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Denaro S, Pasquinucci L, Turnaturi R, Alberghina C, Longhitano L, Giallongo S, Costanzo G, Spoto S, Grasso M, Zappalà A, Li Volti G, Tibullo D, Vicario N, Parenti R, Parenti C. Sigma-1 Receptor Inhibition Reduces Mechanical Allodynia and Modulate Neuroinflammation in Chronic Neuropathic Pain. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2672-2685. [PMID: 37922065 PMCID: PMC11043107 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03717-w] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain is one of the most debilitating forms of chronic pain, resulting from an injury or disease of the somatosensory nervous system, which induces abnormal painful sensations including allodynia and hyperalgesia. Available treatments are limited by severe side-effects and reduced efficacy in the chronic phase of the disease. Sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) has been identified as a chaperone protein, which modulate opioid receptors activities and the functioning of several ion channels, exerting a role in pain transmission. As such, it represents a druggable target to treat neuropathic pain. This study aims at investigating the therapeutic potential of the novel compound (+)-2R/S-LP2, a σ1R antagonist, in reducing painful behaviour and modulating the neuroinflammatory environment. We showed that repeated administration of the compound significantly inhibited mechanical allodynia in neuropathic rats, increasing the withdrawal threshold as compared to CCI-vehicle rats. Moreover, we found that (+)-2R/S-LP2-mediated effects resolve the neuroinflammatory microenvironment by reducing central gliosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression levels. This effect was coupled with a significant reduction of connexin 43 (Cx43) expression levels and gap junctions/hemichannels mediated microglia-to-astrocyte communication. These results suggest that inhibition of σ1R significantly attenuates neuropathic pain chronicization, thus representing a viable effective strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Denaro
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Cristiana Alberghina
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Longhitano
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Giallongo
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Unit of Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018, Troina, Italy
| | - Agata Zappalà
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniele Tibullo
- Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunzio Vicario
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosalba Parenti
- Section of Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95123, Catania, Italy
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2
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Das M, Ward GW, Sulima A, Luo D, Prisinzano TE, Imler GH, Kerr AT, Jacobson AE, Rice KC. Potent MOR Agonists from 2'-Hydroxy-5,9-dimethyl- N-phenethyl Substituted-6,7-benzomorphans and from C8-Hydroxy, Methylene and Methyl Derivatives of N-Phenethylnormetazocine. Molecules 2023; 28:7709. [PMID: 38067439 PMCID: PMC10708259 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
(-)-5,9-Dimethyl-6,7-benzomorphan (normetazocine) derivatives with a para-OH or ortho-F substituent in the aromatic ring of the N-phenethyl moiety were synthesized and found to have subnanomolar potency at MOR, and both were fully efficacious in vitro. These new compounds, (1R,5R,9R)-6,11-dimethyl-3-(2-fluorophenethyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methanobenzo[d]azocin-8-ol and (1R,5R,9R)-6,11-dimethyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-2,6-methanobenzo[d]azocin-8-ol, were more potent than the unsubstituted compound N-phenethylnormetazocine and about 30 or 40 times more potent than morphine, respectively. A variety of substituents in the ortho, meta, or para position in the aromatic ring of the N-phenethyl moiety were synthesized, 25 of these compounds, and found to have varying effects on potency and efficacy as determined by the forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation assay. The N-phenethyl moiety was also modified by increasing chain length to form a N-phenylpropyl side chain with and without a para-nitro moiety, and by an N-cinnamyl side chain. Also, an indole ethylamine normetazocine was synthesized to replace the N-phenethylamine side chain in normetazocine. The phenylpropylamine, propenylamine (cinnamyl) and the para-nitropropylamine had little or no MOR potency. The indole-ethylamine on the normetazocine nucleus, however, had moderate potency (MOR EC50 = 12 nM), and was fully efficacious (%Emax = 102%) in the cAMP assay. Retention of the N-phenethyl moiety and the addition of alkyl and alkenyl moieties on C8 in (-)-N-phenethylnormetazocine gave a C8-methylene derivative that had subnanomolar potency at MOR and a C8-methyl analog that had nanomolar potency. Five C8-substituted compounds were synthesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Das
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - George W. Ward
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Agnieszka Sulima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.L.); (T.E.P.)
| | - Thomas Edward Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, 789 S. Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (D.L.); (T.E.P.)
| | - Gregory H. Imler
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (G.H.I.); (A.T.K.)
| | - Andrew T. Kerr
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA; (G.H.I.); (A.T.K.)
| | - Arthur E. Jacobson
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
| | - Kenner C. Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (M.D.); (G.W.W.); (A.S.)
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Bodnar RJ. Endogenous opiates and behavior: 2022. Peptides 2023; 169:171095. [PMID: 37704079 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2023.171095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
This paper is the forty-fifth consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2022 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (1), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (2) and humans (3), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (4), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (5), stress and social status (6), learning and memory (7), eating and drinking (8), drug abuse and alcohol (9), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (10), mental illness and mood (11), seizures and neurologic disorders (12), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (13), general activity and locomotion (14), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (15), cardiovascular responses (16), respiration and thermoregulation (17), and immunological responses (18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA.
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4
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Dichiara M, Ambrosio FA, Lee SM, Ruiz-Cantero MC, Lombino J, Coricello A, Costa G, Shah D, Costanzo G, Pasquinucci L, Son KN, Cosentino G, González-Cano R, Marrazzo A, Aakalu VK, Cobos EJ, Alcaro S, Amata E. Discovery of AD258 as a Sigma Receptor Ligand with Potent Antiallodynic Activity. J Med Chem 2023; 66:11447-11463. [PMID: 37535861 PMCID: PMC10461227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00959] [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: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
The design and synthesis of a series of 2,7-diazaspiro[4.4]nonane derivatives as potent sigma receptor (SR) ligands, associated with analgesic activity, are the focus of this work. In this study, affinities at S1R and S2R were measured, and molecular modeling studies were performed to investigate the binding pose characteristics. The most promising compounds were subjected to in vitro toxicity testing and subsequently screened for in vivo analgesic properties. Compound 9d (AD258) exhibited negligible in vitro cellular toxicity and a high binding affinity to both SRs (KiS1R = 3.5 nM, KiS2R = 2.6 nM), but not for other pain-related targets, and exerted high potency in a model of capsaicin-induced allodynia, reaching the maximum antiallodynic effect at very low doses (0.6-1.25 mg/kg). Functional activity experiments showed that S1R antagonism is needed for the effects of 9d and that it did not induce motor impairment. In addition, 9d exhibited a favorable pharmacokinetic profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dichiara
- Dipartimento
di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università
degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Francesca Alessandra Ambrosio
- Dipartimento
di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Università
degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus
“S. Venuta”, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sang Min Lee
- Department
of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University
of Illinois at Chicago, 1905 W Taylor St, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - M. Carmen Ruiz-Cantero
- Departamento
de Farmacología e Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universitad de Granada e Instituto de Investigación
Biosanitaria de Granada ibs.GRANADA, Avenida de la Investigación, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Jessica Lombino
- Dipartimento
di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università
degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Adriana Coricello
- Dipartimento
di Scienze della Salute, Università
“Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S.
Venuta”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giosuè Costa
- Dipartimento
di Scienze della Salute, Università
“Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S.
Venuta”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Net4Science
Academic Spin-Off, Università “Magna
Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Dhara Shah
- Department
of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University
of Illinois at Chicago, 1905 W Taylor St, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Dipartimento
di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università
degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Dipartimento
di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università
degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Kyung No Son
- Department
of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University
of Michigan, 1000 Wall
Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States
| | - Giuseppe Cosentino
- Dipartimento
di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università
degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Rafael González-Cano
- Departamento
de Farmacología e Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universitad de Granada e Instituto de Investigación
Biosanitaria de Granada ibs.GRANADA, Avenida de la Investigación, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Dipartimento
di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università
degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vinay Kumar Aakalu
- Department
of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University
of Michigan, 1000 Wall
Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, United States
| | - Enrique J. Cobos
- Departamento
de Farmacología e Instituto de Neurociencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universitad de Granada e Instituto de Investigación
Biosanitaria de Granada ibs.GRANADA, Avenida de la Investigación, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Dipartimento
di Scienze della Salute, Università
“Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S.
Venuta”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Net4Science
Academic Spin-Off, Università “Magna
Græcia” di Catanzaro, Campus “S. Venuta”, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Dipartimento
di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università
degli Studi di Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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5
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Wu L, Wu Y, Liu J, Jiang J, Zhou C, Zhang D. Sodium Leak Channel in Glutamatergic Neurons of the Lateral Parabrachial Nucleus Modulates Inflammatory Pain in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11907. [PMID: 37569281 PMCID: PMC10418977 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Elevated excitability of glutamatergic neurons in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (PBL) is associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory pain, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Sodium leak channel (NALCN) is widely expressed in the central nervous system and regulates neuronal excitability. In this study, chemogenetic manipulation was used to explore the association between the activity of PBL glutamatergic neurons and pain thresholds. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was used to construct an inflammatory pain model in mice. Pain behaviour was tested using von Frey filaments and Hargreaves tests. Local field potential (LFP) was used to record the activity of PBL glutamatergic neurons. Gene knockdown techniques were used to investigate the role of NALCN in inflammatory pain. We further explored the downstream projections of PBL using cis-trans-synaptic tracer virus. The results showed that chemogenetic inhibition of PBL glutamatergic neurons increased pain thresholds in mice, whereas chemogenetic activation produced the opposite results. CFA plantar modelling increased the number of C-Fos protein and NALCN expression in PBL glutamatergic neurons. Knockdown of NALCN in PBL glutamatergic neurons alleviated CFA-induced pain. CFA injection induced C-Fos protein expression in central nucleus amygdala (CeA) neurons, which was suppressed by NALCN knockdown in PBL glutamatergic neurons. Therefore, elevated expression of NALCN in PBL glutamatergic neurons contributes to the development of inflammatory pain via PBL-CeA projections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.W.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yujie Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.W.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.W.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jingyao Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.W.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.W.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Donghang Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; (L.W.); (Y.W.); (J.L.); (J.J.)
- Laboratory of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Centre of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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6
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Costanzo G, Turnaturi R, Parenti C, Spoto S, Piana S, Dichiara M, Zagni C, Galambos AR, Essmat N, Marrazzo A, Amata E, Al-Khrasani M, Pasquinucci L. New Insights into the Opioid Analgesic Profile of cis-(-)- N-Normetazocine-derived Ligands. Molecules 2023; 28:4827. [PMID: 37375382 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28124827] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, we report on the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of LP1 analogs to complete the series of structural modifications aimed to generate compounds with improved analgesia. To do that, the phenyl ring in the N-substituent of our lead compound LP1 was replaced by an electron-rich or electron-deficient ring and linked through a propanamide or butyramide spacer at the basic nitrogen of the (-)-cis-N-normetazocine skeleton. In radioligand binding assays, compounds 3 and 7 were found to display nanomolar binding affinity for the μ opioid receptor (MOR) (Ki = 5.96 ± 0.08 nM and 1.49 ± 0.24 nM, respectively). In the mouse vas deferens (MVD) assay, compound 3 showed an antagonist effect against DAMGO ([D-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly-ol]-enkephalin), a highly selective MOR prototype agonist, whereas compound 7 produced naloxone reversible effect at MOR. Moreover, compound 7, as potent as LP1 and DAMGO at MOR, was able to reduce thermal and inflammatory pain assessed by the mouse tail-flick test and rat paw pressure thresholds (PPTs) measured by a Randall-Selitto test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Spoto
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Silvia Piana
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Dichiara
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Zagni
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Galambos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nariman Essmat
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Mahmoud Al-Khrasani
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, H-1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, Medicinal Chemistry Section, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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7
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Costanzo G, Patamia V, Turnaturi R, Parenti C, Zagni C, Lombino J, Amata E, Marrazzo A, Pasquinucci L, Rescifina A. Design, synthesis, in vitro evaluation, and molecular modeling studies of N-substituted benzomorphans, analogs of LP2, as novel MOR ligands. Chem Biol Drug Des 2023; 101:1382-1392. [PMID: 36813756 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14220] [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: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
6,7-Benzomorphans have been investigated in medicinal chemistry for developing new drugs. This nucleus could be considered a versatile scaffold. The physicochemical properties of benzomorphan N-substituent are crucial in achieving a definite pharmacological profile at opioid receptors. Thus, the dual-target MOR/DOR ligands LP1 and LP2 were obtained through N-substituent modifications. Specifically, LP2, bearing as N-substituent the (2R/S)-2-methoxy-2- phenylethyl group, is a dual-target MOR/DOR agonist and is successful in animal models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain. To obtain new opioid ligands, we focused on the design and synthesis of LP2 analogs. First, the 2-methoxyl group of LP2 was replaced by an ester or acid functional group. Then, spacers of different lengths were introduced at N-substituent. In-vitro, their affinity profile versus opioid receptors has been performed through competition binding assays. Molecular modeling studies were conducted to deeply analyze the binding mode and the interactions between the new ligands and all opioid receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Patamia
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rita Turnaturi
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Carmela Parenti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Zagni
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Jessica Lombino
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Rescifina
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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