3-[(Imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]indazole ligands with selectivity for the α2-adrenoceptor compared to the imidazoline I1 receptor

Structure-based discovery of CFTR potentiators and inhibitors

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a crucial ion channel whose loss of function leads to cystic fibrosis, whereas its hyperactivation leads to secretory diarrhea. Small molecules that improve CFTR folding (correctors) or function (potentiators) are clinically available. However, the only potentiator, ivacaftor, has suboptimal pharmacokinetics and inhibitors have yet to be clinically developed. Here, we combine molecular docking, electrophysiology, cryo-EM, and medicinal chemistry to identify CFTR modulators. We docked ∼155 million molecules into the potentiator site on CFTR, synthesized 53 test ligands, and used structure-based optimization to identify candidate modulators. This approach uncovered mid-nanomolar potentiators, as well as inhibitors, that bind to the same allosteric site. These molecules represent potential leads for the development of more effective drugs for cystic fibrosis and secretory diarrhea, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale docking for ion channel drug discovery.

Indazole and its Derivatives in Cardiovascular Diseases: Overview, Current Scenario, and Future Perspectives

Indazoles are a class of heterocyclic compounds with a bicyclic ring structure composed of a pyrazole ring and a benzene ring. Indazole-containing compounds with various functional groups have important pharmacological activities and can be used as structural motifs in designing novel drug molecules. Some of the indazole-containing molecules are approved by FDA and are already in the market. However, very few drugs with indazole rings have been developed against cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to summarize the structural and pharmacological functions of indazole derivatives which have shown efficacy against cardiovascular pathologies in experimental settings.

Ligand- and Structure-Based Analysis of Deep Learning-Generated Potential α2a Adrenoceptor Agonists

The α2a adrenoceptor is a medically relevant subtype of the G protein-coupled receptor family. Unfortunately, high-throughput techniques aimed at producing novel drug leads for this receptor have been largely unsuccessful because of the complex pharmacology of adrenergic receptors. As such, cutting-edge in silico ligand- and structure-based assessment and de novo deep learning methods are well positioned to provide new insights into protein-ligand interactions and potential active compounds. In this work, we (i) collect a dataset of α2a adrenoceptor agonists and provide it as a resource for the drug design community; (ii) use the dataset as a basis to generate candidate-active structures via deep learning; and (iii) apply computational ligand- and structure-based analysis techniques to gain new insights into α2a adrenoceptor agonists and assess the quality of the computer-generated compounds. We further describe how such assessment techniques can be applied to putative chemical probes with a case study involving proposed medetomidine-based probes.

Palladium-catalyzed direct C–H nitration and intramolecular C–H functionalization for the synthesis of 3-nitro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indazole derivatives

Various 3-nitro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indazole derivatives have been obtained in moderate to high yields using palladium catalysis.

Cardiovascular Effects Mediated by Imidazoline Drugs: An Update

OBJECTIVE

Clonidine is a centrally acting antihypertensive drug. Hypotensive effect of clonidine is mediated mainly by central α2-adrenoceptors and/or imidazoline receptors located in a complex network of the brainstem. Unfortunately, clonidine produces side effects such as sedation, mouth dry, and depression. Moxonidine and rilmenidine, compounds of the second generation of imidazoline drugs, with fewer side effects, display a higher affinity for the imidazoline receptors compared with α2-adrenoceptors. The antihypertensive action of these drugs is due to inhibition of the sympathetic outflow primarily through central I1-imidazoline receptors in the RVLM, although others anatomical sites and mechanisms/receptors are involved. Agmatine is regarded as the endogenous ligand for imidazoline receptors. This amine modulates the cardiovascular function. Indeed, when administered in the RVLM mimics the hypotension of clonidine.

RESULTS

Recent findings have shown that imidazoline drugs also exert biological response directly on the cardiovascular tissues, which can contribute to their antihypertensive response. Currently, new imidazoline receptors ligands are in development.

CONCLUSION

In the present review, we provide a brief update on the cardiovascular effects of clonidine, moxonidine, rilmenidine, and the novel imidazoline agents since representing an important therapeutic target for some cardiovascular diseases.

Are Alpha-2D Adrenoceptor Subtypes Involved in Rat Mydriasis Evoked by New Imidazoline Derivatives: Marsanidine and 7-Methylmarsanidine?

The imidazoline compounds may produce mydriasis after systemic administration to some species (rats, cats, and mice). In mydriatic activity of imidazolines, α_2D-adrenoceptors subtype(s) seems to be involved. In this study, the pupil dilatory effect evoked by 2 newly synthesized imidazoline derivatives—α₂-adrenoceptor agonists: marsanidine and 7-methylmarsanidine—was compared. The compounds were tested alone as well as in the presence of α₂-adrenoceptor antagonists (nonselective, yohimbine, and selective toward the following α₂-adrenoceptor subtypes—α_2A-2-[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-1H-isoindole maleate (BRL44408), α_2B-2-[2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-4,4-dimethyl-1,3-(2H,4H)-isoquinolindione dihydrochloride (ARC239), α_2C-JP1302, α_2D-2-(2,3-dihydro-2-methoxy-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole hydrochloride [RX821002]). The agonists were studied in male Wistar rats and were administered intravenously in cumulative doses. The antagonistic compounds were given in a single dose before the experiment with marsanidine or 7-methylmarsanidine. Pupil diameter was measured with stereoscopic microscope equipped in green light filter. Marsanidine and 7-methylmarsanidine exerted marked mydriatic effects. BRL44408, JP1302, and ARC239 did not cause significant parallel shift to the right of the dose–effect curves obtained for both imidazolines. In case of yohimbine and RX821002, the marked parallel shifts of dose–response curves were observed, with the antagonistic effects of RX821002 more pronounced. In vivo pharmacodynamics experiment suggests that α_2D-adrenoceptor subtype is mainly engaged in mydriatic effects evoked in rats by imidazoline derivatives, in particular by clonidine.

Transfer of SAR information from hypotensive indazole to indole derivatives acting at α-adrenergic receptors: In vitro and in vivo studies

In a search for novel antihypertensive drugs we applied scaffold hopping from the previously described α1-adrenergic receptor antagonists, 1-[(imidazolin-2-yl)methyl]indazoles. The aim was to investigate whether the α-adrenergic properties of the indazole core were transferable to the indole core. The newly obtained 1-[(imidazolin-2-yl)methyl]indole analogues were screened in vitro for their binding affinities for α1-and α2-adrenoceptors, which allowed the identification of the target-based SAR transfer (T_SAR transfer) as well as structure-based SAR transfer (S_SAR transfer) events. However, when screened in vivo with use of anaesthetized male Wistar rats, the new indole ligands showed a different hemodynamic profile than expected. Instead of the immediate hypotensive effect characteristic of peripheral vasodilatator α1 blockers, a biphasic effect was observed, reminiscent of clonidine-like centrally acting antihypertensive agents. This was supported by subsequent in vitro functional studies in [(35)S]GTPγS binding assay, where the indole analogues displayed partial agonist properties at α2-adrenergic receptors. Since no correlation was found between the in vitro binding to α-adrenoceptors and the in vivo hemodynamic effects of the two series of indazole and indole bioisosteric compounds, in a search for new imidazoline-containing adrenergic drugs, the structure-based SAR transfer information obtained from in vitro binding studies should be treated with caution.

Synthesis of indazole motifs and their medicinal importance: an overview

Indazoles is an important class of heterocyclic compounds having a wide range of biological and pharmaceutical applications. There is enormous potential in the synthesis of novel heterocyclic systems to be used as building blocks for the next generation of pharmaceuticals as anti-bacterial, anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory. Fused aromatic 1H and 2H-indazoles are well recognized for anti-hypertensive and anti-cancer properties. The present review focuses on novel routes of their synthesis and various biological activities.

Fluorinated analogues of marsanidine, a highly α2-AR/imidazoline I1 binding site-selective hypotensive agent. Synthesis and biological activities

The aim of these studies was to establish the influence of fluorination of the indazole ring on the pharmacological properties of two selective α2-adrenoceptor (α2-AR) agonists: 1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indazole (marsanidine, A) and its methylene analogue 1-[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl]-1H-indazole (B). Introduction of fluorine into the indazole ring of A and B reduced both binding affinity and α2-AR/I1 imidazoline binding site selectivity. The most α2-AR-selective ligands were 6-fluoro-1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indazole (6c) and 7-fluoro-1-[(imidazolidin-2-yl)imino]-1H-indazole (6d). The in vivo cardiovascular properties of fluorinated derivatives of A and B revealed that in both cases the C-7 fluorination leads to compounds with the highest hypotensive and bradycardic activities. The α2-AR partial agonist 6c was prepared as a potential lead compound for development of a radiotracer for PET imaging of brain α2-ARs.

Tizanidine and tizanidine hydrochloride: on the correct tautomeric form of tizanidine

A crystallization series of tizanidine hydrochloride, used as a muscle relaxant for spasticity acting centrally as an α2-adrenergic agonist, yielded single crystals of the free base and the hydrochloride salt. The crystal structures of tizanidine [systematic name: 5-chloro-N-(imidazolidin-2-ylidene)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4-amine], C9H8ClN5S, (I), and tizanidine hydrochloride {systematic name: 2-[(5-chloro-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-4-yl)amino]imidazolidinium chloride}, C9H9ClN5S+·Cl−, (II), have been determined. Tizanidine crystallizes with two almost identical molecules in the asymmetric unit (r.m.s. deviation = 0.179 Å for all non-H atoms). The molecules are connected by N—H...N hydrogen bonds forming chains running along [2\overline{1}1]. The present structure determination corrects the structure determination of tizanidine by Johnet al.[Acta Cryst.(2011), E67, o838–o839], which shows an incorrect tautomeric form. Tizanidine does not crystallize as the usually drawn 2-amino–imidazoline tautomer, but as the 2-imino–imidazolidine tautomer. This tautomer is present in solution as well, as shown by1H NMR analysis. In tizanidine hydrochloride, cations and anions are connected by N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds to form layers parallel to (100).