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Moore JC, Modell L, Glenn JR, Jones KD, Argent SP, Lane JR, Canals M, Lam HW. Enantioselective de novo synthesis of 14-hydroxy-6-oxomorphinans. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:6007-6010. [PMID: 38787679 PMCID: PMC11155717 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc01788a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The enantioselective de novo synthesis of pharmacologically important 14-hydroxy-6-oxomorphinans is described. 4,5-Desoxynaltrexone and 4,5-desoxynaloxone were prepared using this route and their biological activities against the opioid receptors were measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan C Moore
- The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Louis Modell
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jacqueline R Glenn
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
- Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Kieran D Jones
- The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stephen P Argent
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - J Robert Lane
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
- Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
- Centre of Membrane Protein and Receptors, Universities of Birmingham and Nottingham, The Midlands, UK
| | - Hon Wai Lam
- The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry, University of Nottingham, Jubilee Campus, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, UK.
- School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
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2
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Ötvös F, Szűcs E, Urai Á, Köteles I, Szabó PT, Varga ZK, Gombos D, Hosztafi S, Benyhe S. Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of 17-N-beta-aminoalkyl-4,5α-epoxynormorphinans. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20305. [PMID: 37985681 PMCID: PMC10660610 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46317-3] [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: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Opiate alkaloids and their synthetic derivatives are still widely used in pain management, drug addiction, and abuse. To avoid serious side effects, compounds with properly designed pharmacological profiles at the opioid receptor subtypes are long needed. Here a series of 17-N-substituted derivatives of normorphine and noroxymorphone analogues with five- and six-membered ring substituents have been synthesized for structure-activity study. Some compounds showed nanomolar affinity to MOR, DOR and KOR in in vitro competition binding experiments with selective agonists [3H]DAMGO, [3H]Ile5,6-deltorphin II and [3H]HS665, respectively. Pharmacological characterization of the compounds in G-protein signaling was determined by [35S]GTPγS binding assays. The normorphine analogues showed higher affinity to KOR compared to MOR and DOR, while most of the noroxymorphone derivatives did not bind to KOR. The presence of 14-OH substituent resulted in a shift in the pharmacological profiles in the agonist > partial agonist > antagonist direction compared to the parent compounds. A molecular docking-based in silico method was also applied to estimate the pharmacological profile of the compounds. Docking energies and the patterns of the interacting receptor atoms, obtained with experimentally determined active and inactive states of MOR, were used to explain the observed pharmacological features of the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Ötvös
- Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Edina Szűcs
- Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ákos Urai
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis Medical University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 9, 1092, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Köteles
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis Medical University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 9, 1092, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 19, 41390, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Pál T Szabó
- Research Centre for Natural Sciences, MS Metabolomics Research Laboratory, Magyar Tudósok Krt. 2, 1117, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Katalin Varga
- Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
- Theoretical Medical Doctoral School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Dávid Gombos
- Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
- Theoretical Medical Doctoral School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, 6726, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Sándor Hosztafi
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis Medical University, Hőgyes Endre Utca 9, 1092, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Benyhe
- Institute of Biochemistry, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Temesvári Krt. 62, 6726, Szeged, Hungary.
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Schmidhammer H, Al-Khrasani M, Fürst S, Spetea M. Peripheralization Strategies Applied to Morphinans and Implications for Improved Treatment of Pain. Molecules 2023; 28:4761. [PMID: 37375318 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioids are considered the most effective analgesics for the treatment of moderate to severe acute and chronic pain. However, the inadequate benefit/risk ratio of currently available opioids, together with the current 'opioid crisis', warrant consideration on new opioid analgesic discovery strategies. Targeting peripheral opioid receptors as effective means of treating pain and avoiding the centrally mediated side effects represents a research area of substantial and continuous attention. Among clinically used analgesics, opioids from the class of morphinans (i.e., morphine and structurally related analogues) are of utmost clinical importance as analgesic drugs activating the mu-opioid receptor. In this review, we focus on peripheralization strategies applied to N-methylmorphinans to limit their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus minimizing central exposure and the associated undesired side effects. Chemical modifications to the morphinan scaffold to increase hydrophilicity of known and new opioids, and nanocarrier-based approaches to selectively deliver opioids, such as morphine, to the peripheral tissue are discussed. The preclinical and clinical research activities have allowed for the characterization of a variety of compounds that show low central nervous system penetration, and therefore an improved side effect profile, yet maintaining the desired opioid-related antinociceptive activity. Such peripheral opioid analgesics may represent alternatives to presently available drugs for an efficient and safer pain therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mahmoud Al-Khrasani
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1445 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Susanna Fürst
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1445 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Mind the Gap—Deciphering GPCR Pharmacology Using 3D Pharmacophores and Artificial Intelligence. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15111304. [DOI: 10.3390/ph15111304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are amongst the most pharmaceutically relevant and well-studied protein targets, yet unanswered questions in the field leave significant gaps in our understanding of their nuanced structure and function. Three-dimensional pharmacophore models are powerful computational tools in in silico drug discovery, presenting myriad opportunities for the integration of GPCR structural biology and cheminformatics. This review highlights success stories in the application of 3D pharmacophore modeling to de novo drug design, the discovery of biased and allosteric ligands, scaffold hopping, QSAR analysis, hit-to-lead optimization, GPCR de-orphanization, mechanistic understanding of GPCR pharmacology and the elucidation of ligand–receptor interactions. Furthermore, advances in the incorporation of dynamics and machine learning are highlighted. The review will analyze challenges in the field of GPCR drug discovery, detailing how 3D pharmacophore modeling can be used to address them. Finally, we will present opportunities afforded by 3D pharmacophore modeling in the advancement of our understanding and targeting of GPCRs.
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5
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Gorbachev D, Smith E, Argent SP, Newton GN, Lam HW. Synthesis of New Morphinan Opioids by TBADT-Catalyzed Photochemical Functionalization at the Carbon Skeleton. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202201478. [PMID: 35661287 PMCID: PMC9544987 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202201478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The synthesis of new morphinan opioids by the addition of photochemically generated carbon-centered radicals to substrates containing an enone in the morphinan C-ring, is described. Using tetrabutylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) as a hydrogen atom transfer photocatalyst, diverse radical donors can be used to prepare a variety of C8-functionalized morphinan opioids. This work demonstrates the late-stage modification of complex, highly functionalized substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Gorbachev
- The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamJubilee Campus, Triumph RoadNottinghamNG7 2TUUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamUniversity ParkNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - Elliot Smith
- The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamJubilee Campus, Triumph RoadNottinghamNG7 2TUUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamUniversity ParkNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - Stephen P. Argent
- School of ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamUniversity ParkNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - Graham N. Newton
- The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamJubilee Campus, Triumph RoadNottinghamNG7 2TUUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamUniversity ParkNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
| | - Hon Wai Lam
- The GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamJubilee Campus, Triumph RoadNottinghamNG7 2TUUK
- School of ChemistryUniversity of NottinghamUniversity ParkNottinghamNG7 2RDUK
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6
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Tűz B, Noszál B, Hosztafi S, Mazák K. β-cyclodextrin complex formation and protonation equilibria of morphine and other opioid compounds of therapeutic interest. Eur J Pharm Sci 2022; 171:106120. [PMID: 34999212 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2022.106120] [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: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The inclusion complex formation of morphine and its 18 opioid derivatives with β-cyclodextrin has been studied using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Initially, the protonation equilibria and the acid-base properties of dibasic opioid compounds have been fully characterized. Apparent protonation constants and the relative concentration of the microspecies in cyclodextrin excess were also determined. The 1:1 complex stoichiometry was confirmed by the continuous variation method of Job using UV-VIS spectroscopy. The stability constants of the different protonation forms were determined by 1H NMR titrations. The highest stability was observed in highly alkaline solutions where the amino group is in its unprotonated, neutral state. The structures of the complexes were investigated by two-dimensional ROESY experiments. Based on the stability constants and ROESY experiments, morphine derivatives with longer side chain on the nitrogen atom such as nalbuphine and naltrexone show stronger complexation. The protonation state of the phenolate group, positioned outside the CD cavity, has only a slight influence on the complex stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boglárka Tűz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre u. 9., Budapest H-1092, Hungary
| | - Béla Noszál
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre u. 9., Budapest H-1092, Hungary
| | - Sándor Hosztafi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre u. 9., Budapest H-1092, Hungary
| | - Károly Mazák
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes Endre u. 9., Budapest H-1092, Hungary.
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Spetea M, Schmidhammer H. Recent Chemical and Pharmacological Developments on 14-Oxygenated- N-methylmorphinan-6-ones. Molecules 2021; 26:5677. [PMID: 34577147 PMCID: PMC8464912 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adequate pain management, particularly chronic pain, remains a major challenge associated with modern-day medicine. Current pharmacotherapy offers unsatisfactory long-term solutions due to serious side effects related to the chronic administration of analgesic drugs. Morphine and structurally related derivatives (e.g., oxycodone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine) are highly effective opioid analgesics, mediating their effects via the activation of opioid receptors, with the mu-opioid receptor subtype as the primary molecular target. However, they also cause addiction and overdose deaths, which has led to a global opioid crisis in the last decades. Therefore, research efforts are needed to overcome the limitations of present pain therapies with the aim to improve treatment efficacy and to reduce complications. This review presents recent chemical and pharmacological advances on 14-oxygenated-N-methylmorphinan-6-ones, in the search of safer pain therapeutics. We focus on drug design strategies and structure-activity relationships on specific modifications in positions 5, 6, 14 and 17 on the morphinan skeleton, with the goal of aiding the discovery of opioid analgesics with more favorable pharmacological properties, potent analgesia and fewer undesirable effects. Targeted molecular modifications on the morphinan scaffold can afford novel opioids as bi- or multifunctional ligands targeting multiple opioid receptors, as attractive alternatives to mu-opioid receptor selective analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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8
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Gálvez JA, Badorrey R, Mahía A, Díaz-de-Villegas MD. Asymmetric synthesis of (1R,5S)-2-methyl-6,7-benzomorphan via Aza-Prins reaction. Chirality 2021; 33:543-548. [PMID: 34279050 DOI: 10.1002/chir.23338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
(1R,5S)-2-Methyl-6,7-benzomorphan has been synthesised from (R)-(benzyloxy)(phenyl)acetaldehyde. On a 2-mmol scale Bi (OTf)3 promoted Aza-Prins reaction with N-tosylhomoallylamine afforded an 88/12 mixture of 6-oxa-2-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octanes. Major diastereoisomer was converted to enantiomerically pure (2S,4S)-2-benzyl-1- methylpiperidin-4-ol via a high-yielding sequence hydrogenolysis/N-detosylation/N-methylation. Acid-catalysed intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclisation of the piperidinol afforded (1R,5S)-2-methyl-6,7-benzomorphan in five steps with a yield of 25%.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Gálvez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC - Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Ramón Badorrey
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC - Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandro Mahía
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Biocomputation and Complex Systems Physics Institute (BIFI). Joint Unit IQFR-CSIC-BIFI, Joint Unit EEAD-CSIC-BIFI, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María D Díaz-de-Villegas
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH), CSIC - Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
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9
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Spetea M, Schmidhammer H. Kappa Opioid Receptor Ligands and Pharmacology: Diphenethylamines, a Class of Structurally Distinct, Selective Kappa Opioid Ligands. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 271:163-195. [PMID: 33454858 DOI: 10.1007/164_2020_431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The kappa opioid receptor (KOR), a G protein-coupled receptor, and its endogenous ligands, the dynorphins, are prominent members of the opioid neuromodulatory system. The endogenous kappa opioid system is expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems, and has a key role in modulating pain in central and peripheral neuronal circuits and a wide array of physiological functions and neuropsychiatric behaviors (e.g., stress, reward, emotion, motivation, cognition, epileptic seizures, itch, and diuresis). We review the latest advances in pharmacology of the KOR, chemical developments on KOR ligands with advances and challenges, and therapeutic and potential applications of KOR ligands. Diverse discovery strategies of KOR ligands targeting natural, naturally derived, and synthetic compounds with different scaffolds, as small molecules or peptides, with short or long-acting pharmacokinetics, and central or peripheral site of action, are discussed. These research efforts led to ligands with distinct pharmacological properties, as agonists, partial agonists, biased agonists, and antagonists. Differential modulation of KOR signaling represents a promising strategy for developing pharmacotherapies for several human diseases, either by activating (treatment of pain, pruritus, and epilepsy) or blocking (treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction) the receptor. We focus on the recent chemical and pharmacological advances on diphenethylamines, a new class of structurally distinct, selective KOR ligands. Design strategies and investigations to define structure-activity relationships together with in vivo pharmacology of diphenethylamines as agonists, biased agonists, and antagonists and their potential use as therapeutics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Schmidhammer H, Erli F, Guerrieri E, Spetea M. Development of Diphenethylamines as Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Ligands and Their Pharmacological Activities. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25215092. [PMID: 33147885 PMCID: PMC7663249 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the opioid receptors, the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) has been gaining substantial attention as a promising molecular target for the treatment of numerous human disorders, including pain, pruritus, affective disorders (i.e., depression and anxiety), drug addiction, and neurological diseases (i.e., epilepsy). Particularly, the knowledge that activation of the KOR, opposite to the mu opioid receptor (MOR), does not produce euphoria or leads to respiratory depression or overdose, has stimulated the interest in discovering ligands targeting the KOR as novel pharmacotherapeutics. However, the KOR mediates the negative side effects of dysphoria/aversion, sedation, and psychotomimesis, with the therapeutic promise of biased agonism (i.e., selective activation of beneficial over deleterious signaling pathways) for designing safer KOR therapeutics without the liabilities of conventional KOR agonists. In this review, the development of new KOR ligands from the class of diphenethylamines is presented. Specifically, we describe the design strategies, synthesis, and pharmacological activities of differently substituted diphenethylamines, where structure–activity relationships have been extensively studied. Ligands with distinct profiles as potent and selective agonists, G protein-biased agonists, and selective antagonists, and their potential use as therapeutic agents (i.e., pain treatment) and research tools are described.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics, Opioid/chemistry
- Analgesics, Opioid/therapeutic use
- Humans
- Ligands
- Pain/drug therapy
- Pain/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/metabolism
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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11
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Kaserer T, Steinacher T, Kainhofer R, Erli F, Sturm S, Waltenberger B, Schuster D, Spetea M. Identification and characterization of plant-derived alkaloids, corydine and corydaline, as novel mu opioid receptor agonists. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13804. [PMID: 32796875 PMCID: PMC7427800 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70493-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pain remains a key therapeutic area with intensive efforts directed toward finding effective and safer analgesics in light of the ongoing opioid crisis. Amongst the neurotransmitter systems involved in pain perception and modulation, the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), a G protein-coupled receptor, represents one of the most important targets for achieving effective pain relief. Most clinically used opioid analgesics are agonists to the MOR, but they can also cause severe side effects. Medicinal plants represent important sources of new drug candidates, with morphine and its semisynthetic analogues as well-known examples as analgesic drugs. In this study, combining in silico (pharmacophore-based virtual screening and docking) and pharmacological (in vitro binding and functional assays, and behavioral tests) approaches, we report on the discovery of two naturally occurring plant alkaloids, corydine and corydaline, as new MOR agonists that produce antinociceptive effects in mice after subcutaneous administration via a MOR-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, corydine and corydaline were identified as G protein-biased agonists to the MOR without inducing β-arrestin2 recruitment upon receptor activation. Thus, these new scaffolds represent valuable starting points for future chemical optimization towards the development of novel opioid analgesics, which may exhibit improved therapeutic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Kaserer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Theresa Steinacher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roman Kainhofer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Filippo Erli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sonja Sturm
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Birgit Waltenberger
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. .,Department of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 22, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
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12
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N-Phenethyl Substitution in 14-Methoxy-N-methylmorphinan-6-ones Turns Selective µ Opioid Receptor Ligands into Dual µ/δ Opioid Receptor Agonists. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5653. [PMID: 32221355 PMCID: PMC7101422 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62530-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine and structurally-derived compounds are µ opioid receptor (µOR) agonists, and the most effective analgesic drugs. However, their usefulness is limited by serious side effects, including dependence and abuse potential. The N-substituent in morphinans plays an important role in opioid activities in vitro and in vivo. This study presents the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new N-phenethyl substituted 14-O-methylmorphinan-6-ones. Whereas substitution of the N-methyl substituent in morphine (1) and oxymorphone (2) by an N-phenethyl group enhances binding affinity, selectivity and agonist potency at the µOR of 1a and 2a, the N-phenethyl substitution in 14-methoxy-N-methylmorphinan-6-ones (3 and 4) converts selective µOR ligands into dual µ/δOR agonists (3a and 4a). Contrary to N-methylmorphinans 1–4, the N-phenethyl substituted morphinans 1a–4a produce effective and potent antinociception without motor impairment in mice. Using docking and molecular dynamics simulations with the µOR, we establish that N-methylmorphinans 1–4 and their N-phenethyl counterparts 1a–4a share several essential receptor-ligand interactions, but also interaction pattern differences related to specific structural features, thus providing a structural basis for their pharmacological profiles. The emerged structure-activity relationships in this class of morphinans provide important information for tuning in vitro and in vivo opioid activities towards discovery of effective and safer analgesics.
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13
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Chen W, Brenner M, Aziz M, Chavan SS, Deutschman CS, Diamond B, Pavlov VA, Sherry B, Wang P, Tracey KJ, Wang H. Buprenorphine Markedly Elevates a Panel of Surrogate Markers in a Murine Model of Sepsis. Shock 2019; 52:550-553. [PMID: 31486774 PMCID: PMC6791512 DOI: 10.1097/shk.0000000000001361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis can be simulated in animals by perforating the cecum via a surgical procedure termed "cecal ligation and puncture" (CLP), which induces similar inflammatory responses as observed during the clinical course of human sepsis. In addition to anesthetic agents, many Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees often recommend the use of additional analgesic agents (such as opioid) to further augment the initial anesthetic effects. However, emerging evidence suggest that a commonly recommended opioid, buprenorphine, dramatically elevated circulating interleukin (IL)-6 levels, and reduced animal survival in male C57BL/6 mice, but not in female mice possibly due to the complex interference of estrous cycles, fueling an ongoing debate regarding the possible impact of analgesic administration on the sepsis-induced systemic inflammation. As per the recommendation of a local government agency, we performed a pilot study and confirmed that repetitive administration of buprenorphine indeed markedly elevated circulating levels of four sepsis surrogate markers (e.g., IL-6, KC, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) in 20% to 60% of septic animals. This complication may adversely jeopardize our ability to use the CLP model to reliably simulate human sepsis, and to understand the complex mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of lethal sepsis. Thus, for experimental sepsis studies set to survey systemic inflammation and animal lethality at relatively later stages (e.g., at 24 h post CLP and beyond), we strongly recommend not to repetitively administer buprenorphine to eliminate its potential complication to animal sepsis models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Chen
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Max Brenner
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Monowar Aziz
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Sangeeta S. Chavan
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Clifford S. Deutschman
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Betty Diamond
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Valentin A. Pavlov
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Barbara Sherry
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Ping Wang
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Kevin J. Tracey
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Haichao Wang
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York
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14
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Mazák K, Noszál B, Hosztafi S. Advances in the Physicochemical Profiling of Opioid Compounds of Therapeutic Interest. ChemistryOpen 2019; 8:879-887. [PMID: 31312587 PMCID: PMC6610444 DOI: 10.1002/open.201900115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on recent developments in the physicochemical profiling of morphine and other opioids. The acid-base properties and lipophilicity of these compounds is discussed at the microscopic, species-specific level. Examples are provided where this type of information can reveal the mechanism of pharmacokinetic processes at the submolecular level. The role of lipophilicity in quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies of opioids is reviewed. The physicochemical properties and pharmacology of the main metabolites of morphine are also discussed. Recent studies indicate that the active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) can contribute to the analgesic activity of systemically administered morphine. The unexpectedly high lipophilicity of M6G partly accounts for its analgesic activity. When administered parenterally, another suspected minor metabolite, morphine-6-sulfate (M6S) has superior antinociceptive effects to those of morphine. However, because sulfate esters of morphine derivatives cannot cross the blood-brain barrier these esters may be good candidates to develop peripheral analgesic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Károly Mazák
- Semmelweis UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Research Group of Drugs of Abuse and Doping Agents, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Hőgyes E. u. 9.H-1092BudapestHungary
| | - Béla Noszál
- Semmelweis UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Research Group of Drugs of Abuse and Doping Agents, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Hőgyes E. u. 9.H-1092BudapestHungary
| | - Sándor Hosztafi
- Semmelweis UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Research Group of Drugs of Abuse and Doping Agents, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Hőgyes E. u. 9.H-1092BudapestHungary
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15
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Devereaux AL, Mercer SL, Cunningham CW. DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Morphine. ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:2395-2407. [PMID: 29757600 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As the major psychoactive agent in opium and direct precursor for heroin, morphine is a historically critical molecule in chemical neuroscience. A structurally complex phenanthrene alkaloid produced by Papaver somniferum, morphine has fascinated chemists seeking to disentangle pharmacologically beneficial analgesic effects from addiction, tolerance, and dependence liabilities. In this review, we will detail the history of morphine, from the first extraction and isolation by Sertürner in 1804 to the illicit use of morphine and proliferation of opioid use and abuse disorders currently ravaging the United States. Morphine is a molecule of great cultural relevance, as the agent that single-handedly transformed our understanding of pharmacognosy, receptor dynamics, and substance abuse and dependence disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Devereaux
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wisconsin 53097, United States
| | - Susan L. Mercer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee 37204, United States
| | - Christopher W. Cunningham
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wisconsin 53097, United States
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16
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Lattanzi R, Rief S, Schmidhammer H, Negri L, Spetea M. In vitro and in vivo Pharmacological Activities of 14- O-Phenylpropyloxymorphone, a Potent Mixed Mu/Delta/Kappa-Opioid Receptor Agonist With Reduced Constipation in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1002. [PMID: 30233377 PMCID: PMC6127270 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain, particularly chronic pain, is still an unsolved medical condition. Central goals in pain control are to provide analgesia of adequate efficacy and to reduce complications associated with the currently available drugs. Opioids are the mainstay for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. However, opioid pain medications also cause detrimental side effects, thus highlighting the need of innovative and safer analgesics. Opioids mediate their actions via the activation of opioid receptors, with the mu-opioid receptor as the primary target for analgesia, but also for side effects. One long-standing focus of drug discovery is the pursuit for new opioids exhibiting a favorable dissociation between analgesia and adverse effects. In this study, we describe the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profiles of the 14-O-phenylpropyl substituted analog of the mu-opioid agonist 14-O-methyloxymorphone (14-OMO). The consequence of the substitution of the 14-O-methyl in 14-OMO with a 14-O-phenylpropyl group on in vitro binding and functional activity, and in vivo behavioral properties (nociception and gastrointestinal motility) was investigated. In binding studies, 14-O-phenylpropyloxymorphone (POMO) displayed very high affinity at mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors (Ki values in nM, mu:delta:kappa = 0.073:0.13:0.30) in rodent brain membranes, with complete loss of mu-receptor selectivity compared to 14-OMO. In guinea-pig ileum and mouse vas deferens bioassays, POMO was a highly efficacious and full agonist, being more potent than 14-OMO. In the [35S]GTPγS binding assays with membranes from CHO cells expressing human opioid receptors, POMO was a potent mu/delta-receptor full agonist and a kappa-receptor partial agonist. In vivo, POMO was highly effective in acute thermal nociception (hot-plate test, AD50 = 0.7 nmol/kg) in mice after subcutaneous administration, with over 70- and 9000-fold increased potency than 14-OMO and morphine, respectively. POMO-induced antinociception is mediated through the activation of the mu-opioid receptor, and it does not involve delta- and kappa-opioid receptors. In the charcoal test, POMO produced fourfold less inhibition of the gastrointestinal transit than 14-OMO and morphine. In summary, POMO emerges as a new potent mixed mu/delta/kappa-opioid receptor agonist with reduced liability to cause constipation at antinociceptive doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Lattanzi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer,” Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Rief
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lucia Negri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer,” Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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17
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Ahonen TJ, Rinne M, Grutschreiber P, Mätlik K, Airavaara M, Schaarschmidt D, Lang H, Reiss D, Xhaard H, Gaveriaux-Ruff C, Yli-Kauhaluoma J, Moreira VM. Synthesis of 7β-hydroxy-8-ketone opioid derivatives with antagonist activity at mu- and delta-opioid receptors. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 151:495-507. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.02.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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18
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Dumitrascuta M, Ben Haddou T, Guerrieri E, Noha SM, Schläfer L, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Synthesis, Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking Studies on 6-Desoxo-N-methylmorphinans as Potent μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists. J Med Chem 2017; 60:9407-9412. [PMID: 29053268 PMCID: PMC5706069 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Position 6 of the morphinan skeleton plays a key role in the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) activity in vitro and in vivo. We describe the consequence of the 6-carbonyl group deletion in N-methylmorphinan-6-ones 1-4 on ligand-MOR interaction, signaling, and antinociception. While 6-desoxo compounds 1a, 2a, and 4a show similar profiles to their 6-keto counterparts, the 6-desoxo-14-benzyloxy substituted 3a displays significantly increased MOR binding and agonist potency and a distinct binding mode compared with its analogue 3.
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MESH Headings
- Analgesics/chemical synthesis
- Analgesics/pharmacology
- Animals
- CHO Cells
- Cell Membrane/physiology
- Cricetulus
- Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-/pharmacology
- Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate)/physiology
- Ligands
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Morphinans/chemical synthesis
- Morphinans/pharmacology
- Receptors, Opioid, delta/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, kappa/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/agonists
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/chemistry
- Receptors, Opioid, mu/metabolism
- Structure-Activity Relationship
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elena Guerrieri
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Stefan M. Noha
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lea Schläfer
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences
Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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19
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Noha SM, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, and Structure-Activity Relationship Explorations of 14-Oxygenated N-Methylmorphinan-6-ones as Potent μ-Opioid Receptor Agonists. ACS Chem Neurosci 2017; 8:1327-1337. [PMID: 28125215 PMCID: PMC5481819 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.6b00460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Among opioids, morphinans
are of major importance as the most effective
analgesic drugs acting primarily via μ-opioid receptor (μ-OR)
activation. Our long-standing efforts in the field of opioid analgesics
from the class of morphinans led to N-methylmorphinan-6-ones
differently substituted at positions 5 and 14 as μ-OR agonists
inducing potent analgesia and fewer undesirable effects. Herein we
present the first thorough molecular modeling study and structure–activity
relationship (SAR) explorations aided by docking and molecular dynamics
(MD) simulations of 14-oxygenated N-methylmorphinan-6-ones
to gain insights into their mode of binding to the μ-OR and
interaction mechanisms. The structure of activated μ-OR provides
an essential model for how ligand/μ-OR binding is encoded within
small chemical differences in otherwise structurally similar morphinans.
We reveal important molecular interactions that these μ-agonists
share and distinguish them. The molecular docking outcomes indicate
the crucial role of the relative orientation of the ligand in the
μ-OR binding site, influencing the propensity of critical non-covalent
interactions that are required to facilitate ligand/μ-OR interactions
and receptor activation. The MD simulations point out minor differences
in the tendency to form hydrogen bonds by the 4,5α-epoxy group,
along with the tendency to affect the 3–7 lock switch. The
emerged SARs reveal the subtle interplay between the substituents
at positions 5 and 14 in the morphinan scaffold by enabling the identification
of key structural elements that determine the distinct pharmacological
profiles. This study provides a significant structural basis for understanding
ligand binding and μ-OR activation by the 14-oxygenated N-methylmorphinan-6-ones, which should be useful for guiding
drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan M. Noha
- Computer-Aided
Molecular Design (CAMD) Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,
Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck
(CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Opioid
Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute
of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Opioid
Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute
of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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20
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Kaserer T, Lantero A, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M, Schuster D. μ Opioid receptor: novel antagonists and structural modeling. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21548. [PMID: 26888328 PMCID: PMC4757823 DOI: 10.1038/srep21548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The μ opioid receptor (MOR) is a prominent member of the G protein-coupled receptor family and the molecular target of morphine and other opioid drugs. Despite the long tradition of MOR-targeting drugs, still little is known about the ligand-receptor interactions and structure-function relationships underlying the distinct biological effects upon receptor activation or inhibition. With the resolved crystal structure of the β-funaltrexamine-MOR complex, we aimed at the discovery of novel agonists and antagonists using virtual screening tools, i.e. docking, pharmacophore- and shape-based modeling. We suggest important molecular interactions, which active molecules share and distinguish agonists and antagonists. These results allowed for the generation of theoretically validated in silico workflows that were employed for prospective virtual screening. Out of 18 virtual hits evaluated in in vitro pharmacological assays, three displayed antagonist activity and the most active compound significantly inhibited morphine-induced antinociception. The new identified chemotypes hold promise for further development into neurochemical tools for studying the MOR or as potential therapeutic lead candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Kaserer
- Computer-Aided Molecular Design Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Aquilino Lantero
- Opioid Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Opioid Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Opioid Research Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Daniela Schuster
- Computer-Aided Molecular Design Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), University of Innsbruck, Innrain 80-82, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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21
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High-dose pentazocine antagonizes the antinociception induced by high-dose morphine. Life Sci 2015; 130:1-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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22
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Ben Haddou T, Béni S, Hosztafi S, Malfacini D, Calo G, Schmidhammer H, Spetea M. Pharmacological investigations of N-substituent variation in morphine and oxymorphone: opioid receptor binding, signaling and antinociceptive activity. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99231. [PMID: 24919067 PMCID: PMC4053365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphine and structurally related derivatives are highly effective analgesics, and the mainstay in the medical management of moderate to severe pain. Pharmacological actions of opioid analgesics are primarily mediated through agonism at the µ opioid peptide (MOP) receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor. Position 17 in morphine has been one of the most manipulated sites on the scaffold and intensive research has focused on replacements of the 17-methyl group with other substituents. Structural variations at the N-17 of the morphinan skeleton led to a diversity of molecules appraised as valuable and potential therapeutics and important research probes. Discovery of therapeutically useful morphine-like drugs has also targeted the C-6 hydroxyl group, with oxymorphone as one of the clinically relevant opioid analgesics, where a carbonyl instead of a hydroxyl group is present at position 6. Herein, we describe the effect of N-substituent variation in morphine and oxymorphone on in vitro and in vivo biological properties and the emerging structure-activity relationships. We show that the presence of a N-phenethyl group in position 17 is highly favorable in terms of improved affinity and selectivity at the MOP receptor, potent agonism and antinociceptive efficacy. The N-phenethyl derivatives of morphine and oxymorphone were very potent in stimulating G protein coupling and intracellular calcium release through the MOP receptor. In vivo, they were highly effective against acute thermal nociception in mice with marked increased antinociceptive potency compared to the lead molecules. It was also demonstrated that a carbonyl group at position 6 is preferable to a hydroxyl function in these N-phenethyl derivatives, enhancing MOP receptor affinity and agonist potency in vitro and in vivo. These results expand the understanding of the impact of different moieties at the morphinan nitrogen on ligand-receptor interaction, molecular mode of action and signaling, and may be instrumental to the development of new opioid therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanila Ben Haddou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Szabolcs Béni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Hosztafi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Davide Malfacini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Italian Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Helmut Schmidhammer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mariana Spetea
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy and Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- * E-mail:
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23
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Giacometti RD, Duchek J, Werner L, Husni AS, McCurdy CR, Cutler SJ, Cox DP, Hudlicky T. Heteroatom analogues of hydrocodone: synthesis and biological activity. J Org Chem 2013; 78:2914-25. [PMID: 23397939 PMCID: PMC3618612 DOI: 10.1021/jo3026753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Heteroatom analogues of hydrocodone, in which the N-methyl functionality was replaced with oxygen, sulfur, sulfoxide, and sulfone, were prepared by a short sequence from the ethylene glycol ketal of hydrocodone; a carbocyclic analogue of bisnorhydrocodone was also prepared. The compounds were tested for receptor binding and revealed moderate levels of activity for the sulfone analogue of hydrocodone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert D. Giacometti
- Chemistry Department and Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Jan Duchek
- Chemistry Department and Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Lukas Werner
- Chemistry Department and Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
| | - Afeef S. Husni
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, 419 Faser Hall The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Christopher R. McCurdy
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, 419 Faser Hall The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - Stephen J. Cutler
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, 419 Faser Hall The University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
| | - D. Phillip Cox
- Noramco, Inc., 503 Carr Road, Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19809, USA
| | - Tomas Hudlicky
- Chemistry Department and Centre for Biotechnology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines, Ontario L2S 3A1, Canada
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24
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Design and synthesis of an ¹⁸F-labeled version of phenylethyl orvinol ([¹⁸F]FE-PEO) for PET-imaging of opioid receptors. Molecules 2012; 17:11554-69. [PMID: 23023682 PMCID: PMC6268392 DOI: 10.3390/molecules171011554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The semisynthetic oripavine derivative phenethyl orvinol (PEO), a full agonist at opioid receptors (OR), is an attractive structural motif for developing 18F-labeled PET tracers with a high degree of sensitivity for competition between endogenous and exogenous OR-ligands. The target cold reference compound 6-O-(2-fluoroethyl)-6-O-desmethylphenylethyl orvinol (FE-PEO) was obtained via two separate reaction routes. A three-step synthesis was developed for the preparation of a tosyloxyethyl precursor (TE-TDPEO), the key precursor for a direct, nucleophilic radiofluorination to yield [18F]FE-PEO. The developed radiosynthesis provides the target compound in relevantly high yield and purity, and is adaptable to routine production.
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25
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Shu H, Hayashida M, Arita H, Huang W, Zhang H, An K, Wu G, Hanaoka K. Pentazocine-induced antinociception is mediated mainly by μ-opioid receptors and compromised by κ-opioid receptors in mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2011; 338:579-87. [PMID: 21543510 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.111.179879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pentazocine is a widely used mixed agonist-antagonist opioid. Previous animal studies have demonstrated that pentazocine-induced antinociception displayed a ceiling effect characterized by biphasic dose response with a increasing and then descending analgesia like a bell-shaped curve. This study attempted to clarify the mechanisms underlying such dose-response relationships. ddY and C57BL/6J mice received subcutaneous injection of saline or pentazocine (3, 10, 30, 56, or 100 mg · kg(-1)), at 120 min after subcutaneous injection of saline, a μ-opioid receptor antagonist clocinnamox mesylate (C-CAM) (5 mg · kg(-1)), a κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI) (10 mg · kg(-1)), or the combination of C-CAM and nor-BNI. The antinociceptive effects of pentazocine were evaluated using tail pressure, hot plate, tail flick, and acetic acid writhing tests. Without pretreatment with an opioid receptor antagonist, the antinociceptive effects of pentazocine exhibited biphasic bell-shaped dose-response curves peaking at 30 mg · kg(-1). C-CAM completely and partly antagonized the antinociception induced by pentazocine at low (3-30 mg · kg(-1)) and high (56-100 mg · kg(-1)) doses, respectively. nor-BNI enhanced the antinociception by pentazocine at high doses and turned the later descending portion of the biphasic dose-response curves into a sigmoid curve. The combination of C-CAM and nor-BNI completely abolished the antinociception by pentazocine at all doses. Our results suggest pentazocine produces antinociception primarily via activation of μ-opioid receptors, but at high doses, this μ-opioid receptor-mediated antinociception is antagonized by concomitant activation of κ-opioid receptors. This provides the first reasonable hypothesis to explain the ceiling effects of pentazocine analgesia characterized by a biphasic dose response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihua Shu
- Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 58 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
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Goldberg JS. Stereochemical basis for a unified structure activity theory of aromatic and heterocyclic rings in selected opioids and opioid peptides. PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2010; 4:1-10. [PMID: 20212915 PMCID: PMC2832284 DOI: 10.4137/pmc.s3898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents a novel unified theory of the structure activity relationship of opioids and opioid peptides. It is hypothesized that a virtual or known heterocyclic ring exists in all opioids which have activity in humans, and this ring occupies relative to the aromatic ring of the drug, approximately the same plane in space as the piperidine ring of morphine. Since the rings of morphine are rigid, and the aromatic and piperidine rings are critical structural components for morphine's analgesic properties, the rigid morphine molecule allows for approximations of the aromatic and heterocyclic relationships in subsequent drug models where bond rotations are common. This hypothesis and five propositions are supported by stereochemistry and experimental observations.Proposition #1 The structure of morphine provides a template. Proposition #2 Steric hindrance of some centric portion of the piperidine ring explains antagonist properties of naloxone, naltrexone and alvimopam. Proposition #3 Methadone has an active conformation which contains a virtual heterocyclic ring which explains its analgesic activity and racemic properties. Proposition #4 The piperidine ring of fentanyl can assume the morphine position under conditions of nitrogen inversion. Proposition #5 The first 3 amino acid sequences of beta endorphin (l-try-gly-gly) and the active opioid dipeptide, l-tyr-pro, (as a result of a peptide turn and zwitterion bonding) form a virtual piperazine-like ring which is similar in size, shape and location to the heterocyclic rings of morphine, meperidine, and methadone. Potential flaws in this theory are discussed.This theory could be important for future analgesic drug design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel S Goldberg
- Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Duke University School of Medicine
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Synthesis of 14-alkoxymorphinan derivatives and their pharmacological actions. Top Curr Chem (Cham) 2010; 299:63-91. [PMID: 21630508 DOI: 10.1007/128_2010_77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Among opioids, morphinans play an important role as therapeutically valuable drugs. They include pain relieving agents such as naturally occurring alkaloids (e.g. morphine, codeine), semisynthetic derivatives (e.g. oxycodone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine), and synthetic analogs (e.g. levorphanol). Currently used opioid analgesics also share a number of severe side effects, limiting their clinical usefulness. The antagonist morphinans, naloxone and naltrexone are used to treat opioid overdose, opioid dependence, and alcoholism. All these opioid drugs produce their biological actions through three receptor types, mu, delta, and kappa, belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor family. Considerable effort has been put forward to understand the appropriate use of opioid analgesics, while medicinal chemistry and opioid pharmacology have been continuously engaged in the search for safer, more efficacious and nonaddicting opioid compounds, with the final goal to reduce complications and to improve patient compliance. Toward this goal, recent advances in chemistry, ligand-based structure activity relationships and pharmacology of 14-alkoxymorphinans are reviewed in this chapter. Current developments of different structural patterns of 14-alkoxymorphinans as research tools and their potential therapeutic opportunities are also summarized.
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