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Samarelli F, Purgatorio R, Lopopolo G, Deruvo C, Catto M, Andresini M, Carrieri A, Nicolotti O, De Palma A, Miniero DV, de Candia M, Altomare CD. Novel 6-alkyl-bridged 4-arylalkylpiperazin-1-yl derivatives of azepino[4,3-b]indol-1(2H)-one as potent BChE-selective inhibitors showing protective effects against neurodegenerative insults. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 270:116353. [PMID: 38579622 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116353] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Due to the putative role of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in regulation of acetylcholine levels and functions in the late stages of the Alzheimer's disease (AD), the potential of selective inhibitors (BChEIs) has been envisaged as an alternative to administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). Starting from our recent findings, herein the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition of a novel series of some twenty 3,4,5,6-tetrahydroazepino[4,3-b]indol-1(2H)-one derivatives, bearing at the indole nitrogen diverse alkyl-bridged 4-arylalkylpiperazin-1-yl chains, are reported. The length of the spacers, as well as the type of arylalkyl group affected the enzyme inhibition potency and BChE/AChE selectivity. Two compounds, namely 14c (IC50 = 163 nM) and 14d (IC50 = 65 nM), bearing at the nitrogen atom in position 6 a n-pentyl- or n-heptyl-bridged 4-phenethylpiperazin-1-yl chains, respectively, proved to be highly potent mixed-type inhibitors of both equine and human BChE isoforms, showing more than two order magnitude of selectivity over AChE. The study of binding kinetics through surface plasmon resonance (SPR) highlighted differences in their BChE residence times (8 and 47 s for 14c and 14d, respectively). Moreover, 14c and 14d proved to hit other mechanisms known to trigger neurodegeneration underlying AD and other CNS disorders. Unlike 14c, compound 14d proved also capable of inhibiting by more than 60% the in vitro self-induced aggregation of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide at 100 μM concentration. On the other hand, 14c was slightly better than 14d in counteracting, at 1 and 10 μM concentration, glutamate excitotoxicity, due to over-excitation of NMDA receptors, and hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress assessed in neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. This paper is dedicated to Prof. Marcello Ferappi, former dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Bari, in the occasion of his 90th birthday.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Samarelli
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Rosa Purgatorio
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Lopopolo
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Caterina Deruvo
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Michael Andresini
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Orazio Nicolotti
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Palma
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Valeria Miniero
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Cosimo D Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
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Lee SH, Purgatorio R, Samarelli F, Catto M, Denora N, Morgese MG, Tucci P, Trabace L, Kim HW, Park HS, Kim SE, Lee BC, de Candia M, Altomare CD. Radiosynthesis and whole-body distribution in mice of a 18 F-labeled azepino[4,3-b]indole-1-one derivative with multimodal activity for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024; 357:e2300491. [PMID: 38158335 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202300491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Recently, the azepino[4,3-b]indole-1-one derivative 1 showed in vitro nanomolar inhibition against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), the ChE isoform that plays a role in the progression and pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and protects against N-methyl- d-aspartate-induced neuronal toxicity. Three 9-R-substituted (R = F, Br, OMe) congeners were investigated. The 9-F derivative (2a) was found more potent as BChE inhibitors (half-maximal inhibitory concentration value = 21 nM) than 2b (9-Br) and 2c (9-OMe), achieving a residence time (38 s), assessed by surface plasmon resonance, threefold higher than that of 1. To progress in featuring the in vivo pharmacological characterization of 2a, herein the 18 F-labeled congener 2a was synthesized, by applying the aromatic 18 F-fluorination method, and its whole-body distribution in healthy mice, including brain penetration, was evaluated through positron emission tomography imaging. [18 F]2a exhibited a rapid and high brain uptake (3.35 ± 0.26% ID g-1 at 0.95 ± 0.15 min after injection), followed by a rapid clearance (t1/2 = 6.50 ± 0.93 min), showing good blood-brain barrier crossing. After a transient liver accumulation of [18 F]2a, the intestinal and urinary excretion was quantified. Finally, ex vivo pharmacological experiments in mice showed that the unlabeled 2a affects the transmitters' neurochemistry, which might be favorable to reverse cognition impairment in mild-to-moderate AD-related dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Hee Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Rosa Purgatorio
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Samarelli
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Morgese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Paolo Tucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luigia Trabace
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Hye Won Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Soo Park
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Eun Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomolecular Imaging and Innovative Drug Development, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Chul Lee
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
- Center for Nanomolecular Imaging and Innovative Drug Development, Advanced Institutes of Convergence Technology, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Cosimo D Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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de Candia M, Titov AA, Viayna A, Kulikova LN, Purgatorio R, Piergiovanni B, Niso M, Catto M, Voskressensky LG, Luque FJ, Altomare CD. In-vitro and in-silico studies of annelated 1,4,7,8-tetrahydroazocine ester derivatives as nanomolar selective inhibitors of human butyrylcholinesterase. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 386:110741. [PMID: 37839515 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Based on previous finding showing 2,3,6,11-tetrahydro-1H-azocino[4,5-b]indole as suitable scaffold of novel inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), a main target of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, herein we investigated diverse newly and previously synthesized β-enamino esters (and ketones) derivatives of 1,4,7,8-tetrahydroazocines (and some azonines) fused with benzene, 1H-indole, 4H-chromen-4-one and pyrimidin-4(3H)-one. Twenty derivatives of diversely annelated eight-to-nine-membered azaheterocyclic ring, prepared through domino reaction of the respective tetrahydropyridine and azepine with activated alkynes, were assayed for the inhibitory activity against AChE and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). As a major outcome, compound 7c, an alkylamino derivative of tetrahydropyrimido[4,5-d]azocine, was found to be a highly potent BChE-selective inhibitor, which showed a noncompetitive/mixed-type inhibition mechanism against human BChE with single digit nanomolar inhibition constant (Ki = 7.8 ± 0.2 nM). The four-order magnitude BChE-selectivity of 7c clearly reflects the effect of lipophilicity upon binding to the BChE binding cavity. The ChEs' inhibition data, interpreted by chemoinformatic tools and an in-depth in-silico study (molecular docking combined with molecular dynamics calculations), not only highlighted key structural factors enhancing inhibition potency and selectivity toward BChE, but also shed light on subtle differences distinguishing the binding sites of equine BChE from the recombinant human BChE. Compound 7c inhibited P-glycoprotein with IC50 of 0.27 μM, which may support its ability to permeate blood-brain barrier, and proved to be no cytotoxic in human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) at the BChE bioactive concentrations. Overall, the biological profile allows us to envision 7c as a promising template to improve design and development of BChE-selective ligands of pharmaceutical interest, including inhibitors and fluorogenic probes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Alexander A Titov
- Organic Chemistry Department, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - Antonio Viayna
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Gastronomy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB) and Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (ITQCUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Prat de la Riba 171, E-08921, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
| | - Larisa N Kulikova
- Organic Chemistry Department, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - Rosa Purgatorio
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Brigida Piergiovanni
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Niso
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonid G Voskressensky
- Organic Chemistry Department, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - F Javier Luque
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Gastronomy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB) and Institute of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (ITQCUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Prat de la Riba 171, E-08921, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
| | - Cosimo D Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
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Dunker C, Imberg L, Siutkina AI, Erbacher C, Daniliuc CG, Karst U, Kalinin DV. Pyrazole-Based Thrombin Inhibitors with a Serine-Trapping Mechanism of Action: Synthesis and Biological Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:1340. [PMID: 36355511 PMCID: PMC9696832 DOI: 10.3390/ph15111340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
New antithrombotic drugs are needed to combat thrombosis, a dangerous pathology that causes myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. In this respect, thrombin (FIIa) represents an important drug target. We herein report the synthesis and biological activity of a series of 1H-pyrazol-5-amine-based thrombin inhibitors with a serine-trapping mechanism of action. Among synthesized compounds, flexible acylated 1H-pyrazol-5-amines 24e, 34a, and 34b were identified as potent 16-80 nM thrombin inhibitors, which showed practically no off-targeting effect against other physiologically relevant serine proteases. To prove that synthesized compounds are covalent thrombin inhibitors, the most potent derivative 24e (FIIa IC50 = 16 nM) was studied in a mass-shift assay, where it has been shown that 24e transfers its acyl moiety (pivaloyl) to the catalytic Ser195 of thrombin. Performed herein docking studies also confirmed the covalent mechanism of thrombin inhibition by synthesized compounds. Acylated aminopyrazoles found during this study showed only limited effects on plasma coagulation in activated partial thrombin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) in vitro assays. However, such thrombin inhibitors are expected to have virtually no effect on bleeding time and can be used as a starting point for developing a safer alternative to traditional non-covalent anticoagulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin Dunker
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Lukas Imberg
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Alena I. Siutkina
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Catharina Erbacher
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | | | - Uwe Karst
- Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Dmitrii V. Kalinin
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
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Zhang X, Yang Y, Wang Y, Wu J, Fang Q, Wang Y, Zhao M, Peng S. (1R,3S)-THCCA-Asn: To show the discovery of selective inhibitor of thrombin by successfully combining virtual screening and biological assay. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 242:114681. [PMID: 36001936 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin is the most potent platelet aggregator. To discover the selective inhibitor of thrombin that is important to curing platelet aggregation-related diseases, docking experiments were performed to dock (1R,3S)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3- carboxylic acid, [(1R,3S)-THCCA], and (1S,3S)-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3- carboxylic acid, [(1S,3S)-THCCA], into the p pocket of bovine thrombin. The ideal match supported that (1R,3S)-THCCA could be used as a potential lead compound. In this case 20 natural amino acids were theoretically introduced into the 3-carboxyl of (1R,3S)-THCCA and 20 derivatives, (1R,3S)-THCCA-amino acids, were docked into p pocket of bovine thrombin to perform virtual screening. The screening revealed that comparing to (1R,3S)-THCCA itself the DockScores of 16 derivatives were higher, and (1R,3S)-THCCA-Asn (4j) got the highest DockScore. Thus, 16 derivatives were synthesized for experimental study. The in vitro anti-platelet aggregation assay showed that at 100 μM of concentration the 16 derivatives failed to inhibit the platelet aggregation induced by both adenosine diphosphate and arachidonic acid. On the other hand, however, the IC50 value of the 16 derivatives inhibiting the platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor and thrombin ranged from 9.44 μM to 194.64 μM and from 0.07 μM to 9.56 μM, respectively. The in vitro anti-platelet aggregation assay suggested that the 16 derivatives selectively inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. In particular, the IC50 of (1R,3S)-THCCA-Asn (4j) had the lowest value. On rat model at 1 nmol/kg of dosage the 16 derivatives effectively prevented thrombus formation. It is worth pointing out that even at 0.01 nmol/kg of dosage, 4j still effectively prevented thrombus formation. 4j hardly has effects on the proliferation of mammalian cells and rat tail bleeding time. In conclusion, the combination of virtual screening and biological assays successfully lead to the discovery of 4j as a promising candidate of selective inhibitor of thrombin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yifan Yang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yuji Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jianhui Wu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Qiongyan Fang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Yaonan Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China
| | - Ming Zhao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
| | - Shiqi Peng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
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De Maio F, Rullo M, de Candia M, Purgatorio R, Lopopolo G, Santarelli G, Palmieri V, Papi M, Elia G, De Candia E, Sanguinetti M, Altomare CD. Evaluation of Novel Guanidino-Containing Isonipecotamide Inhibitors of Blood Coagulation Factors against SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081730. [PMID: 36016352 PMCID: PMC9415951 DOI: 10.3390/v14081730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Coagulation factor Xa (fXa) and thrombin (thr) are widely expressed in pulmonary tissues, where they may catalyze, together with the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), the coronaviruses spike protein (SP) cleavage and activation, thus enhancing the SP binding to ACE2 and cell infection. In this study, we evaluate in vitro the ability of approved (i.e., dabigatran and rivaroxaban) and newly synthesized isonipecotamide-based reversible inhibitors of fXa/thr (cmpds 1-3) to hinder the SARS-CoV-2 infectivity of VERO cells. Nafamostat, which is a guanidine/amidine antithrombin and antiplasmin agent, disclosed as a covalent inhibitor of TMPRSS2, was also evaluated. While dabigatran and rivaroxaban at 100 μM concentration did not show any effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus preincubation with new guanidino-containing fXa-selective inhibitors 1 and 3 did decrease viral infectivity of VERO cells at subtoxic doses. When the cells were pre-incubated with 3, a reversible nanomolar inhibitor of fXa (Ki = 15 nM) showing the best in silico docking score toward TMPRSS2 (pdb 7MEQ), the SARS-CoV-2 infectivity was completely inhibited at 100 μM (p < 0.0001), where the cytopathic effect was just about 10%. The inhibitory effects of 3 on SARS-CoV-2 infection was evident (ca. 30%) at lower concentrations (3-50 μM). The covalent TMPRSS2 and the selective inhibitor nafamostat mesylate, although showing some effect (15-20% inhibition), did not achieve statistically significant activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the whole range of test concentrations (3-100 μM). These findings suggest that direct inhibitors of the main serine proteases of the blood coagulation cascade may have potential in SARS-CoV-2 drug discovery. Furthermore, they prove that basic amidino-containing fXa inhibitors with a higher docking score towards TMPRSS2 may be considered hits for optimizing novel small molecules protecting guest cells from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio De Maio
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, I-00168 Rome, Italy; (F.D.M.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Mariagrazia Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (M.R.); (M.d.C.); (R.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (M.R.); (M.d.C.); (R.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Rosa Purgatorio
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (M.R.); (M.d.C.); (R.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Gianfranco Lopopolo
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (M.R.); (M.d.C.); (R.P.); (G.L.)
| | - Giulia Santarelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, I-00168 Rome, Italy; (F.D.M.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Valentina Palmieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, I-00168 Rome, Italy; (F.D.M.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Massimiliano Papi
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, I-00168 Rome, Italy; (F.D.M.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
| | - Gabriella Elia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Erica De Candia
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, I-00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Sanguinetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, I-00168 Rome, Italy; (F.D.M.); (G.S.); (V.P.); (M.P.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (C.D.A.)
| | - Cosimo Damiano Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy–Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, I-70125 Bari, Italy; (M.R.); (M.d.C.); (R.P.); (G.L.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.); (C.D.A.)
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Purgatorio R, Gambacorta N, Samarelli F, Lopopolo G, de Candia M, Catto M, Nicolotti O, Altomare CD. Assessing the Role of a Malonamide Linker in the Design of Potent Dual Inhibitors of Factor Xa and Cholinesterases. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27134269. [PMID: 35807514 PMCID: PMC9268553 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27134269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The rational discovery of new peptidomimetic inhibitors of the coagulation factor Xa (fXa) could help set more effective therapeutic options (to prevent atrial fibrillation). In this respect, we explored the conformational impact on the enzyme inhibition potency of the malonamide bridge, compared to the glycinamide one, as a linker connecting the P1 benzamidine anchoring moiety to the P4 aryl group of novel selective fXa inhibitors. We carried out structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies aimed at investigating para- or meta-benzamidine as the P1 basic group as well as diversely decorated aryl moieties as P4 fragments. To this end, twenty-three malonamide derivatives were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of fXa and thrombin (thr); the molecular determinants behind potency and selectivity were also studied by employing molecular docking. The malonamide linker, compared to the glycinamide one, does significantly increase anti-fXa potency and selectivity. The meta-benzamidine (P1) derivatives bearing 2′,4′-difluoro-biphenyl as the P4 moiety proved to be highly potent reversible fXa-selective inhibitors, achieving inhibition constants (Ki) in the low nanomolar range. The most active compounds were also tested against cholinesterase (ChE) isoforms (acetyl- or butyrylcholinesterase, AChE, and BChE), and some of them returned single-digit micromolar inhibition potency against AChE and/or BChE, both being drug targets for symptomatic treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Compounds 19h and 22b were selected as selective fXa inhibitors with potential as multimodal neuroprotective agents.
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First-in-Class Isonipecotamide-Based Thrombin and Cholinesterase Dual Inhibitors with Potential for Alzheimer Disease. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26175208. [PMID: 34500640 PMCID: PMC8434007 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, the direct thrombin (thr) inhibitor dabigatran has proven to be beneficial in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Aiming at discovering novel multimodal agents addressing thr and AD-related targets, a selection of previously and newly synthesized potent thr and factor Xa (fXa) inhibitors were virtually screened by the Multi-fingerprint Similarity Searching aLgorithm (MuSSeL) web server. The N-phenyl-1-(pyridin-4-yl)piperidine-4-carboxamide derivative 1, which has already been experimentally shown to inhibit thr with a Ki value of 6 nM, has been flagged by a new, upcoming release of MuSSeL as a binder of cholinesterase (ChE) isoforms (acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase, AChE and BChE), as well as thr, fXa, and other enzymes and receptors. Interestingly, the inhibition potency of 1 was predicted by the MuSSeL platform to fall within the low-to-submicromolar range and this was confirmed by experimental Ki values, which were found equal to 0.058 and 6.95 μM for eeAChE and eqBChE, respectively. Thirty analogs of 1 were then assayed as inhibitors of thr, fXa, AChE, and BChE to increase our knowledge of their structure-activity relationships, while the molecular determinants responsible for the multiple activities towards the target enzymes were rationally investigated by molecular cross-docking screening.
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Purgatorio R, de Candia M, Catto M, Rullo M, Pisani L, Denora N, Carrieri A, Nevskaya AA, Voskressensky LG, Altomare CD. Evaluation of Water-Soluble Mannich Base Prodrugs of 2,3,4,5-Tetrahydroazepino[4,3-b]indol-1(6H)-one as Multitarget-Directed Agents for Alzheimer's Disease. ChemMedChem 2020; 16:589-598. [PMID: 33156950 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Different Mannich base derivatives have been studied with the aim of addressing the poor aqueous solubility of the recently disclosed 6-phenethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydroazepino[4,3-b]indol-1(6H)-one (1), a human butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor (hBChE, IC50 13 nM) and protective agent in NMDA-induced neurotoxicity, in in vivo assays. The N-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl derivative 2 c showed a 50-fold increase in solubility in pH 7.4-buffered solution, high stability in serum and (half-life >24 h) and rapid (<3 min) conversion to 1 at acidic pH. Although less active than 1, 2 c retained moderate hBChE inhibition (IC50 =3.35 μM) and a significant protective effect against NMDA-induced neurotoxicity at 0.1 μM. Moreover, 2 c resulted a weaker serum albumin binder than 1, could pass the blood-brain barrier, and exerted negligible cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that 2 c could be a water-soluble prodrug candidate of 1 for oral administration or a slow-release injectable derivative in in vivoAlzheimer's disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Purgatorio
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Rullo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Pisani
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Nunzio Denora
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Alisa A Nevskaya
- Organic Chemistry Department, RUDN University, Miklukho-Maklai St. 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - Leonid G Voskressensky
- Organic Chemistry Department, RUDN University, Miklukho-Maklai St. 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia
| | - Cosimo D Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug-Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
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Purgatorio R, de Candia M, Catto M, Carrieri A, Pisani L, De Palma A, Toma M, Ivanova OA, Voskressensky LG, Altomare CD. Investigating 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroazepino[4,3-b]indole as scaffold of butyrylcholinesterase-selective inhibitors with additional neuroprotective activities for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 177:414-424. [PMID: 31158754 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Due to the role of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in acetylcholine hydrolysis in the late stages of the Alzheimer's disease (AD), inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) have been recently envisaged, besides acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, as candidates for treating mild-to-moderate AD. Herein, synthesis and AChE/BChE inhibition activity of some twenty derivatives of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydroazepino[4,3-b]indole (HHAI) is reported. Most of the newly synthesized HHAI derivatives achieved the inhibition of both ChE isoforms with IC50s in the micromolar range, with a structure-dependent selectivity toward BChE. Apparently, molecular volume and lipophilicity do increase selectivity toward BChE, and indeed the N2-(4-phenylbutyl) HHAI derivative 15d, which behaves as a mixed-type inhibitor, resulted the most potent (IC50 0.17 μM) and selective (>100-fold) inhibitor toward either horse serum and human BChE. Moreover, 15d inhibited in vitro self-induced aggregation of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and displayed neuroprotective effects in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, significantly recovering (P < 0.001) cell viability when impaired by Aβ1-42 and hydrogen peroxide insults. Overall, this study highlighted HHAI as useful and versatile scaffold for developing new small molecules targeting some enzymes and biochemical pathways involved in the pathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Purgatorio
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Modesto de Candia
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Carrieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Leonardo Pisani
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Annalisa De Palma
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Maddalena Toma
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Olga A Ivanova
- Department of Chemistry, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1-3, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Leonid G Voskressensky
- Organic Chemistry Department, RUDN University, Miklukho-Maklai St, 6, Moscow, 117198, Russian Federation
| | - Cosimo D Altomare
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via E. Orabona 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
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Shabareesh PRV, Kumar A, Salunke DM, Kaur KJ. Structural and functional studies of differentially O-glycosylated analogs of a thrombin inhibitory peptide - variegin. J Pept Sci 2017; 23:880-888. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.3052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Regional Centre for Biotechnology; NCR Biotech Science Cluster; 3rd Milestone Faridabad 121001 India
| | - Dinakar M. Salunke
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; Aruna Asaf Ali Marg New Delhi 110067 India
| | - Kanwal J. Kaur
- National Institute of Immunology; Aruna Asaf Ali Marg New Delhi 110067 India
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Colucci M, Incampo F, Cannavò A, Menegatti M, Siboni SM, Zaccaria F, Semeraro N, Peyvandi F. Reduced fibrinolytic resistance in patients with factor XI deficiency. Evidence of a thrombin-independent impairment of the thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor pathway. J Thromb Haemost 2016; 14:1603-14. [PMID: 27094709 DOI: 10.1111/jth.13342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Essentials Plasma of factor XI-deficient patients (FXI-dp) displays enhanced fibrinolysis. We investigated the role of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in 18 FXI-dp. FXI-dp generated less activated TAFI (TAFIa) on clotting challenge and were resistant to TAFIa. TAFI activation and TAFIa resistance correlated with bleeding score and bleeding phenotype. SUMMARY Background Factor XI (FXI) deficiency, a rare disorder with unpredictable bleeding, has been associated with reduced fibrinolytic resistance as a result of abnormal fibrin density. Objective We investigated the involvement of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in the increased lysability of FXI-deficient (FXI-def) clots and the role of thrombin. Patients/Methods Eighteen patients with FXI deficiency (1-58%) and 17 matched controls were investigated for fibrinolytic resistance to t-PA, thrombin generation, TAFI activation and response to TAFIa. Results When clotting was induced by 0.5 pm tissue factor (TF), FXI-def plasmas displayed less thrombin and TAFIa generation and shorter lysis time than controls. A 100-fold higher TF concentration (to bypass FXI) abolished the difference in thrombin generation but not in lysis time between patients and controls. Normalization of FXI levels by a FXI concentrate increased thrombin generation but had no effect on the lysis time of FXI-def plasma. Moreover, when clots were induced by purified thrombin and high concentrations of FXa inhibitor, FXI-def plasma still generated less TAFIa and displayed a shorter lysis time than controls. Finally, upon TAFIa addition, the lysis time of FXI-def plasma was prolonged significantly less than that of control plasma, suggesting a TAFIa resistance. TAFIa generation and TAFIa resistance were correlated with the bleeding score, displaying a considerable capacity to discriminate between patients with and without bleeding. Conclusions TAFI pathway impairment, largely caused by a hitherto unknown TAFIa resistance, appears to be one main cause of decreased fibrinolytic resistance in FXI deficiency and might be clinically useful for assessing the bleeding risk of FXI-def patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Colucci
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of General and Experimental Pathology, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy
| | - F Incampo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of General and Experimental Pathology, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy
| | - A Cannavò
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - M Menegatti
- Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - S M Siboni
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - F Zaccaria
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of General and Experimental Pathology, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy
| | - N Semeraro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of General and Experimental Pathology, Aldo Moro University, Bari, Italy
| | - F Peyvandi
- Angelo Bianchi Bonomi Hemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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