Synthesis and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitory activities of benzofuran derivatives with a carbamoyl group

Synthesis of New 2-Arylbenzo[b]furan Derivatives via Palladium-Catalyzed Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reactions in Aqueous Media

A series of novel benzofuran derivatives containing biaryl moiety were designed and synthesized by the Suzuki cross-coupling reactions. The reactions, performed in the presence of K₂CO₃, EtOH/H₂O and Pd(II) complex as catalyst, gave the corresponding products in good to excellent yields. The methodology allows the facile production of heterobiaryl compounds, a unique architectural motif that is ubiquitous in medicinal chemistry.

Chemoselective reduction of quinols as an alternative to Sonogashira coupling: synthesis of polysubstituted benzofurans

An efficient synthetic approach to polysubstituted benzofurans is described, using 2-methoxyquinone as a benzofuran backbone.

Selective non-steroidal inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase type 1

The enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha R) catalyses the reduction of testosterone (T) into the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The abnormal production of DHT is associated to pathologies of the main target organs of this hormone: the prostate and the skin. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, acne, androgenetic alopecia in men, and hirsutism in women appear related to the DHT production. Two isozymes of 5 alpha-reductase have been cloned, expressed and characterized (5 alpha R-1 and 5 alpha R-2). They share a poor homology, have different chromosomal localization, enzyme kinetic parameters, and tissue expression patterns. Since 5 alpha R-1 and 5 alpha R-2 are differently distributed in the androgen target organs, a different involvement of the two isozymes in the pathogenesis of prostate and skin disorders can be hypothesized. High interest has been paid to the synthesis of inhibitors of 5 alpha-reductase for the treatment of DHT related pathologies, and the selective inhibition of any single isozyme represents a great challenge for medical and pharmaceutical research in order to have more specific drugs. At present, no 5 alpha R-1 inhibitor is marketed for the treatment of 5 alpha R-1 related pathologies but pharmaceutical research is very active in this field. This paper will review the major classes of 5 alpha R inhibitors focusing in particular on non-steroidal inhibitors and on structural features that enhance the selectivity versus the type 1 isozyme. Biological tests to assess the inhibitory activity towards the two 5 alpha R isozymes will be also discussed.

4-(Benzoylindolizinyl)butyric acids; novel nonsteroidal inhibitors of steroid 5alpha-reductase. III

A novel series of indolizinebutyric acids with various benzoyl substituents was synthesized to develop nonsteroidal inhibitors of steroid 5alpha-reductase, and the structure-activity relationships in this series were studied. We previously reported the structure-activity relationships in a series of indolebutyric acids as well as the discovery of the novel nonsteroidal 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, FK143. We have now made other modifications to this compound to improve in vivo inhibitory activity. By altering the heterocyclic nucleus and changing the benzoyl substituent we have succeeded in identifying the strongly active compound, FK687, (S)-4-[1-[4-[[1-(4-isobutylphenyl)butyl]oxy]benzoyl]indolizin-3-yl]butyric acid, which displays strong in vitro inhibitory activity against the human enzyme and in vivo inhibitory activity against the castrated young rat model. This compound should be a useful agent for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Dual-acting agents with alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonistic and steroid 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activities. Synthesis and evaluation of arylpiperazine derivatives

A series of arylpiperazine derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonistic activities and 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activities. SAR study led to the identification of the potent dual-acting compound 2f, which had a pA2 value of 7.5 for alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonism and an IC50 value of 1.5 nM for 5alpha-reductase inhibition.

Indole and benzimidazole derivatives as steroid 5alpha-reductase inhibitors in the rat prostate

A novel series of indole and benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity of rat prostatic 5alpha-reductase. Among these compounds, 4-¿2-[1-(4,4'-dipropylbenzhydryl)indole-5-carboxamido]phenoxy¿buty ric acid (15) and its benzimidazole analogue 25 showed potent inhibitory activities for rat prostatic 5alpha-reductase (IC50 values of 9.6+/-1.0 and 13+/-1.5 nM, respectively), with the potency very close to that of finasteride. Compound 30, in which the moiety between the benzene ring and amide bond was replaced by quinolin-4-one ring, showed almost equipotent activity (IC50= 19+/-6.2nM) with the correspondent amide derivative 13. This result was consistent with the previous observation that the coplanarity of this moiety might contribute to the potent inhibitory activity.