Synthetic Approaches toward the Synthesis of Brivaracetam: An Antiepileptic Drug

Intensified functional expression of recombinant Zymomonas mobilis zinc-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase I

Alcohol dehydrogenase I from Zymomonas mobilis (zmADH1) is a zinc-dependent oxidoreductase that catalyses the oxidation of primary or secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones using NAD+/NADH as a cofactor. Efforts to express zmADH1 in Escherichia coli in a soluble form have been laden with solubility difficulties. A soluble form of recombinant zmADH1 was achieved by the addition of 1 mM zinc into media. Zinc addition facilitates the proper folding of recombinant zmADH1 and significantly reduces the formation of inclusion bodies. The yield of recombinant zmADH1 represents approximately 30 mg/1 L Luria-Bertani media. Intensified production in fermenters showed a striking difference between the specific and total activities of zmADH1 produced at different zinc concentrations. The zmADH1 showed an affinity to medium-chain alcohols, especially 1-pentanol, which could be used in new greener routes for preparation of aldehydes and alcohols.

Neuroprotective Effect of Brivaracetam and Perampanel Combination on Electrographic Seizures and Behavior Anomalies in Pentylenetetrazole-Kindled Mice

Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling is a broadly used experimental model to study the anticonvulsive potential of new and existing chemical moieties with the aim of discovering drugs hindering seizure progression and associated neurological comorbidities. In the present study, the impact of brivaracetam (BRV) (10 and 20 mg/kg) as monotherapy as well as in combination with 0.25 mg/kg of perampanel (PRP) was investigated on seizure progression with simultaneous electroencephalographic changes in PTZ kindling mouse model. Subsequently, mice were experimentally analyzed for anxiety, cognition, and depression after which their brains were biochemically evaluated for oxidative stress. The outcomes demonstrated that BRV alone delayed the kindling process, but BRV + PRP combination significantly (p < 0.0001) protected the mice from seizures of higher severity and demonstrated an antikindling effect. The PTZ-kindled mice exhibited anxiety, memory impairment, and depression in behavioral tests, which were remarkably less (p < 0.001) in animals treated with drug combination (in a dose-dependent manner) as these mice explored central, illuminated, and exposed zones of open-field test, light/dark box, and elevated plus maze. Moreover, memory impairment was demonstrated by kindled mice, which was significantly (p < 0.001) protected by BRV + PRP as animal's spontaneous alteration, object discrimination, and step-through latencies were increased in various tests employed for the assessment of cognitive abilities. The brains of PTZ-kindled mice had increased malondialdehyde and reduced antioxidant enzymes while treatment with BRV + PRP combination prevented kindling-induced elevation in oxidative markers. The outcomes of this study demonstrate that combining the PRP at low dose augmented the antiseizure properties of BRV as both drugs when administered simultaneously hindered the process of kindling by reducing PTZ-induced excessive electrical activity and oxidative stress in the brain.

Twenty-first century antiepileptic drugs. An overview of their targets and synthetic approaches

The therapeutic use of the traditional drugs against epilepsy has been hindered by their toxicity and low selectivity. These limitations have stimulated the design and development of new generations of antiepileptic drugs. This review explores the molecular targets and synthesis of the antiepileptic drugs that have entered the market in the 21st century, with a focus on manufacturer synthesis.

Synthesis of the Brivaracetam Employing Asymmetric Photocatalysis and Continuous Flow Conditions

An original total synthesis of the antiepileptic drug brivaracetam (BRV) is reported. The key step in the synthesis consists of an enantioselective photochemical Giese addition, promoted by visible-light and the chiral bifunctional photocatalyst Δ-RhS. Continuous flow conditions were employed to improve the efficiency and allow an easy scale-up of the enantioselective photochemical reaction step. The intermediate obtained from the photochemical step was converted into BRV by two different pathways, followed by one alkylation and amidation, thus giving the desired active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in 44% overall yield, 9:1 diastereoisomeric ratio (dr) and >99:1 enantiomeric ratio (er).

Facile access to chiral γ-butyrolactones via rhodium-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of γ-butenolides and γ-hydroxybutenolides

The highly efficient Rh/ZhaoPhos-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenation of γ-butenolides and γ-hydroxybutenolides was successfully developed. This protocol provides an efficient and practical approach to the synthesis of various chiral γ-butyrolactones, which are synthetically valuable building blocks of diverse natural products and therapeutic substances, with excellent results (up to >99% conversion and 99% ee). Further follow-up transformations have been revealed to accomplish creative and efficient synthetic routes for several enantiomerically enriched drugs via this catalytic methodology.

Engineering of an ene-reductase for producing the key intermediate of antiepileptic drug Brivaracetam

(R)-4-Propyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one (R-PDFO) is the key chiral intermediate for the antiepileptic drug Brivaracetam. Lacking a simple and economical method to approaching R-PDFO, the production of R-PDFO also remains environmentally unfriendly. Here, we developed a straightforward bioreduction way from easily synthesized 4-propylfuran-2(5H)-one (PFO) using ene-reductases. After screened with 27 ene-reductases, E116 stood out with 25.7% yield and 97% ee (R) as the starting enzyme. To improve the catalytic efficiency of E116, several rounds of directed evolution were first carried out. Through rational design, alanine scanning and random mutagenesis, engineered ene-reductase E116-M3 was obtained, with a 2.63-fold improvement in yields over WT, a 12.6-fold improvement in k_cat/K_m over WT, and stereoselectivity increased to 99% (R). To further improve the yield of R-PDFO, the reaction conditions were then optimized. The catalytic activity of the optimized reaction system was increased again by 2.3 times and the turnover number (TON) of E116-M3 reached 705. Subsequently, whole cells harboring E116-M3 were also shown to have similar capabilities of synthesizing R-PDFO. Finally, E116-M3 was employed in the 50-mL-scale synthesis of R-PDFO under 20 mM of PFO loading to achieve 81% isolated yield and 99% ee. In conclusion, this new approach of engineered ene-reductase catalyzing the asymmetric reduction of PFO could be a green alternative for the efficient synthesis of R-PDFO. KEY POINTS: • An ene-reductase library was first used to screen the bioreduction of PFO. • Rational design contributed to the enhanced R-stereoselectivity of PFO reduction. • E116-M3 was obtained with high activity and stereoselectivity for R-PDFO.

Enantioselective Synthesis of α-Chiral Amides by Catalytic Hydrogenation with Iridium N,P-Complexes

The catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of olefins constitutes a powerful method for the preparation of chiral compounds. A series of prochiral unsaturated amides were efficiently reduced with high enantioselectivities by means of an iridium N,P-complex-catalyzed hydrogenation. Its application in the synthesis of fenpropidin and the possibility of using isomeric mixtures of starting materials are attractive features of the method.