Design and synthesis of potent and selective 5,6-fused heterocyclic thrombin inhibitors

Progress in the design of low molecular weight thrombin inhibitors

Intravascular thrombosis and its complication, embolism, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Past few decades have seen a great deal of progress in the development of antithrombotic agents, though the current treatment options are limited to heparin, LMW heparins, and warfarin. Detailed understanding of the biochemical and biophysical mechanisms of activation and regulation of blood coagulation have helped in developing specific inhibitors of enzymes, especially thrombin, within the coagulation cascade. Thrombin plays a central role in the coagulation cascade and so has become the primary target for the development of antithrombotic drugs. The review covers the main pharmacological aspects of haemostasis and thrombosis and provides an update on low molecular weight thrombin inhibitors along with the limitations of the prevalent antithrombotic agents. Recent developments in small molecule inhibitors of Protease Activated Receptor-1 (PAR-1) which can be helpful for the treatment of thrombotic and vascular proliferative disorders, have also been discussed.

PRO_SELECT: combining structure-based drug design and array-based chemistry for rapid lead discovery. 2. The development of a series of highly potent and selective factor Xa inhibitors

In silico screening of combinatorial libraries prior to synthesis promises to be a valuable aid to lead discovery. PRO_SELECT, a tool for the virtual screening of libraries for fit to a protein active site, has been used to find novel leads against the serine protease factor Xa. A small seed template was built upon using three iterations of library design, virtual screening, synthesis, and biological testing. Highly potent molecules with selectivity for factor Xa over other serine proteases were rapidly obtained.

Quantitative structure-intestinal permeability relationship of benzamidine analogue thrombin inhibitor

The intestinal permeability of benzamidine analogue thrombin inhibitor is correlated with molecular volume, lipophilicity (calculated log P and IAM column capacity factor), hydrogen bond acidity/basicity and dipolarity.

New advances in the discovery of thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors

The search for the ideal anticoagulant has spanned decades and has resulted in several strategies including the clinical use of heparin, low molecular weight heparins, and the vitamin K antagonist warfarin. Over the past five years, many groups have reported preclinical results with direct-acting thrombin inhibitors and several of these are now moving into clinical trials. In addition, many groups have disclosed the discovery of potent, orally bioavailable factor Xa inhibitors. Several of these compounds are now in early clinical trials and the results are forthcoming.