1
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Walby GD, Gu Q, Yang H, Martin SF. Structure-Affinity relationships of novel σ 2R/TMEM97 ligands. Bioorg Chem 2024; 145:107191. [PMID: 38432153 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The sigma 2 receptor (σ2R), which was recently identified as the transmembrane protein 97 (TMEM97), is increasingly attracting interest as a possible therapeutic target for indications in neuroscience. Toward identifying novel modulators of σ2R/TMEM97, we prepared a collection of benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine ligands related to the known bioactive norbenzomorphans DKR-1677, FEM-1689, and EES-1686 and determined their Ki values for σ2R/TMEM97 and the sigma 1 receptor (σ1R). The σ2R/TMEM97 binding affinities and selectivities relative to σ1R of these new benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine analogs are lower, often significantly lower, than their respective norbenzomorphan counterparts, suggesting the spatial orientation of pharmacophoric substituents is critical for binding to the two proteins. The benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine congeners of DKR-1677 and FEM-1689 tend to be weakly selective for σ2R/TMEM97 versus σ1R, whereas EES-1686 derivatives exhibit the greatest selectivity, suggesting the size and/or nature of the substituent on the nitrogen atom of the scaffold may be important for selectivity. Computational docking studies were performed for the 1S,5R-and 1R,5S-enantiomers of DKR-1677, FEM-1689, and EES-1686 and their benzoxazocine, benzomorphan, and methanobenzazepine counterparts. These computations predict that the protonated amino group of each ligand forms a highly conserved salt bridge and a H-bonding interaction with Asp29 as well as a cation-π interaction with Tyr150 of σ2R/TMEM97. These electrostatic interactions are major driving forces for binding to σ2R/TMEM97 and are similar, though not identical, for each ligand. Other interactions within the well-defined binding pocket also tend to be comparable, but there are some major differences in how the hydrophobic aryl groups of various ligands interact with the protein surface external to the binding pocket. Overall, these studies show that the orientations of aryl and N-substituents on the norbenzomorphan and related scaffolds are important determinants of binding affinity of σ2R/TMEM97 ligands, and small changes can have significant effects upon binding profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant D Walby
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Qi Gu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Hongfen Yang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States
| | - Stephen F Martin
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, United States.
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2
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He Y, Su Q, Zhao L, Zhang L, Yu L, Shi J. Historical perspectives and recent advances in small molecule ligands of selective/biased/multi-targeted μ/δ/κ opioid receptor (2019-2022). Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106869. [PMID: 37797454 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
The opioids have been used for more than a thousand years and are not only the most widely prescribed drugs for moderate to severe pain and acute pain, but also the preferred drugs. However, their non-analgesic effects, especially respiratory depression and potential addiction, are important factors that plague the safety of clinical use and are an urgent problem for pharmacological researchers to address. Current research on analgesic drugs has evolved into different directions: de-opioidization; application of pharmacogenomics to individualize the use of opioids; development of new opioids with less adverse effects. The development of new opioid drugs remains a hot research topic, and with the in-depth study of opioid receptors and intracellular signal transduction mechanisms, new research ideas have been provided for the development of new opioid analgesics with less side effects and stronger analgesic effects. The development of novel opioid drugs in turn includes selective opioid receptor ligands, biased opioid receptor ligands, and multi-target opioid receptor ligands and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) or antagonists and the single compound as multi-targeted agnoists/antagonists for different receptors. PAMs strategies are also getting newer and are the current research hotspots, including the BMS series of compounds and others, which are extensive and beyond the scope of this review. This review mainly focuses on the selective/biased/multi-targeted MOR/DOR/KOR (mu opioid receptor/delta opioid receptor/kappa opioid receptor) small molecule ligands and involves some cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) and structure-based approaches as well as the single compound as multi-targeted agnoists/antagonists for different receptors from 2019 to 2022, including discovery history, activities in vitro and vivo, and clinical studies, in an attempt to provide ideas for the development of novel opioid analgesics with fewer side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye He
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Qian Su
- Department of Health Management & Institute of Health Management, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Liyun Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Lu Yu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China; State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China.
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3
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Ma OKF, Ronsisvalle S, Basile L, Xiang AW, Tomasella C, Sipala F, Pappalardo M, Chan KH, Milardi D, Ng RCL, Guccione S. Identification of a novel adiponectin receptor and opioid receptor dual acting agonist as a potential treatment for diabetic neuropathy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114141. [PMID: 36542987 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a long-term complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting different periphery nerve systems including sensory and motor neurons. Hyperglycemia is the major cause of DN with symptoms such as weakness of balance or coordination, insensitivity to sensation, weakness of the muscles as well as numbness and pain in limbs Analgesic drug such as opioids can be effective to relief neuropathy pain but there is no effective treatment. Adiponectin is an anti-diabetic adipokine, which possesses insulin-sensitizing and neuroprotective effects. In this project, we aim to identify an agent which is dual acting to opioid and adiponectin receptors. Within a virtual screening repositioning campaign, a large collection of compounds with different structures comprehensive of adipoRon-like piperidine derivatives was screened by docking. Recently developed opioid receptor benzomorphanic agonists finally emerged as good ligands to adiponectin receptors showing some 2D and 3D structural similarities with AdipoRon. Particularly, we have identified (+)-MML1017, which has high affinity to the same binding domain of AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 as AdipoRon. Our western blot results indicate (+)-MML1017 activates AMPK phosphorylation through both adipoR1 and adipoR2 in neuronal cell line. Moreover, pretreatment of (+)-MML1017 can improve the cell viability with motor neurons under hyperglycermic conditions. The (+)-MML1017 also activates μ-opioid receptor cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Our study identified a novel compound having dual activity on opioid receptors and adiponectin receptors that may have analgesic effects and neuroprotective effects to treat diabetic neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Ka-Fai Ma
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Simone Ronsisvalle
- Department of Drug and Health Science, University of Catania, Viale A.Doria 6 ed.2, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Livia Basile
- Department of Drug and Health Science, University of Catania, Viale A.Doria 6 ed.2, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Ariya Weiman Xiang
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Cristina Tomasella
- Department of Drug and Health Science, University of Catania, Viale A.Doria 6 ed.2, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Sipala
- Department of Drug and Health Science, University of Catania, Viale A.Doria 6 ed.2, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Matteo Pappalardo
- Department of Drug and Health Science, University of Catania, Viale A.Doria 6 ed.2, I-95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Koon-Ho Chan
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Danilo Milardi
- CNR (National Research Council of Italy) - Institute of Crystallography, Via Paolo Gaifami 18, I-95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Roy Chun-Laam Ng
- Department of Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Salvatore Guccione
- Department of Drug and Health Science, University of Catania, Viale A.Doria 6 ed.2, I-95125 Catania, Italy.
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4
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Turnaturi R, Chiechio S, Pasquinucci L, Spoto S, Costanzo G, Dichiara M, Piana S, Grasso M, Amata E, Marrazzo A, Parenti C. Novel N-normetazocine Derivatives with Opioid Agonist/Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonist Profile as Potential Analgesics in Inflammatory Pain. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27165135. [PMID: 36014375 PMCID: PMC9413390 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common drugs used in persistent pain treatment; they have shown many side effects. The development of new analgesics endowed with mu opioid receptor/delta opioid receptor (MOR/DOR) activity represents a promising alternative to MOR-selective compounds. Moreover, new mechanisms, such as sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) antagonism, could be an opioid adjuvant strategy. The in vitro σ1R and σ2R profiles of previous synthesized MOR/DOR agonists (−)-2R/S-LP2 (1), (−)-2R-LP2 (2), and (−)-2S-LP2 (3) were assayed. To investigate the pivotal role of N-normetazocine stereochemistry, we also synthesized the (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), (+)-2R-LP2 (8), and (+)-2S-LP2 (9) compounds. (−)-2R/S-LP2 (1), (−)-2R-LP2 (2), and (−)-2S-LP2 (3) compounds have Ki values for σ1R ranging between 112.72 and 182.81 nM, showing a multitarget opioid/σ1R profile. Instead, (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), (+)-2R-LP2 (8), and (+)-2S-LP2 (9) isomers displayed a nanomolar affinity for σ1R, with significative selectivity vs. σ2R and opioid receptors. All isomers were evaluated using an in vivo formalin test. (−)-2S-LP2, at 0.7 mg/kg i.p., showed a significative and naloxone-reversed analgesic effect. The σ1R selective compound (+)-2R/S-LP2 (7), at 5.0 mg/kg i.p., decreased the second phase of the formalin test, showing an antagonist σ1R profile. The multitarget or single target profile of assayed N-normetazocine derivatives could represent a promising pharmacological strategy to enhance opioid potency and/or increase the safety margin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-095-738-4273
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Piana
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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5
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Szczepańska K, Podlewska S, Dichiara M, Gentile D, Patamia V, Rosier N, Mönnich D, Ruiz Cantero MC, Karcz T, Łażewska D, Siwek A, Pockes S, Cobos EJ, Marrazzo A, Stark H, Rescifina A, Bojarski AJ, Amata E, Kieć-Kononowicz K. Structural and Molecular Insight into Piperazine and Piperidine Derivatives as Histamine H 3 and Sigma-1 Receptor Antagonists with Promising Antinociceptive Properties. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1-15. [PMID: 34908391 PMCID: PMC8739840 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In an attempt to extend recent studies showing that some clinically evaluated histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists possess nanomolar affinity at sigma-1 receptors (σ1R), we selected 20 representative structures among our previously reported H3R ligands to investigate their affinity at σRs. Most of the tested compounds interact with both sigma receptors to different degrees. However, only six of them showed higher affinity toward σ1R than σ2R with the highest binding preference to σ1R for compounds 5, 11, and 12. Moreover, all these ligands share a common structural feature: the piperidine moiety as the fundamental part of the molecule. It is most likely a critical structural element for dual H3/σ1 receptor activity as can be seen by comparing the data for compounds 4 and 5 (hH3R Ki = 3.17 and 7.70 nM, σ1R Ki = 1531 and 3.64 nM, respectively), where piperidine is replaced by piperazine. We identified the putative protein-ligand interactions responsible for their high affinity using molecular modeling techniques and selected compounds 5 and 11 as lead structures for further evaluation. Interestingly, both ligands turned out to be high-affinity histamine H3 and σ1 receptor antagonists with negligible affinity at the other histamine receptor subtypes and promising antinociceptive activity in vivo. Considering that many literature data clearly indicate high preclinical efficacy of individual selective σ1 or H3R ligands in various pain models, our research might be a breakthrough in the search for novel, dual-acting compounds that can improve existing pain therapies. Determining whether such ligands are more effective than single-selective drugs will be the subject of our future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Szczepańska
- Department
of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Kraków 30-688, Poland
- Maj
Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy
of Sciences, Smętna 12, Kraków 31-343, Poland
| | - Sabina Podlewska
- Department
of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Kraków 30-688, Poland
- Maj
Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy
of Sciences, Smętna 12, Kraków 31-343, Poland
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department
of Drug and Health Sciences, University
of Catania, V.le A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Davide Gentile
- Department
of Drug and Health Sciences, University
of Catania, V.le A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Patamia
- Department
of Drug and Health Sciences, University
of Catania, V.le A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Niklas Rosier
- Institute
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Denise Mönnich
- Institute
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ma Carmen Ruiz Cantero
- Department
of Pharmacology and Neurosciences Institute (Biomedical Research Center)
and Biosanitary Research Institute ibs.GRANADA, University of Granada, Avenida de la Investigación 11, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Tadeusz Karcz
- Department
of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Kraków 30-688, Poland
| | - Dorota Łażewska
- Department
of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Kraków 30-688, Poland
| | - Agata Siwek
- Department
of Pharmacobiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Kraków 30-688, Poland
| | - Steffen Pockes
- Institute
of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstraße 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Enrique J. Cobos
- Department
of Pharmacology and Neurosciences Institute (Biomedical Research Center)
and Biosanitary Research Institute ibs.GRANADA, University of Granada, Avenida de la Investigación 11, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department
of Drug and Health Sciences, University
of Catania, V.le A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute
of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department
of Drug and Health Sciences, University
of Catania, V.le A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Andrzej J. Bojarski
- Maj
Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy
of Sciences, Smętna 12, Kraków 31-343, Poland
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department
of Drug and Health Sciences, University
of Catania, V.le A. Doria, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Katarzyna Kieć-Kononowicz
- Department
of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Kraków 30-688, Poland
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6
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Gálvez JA, Badorrey R, Mahía A, Díaz-de-Villegas MD. Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,5S)-2-methyl-6,7-benzomorphan via Aza-Prins reaction. Chirality 2021; 33:543-548. [PMID: 34279050 DOI: 10.1002/chir.23338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
(1R,5S)-2-Methyl-6,7-benzomorphan has been synthesised from (R)-(benzyloxy)(phenyl)acetaldehyde. On a 2-mmol scale Bi (OTf)3 promoted Aza-Prins reaction with N-tosylhomoallylamine afforded an 88/12 mixture of 6-oxa-2-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes. Major diastereoisomer was converted to enantiomerically pure (2S,4S)-2-benzyl-1- methylpiperidin-4-ol via a high-yielding sequence hydrogenolysis/N-detosylation/N-methylation. Acid-catalysed intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclisation of the piperidinol afforded (1R,5S)-2-methyl-6,7-benzomorphan in five steps with a yield of 25%.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Gálvez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC - Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ramón Badorrey
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC - Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandro Mahía
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Biocomputation and Complex Systems Physics Institute (BIFI). Joint Unit IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, Joint Unit EEAD-CSIC-BIFI, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María D Díaz-de-Villegas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC - Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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7
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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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8
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Szczepańska K, Kuder KJ, Kieć-Kononowicz K. Dual-targeting Approach on Histamine H 3 and Sigma-1 Receptor Ligands as Promising Pharmacological Tools in the Treatment of CNS-linked Disorders. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:2974-2995. [PMID: 32767910 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200806103144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
With the recent market approval of Pitolisant (Wakix®), the interest in clinical application for novel multifunctional histamine H3 receptor antagonists has clearly increased. Several combinations of different H3R pharmacophores with pharmacophoric elements of other G-protein coupled receptors, transporters, or enzymes have been synthesized by numerous pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions. Since central nervous system disorders are characterized by diverse physiological dysfunctions and deregulations of a complex network of signaling pathways, optimal multipotent drugs should simultaneously and peculiarly modulate selected groups of biological targets. Interestingly, very recent studies have shown that some clinically evaluated histamine H3 receptor antagonists possess a nanomolar affinity for sigma-1 receptor binding sites, suggesting that this property might play a role in their overall efficacy. The sigma-1 receptor, unusual and yet obscure protein, is supposed to be involved in numerous CNS pathologies through neuroprotection and neuroplasticity. These two different biological structures, histamine H3 and sigma-1 receptors, combined, can represent a potential fruitful target for therapeutic developments in tackling numerous human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Szczepańska
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Kamil J Kuder
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kieć-Kononowicz
- Department of Technology and Biotechnology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
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9
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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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10
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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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11
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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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12
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Romeo G, Prezzavento O, Intagliata S, Pittalà V, Modica MN, Marrazzo A, Turnaturi R, Parenti C, Chiechio S, Arena E, Campisi A, Sposito G, Salerno L. Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo characterization of new benzoxazole and benzothiazole-based sigma receptor ligands. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 174:226-235. [PMID: 31042618 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.04.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A new set of 5-chlorobenzoxazole- and 5-chlorobenzothiazole-based derivatives containing the azepane ring as a basic moiety was designed, synthesized and evaluated through binding assays to measure their affinity and selectivity towards σ1 and σ2 receptors. Compounds 19, 22 and 24, with a four units spacer between the bicyclic scaffold and the azepane ring, showed nanomolar affinity towards both receptor subtype and the best Ki values (Ki σ1 = 1.27, 2.30, and 0.78 and Ki σ2 = 7.9, 3.8, and 7.61 nM, respectively). Evaluation of cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in MCF-7 human cancer cells was useful to assess σ2 receptor activity, while an in vivo mice model of inflammatory pain allowed to analyze σ1 receptor pharmacological properties. In vitro and in vivo results suggested that compound 19 is a σ1/σ2 agonist, compound 24 a σ1 antagonist/σ2 agonist, whereas compound 22 might act as σ1 antagonist/σ2 partial agonist. Due to their pharmacological profile, a potential therapeutic application in cancer of aforesaid novel σ1/σ2 receptor ligands, especially 22 and 24, is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Romeo
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Orazio Prezzavento
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.
| | - Sebastiano Intagliata
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA; Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy.
| | - Valeria Pittalà
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria N Modica
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Santina Chiechio
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Emanuela Arena
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Agata Campisi
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sposito
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Loredana Salerno
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy
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13
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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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