de novo synthesis of hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride were inhibited by the selected 1,8-naphthalimide derivatives. In situ cholesterol and cholic acid reabsorption from intestines were suppressed by the presence of the agents.

The hypolipidemic activity of 1-N-3-methylphthalimido-butan-3-semicarbazone in rodents

1-N-(3-Methylphthalimido)butan-3-one semicarbazone demonstrated potent hypolipidemic activity normal rats and mice and hyperlipidemic diet-induced mice. The compound decreased tissue lip levels and increased the fecal excretion of cholesterol and triglycerides. After 2 weeks of administration, serum lipoprotein levels were modulated so that very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were reduced and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were elevated to levels unprecedented by the cyclic imide derivatives previously tested. The VLDL triglyceride content was also reduced. Hepatic in vitro enzymatic studies demonstrated that the compound suppressed the activity of enzymes in the early synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol and the regulatory enzymes for the de novo synthesis of triglycerides.

The effects of phthalimide and saccharin derivatives on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor activity and related enzyme activities

The hypolipidemic agents, phthalimide, saccharin, o-(N-phthalimido) acetophenone, N-(p-chlorobenzoyl) sulfamate, and o-chlorobenzylsulfonamide affected low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor activity and lipoprotein degradation. In isolated rat hepatocytes, rat aorta foam cells, and human fibroblasts, LDL receptor activity, which is dependent on apo-B and -E, was inhibited by the drugs in a dose-dependent manner. LDL degradation was accelerated in the hepatocytes, while it was inhibited in aorta cells and fibroblasts. The drugs enhanced HDL receptor activity, dependent on apo-E and -A1, and HDL degradation in the hepatocytes, whereas in fibroblasts and aorta cells HDL receptor binding and degradation were suppressed. In parallel, activities of acyl CoA acyl transferase, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase, and heparin-induced lipoprotein lipase decreased and activities of HMG-CoA reductase and cholesterol oleate-ester hydrolase increased. In fibroblasts the presence of drugs enhanced HDL binding of intracellular cholesterol. In vivo studies demonstrated that phthalimide and saccharin treatment enhanced the clearance of HDL and decreased the clearance of LDL from the serum of rats. The results suggest that the mode of action of the agents is to modulate the lipoprotein receptor and, thereby, the clearance of lipids from peripheral tissue as part of the hypolipidemic activity.

The Hypolipidemic Activity of a Series of 2,3-Dihydrophthalazine-l,4-dione Derivatives in Rodents

A series of substituted 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-l,4-dione derivatives as well as the corresponding N,N-diaminophthalamides were prepared and were demonstrated to have potent hypolipidemic activity, lowering both serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels significantly at 20 mg/kg/day after 16 days of dosing in CF1 male mice. The parent compound, 2,3-dihydrophthalazine-l,4-dione, lowered serum cholesterol 51% and serum triglyceride 43%. 2-(2-Carboxyethyl)-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-l,4-dione demonstrated the best hypocholesterolemic activity, with a 66% reduction after 16 days. The 2-(p-chlorophenyl) derivative demonstrated good activity (>40% reduction) in both screens, as did the 6-methyl-2,3-dihydrophthalazine-l,4-dione derivative. Of the amides, 4-methyk N,N-diaminophthalamide demonstrated the best hypolipidemic activity, affording a greater than 40% reduction. 2,3-Dihydrophthalazine-l,4-dione was found to inhibit the enzyme activity of acetyl CoA synthetase, ATP-dependent citrate lyase, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase, phosphatidylate phosphohydrolase, and mitochondrial citrate exchange of liver. In mice after 16 days of dosing, there was a reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides, neutral lipids, and phospholipids in the liver. Cholesterol and neutral lipids were reduced in rat chylomicrons, very low-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins. The cholesterol content of the high-density lipoprotein fraction was slightly elevated, but reductions in the triglycerides and phospholipids were observed in this lipoprotein fraction. (3)H-Cholesterol distribution studies showed a lower concentration in the major organs and plasma, with a higher (3)H-cholesterol content in the stomach and large intestine.

Biological activity of the hypolipidemic agent, N2-n-butylindazolone

Previously, a series of N-substituted indazolone derivatives proved to be effective hypolipidemic agents in rodents. The most effective agent, N2-n-butylindazolone, at 20 mg/kg/d was shown to suppress the levels of cytoplasm acetyl coenzyme A required for cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis as well as sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase and phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activities. Lipid content of the liver, small intestine, and serum lipoprotein fractions was lowered, whereas lipid content was increased in fecal excretions by drug treatment for 14 d. The absorption of orally administered cholesterol from the intestine was severely reduced after drug administration. The mode of action of N2-n-butylindazolone appears to be similar to cyclic imides possessing hypolipidemic activity.