Optimization of cyclic sulfamide derivatives as 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 inhibitors for the potential treatment of ischemic brain injury

In vitro antitumor activity, molecular dynamics simulation, DFT study, ADME prediction, and Eg5 binding of enastron analogues

The objective of this study is to evaluate a series of molecules based on cyclosulfamide as potential anticancer agents. Additionally, the study aims to analyze the obtained results through in silico studies; by conducting experiments and utilizing theoretical methods. In this context, we investigated the cytotoxic activity of enastron analogues on three human cell lines PRI (lymphoblastic cell line) derived from B-cell lymphoma. JURKAT (ATCC TIB-152) acute T cell leukaemia and K562 (ATCC CLL-243) is a chronic myelogenous leukaemia. Most of the tested compounds showed good inhibitory activity compared with the reference ligand (chlorambucil). The 5a derivative demonstrated the strongest effect against all cancer cells used. Furthermore, molecular docking simulations of the Eg5-enastron analogue complex revealed that studied molecules have the ability to inhibit the Eg5 enzyme, as evidenced by their calculated docking score. Following the promising results from the molecular docking study, the complex Eg5-4a underwent a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation using Desmond. During the simulation, the receptor-ligand pairing demonstrated substantial stability after the initial 70 ns. In addition, we used DFT calculations to analyze the electronic and geometric characteristics of the studied compounds. The HOMO and LUMO band gap energies, and the molecular electrostatic potential surface were also deducted for the stable structure of each compound. Also, we studied the prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of the compounds.

11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 as a Potential Treatment Target in Cardiovascular Diseases

Glucocorticoids (GCs) belong to the group of steroid hormones. Their representative in humans is cortisol. GCs are involved in most physiological processes of the body and play a significant role in important biological processes, including reproduction, growth, immune responses, metabolism, maintenance of water and electrolyte balance, functioning of the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. The availability of cortisol to the glucocorticoid receptor is locally controlled by the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1). Evidence of changes in intracellular GC metabolism in the pathogenesis of obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular complications highlights the role of selective 11β-HSD1 inhibition in the pharmacotherapy of these diseases. This paper discusses the role of 11β-HSD1 in MetS and its cardiovascular complications and the importance of selective inhibition of 11β-HSD1.

Discovery of a novel 2-spiroproline steroid mimetic scaffold for the potent inhibition of 11β-HSD1

11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) has been identified as the primary enzyme responsible for the activation of hepatic cortisone to cortisol in specific peripheral tissues, resulting in the concomitant antagonism of insulin action within these tissues. Dysregulation of 11β-HSD1, particularly in adipose tissues, has been associated with a variety of ailments including metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, inhibition of 11β-HSD1 with a small nonsteroidal molecule is therapeutically desirable. Implementation of a scaffold-hopping approach revealed a 3-point pharmacophore for 11β-HSD1 that was utilized to design a 2-spiroproline derivative as a steroid mimetic scaffold. Reiterative optimization provided valuable insight into the bioactive conformation of our novel scaffold and led to the discovery of several leads, such as compounds 39 and 51. Importantly, deleterious hERG inhibition and pregnane X receptor induction were mitigated by the introduction of a 4-hydroxyl group to the proline ring system.

Peripheral Selective Oxadiazolylphenyl Alanine Derivatives as Tryptophan Hydroxylase 1 Inhibitors for Obesity and Fatty Liver Disease

Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) has been recently suggested as a promising therapeutic target for treating obesity and fatty liver disease. A new series of 1,2,4-oxadiazolylphenyl alanine derivatives were identified as TPH1 inhibitors. Among them, compound 23a was the most active in vitro, with an IC₅₀ (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) value of 42 nM, showed good liver microsomal stability, and showed no significant inhibition of CYP and hERG. Compound 23a inhibited TPH1 in the peripheral tissue with limited BBB penetration. In high-fat diet-fed mice, 23a reduced body weight gain, body fat, and hepatic lipid accumulation. Also, 23a improved glucose intolerance and energy expenditure. Taken together, compound 23a shows promise as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity and fatty liver diseases.