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Pasquinucci L, Parenti C, Georgoussi Z, Reina L, Tomarchio E, Turnaturi R. LP1 and LP2: Dual-Target MOPr/DOPr Ligands as Drug Candidates for Persistent Pain Relief. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26144168. [PMID: 34299443 PMCID: PMC8305117 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26144168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although persistent pain is estimated to affect about 20% of the adult population, current treatments have poor results. Polypharmacology, which is the administration of more than one drug targeting on two or more different sites of action, represents a prominent therapeutic approach for the clinical management of persistent pain. Thus, in the drug discovery process the "one-molecule-multiple targets" strategy nowadays is highly recognized. Indeed, multitarget ligands displaying a better antinociceptive activity with fewer side effects, combined with favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics, have already been shown. Multitarget ligands possessing non-opioid/opioid and opioid/opioid mechanisms of action are considered as potential drug candidates for the management of various pain conditions. In particular, dual-target MOPr (mu opioid peptide receptor)/DOPr (delta opioid peptide receptor) ligands exhibit an improved antinociceptive profile associated with a reduced tolerance-inducing capability. The benzomorphan-based compounds LP1 and LP2 belong to this class of dual-target MOPr/DOPr ligands. In the present manuscript, the structure-activity relationships and the pharmacological fingerprint of LP1 and LP2 compounds as suitable drug candidates for persistent pain relief is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (R.T.); Tel.: +39-095-738-4273 (L.P. & R.T.)
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy;
| | - Zafiroula Georgoussi
- Laboratory of Cellular Signaling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” Ag. Paraskevi-Attikis, 15310 Athens, Greece;
| | - Lorena Reina
- Postgraduate School of Clinical Pharmacology, Toxicology University of Catania, via S. Sofia n. 97, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Emilia Tomarchio
- Postgraduate School of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, 20122 Milan, Italy;
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.P.); (R.T.); Tel.: +39-095-738-4273 (L.P. & R.T.)
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2
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Pasquinucci L, Parenti C, Ruiz-Cantero MC, Georgoussi Z, Pallaki P, Cobos EJ, Amata E, Marrazzo A, Prezzavento O, Arena E, Dichiara M, Salerno L, Turnaturi R. Novel N-Substituted Benzomorphan-Based Compounds: From MOR-Agonist/DOR-Antagonist to Biased/Unbiased MOR Agonists. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:678-685. [PMID: 32435370 PMCID: PMC7236032 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Modifications at the basic nitrogen of the benzomorphan scaffold allowed the development of compounds able to segregate physiological responses downstream of the receptor signaling, opening new possibilities in opioid drug development. Alkylation of the phenyl ring in the N-substituent of the MOR-agonist/DOR-antagonist LP1 resulted in retention of MOR affinity. Moreover, derivatives 7a, 7c, and 7d were biased MOR agonists toward ERK1,2 activity stimulation, whereas derivative 7e was a low potency MOR agonist on adenylate cyclase inhibition. They were further screened in the mouse tail flick test and PGE2-induced hyperalgesia and drug-induced gastrointestinal transit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - M. Carmen Ruiz-Cantero
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Neuroscience,
Biomedical Research Center, University of
Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
- Teófilo Hernando
Institute for Drug Discovery, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Zafiroula Georgoussi
- Laboratory
of Cellular Signaling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences
and Applications, National Center for Scientific
Research “Demokritos″, Ag. Paraskevi 15310, Athens, Greece
| | - Paschalina Pallaki
- Laboratory
of Cellular Signaling and Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences
and Applications, National Center for Scientific
Research “Demokritos″, Ag. Paraskevi 15310, Athens, Greece
| | - Enrique J. Cobos
- Department
of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Institute of Neuroscience,
Biomedical Research Center, University of
Granada, Parque Tecnológico de Ciencias de la Salud, 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain
- Teófilo Hernando
Institute for Drug Discovery, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Orazio Prezzavento
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuela Arena
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department
of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Turnaturi R, Pasquinucci L, Chiechio S, Grasso M, Marrazzo A, Amata E, Dichiara M, Prezzavento O, Parenti C. Exploiting the Power of Stereochemistry in Drug Action: 3-[(2 S,6 S,11 S)-8-Hydroxy-6,11-dimethyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2,6-methano-3-benzazocin-3(2 H)-yl]- N-phenylpropanamide as Potent Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonist. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:999-1005. [PMID: 32186844 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(+)-(2S,6S,11S)- and (-)-(2R,6R,11R)-Benzomorphan derivatives have a different binding affinity for sigma-1 (σ1R) and opioid receptors, respectively. In this study, we describe the synthesis of the (+)-enantiomer [(+)-LP1] of the benzomorphan MOR agonist/DOR antagonist LP1 [(-)-LP1]. The binding affinity of both (+)-LP1 and (-)-LP1 for σ1R and sigma-2 receptor (σ2R) was tested. Moreover, (+)-LP1 opioid receptor binding affinity was also investigated. Finally, (+)-LP1 was tested in a mouse model of inflammatory pain. Our results showed a nanomolar σ1R and binding affinity for (+)-LP1. Both (+)-LP1 and (-)-LP1 elicited a significant analgesic effect in a formalin test. Differently from (-)-LP1, the analgesic effect of (+)-LP1 was not reversed by naloxone, suggesting a σ1R antagonist profile. Furthermore, σ1R agonist PRE-084 was able to unmask the σ1R antagonistic component of the benzomorphan compound. (+)-LP1 could constitute an useful lead compound to develop new analgesics based on mechanisms of action alternative to opioid receptor activation.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics/chemistry
- Analgesics/pharmacology
- Analgesics, Opioid/pharmacology
- Animals
- Benzomorphans/chemical synthesis
- Benzomorphans/pharmacology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Mice
- Pain/drug therapy
- Receptors, Opioid/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/drug effects
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Receptors, sigma/antagonists & inhibitors
- Structure-Activity Relationship
- Sigma-1 Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina 94018, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina 94018, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Orazio Prezzavento
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Turnaturi R, Chiechio S, Salerno L, Rescifina A, Pittalà V, Cantarella G, Tomarchio E, Parenti C, Pasquinucci L. Progress in the development of more effective and safer analgesics for pain management. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 183:111701. [PMID: 31550662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Opioid analgesics have been used for thousands of years in the treatment of pain and related disorders, and have become among the most widely prescribed medications. Among opioid analgesics, mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are the most commonly used and are indicated for acute and chronic pain management. However, their use results in a plethora of well-described side-effects. From selective delta opioid receptor (DOR) and kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists to multitarget MOR/DOR and MOR/KOR ligands, medicinal chemistry provided different approaches aimed at the development of opioid analgesics with an improved pharmacological and tolerability fingerprint. The emergent medicinal chemistry strategy to develop ameliorated opioid analgesics is based upon the concept that functional selectivity for G-protein signalling is necessary for the therapeutic effect, whether β-arrestin recruitment is mainly responsible for the manifestation of side effects, including the development of tolerance after repeated administrations. This review summarises most relevant biased MOR, DOR, KOR and multitarget MOR/DOR ligands synthesised in the last decade and their pharmacological profile in "in vitro" and "in vivo" studies. Such biased ligands could have a significant impact on modern drug discovery and represent a new strategy for the development of better-tolerated drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department of Drug Sciences, Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Pittalà
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Cantarella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
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(2S)-N-2-methoxy-2-phenylethyl-6,7-benzomorphan compound (2S-LP2): Discovery of a biased mu/delta opioid receptor agonist. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 168:189-198. [PMID: 30822708 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pivotal role of the stereocenter at the N-substituent of the 6,7-benzomorphan scaffold was investigated combining synthetic and pharmacological approaches. 2R- and 2S-diastereoisomers of the multitarget MOR/DOR antinociceptive ligand LP2 (1) were synthesized and their pharmacological profile was evaluated in in vitro and vivo assays. From our results, 2S-LP2 (5) showed an improved pharmacological profile in comparison to LP2 (1) and 2R-LP2 (4). 2S-LP2 (5) elicited an antinociceptive effect with a 1.5- and 3-times higher potency than LP2 (1) and R-antipode (4), respectively. In vivo effect of 2S-LP2 (5) was consistent with the improved MOR/DOR efficacy profile assessed by radioligand binding assay, to evaluate the opioid receptor affinity, and BRET assay, to evaluate the capability to promote receptor/G-protein and receptor/β-arrestin 2 interaction. 2S-LP2 (5) was able to activate, with different efficacy, G-protein pathway over β-arrestin 2, behaving as biased agonist at MOR and mainly at DOR. Considering the therapeutic potential of both multitarget MOR/DOR agonism and functional selectivity over G-protein, the 2S-LP2 (5) biased multitarget MOR/DOR agonist could provide a safer treatment opportunity.
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Differential Scanning Calorimetry Analyses of Idebenone-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Interactions with a Model of Bio-Membrane: A Comparison with In Vitro Skin Permeation Data. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11040138. [PMID: 30558360 PMCID: PMC6316718 DOI: 10.3390/ph11040138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has emerged as a helpful technique both to characterize drug delivery systems and to study their interactions with bio-membranes. In this work, we compared idebenone (IDE)-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) interactions with bio-membranes assessed by DSC with previous in vitro skin penetration data to evaluate the feasibility of predicting IDE skin penetration using DSC analyses. In vitro interactions experiments were performed using multi-lamellar liposomes as a model of bio-membrane. Enthalpy changes (ΔH) and transition temperature (Tm) were assessed during nine repeated DSC scans to evaluate IDE-loaded SLN–bio-membrane interactions over time. Analyzing ΔH and Tm values for each scan, we observed that the difference of ΔH and Tm values between the first and the last scan seemed to be related to SLN ability to locate IDE in the epidermis and in the stratum corneum, respectively. Therefore, the results of this study suggest the possibility of qualitatively predicting in vitro IDE skin penetration from IDE-loaded SLN utilizing the calorimetric parameters obtained from interaction experiments between the carriers under investigation and a model of bio-membrane.
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Turnaturi R, Montenegro L, Marrazzo A, Parenti R, Pasquinucci L, Parenti C. Benzomorphan skeleton, a versatile scaffold for different targets: A comprehensive review. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 155:492-502. [PMID: 29908442 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite the fact that the benzomorphan skeleton has mainly been employed in medicinal chemistry for the development of opioid analgesics, it is a versatile structure. Its stereochemistry, as well as opportune modifications at the phenolic hydroxyl group and at the basic nitrogen, play a pivotal role addressing the benzomorphan-based compounds to a specific target. In this review, we describe the structure activity-relationships (SARs) of benzomorphan-based compounds acting at sigma 1 receptor (σ1R), sigma 2 receptor (σ2R), voltage-dependent sodium channel, N-Methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor-channel complex and other targets. Collectively, the SARs data have highlighted that the benzomorphan nucleus could be regarded as a useful template for the synthesis of drug candidates for different targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, 95100, Catania, Italy.
| | - Lucia Montenegro
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmaceutical Technology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, 95100, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Physiology Section, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, 95100, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria, 6, 95100, Catania, Italy
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Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of (-)- cis- N-Normetazocine-Based LP1 Derivatives. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2018; 11:ph11020040. [PMID: 29734749 PMCID: PMC6027146 DOI: 10.3390/ph11020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
(−)-cis-N-Normetazocine represents a rigid scaffold able to mimic the tyramine moiety of endogenous opioid peptides, and the introduction of different N-substituents influences affinity and efficacy of respective ligands at MOR (mu opioid receptor), DOR (delta opioid receptor), and KOR (kappa opioid receptor). We have previously identified LP1, a MOR/DOR multitarget opioid ligand, with an N-phenylpropanamido substituent linked to (−)-cis-N-Normetazocine scaffold. Herein, we report the synthesis, competition binding and calcium mobilization assays of new compounds 10⁻16 that differ from LP1 by the nature of the N-substituent. In radioligand binding experiments, the compounds 10⁻13, featured by an electron-withdrawing or electron-donating group in the para position of phenyl ring, displayed improved affinity for KOR (Ki = 0.85⁻4.80 μM) in comparison to LP1 (7.5 μM). On the contrary, their MOR and DOR affinities were worse (Ki = 0.18⁻0.28 μM and Ki = 0.38⁻1.10 μM, respectively) with respect to LP1 values (Ki = 0.049 and 0.033 μM). Analogous trends was recorded for the compounds 14⁻16, featured by indoline, tetrahydroquinoline, and diphenylamine functionalities in the N-substituent. In calcium mobilization assays, the compound 10 with a p-fluorophenyl in the N-substituent shared the functional profile of LP1 (pEC50MOR = 7.01), although it was less active. Moreover, the p-methyl- (11) and p-cyano- (12) substituted compounds resulted in MOR partial agonists and DOR/KOR antagonists. By contrast, the derivatives 13⁻15 resulted as MOR antagonists, and the derivative 16 as a MOR/KOR antagonist (pKBMOR = 6.12 and pKBKOR = 6.11). Collectively, these data corroborated the critical role of the N-substituent in (−)-cis-N-Normetazocine scaffold. Thus, the new synthesized compounds could represent a template to achieve a specific agonist, antagonist, or mixed agonist/antagonist functional profile.
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Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationships of LP1 Derivatives: N-Methyl-N-phenylethylamino Analogues as Novel MOR Agonists. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23030677. [PMID: 29547588 PMCID: PMC6017588 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23030677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The opioid pharmacological profile of cis-(−)-N-normetazocine derivatives is deeply affected by the nature of their N-substituents. Here, our efforts were focused on the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel derivatives of the lead LP1, a multitarget opioid analgesic compound featuring an N-phenylpropanamido substituent. LP1 derivatives 5a–d and 6a–d were characterized by flexible groups at the N-substituent that allow them to reposition themselves relative to cis-(−)-N-normetazocine nucleus, thus producing different pharmacological profiles at the mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors (MOR, DOR and KOR) in in vitro and in vivo assays. Among the series, compound 5c, with the best in vitro and in vivo profile, resulted a MOR agonist which displays a KiMOR of 6.1 nM in a competitive binding assay, and an IC50 value of 11.5 nM and an Imax of 72% in measurement of cAMP accumulation in HEK293 cells stably expressing MOR, with a slight lower efficacy than LP1. Moreover, in a mouse model of acute thermal nociception, compound 5c, intraperitoneally administered, exhibits naloxone-reversed antinociceptive properties with an ED50 of 4.33 mg/kg. These results expand our understanding of the importance of N-substituent structural variations in the opioid receptor profile of cis-(−)-N-normetazocine derivatives and identify a new MOR agonist useful for the development of novel opioid analgesics for pain treatment.
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10
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Drug release studies from lipid nanoparticles in physiological media by a new DSC method. J Control Release 2017; 256:92-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Paolino D, Accolla ML, Cilurzo F, Cristiano MC, Cosco D, Castelli F, Sarpietro MG, Fresta M, Celia C. Interaction between PEG lipid and DSPE/DSPC phospholipids: An insight of PEGylation degree and kinetics of de-PEGylation. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2017; 155:266-275. [PMID: 28460301 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The degree to which liposomes are PEGylated is the feature, which most influences the length of the presence of stealth liposomes in the bloodstream. In order to thoroughly investigate the maximum amount of DSPE-PEG2000 that can be used to stabilize stealth liposomes, these were synthesized at different concentrations of DSPE-PEG2000 and their physicochemical properties were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The kinetics of PEGylation and de-PEGylation were performed by incubating non-stealth liposomes in a DSPE-PEG2000 suspension at different incubation times, and then analyzing the data using DSC and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The results demonstrated that DSPE-PEG2000 was self-assembled in the phospholipid bilayers, thus forming stealth liposomes. The different amounts of DSPE-PEG2000 in the bilayer triggered a de-PEGylation phenomenon, resulting in mixed nanoaggregates, which derived from the detergent-like properties of the PEGylated phospholipids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Paolino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I - 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; IRC-FSH-Interregional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I- 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy
| | - Maria Lorena Accolla
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I - 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, I - 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Felisa Cilurzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, I - 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Cristiano
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I - 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy
| | - Donato Cosco
- IRC-FSH-Interregional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I- 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I - 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy
| | - Francesco Castelli
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, I - 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Sarpietro
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, V.le A. Doria 6, I - 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Massimo Fresta
- IRC-FSH-Interregional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I- 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Building of BioSciences, V.le Europa, I - 88100 Germaneto, Catanzaro, CZ, Italy
| | - Christian Celia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti - Pescara "G. d'Annunzio", Via dei Vestini 31, I - 66100 Chieti, Italy; Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Nieto CT, Gonzalez-Nunez V, Rodríguez RE, Diez D, Garrido NM. Design, synthesis, pharmacological evaluation and molecular dynamics of β-amino acids morphan-derivatives as novel ligands for opioid receptors. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 101:150-62. [PMID: 26134550 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) is a current approach in the design of new pharmacological agents. We previously reported the synthesis of a novel analogue of morphine, a 2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, which contains a β-amino acid. This bicyclic core exhibits two distinctive chemical handles for further elaboration, which allowed us to create a library of morphan-containing compounds by in silico molecular docking on the μ opioid receptor. Lead candidates were synthesized and biological tests were performed to evaluate their ability to bind to opioid receptors. The four top compounds, three phenyl esters and an N-phenylethyl morphan derivative, were selected for Molecular Dynamics simulations to get topological and thermodynamic information. Aromatic morphan derivatives displayed an interacting domain which fits into a hydrophobic cleft and the effect of the substituents in their affinity was explained by the differences in the calculated binding free energies. Our results indicate that the 3D arrangement of the aromatic ring in the morphine derivatives is not a key issue for a specific ligand - μ receptor interaction. Thus, these morphan derivatives represent a new class of opioid receptor ligands which may be of great use in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos T Nieto
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain
| | - Veronica Gonzalez-Nunez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute of Castilla y Leon (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Spain
| | - Raquel E Rodríguez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute of Castilla y Leon (INCyL), University of Salamanca, Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Spain
| | - David Diez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain
| | - Narciso M Garrido
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain.
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