Synthesis, molecular modeling and SAR study of novel pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridines as CB2 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists

Rapid Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1,6-Naphthyridines Via Heteroaryl Ditriflates

We report the discovery of a convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of highly substituted 1,6-naphthyridines. A tandem nitrile hydration/cyclization procedure was developed to access 1,6-naphthyridine-5,7-diones under mild conditions. Subsequently, we have found that ditriflation of these intermediates provides 1,6-naphthyridine-5,7-ditriflates which are bench-stable but highly reactive intermediates that can be engaged in one-pot difunctionalization reactions leading to diverse drug-like products in rapid fashion.

The progress of small molecules against cannabinoid 2 receptor (CB2R)

The two subtypes of cannabinoid receptors (CBR), namely CB1R and CB2R, belong to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily and are confirmed as potential therapeutic targets for a variety of diseases such as inflammation, neuropathic pain, and immune-related disorders. Since CB1R is mainly distributed in the central nervous system (CNS), it could produce severe psychiatric adverse reactions and addiction. In contrast, CB2R are predominantly distributed in the peripheral immune system with minimal CNS-related side effects. Therefore, more attention has been devoted to the discovery of CB2R ligands. In view of the favorable profile of CB2R, many high-binding affinity and selectivity CB2R ligands have been developed recently. This paper reviews recent research progress on CB2R ligands, including endogenous CB2R ligands, natural compounds, and novel small molecules, in order to provide a reference for subsequent CB2R ligand development.

Microwave-assisted one-pot two-step imine formation-hetero-Diels-Alder-detosylation/aromatization sequence: direct access to dibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines

A microwave-assisted, copper-catalyzed, one-pot, two-step reaction is established to access functionalized [1,6]naphthyridines in high yields (up to 96%) starting from 2-(N-propargylamino)benzaldehydes and arylamines. This rapid and operationally simple sequential reaction allowed the construction of two new heterocyclic rings and three new (2 C-C and 1 C-N) bonds in a single synthetic operation. This reaction tolerated various electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents well and delivered the desired products in a shorter reaction time under microwave irradiation. This reaction proceeds through a sequential imine formation, intramolecular [4 + 2] hetero-Diels-Alder reaction, and air oxidation, followed by detosylation-aromatization steps.

Sequential Ag(I) Salt and Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis Enables Enantioselective and Diastereoselective Construction of Complex Heterocyclic Molecules and the Switch of Stereoselectivity

Organic reactions under cascade catalysis provide a powerful strategy to construct molecules of complexed structures. Reported herein is the sequential silver(I) salt and chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalyzed enantioselective and diastereoselective synthesis of a diversity of unprecedented fused heterocyclic compounds from the reactions of readily available N'-((2-alkynyl-3-pyridinyl)methylene)hydrazides with 2-aroylvinylcinnamaldehydes. Both reaction pathways and stereoselectivity were steered conveniently and efficiently by the employment of different NHCs and bases, enabling the selective preparation of pentacyclic ring-fused 1,6-naphthyridine derivatives and 1,6-naphthyridine-substituted tricyclic products in moderated to good yields with high enantioselectivity and diastereoselectivity. Mechanisms accounting for the selective transformations, especially the effect of base and chiral NHC catalyst on the reaction course and stereochemistry of products, were also discussed.

Tricyclic Pyrazole-Based Compounds as Useful Scaffolds for Cannabinoid CB1/CB2 Receptor Interaction

Cannabinoids comprise different classes of compounds, which aroused interest in recent years because of their several pharmacological properties. Such properties include analgesic activity, bodyweight reduction, the antiemetic effect, the reduction of intraocular pressure and many others, which appear correlated to the affinity of cannabinoids towards CB₁ and/or CB₂ receptors. Within the search aiming to identify novel chemical scaffolds for cannabinoid receptor interaction, the CB₁ antagonist/inverse agonist pyrazole-based derivative rimonabant has been modified, giving rise to several tricyclic pyrazole-based compounds, most of which endowed of high affinity and selectivity for CB₁ or CB₂ receptors. The aim of this review is to present the synthesis and summarize the SAR study of such tricyclic pyrazole-based compounds, evidencing, for some derivatives, their potential in the treatment of neuropathic pain, obesity or in the management of glaucoma.

Synthesis and Anticancer Properties of Functionalized 1,6-Naphthyridines

The burgeoning interest in synthesis and biological applications of 1,6-naphthyridines reflects the importance of 1,6-naphthyridines in the synthetic as well as medicinal chemistry fields. Specially, 1,6-naphthyridines are pharmacologically active, with variety of applications such as anticancer, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), anti-microbial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Although collective recent synthetic developments have paved a path to a wide range of functionalized 1,6-naphthyridines, a complete correlation of synthesis with biological activity remains elusive. The current review focuses on recent synthetic developments from the last decade and a thorough study of the anticancer activity of 1,6-naphthyridines on different cancer cell lines. Anticancer activity has been correlated to 1,6-naphthyridines using the literature on the structure-activity relationship (SAR) along with molecular modeling studies. Exceptionally, at the end of this review, the utility of 1,6-naphthyridines displaying activities other than anticancer has also been included as a glimmering extension.

Selective Cannabinoid 2 Receptor Stimulation Reduces Tubular Epithelial Cell Damage after Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is an increasing problem in the clinic and has been associated with elevated rates of mortality. Therapies to treat AKI are currently not available, so identification of new targets that can be modulated to ameliorate renal damage upon diagnosis of AKI is essential. In this study, a novel cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist, SMM-295 [3'-methyl-4-(2-(thiophen-2-yl)propan-2-yl)biphenyl-2,6-diol], was designed, synthesized, and tested in vitro and in silico. Molecular docking of SMM-295 into a CB2 active-state homology model showed that SMM-295 interacts well with key amino acids to stabilize the active state. In human embryonic kidney 293 cells, SMM-295 was capable of reducing cAMP production with 66-fold selectivity for CB2 versus cannabinoid receptor 1 and dose-dependently increased mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt phosphorylation. In vivo testing of the CB2 agonist was performed using a mouse model of bilateral IRI, which is a common model to mimic human AKI, where SMM-295 was immediately administered upon reperfusion of the kidneys after the ischemia episode. Histologic damage assessment 48 hours after reperfusion demonstrated reduced tubular damage in the presence of SMM-295. This was consistent with reduced plasma markers of renal dysfunction (i.e., creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) in SMM-295-treated mice. Mechanistically, kidneys treated with SMM-295 were shown to have elevated activation of Akt with reduced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-deoxyuridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells compared with vehicle-treated kidneys after IRI. These data suggest that selective CB2 receptor activation could be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of AKI.

Novel pyrrolocycloalkylpyrazole analogues as CB1 ligands

Novel 1,4-dihydropyrazolo[3,4-a]pyrrolizine-, 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-g]indolizine- and 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrazolo[3,4-c]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepine-3-carboxamide-based compounds were designed and synthesized for cannabinoid CB₁ and CB₂ receptor interactions. Any of the new synthesized compounds showed high affinity for CB₂ receptor with K_i values superior to 314 nm, whereas some of them showed moderate affinity for CB₁ receptor with K_i values inferior to 400 nm. 7-Chloro-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-(homopiperidin-1-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-g]indolizine-3-carboxamide (2j) exhibited good affinity for CB₁ receptor (K_i CB₁  = 81 nm) and the highest CB₂ /CB₁ selectively ratio (>12). Docking studies carried out on such compounds were performed using the hCB₁ X-ray in complex with the close pyrazole analogue AM6538 and disclosed specific pattern of interactions related to the tricyclic pyrrolopyrazole scaffolds as CB₁ ligands.