1
|
Shim SY. Late-Stage C-H Activation of Drug (Derivative) Molecules with Pd(ll) Catalysis. Chemistry 2023; 29:e202302620. [PMID: 37846586 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302620] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
This review comprehensively analyses representative examples of Pd(II)-catalyzed late-stage C-H activation reactions and demonstrates their efficacy in converting C-H bonds at multiple positions within drug (derivative) molecules into diverse functional groups. These transformative reactions hold immense potential in medicinal chemistry, enabling the efficient and selective functionalization of specific sites within drug molecules, thereby enhancing their pharmacological activity and expanding the scope of potential drug candidates. Although notable articles have focused on late-stage C-H functionalization reactions of drug-like molecules using transition-metal catalysts, reviews specifically focusing on late-stage C-H functionalization reactions of drug (derivative) molecules using Pd(II) catalysts are required owing to their prominence as the most widely utilized metal catalysts for C-H activation and their ability to introduce a myriad of functional groups at specific C-H bonds. The utilization of Pd-catalyzed C-H activation methodologies demonstrates impressive success in introducing various functional groups, such as cyano (CN), fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), aromatic rings, olefin, alkyl, alkyne, and hydroxyl groups, to drug (derivative) molecules with high regioselectivity and functional-group tolerance. These breakthroughs in late-stage C-H activation reactions serve as invaluable tools for drug discovery and development, thereby offering strategic options to optimize drug candidates and drive the exploration of innovative therapeutic solutions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su Yong Shim
- Infectious Diseases Therapeutic Research Center Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) KRICT School, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 34114, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kim H, Lim T, Ha GE, Lee JY, Kim JW, Chang N, Kim SH, Kim KH, Lee J, Cho Y, Kim BW, Abrahamsson A, Kim SH, Kim HJ, Park S, Lee SJ, Park J, Cheong E, Kim BM, Cho HS. Structure-based drug discovery of a corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 antagonist using an X-ray free-electron laser. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:2039-2050. [PMID: 37653040 PMCID: PMC10545732 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01082-1] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Thus far, attempts to develop drugs that target corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRF1R), a drug target in stress-related therapy, have been unsuccessful. Studies have focused on using high-resolution G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structures to develop drugs. X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs), which prevent radiation damage and provide access to high-resolution compositions, have helped accelerate GPCR structural studies. We elucidated the crystal structure of CRF1R complexed with a BMK-I-152 antagonist at 2.75 Å using fixed-target serial femtosecond crystallography. The results revealed that two unique hydrogen bonds are present in the hydrogen bond network, the stalk region forms an alpha helix and the hydrophobic network contains an antagonist binding site. We then developed two antagonists-BMK-C203 and BMK-C205-and determined the CRF1R/BMK-C203 and CRF1R/BMK-C205 complex structures at 2.6 and 2.2 Å, respectively. BMK-C205 exerted significant antidepressant effects in mice and, thus, may be utilized to effectively identify structure-based drugs against CRF1R.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hoyoung Kim
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Taehyun Lim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Go Eun Ha
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee-Young Lee
- New Drug Development Center (NDDC), Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K-Medi hub), 80 Chumbok-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, 41061, Korea
| | - Jun-Woo Kim
- New Drug Development Center (NDDC), Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K-Medi hub), 80 Chumbok-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, 41061, Korea
| | - Nienping Chang
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyun Kim
- Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Sogang University, Seoul, 04107, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Hun Kim
- Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeick Lee
- Doping Control Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongju Cho
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Wook Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Alva Abrahamsson
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Hwan Kim
- New Drug Development Center (NDDC), Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K-Medi hub), 80 Chumbok-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, 41061, Korea
| | - Hyo-Ji Kim
- New Drug Development Center (NDDC), Daegu Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation (K-Medi hub), 80 Chumbok-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu, 41061, Korea
| | - Sehan Park
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, POSTECH, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jae Lee
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, POSTECH, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyun Park
- Pohang Accelerator Laboratory, POSTECH, Pohang, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunji Cheong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - B Moon Kim
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyun-Soo Cho
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Major benznidazole metabolites in patients treated for Chagas disease: Mass spectrometry-based identification, structural analysis and detoxification pathways. Toxicol Lett 2023; 377:71-82. [PMID: 36775077 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.02.001] [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: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Benznidazole is the drug of choice for the treatment of Chagas disease, but its metabolism in humans is unclear. Here, we identified and characterized the major benznidazole metabolites and their biosynthetic mechanisms in humans by analyzing the ionic profiles of urine samples from patients and untreated donors through reversed-phase UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS and UHPLC-ESI-QqLIT-MS. A strategy for simultaneous detection and fragmentation of characteristic positive and negative ions was employed using information-dependent acquisitions (IDA). Selected precursor ions, neutral losses, and MS3 experiments complemented the study. A total of six phase-I and ten phase-II metabolites were identified and structurally characterized in urine of benznidazole-treated patients. Based on creatinine-corrected ion intensities, nitroreduction to amino-benznidazole (M1) and its subsequent N-glucuronidation to M5 were the main metabolic pathways, followed by imidazole-ring cleavage, oxidations, and cysteine conjugations. This extensive exploration of benznidazole metabolites revealed potentially toxic structures in the form of glucuronides and glutathione derivatives, which may be associated with recurrent treatment adverse events; this possibility warrants further exploration in future clinical trials. Incorporation of this knowledge of the benznidazole metabolic profile into clinical pharmacology trials could lead to improved treatments, facilitate the study of possible drug-drug interactions, and even mitigation of adverse drug reactions.
Collapse
|
4
|
Wiedemeyer SJA, Wu G, Pham TLP, Lang-Henkel H, Perez Urzua B, Whisstock JC, Law RHP, Steinmetzer T. Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Macrocyclic Plasmin Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2023; 18:e202200632. [PMID: 36710259 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202200632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Two series of macrocyclic plasmin inhibitors with a C-terminal benzylamine group were synthesized. The substitution of the N-terminal phenylsulfonyl group of a previously described inhibitor provided two analogues with sub-nanomolar inhibition constants. Both compounds possess a high selectivity against all other tested trypsin-like serine proteases. Furthermore, a new approach was used to selectively introduce asymmetric linker segments. Two of these compounds inhibit plasmin with Ki values close to 2 nM. For the first time, four crystal structures of these macrocyclic inhibitors could be determined in complex with a Ser195Ala microplasmin mutant. The macrocyclic core segment of the inhibitors binds to the open active site of plasmin without any steric hindrance. This binding mode is incompatible with other trypsin-like serine proteases containing a sterically demanding 99-hairpin loop. The crystal structures obtained experimentally explain the excellent selectivity of this inhibitor type as previously hypothesized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon J A Wiedemeyer
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Guojie Wu
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - T L Phuong Pham
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Heike Lang-Henkel
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Perez Urzua
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, 8331150, Chile
| | - James C Whisstock
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - Ruby H P Law
- Biomedicine Discovery Institute Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - Torsten Steinmetzer
- Department of Pharmacy Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Philipps University Marburg, Marbacher Weg 6, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Iqbal M, Shams S, Rafiq H, Khan M, Khan S, Sadique Khattak U, Afridi SG, Bibi F, Abdulkareem AA, Naseer MI. Combinatorial Therapeutic Potential of Stem Cells and Benzimidazol Derivatives for the Reduction of Liver Fibrosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:306. [PMID: 37259449 PMCID: PMC9965641 DOI: 10.3390/ph16020306] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Liver fibrosis is currently one of the top ten causes of death worldwide. Stem cells transplantation using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is an alternative therapy which is used in the place of organ transplant, due to the incapacity of stem cells to endure oxidative stress in the damage site, thus affecting the healing process. The present study aimed to enhance the therapeutic potential of MSCs using combined therapy, along with the novel synthetic compounds of benzimidazol derivatives. (2) Methods: Eighteen compound series (benzimidazol derivatives) were screened against liver fibrosis using an in vitro CCl4-induced injury model on cultured hepatocytes. IC50 values were calculated on the bases of LDH assay and cell viability assay. (3) Results: Among the eighteen compounds, compounds (10), (14) and (18) were selected on the basis of IC50 value, and compound (10) was the most potent and had the lowest IC50 value in the LDH assay (8.399 ± 0.23 uM) and cell viability assay (4.73 ± 0.37 uM). Next, these compounds were combined with MSCs using an in vitro hepatocytes injury culture and in vivo rat fibrotic model. The effect of the MSCs + compounds treatment on injured hepatocytes was evaluated using LDH assay, cell viability assay, GSH assay and real-time PCR analysis and immuno-staining for caspase-3. Significant reductions in LDH level, caspase-3 and apoptotic marker genes were noted in MSCs + compounds-treated injured hepatocytes. In vivo data also showed the increased homing of the MSCs, along with compounds after transplantation. Real-time PCR analysis and TUNEL assay results also support our study. (4) Conclusions: It was concluded that compounds (10), (14) and (18) can be used in combination with MSCs to reduce liver fibrosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Iqbal
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Sulaiman Shams
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Huma Rafiq
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Momin Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Umer Sadique Khattak
- College of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25130, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Sahib Gul Afridi
- Department of Biochemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Fehmida Bibi
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Angham Abdulrhman Abdulkareem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Imran Naseer
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Truong N, Goodis CC, Cottingham AL, Shaw JR, Fletcher S, Pearson RM. Modified Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Reduced Drug-Associated Immune Cell Death and Organ Damage under Lipopolysaccharide Inflammatory Challenge. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2022; 5:1128-1141. [PMID: 36407956 PMCID: PMC9667537 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.2c00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) induce potent anti-inflammatory responses when used to treat inflammatory diseases. Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), a pan-HDACi, decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and attenuates cytokine storm in sepsis; however, its toxicity profile toward immune cells has limited its use as a sepsis therapeutic. Here, we developed a modification to SAHA by para-hydroxymethylating the capping group to generate SAHA-OH. We discovered that SAHA-OH provides a favorable improvement to the toxicity profile compared to SAHA. SAHA-OH significantly reduced primary macrophage apoptosis and splenic B cell death as well as mitigated organ damage using a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia mouse model. Furthermore, SAHA-OH retained anti-inflammatory responses similar to SAHA as measured by reductions in LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine secretions in vitro and in vivo. These effects were attributed to a decreased selectivity of HDAC1, 2, 3, 8 and an increased selectivity for HDAC6 for SAHA-OH as determined by IC50 values. Our results support the potential for SAHA-OH to modulate acute proinflammatory responses while mitigating SAHA-associated drug toxicity for use in the treatment of inflammation-associated diseases and conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nhu Truong
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Christopher C. Goodis
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Andrea L. Cottingham
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Jacob R. Shaw
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Steven Fletcher
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Ryan M. Pearson
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
- Marlene
and Stewart Greenbaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Optimization of 2-Aminoquinazolin-4-(3H)-one Derivatives as Potent Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2: Improved Synthesis and Pharmacokinetic Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070831. [PMID: 35890130 PMCID: PMC9318802 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported the potent antiviral effect of the 2-aminoquinazolin-4-(3H)-one 1, which shows significant activity (IC50 = 0.23 μM) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with no cytotoxicity. However, it is necessary to improve the in vivo pharmacokinetics of compound 1 because its area under the curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration are low. Here, we designed and synthesized N-substituted quinazolinone derivatives that had good pharmacokinetics and that retained their inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2. These compounds were conveniently prepared on a large scale through a one-pot reaction using Dimroth rearrangement as a key step. The synthesized compounds showed potent inhibitory activity, low binding to hERG channels, and good microsomal stability. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies showed that compound 2b had the highest exposure (AUC24h = 41.57 μg∙h/mL) of the synthesized compounds. An in vivo single-dose toxicity evaluation of compound 2b at 250 and 500 mg/kg in rats resulted in no deaths and an approximate lethal dose greater than 500 mg/kg. This study shows that N-acetyl 2-aminoquinazolin-4-(3H)-one 2b is a promising lead compound for developing anti-SARS-CoV-2 agents.
Collapse
|
8
|
Structure-based design and synthesis of conformationally constrained derivatives of methyl-piperidinopyrazole (MPP) with estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist activity. Bioorg Chem 2021; 119:105554. [PMID: 34923243 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Nuclear Estrogen receptors (ER) are cytoplasmic proteins; translocated to the nucleus to induce transcriptional signals after getting bound to the estrogen hormone. ER activation implicated in cancer cell proliferation of female reproductive organs. Thus, the discovery of ER antagonists is a reliable strategy to combat estrogen-dependent breast cancer. Endometrial carcinoma is one of the complications encountered upon long-term therapy by selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like Tamoxifen (TMX) and methyl piperidinopyrazole (MPP). Thus, the ER-full antagonist is a solution to improve the safety of this class of therapeutics during the treatment of breast cancer. We selected MPP as a lead structure to design conformationally constrained analogs. Structural rigidification is a proven strategy to transform the SERMs into full antagonists. Accordingly, we synthesized 7-methoxy-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-2H-benzo[g]indazoles (4), (6a-c),(8-12) along with the biphenolic counterparts(13-19)that are the anticipated active metabolites. The 4-nitrophenyl derivative(4)is with the most balanced profile regardingthe in vivoanti-uterotrophic potential (EC50 = 4.160 μM); and the cytotoxicity assay of the corresponding active metabolite(13)against ER+ breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 IC50 = 7.200 μM, T-47D IC50 = 11.710 μM). The inconsiderable uterotrophic activities of the elaborated ER-antagonists and weak antiproliferative activity of the compound(13)against ovarian cancer (SKOV-3 IC50 = 29.800 μM) highlighted it as a good start point to elaborate potential ER-full antagonists devoid of endometrial carcinoma. Extending the pendant chain that protrudes from the 2-(4-(substituted)-phenyl) ring of the new benzo-indazoles is recommended for enhancing the potency based on the binding mode of compound(13)in the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of ER.
Collapse
|
9
|
New 2,3-Benzodiazepine Derivative: Synthesis, Activity on Central Nervous System, and Toxicity Study in Mice. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14080814. [PMID: 34451911 PMCID: PMC8401732 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the design and synthesis of a new diazepine derivative, 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2,3-benzodiazepin-1-one (VBZ102), and the evaluation of its anxiolytic-like profile, memory impairment effect, and toxicity in Swiss mice. VBZ102 was evaluated for central nervous system effects in an open field, light–dark box, and novel object recognition tests under oral administration for acute and sub-acute treatment. We tested the VBZ102 toxicity in mice through a determination of LD50 values and examination of the biochemical and histopathological parameters. The VBZ102 induced an anxiolytic effect at different doses both in the light–dark box and open field tests. Unlike other benzodiazepines (e.g., bromazepam), a sedative effect was noted only after administration of the VBZ102 at 10.0 mg/kg.
Collapse
|
10
|
Mapping major SARS-CoV-2 drug targets and assessment of druggability using computational fragment screening: Identification of an allosteric small-molecule binding site on the Nsp13 helicase. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246181. [PMID: 33596235 PMCID: PMC7888625 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The 2019 emergence of, SARS-CoV-2 has tragically taken an immense toll on human life and far reaching impacts on society. There is a need to identify effective antivirals with diverse mechanisms of action in order to accelerate preclinical development. This study focused on five of the most established drug target proteins for direct acting small molecule antivirals: Nsp5 Main Protease, Nsp12 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Nsp13 Helicase, Nsp16 2'-O methyltransferase and the S2 subunit of the Spike protein. A workflow of solvent mapping and free energy calculations was used to identify and characterize favorable small-molecule binding sites for an aromatic pharmacophore (benzene). After identifying the most favorable sites, calculated ligand efficiencies were compared utilizing computational fragment screening. The most favorable sites overall were located on Nsp12 and Nsp16, whereas the most favorable sites for Nsp13 and S2 Spike had comparatively lower ligand efficiencies relative to Nsp12 and Nsp16. Utilizing fragment screening on numerous possible sites on Nsp13 helicase, we identified a favorable allosteric site on the N-terminal zinc binding domain (ZBD) that may be amenable to virtual or biophysical fragment screening efforts. Recent structural studies of the Nsp12:Nsp13 replication-transcription complex experimentally corroborates ligand binding at this site, which is revealed to be a functional Nsp8:Nsp13 protein-protein interaction site in the complex. Detailed structural analysis of Nsp13 ZBD conformations show the role of induced-fit flexibility in this ligand binding site and identify which conformational states are associated with efficient ligand binding. We hope that this map of over 200 possible small-molecule binding sites for these drug targets may be of use for ongoing discovery, design, and drug repurposing efforts. This information may be used to prioritize screening efforts or aid in the process of deciphering how a screening hit may bind to a specific target protein.
Collapse
|
11
|
Venkata Basaveswara Rao M, Veera Durga Rao B, Vijaya Vardhini S, Nagendra Kumar AVD, Rao Gorja D, Kapavarapu R, Pal M. In Silico and Biological Evaluation of
N
‐(2‐methoxyphenyl) Substituted Pyrazoles Accessed via a Sonochemical Method. ChemistrySelect 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202004586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Suryadevara Vijaya Vardhini
- Department of Chemistry Amritasai Institute of Science and Technology, Paritala, Krishna Dist. 521 180 Andhra Pradesh India
| | | | - Dhilli Rao Gorja
- Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences University of Hyderabad Campus Hyderabad 500046 India
| | - Ravikumar Kapavarapu
- Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences University of Hyderabad Campus Hyderabad 500046 India
| | - Manojit Pal
- Dr. Reddy's Institute of Life Sciences University of Hyderabad Campus Hyderabad 500046 India
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for determination of five β-blockers after labeling with either hydrazonoyl chloride or dansyl chloride reagent. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2020; 1160:122383. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2020.122383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
13
|
Development of a metabolically stable topoisomerase I poison as anticancer agent. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 202:112551. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
|
14
|
El-Haj BM, Ahmed SB. Metabolic-Hydroxy and Carboxy Functionalization of Alkyl Moieties in Drug Molecules: Prediction of Structure Influence and Pharmacologic Activity. Molecules 2020; 25:E1937. [PMID: 32331223 PMCID: PMC7222001 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25081937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkyl moieties-open chain or cyclic, linear, or branched-are common in drug molecules. The hydrophobicity of alkyl moieties in drug molecules is modified by metabolic hydroxy functionalization via free-radical intermediates to give primary, secondary, or tertiary alcohols depending on the class of the substrate carbon. The hydroxymethyl groups resulting from the functionalization of methyl groups are mostly oxidized further to carboxyl groups to give carboxy metabolites. As observed from the surveyed cases in this review, hydroxy functionalization leads to loss, attenuation, or retention of pharmacologic activity with respect to the parent drug. On the other hand, carboxy functionalization leads to a loss of activity with the exception of only a few cases in which activity is retained. The exceptions are those groups in which the carboxy functionalization occurs at a position distant from a well-defined primary pharmacophore. Some hydroxy metabolites, which are equiactive with their parent drugs, have been developed into ester prodrugs while carboxy metabolites, which are equiactive to their parent drugs, have been developed into drugs as per se. In this review, we present and discuss the above state of affairs for a variety of drug classes, using selected drug members to show the effect on pharmacologic activity as well as dependence of the metabolic change on drug molecular structure. The review provides a basis for informed predictions of (i) structural features required for metabolic hydroxy and carboxy functionalization of alkyl moieties in existing or planned small drug molecules, and (ii) pharmacologic activity of the metabolites resulting from hydroxy and/or carboxy functionalization of alkyl moieties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Babiker M. El-Haj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of Science and Technology of Fujairah, Fufairah 00971, UAE
| | - Samrein B.M. Ahmed
- College of Medicine, Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 00971, UAE;
| |
Collapse
|