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Crocetti L, Catarzi F, Giovannoni MP, Vergelli C, Bartolucci G, Pallecchi M, Paoli P, Rossi P, Lippi M, Schepetkin IA, Quinn MT, Guerrini G. Ebselen analogues with dual human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitory and antiradical activity. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1247-1257. [PMID: 38665832 PMCID: PMC11042244 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00736g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) plays an essential role in host defense against bacteria but is also involved in several respiratory diseases. Recent reports suggest that compounds exhibiting a combination of HNE inhibitory activity with antiradical properties may be therapeutically beneficial for the treatment of respiratory diseases involving inflammation and oxidative stress. We report here the synthesis and biological evaluation of novel ebselen analogues exhibiting HNE inhibitory and antiradical activities. HNE inhibition was evaluated in an enzymatic system using human HNE, whereas antiradical activity was evaluated in a cell-based assay system using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated murine bone marrow leukocytes as the source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). HNE inhibition was due to the N-CO group targeting Ser195-OH at position 2 of the scaffold, while antiradical activity was due to the presence of the selenium atom. The most active compounds 4d, 4f, and 4j exhibited a good balance between anti-HNE (IC50 = 0.9-1.4 μM) and antiradical activity (IC50 = 0.05-0.7 μM). Additionally, the solid-state structure of 4d was determined and compared to that of the similar compound N-propionyl-1,2-benzisoselenazol-3(2H)-one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Crocetti
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence Via Ugo Schiff 6 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Italy +39 055 4573683
| | - Francesca Catarzi
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence Via Ugo Schiff 6 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Italy +39 055 4573683
| | - Maria Paola Giovannoni
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence Via Ugo Schiff 6 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Italy +39 055 4573683
| | - Claudia Vergelli
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence Via Ugo Schiff 6 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Italy +39 055 4573683
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence Via Ugo Schiff 6 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Italy +39 055 4573683
| | - Marco Pallecchi
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence Via Ugo Schiff 6 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Italy +39 055 4573683
| | - Paola Paoli
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence Via Santa Marta 3 50139 Florence Italy
| | - Patrizia Rossi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence Via Santa Marta 3 50139 Florence Italy
| | - Martina Lippi
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Florence Via Santa Marta 3 50139 Florence Italy
| | - Igor A Schepetkin
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - Mark T Quinn
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University Bozeman MT 59717 USA
| | - Gabriella Guerrini
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence Via Ugo Schiff 6 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Italy +39 055 4573683
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Ocampo-Gallego JS, Pedroza-Escobar D, Caicedo-Ortega AR, Berumen-Murra MT, Novelo-Aguirre AL, de Sotelo-León RD, Delgadillo-Guzmán D. Human neutrophil elastase inhibitors: Classification, biological-synthetic sources and their relevance in related diseases. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2024; 38:13-32. [PMID: 37609718 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12946] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human neutrophil elastase is a multifunctional protease enzyme whose function is to break the bonds of proteins and degrade them to polypeptides or amino acids. In addition, it plays an essential role in the immune mechanism against bacterial infections and represents a key mediator in tissue remodeling and inflammation. However, when the extracellular release of this enzyme is dysregulated in response to low levels of its physiological inhibitors, it ultimately leads to the degradation of proteins, in particular elastin, as well as other components of the extracellular matrix, producing injury to epithelial cells, which can promote sustained inflammation and affect the innate immune system, and, therefore, be the basis for the development of severe inflammatory diseases, especially those associated with the cardiopulmonary system. OBJECTIVE This review aims to provide an update on the elastase inhibitory properties of several molecules, either synthetic or biological sources, as well as their classification and relevance in related pathologies since a clear understanding of the function of these molecules with the inhibitory capacity of this protease can provide valuable information for the development of pharmacological therapies that manage to modify the prognosis and survival of various inflammatory diseases. METHODS Collected data from scientific databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Nature, Wiley, Scopus, and Scielo. Articles published in any country and language were included. RESULTS We reviewed and included 132 articles conceptualizing neutrophil elastase activity and known inhibitors. CONCLUSION Understanding the mechanism of action of elastase inhibitors based on particular aspects such as their kinetic behavior, structure-function relationship, chemical properties, origin, pharmacodynamics, and experimental progress has allowed for a broad classification of HNE inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Pedroza-Escobar
- Departamento de Bioquimica, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
| | - Ana Ruth Caicedo-Ortega
- Departamento de Quimica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
| | - María Teresa Berumen-Murra
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Medicina UT, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
| | - Ana Lucía Novelo-Aguirre
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Medicina UT, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
| | - Rebeca Denis de Sotelo-León
- Departmento de Nutricion. Unidad de Medicina Familiar, UMAA 53, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Durango, Mexico
| | - Dealmy Delgadillo-Guzmán
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Medicina UT, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila, Torreon, Mexico
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Cantini N, Crocetti L, Guerrini G, Vergelli C, Schepetkin IA, Pallecchi M, Bartolucci G, Quinn MT, Teodori E, Giovannoni MP. 1,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-4H-indazol-4-ones as human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 52:128380. [PMID: 34563669 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.128380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease that is expressed in polymorphonuclear neutrophils. It has been recognized as an important therapeutic target for treating inflammatory diseases, especially related to the respiratory system, but also for various types of cancer. Thus, compounds able to inhibit HNE are of great interest in medicinal chemistry. In the present paper, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of HNE inhibitors with an innovative 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-4H-indazol-4-one core that was developed as a molecular modification of our previously reported indazole-based HNE inhibitors. Since the 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-4H-indazol-4-one scaffold can occur in two possible tautomeric forms, the acylation/alkylation reactions resulted in a mixture of the two isomers, often widely unbalanced in favor of one form. Using analytical techniques and NMR spectroscopy, we characterized and separated the isomer pairs and confirmed the compounds used in biological testing. Analysis of the compounds for HNE inhibitory activity showed that they were potent inhibitors, with Ki values in the low nanomolar range (6-35 nM). They also had reasonable stability in aqueous buffer, with half-lives over 1 h. Overall, our results indicate that the 1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-4H-indazol-4-one core is suitable for the synthesis of potent HNE inhibitors that could be useful in the development of new therapeutics for treating diseases involving excessive HNE activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolo Cantini
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Letizia Crocetti
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Guerrini
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Claudia Vergelli
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Igor A Schepetkin
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Marco Pallecchi
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Mark T Quinn
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Elisabetta Teodori
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Giovannoni
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Via Ugo Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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Tian Y, Duan M, Liu J, Fu S, Dong K, Yue H, Hou Y, Zhao Y. Recent Advances in Metal‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Reactions of Vinyl Benzoxazinanones. Adv Synth Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202100715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
| | - Meibo Duan
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
| | - Jialu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
| | - Siyu Fu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
| | - Kuan Dong
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Yue
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
| | - Yunlei Hou
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
| | - Yanfang Zhao
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering Shenyang Pharmaceutical University 103 Wenhua Road, Shenhe District Shenyang 110016 People's Republic of China
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Exploration of nitrogen heterocycle scaffolds for the development of potent human neutrophil elastase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 29:115836. [PMID: 33218895 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a potent protease that plays an important physiological role in many processes but is also involved in a variety of pathologies that affect the pulmonary system. Thus, compounds able to inhibit HNE proteolytic activity could represent effective therapeutics. We present here a new series of pyrazolopyridine and pyrrolopyridine derivatives as HNE inhibitors designed as modifications of our previously synthesized indazoles and indoles in order to evaluate effects of the change in position of the nitrogen and/or the insertion of an additional nitrogen in the scaffolds on biological activity and chemical stability. We obtained potent HNE inhibitors with IC50 values in the low nanomolar range (10-50 nM), and some compounds exhibited improved chemical stability in phosphate buffer (t1/2 > 6 h). Molecular modeling studies demonstrated that inhibitory activity was strictly dependent on the formation of a Michaelis complex between the OH group of HNE Ser195 and the carbonyl carbon of the inhibitor. Moreover, in silico ADMET calculations predicted that most of the new compounds would be optimally absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Thus, these new and potent HNE inhibitors represent novel leads for future therapeutic development.
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Wan SH, Li XA, Liu YH, Liu ST. N-Allylation versus C-allylation of intermediates from aza-Michael adducts of arylideneisoxazol-5-ones. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:9516-9525. [PMID: 33188667 DOI: 10.1039/d0ob01998d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Reactions of arylidene-isoxazol-5-ones with intermediates from palladium-catalysed decarboxylation of allyl carbamates proceeded through aza-Michael addition and N-allylation to give the corresponding bis-adducts, β-amido-N-allylated products, in good yields. In similar reactions with 4-vinyl-1,4-dihydro-2H-3,1-benzoxazin-2-one, a cyclic allyl carbamate, C-allylation took place to yield a series of spiro[isoxazole-4,3'-quinolin]-5-ones in high yields. Regio-selective N- versus C-allylation is illustrated to occur in an inter- versus intra-molecular fashion. The structure and stereochemistry of these products are determined by NMR spectroscopy and further confirmed by X-ray crystallography. This work offers an excellent method for the preparation of various substituted isoxazol-5-ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Hao Wan
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Xuan-An Li
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Yi-Hung Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Shiuh-Tzung Liu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
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Ciura K, Fedorowicz J, Žuvela P, Lovrić M, Kapica H, Baranowski P, Sawicki W, Wong MW, Sączewski J. Affinity of Antifungal Isoxazolo[3,4- b]pyridine-3(1 H)-Ones to Phospholipids in Immobilized Artificial Membrane (IAM) Chromatography. Molecules 2020; 25:E4835. [PMID: 33092252 PMCID: PMC7587931 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, rapid evaluation of the physicochemical parameters of drug candidates, such as lipophilicity, is in high demand owing to it enabling the approximation of the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination. Although the lipophilicity of drug candidates is determined using the shake flash method (n-octanol/water system) or reversed phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC), more biosimilar alternatives to classical lipophilicity measurement are currently available. One of the alternatives is immobilized artificial membrane (IAM) chromatography. The present study is a continuation of our research focused on physiochemical characterization of biologically active derivatives of isoxazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-3(1H)-ones. The main goal of this study was to assess the affinity of isoxazolones to phospholipids using IAM chromatography and compare it with the lipophilicity parameters established by reversed phase chromatography. Quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) modeling of IAM retention using differential evolution coupled with partial least squares (DE-PLS) regression was performed. The results indicate that in the studied group of structurally related isoxazolone derivatives, discrepancies occur between the retention under IAM and RP-LC conditions. Although some correlation between these two chromatographic methods can be found, lipophilicity does not fully explain the affinities of the investigated molecules to phospholipids. QSRR analysis also shows common factors that contribute to retention under IAM and RP-LC conditions. In this context, the significant influences of WHIM and GETAWAY descriptors in all the obtained models should be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzesimir Ciura
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (H.K.); (P.B.); (W.S.)
| | - Joanna Fedorowicz
- Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Petar Žuvela
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (P.Ž.); (M.W.W.)
| | - Mario Lovrić
- Know-Center, Inffeldgasse 13, AT-8010 Graz, Austria;
| | - Hanna Kapica
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (H.K.); (P.B.); (W.S.)
| | - Paweł Baranowski
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (H.K.); (P.B.); (W.S.)
| | - Wiesław Sawicki
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland; (H.K.); (P.B.); (W.S.)
| | - Ming Wah Wong
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore; (P.Ž.); (M.W.W.)
| | - Jarosław Sączewski
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, Al. Gen. J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Crocetti L, Giovannoni MP, Cantini N, Guerrini G, Vergelli C, Schepetkin IA, Khlebnikov AI, Quinn MT. Novel Sulfonamide Analogs of Sivelestat as Potent Human Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitors. Front Chem 2020; 8:795. [PMID: 33033716 PMCID: PMC7491426 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is involved in a number of essential physiological processes and has been identified as a potential therapeutic target for treating acute and chronic lung injury. Nevertheless, only one drug, Sivelestat, has been approved for clinical use and just in Japan and the Republic of Korea. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of low-molecular-weight synthetic HNE inhibitors, and we have developed a wide variety of HNE inhibitors with various chemical scaffolds. We hypothesized that substitution of the active fragment of Sivelestat into these HNE inhibitor scaffolds could modulate their inhibitory activity, potentially resulting in higher efficacy and/or improved chemical stability. Here, we report the synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling studies of novel compounds substituted with the 4-(sulfamoyl)phenyl pivalate fragment necessary for Sivelestat activity. Many of these compounds were potent HNE inhibitors with activity in the nanomolar range (IC50 = 19-30 nM for compounds 3a, 3b, 3f, 3g, and 9a), confirming that the 4-(sulfamoyl)phenyl pivalate fragment could substitute for the N-CO group at position 1 and offer a different point of attack for Ser195. Results of molecular docking of the these pivaloyl-containing compounds into the HNE binding site supported the mechanism of inhibitory activity involving a nucleophilic attack of Ser195 from the catalytic triad onto the pivaloyl carbonyl group. Furthermore, some compounds (e.g., 3a and 3f) had a relatively good stability in aqueous buffer (t1/2 > 9 h). Thus, this novel approach led to the identification of a number of potent HNE inhibitors that could be used as leads for the further development of new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Crocetti
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Giovannoni
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Niccolò Cantini
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guerrini
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Claudia Vergelli
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Igor A. Schepetkin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
| | | | - Mark T. Quinn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
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Novel and Modified Neutrophil Elastase Inhibitor Loaded in Topical Formulations for Psoriasis Management. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12040358. [PMID: 32295247 PMCID: PMC7238052 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12040358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease that degrades matrix proteins. An excess of HNE may trigger several pathological conditions, such as psoriasis. In this work, we aimed to synthesize, characterize and formulate new HNE inhibitors with a 4-oxo-β-lactam scaffold with less toxicity, as well as therapeutic index in a psoriasis context. HNE inhibitors with 4-oxo-β-lactam scaffolds were synthesized and characterized by NMR, FTIR, melting point, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. In vitro cytotoxicity and serine protease assays were performed. The compound with the highest cell viability (AAN-16) was selected to be incorporated in an emulsion (AAN-16 E) and in a microemulsion (AAN-16 ME). Formulations were characterized in terms of organoleptic properties, pH, rheology, droplet size distribution, in vitro drug release and in vivo psoriatic activity. All compounds were successfully synthesized according to analytical methodology, with good yields. Both formulations presented suitable physicochemical properties. AAN-16 E presented the most promising therapeutic effects in a murine model of psoriasis. Overall, new HNE inhibitors were synthesized with high and selective activity and incorporated into topical emulsions with potential to treat psoriasis.
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Macchia A, Cuomo VD, Di Mola A, Pierri G, Tedesco C, Palombi L, Massa A. On the Necessity of One-Pot Tautomer Trapping in Asymmetric Michael Reactions of Arylideneisoxazol-5-ones. European J Org Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.202000286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Macchia
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”; Università degli studi di Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Valentina Dafnae Cuomo
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”; Università degli studi di Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Antonia Di Mola
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”; Università degli studi di Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Giovanni Pierri
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”; Università degli studi di Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Consiglia Tedesco
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”; Università degli studi di Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Laura Palombi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”; Università degli studi di Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
| | - Antonio Massa
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Biologia “A. Zambelli”; Università degli studi di Salerno; Via Giovanni Paolo II 84084 Fisciano (SA) Italy
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Giovannoni MP, Crocetti L, Cantini N, Guerrini G, Vergelli C, Iacovone A, Teodori E, Schepetkin IA, Quinn MT, Ciattini S, Rossi P, Paoli P. New 3‐unsubstituted isoxazolones as potent human neutrophil elastase inhibitors: Synthesis and molecular dynamic simulation. Drug Dev Res 2019; 81:338-349. [DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Giovannoni
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical SectionUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Letizia Crocetti
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical SectionUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Niccolò Cantini
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical SectionUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Gabriella Guerrini
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical SectionUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Claudia Vergelli
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical SectionUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Antonella Iacovone
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical SectionUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Elisabetta Teodori
- Neurofarba, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical SectionUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Igor A. Schepetkin
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State University Bozeman Montana
| | - Mark T. Quinn
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyMontana State University Bozeman Montana
| | - Samuele Ciattini
- Center of Structural CrystallographyUniversity of Florence Sesto Fiorentino Italy
| | - Patrizia Rossi
- Department of Industrial EngineeringUniversity of Florence Florence Italy
| | - Paola Paoli
- Department of Industrial EngineeringUniversity of Florence Florence Italy
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Tao Z, Jin W, Ao M, Zhai S, Xu H, Yu L. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory properties of the active constituents in Ginkgo biloba for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Food Funct 2019; 10:2209-2220. [PMID: 30945705 DOI: 10.1039/c8fo02506a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Ginkgo biloba has long been used in ancient China for the treatment of cough, asthma, and other lung diseases. However, the active constituents in G. biloba for pulmonary disease treatment remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory active constituents in G. biloba and clarify their associated molecular mechanisms. The biological effects of different G. biloba extracts were evaluated in an ovalbumin-induced allergic mouse model. Anti-inflammatory compounds were present in the ethyl acetate phase of the extract, which were analysed by HPLC-MS. Biflavones were identified as the main compounds, which were further evaluated by docking calculations. Leukocyte elastase showed a high fit score with ginkgetin, one of the identified biflavones. The lowest binding free energy was -6.69 kcal mol-1. The effects of biflavones were investigated in vivo and in vitro. Ginkgetin markedly suppressed the abnormal expression of the Akt and p38 pathways in human neutrophil elastase (HNE)-stimulated A549 cells. Biflavones also decreased MUC5AC mRNA expression in HNE-stimulated A549 cells and the allergic mouse model. Inflammatory cells (neutrophils) and cytokines (IL-8) also decreased in mice treated with biflavones. The results suggest that G. biloba biflavones could inhibit the activity of leukocyte elastase. This in turn implicates G. biloba as a functional food for the treatment of airway inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Tao
- Institute of Resource Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.
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13
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Crocetti L, Quinn MT, Schepetkin IA, Giovannoni MP. A patenting perspective on human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors (2014-2018) and their therapeutic applications. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2019; 29:555-578. [DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2019.1630379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L Crocetti
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - MT Quinn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - IA Schepetkin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - MP Giovannoni
- Department of NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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14
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Giovannoni MP, Cantini N, Crocetti L, Guerrini G, Iacovone A, Schepetkin IA, Vergelli C, Khlebnikov AI, Quinn MT. Further modifications of 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase. Drug Dev Res 2019; 80:617-628. [PMID: 31002441 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a potent protease that plays an important physiological role in many processes and is considered to be a multifunctional enzyme. HNE is also involved in a variety of pathologies affecting the respiratory system. Thus, compounds able to inhibit HNE proteolytic activity could represent effective therapeutics. We present here a new series of pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives of our previously reported potent HNE inhibitors. Our results show that position 2 of the pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine scaffold must be unsubstituted, and modifications of this position resulted in loss of HNE inhibitory activity. Conversely, the introduction of certain substituents at position 5 was tolerated, with retention of HNE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 15-51 nM) after most substitutions, indicating that bulky and/or lipophilic substituents at position 5 probably interact with the large pocket of the enzyme site and allow Michaelis complex formation. The possibility of Michaelis complex formation between Ser195 and the ligand carbonyl group was assessed by molecular docking, and it was found that highly active HNE inhibitors are characterized by geometries favorable for Michaelis complex formation and by relatively short lengths of the proton transfer channel via the catalytic triad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria P Giovannoni
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Niccolò Cantini
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Letizia Crocetti
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Gabriella Guerrini
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Antonella Iacovone
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Igor A Schepetkin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
| | - Claudia Vergelli
- NEUROFARBA, Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Section, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Andrei I Khlebnikov
- Kizhner Research Center, Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, Russia.,Scientific Research Institute of Biological Medicine, Altai State University, Barnaul, Russia
| | - Mark T Quinn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
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15
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1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine: A new scaffold for human neutrophil elastase (HNE) inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:5583-5595. [PMID: 30385225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a potent serine protease belonging to the chymotrypsin family. It is an important target for the development of novel and selective inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, especially pulmonary pathologies. Here, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of HNE inhibitors with a pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine scaffold, which is an isomer of our previously reported indazoles, in order to assess how a shift of the nitrogen from position 2 to position 7 influences activity. The majority of new compounds were effective HNE inhibitors and had IC50 values in the micromolar/submicromolar range, with some compounds active in low nanomolar levels. For example, 2a and 2b inhibited HNE with IC50 values of 15 and 14 nM, respectively. Molecular modeling of compounds differing in the position of heteroatom(s) in the bicyclic moiety and in the oxadiazole ring demonstrated that the calculated geometries of enzyme-inhibitor complexes were in agreement with the observed biological activities. Docking experiments showed that orientation of the active pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines in the HNE catalytic triad Ser195-His57-Asp102 correlated with effectiveness of the inhibitor interaction with the enzyme. Thus, the pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine scaffold represents a novel scaffold for the development of potent HNE inhibitors.
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