1-Benzhydryl-3-phenylurea and 1-Benzhydryl-3-phenylthiourea Derivatives: New Templates among the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor Inverse Agonists

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Hydantoins: The State of the Art of a Valuable Scaffold

The review highlights the hydantoin syntheses presented from the point of view of the preparation methods. Novel synthetic routes to various hydantoin structures, the advances brought to the classical methods in the aim of producing more sustainable and environmentally friendly procedures for the preparation of these biomolecules, and a critical comparison of the different synthetic approaches developed in the last twelve years are also described. The review is composed of 95 schemes, 8 figures and 528 references for the last 12 years and includes the description of the hydantoin-based marketed drugs and clinical candidates.

One-Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of Thiourea Derivatives in Cyclotriphosphazenes Moieties

In this study, hexasubstituted thiourea was carried out via reaction of isothiocyanato cyclophosphazene intermediates with a series of aromatics amines and amino acids in a one-pot reaction system. The reaction was not as straightforward as typical thiourea synthesis. Six unexpected thiourea derivatives3a–fwere formed in the presence of cyclotriphosphazene moieties in good yields (53–82%). The structures of3a–fwere characterized by elemental analysis and FTIR,1H,13C, and31P NMR spectroscopies. The occurrence of reverse thioureas formation in a one-pot reaction system is discussed. The possible binding interaction of the synthesised thiourea3a-bin comparison to the predicted phenyl thiourea5a-band the targeted4awith enzyme enoyl ACP reductase (FabI) is also discussed. Molecular docking of the targeted hexasubstituted thiourea4ais able to give higher binding affinity of −7.5 kcal/mol compared to5a-b(−5.9 kcal/mol and −6.3 kcal/mol) and thiourea3a-b(−4.5 kcal/mol and −4.7 Kcal/mol).

Multidimensional Screening and Methodology Development for Condensations Involving Complex 1,2-Diketones

Multidimensional reaction screening employing complex 1,2-cycloheptanediones is described. The studies have enabled the discovery of regioselective, Lewis acid-mediated condensations with substituted ureas and a diastereoselective hydrogenation process which proceeds via an interesting allylpalladium hydride isomerization.

Novel sterically hindered cannabinoid CB1 receptor ligands

In the present study, 11 novel N-(3,3-diphenyl)propyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide derivatives (4a-d and 9a-g) and six triphenylacetamides (10a-c and 11a-c) were synthesized and tested as ligands of cannabinoid CB(1) and CB(2) receptors. All compounds exhibited affinity for CB(1) and CB(2) receptors. Four compounds (4b, 9a, 9b, and 11a) showed selectivity for CB(1) versus CB(2) receptors, although only the N-(3,3-diphenyl)propyl-2,2-diphenylacetamide (4b) can be considered a potent CB(1) ligand (K(i)=58 nM). It was 140-fold selective over CB(2) receptors (K(i)=7800 nM) and behaved as an inverse agonist by stimulating forskolin-induced cAMP formation in mouse N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. This compound is the first of a novel class of tetraphenyl CB(1) ligands that, in view of its easy synthesis and high affinity for CB(1) receptors and despite its sterical hindrance, will be useful for the design of new blockers of this therapeutically exploitable receptor type.

3-Alkenyl-2-azetidinones as fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors

A series of novel 2-azetidinones (beta-lactams) bearing short alkenyl chains at C3 and N1 have been prepared and evaluated in vitro as inhibitors of human FAAH. Compound 9c (1-(4'-pentenoyl-3-(4'-pentenyl)-2-azetidinone)) featured an IC(50) value of 4.5 microM and a good selectivity for FAAH versus MGL.

Blocking the Cannabinoid Receptors: Drug Candidates and Therapeutic Promises

The CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors have been described as two prime sites of action for endocannabinoids. Both the localization and pharmacology of these two G-protein-coupled receptors are well-described, and numerous selective ligands have been characterized. The physiological effects of Cannabis sativa (cannabis) and a throughout study of the endocannabinoid system allowed for the identification of several pathophysiological conditions--including obesity, dyslipidemia, addictions, inflammation, and allergies--in which blocking the cannabinoid receptors might be beneficial. Many CB1 receptor antagonists are now in clinical trials, and the results of several studies involving the CB1 antagonist lead compound rimonabant (SR141716A) are now available. This review describes the pharmacological tools that are currently available and the animal studies supporting the therapeutic use of cannabinoid receptor antagonists and inverse agonists. The data available from the clinical trials are also discussed.

Medicinal Chemistry Endeavors around the Phytocannabinoids

Over the past 50 years, a considerable research in medicinal chemistry has been carried out around the natural constituents of Cannabis sativa L. Following the identification of Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta9-THC) in 1964, critical chemical modifications, e.g., variation of the side chain at C3 and the opening of the tricyclic scaffold, have led to the characterization of potent and cannabinoid receptor subtype-selective ligands. Those ligands that demonstrate high affinity for the cannabinoid receptors and good biological efficacy are still used as powerful pharmacological tools. This review summarizes past as well as recent developments in the structure-activity relationships of phytocannabinoids.

One-Pot Synthesis of Dithiocarbamates Accelerated in Water

Highly efficient one-pot reactions of amines and carbon disulfide with alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds were carried out in water under a mild and green procedure with high yields.