Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of 3-[(4-Oxo-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-2-yl)(phenyl)amino]propanenitrile Derivatives as Orally Active AMPA Receptor Antagonists.

In our search for novel orally active α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonists, we found that conversion of an allyl group in the lead compound 2-[allyl(4-methylphenyl)amino]-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-4-one (4) to a 2-cyanoethyl group significantly increased inhibitory activity against AMPA receptor-mediated kainate-induced toxicity in rat hippocampal cultures. Here, we synthesized 10 analogs bearing a 2-cyanoethyl group and administered them to mice to evaluate their anticonvulsant activity in maximal electroshock (MES)- and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure tests, and their effects on motor coordination in a rotarod test. 3-{(4-Oxo-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-2-yl)[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]amino}propanenitrile (25) and 3-[(2,2-difluoro-2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)(4-oxo-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-2-yl)amino]propanenitrile (27) exhibited potent anticonvulsant activity in both seizure tests and induced minor motor disturbances as indicated in the rotarod test. The protective index values of 25 and 27 for MES-induced seizures (10.7 and 12.0, respectively) and PTZ-induced seizures (6.0 and 5.6, respectively) were considerably higher compared with those of YM928 (5) and talampanel (1).

Synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and anticonvulsant activities of 2-amino-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-4-one derivatives as orally active AMPA receptor antagonists.

As part of a program aimed at discovering orally active 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolyl)propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonists, we screened our compound library and identified 2-[allyl(4-methylphenyl)amino]-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-4-one (7) as a lead compound that inhibited kainate-induced neurotoxicity mediated by AMPA receptors in rat hippocampal cultures. Structure-activity relationship studies of a series of 2-amino-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-4-one derivatives revealed that substituents on the phenyl ring attached to the 2-amino group and the 4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-4-one ring system play an important role in inhibitory activity against kainate-induced neurotoxicity. Several analogs bearing a phenyl group with a 4-substituent or five- or six-membered ring fused at the 3,4-positions exhibited potent inhibitory activity against kainate-induced neurotoxicity. Further, some of these compounds exhibited significant suppression of maximal electroshock seizure in mice following oral administration. Of these compounds, 2-[(4-chlorophenyl)(methyl)amino]-4H-pyrido[3,2-e][1,3]thiazin-4-one (16i) (YM928) demonstrated the most potent inhibitory effect with an ED50 value of 7.4mg/kg.

Discovery of a 1-isopropyltetrahydroisoquinoline derivative as an orally active N-type calcium channel blocker for neuropathic pain.

N-type calcium channel blockade is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of neuropathic pain. Starting from lead compound (S)-1, we focused our optimization efforts on potency for N-type calcium channel inhibition and improvement of CYP inhibition profile. 2-{[(1-Hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]amino}-(1R)-(1-isopropyl-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)ethanone oxalate ((R)-5r) was identified as a novel orally active small-molecule N-type calcium channel inhibitor with reduced CYP inhibition liability. Oral administration of (R)-5r improved mechanical allodynia in a spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain in rats with an ED50 value of 2.5 mg/kg.

Discovery of an 8-methoxytetrahydroisoquinoline derivative as an orally active N-type calcium channel blocker for neuropathic pain without CYP inhibition liability.

In lead optimization efforts starting from the tetrahydroisoquinoline (S)-1, we identified 2-{[(2R)-2-hydroxypropyl]amino}-1-[(1S)-8-methoxy-1-phenyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl]ethanone ((1S)-8t) as a novel orally active small-molecule N-type calcium channel blocker without CYP inhibition liability. CYP3A4 inhibition profile was improved by reducing the lipophilicity of compound (S)-1. Moreover, introduction of a methoxy group to the C-8 position of tetrahydroisoquinoline led to identification of (1S)-8t, which eliminated CYP2D6 inhibition liability. Oral administration of (1S)-8t exerted efficacy in a rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model of neuropathic pain with an ED50 value of 2.8 mg/kg.

Discovery of novel tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives as orally active N-type calcium channel blockers with high selectivity for hERG potassium channels.

N-type calcium channels represent a promising target for the treatment of neuropathic pain. The selective N-type calcium channel blocker ziconotide ameliorates severe chronic pain but has a narrow therapeutic window and requires intrathecal administration. We identified tetrahydroisoquinoline derivative 1a as a novel potent N-type calcium channel blocker. However, this compound also exhibited potent inhibitory activity against hERG channels. Structural optimizations led to identification of (1S)-(1-cyclohexyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-2-{[(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]amino}ethanone ((S)-1h), which exhibited high selectivity for hERG channels while retaining potency for N-type calcium channel inhibition. (S)-1h went on to demonstrate in vivo efficacy as an orally available N-type calcium channel blocker in a rat spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain.

Suppression of fully kindled seizure and retardation of kindling acquisition by YM928 in the rat kindling model of epilepsy.

We investigated the effects of 2-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylamino]-4H-pyrido[3.2-e]-1,3-thiazin-4-one (YM928), a selective alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist, in the rat kindling model of complex partial seizures. YM928 (10 and 30 mg/kg p.o.) markedly suppressed the motor seizures and afterdischarge induced by electrical stimulation of the amygdala at generalized seizure-triggering threshold intensity. YM928 (10 mg/kg p.o.) did not induce apparent abnormal behavior, but did induce sedation at a dose of 30 mg/kg p.o. YM928 (30 mg/kg p.o.) showed a similar anticonvulsant effect at twice the threshold intensity as it did at threshold intensity. Diazepam (10 mg/kg p.o.) and phenobarbital (60 mg/kg p.o.) also exerted anticonvulsant activities. Diazepam (10 mg/kg) showed a similar effect at twice the threshold as at threshold, but the anticonvulsant effect of phenobarbital (60 mg/kg p.o.) was reversed when the stimulus was doubled. When YM928 (10 mg/kg p.o.) was administered 60 min before daily stimulation of the amygdala, the development of kindling seizure was significantly retarded. These results indicate that YM928 has anticonvulsant effects and suppresses kindling acquisition without sedative effects, and may be suitable as an antiepileptic drug for the treatment of complex partial seizures in humans.

Effect of YM928, a novel AMPA receptor antagonist, on seizures in EL mice and kainate-induced seizures in rats.

Kainate-induced seizures and seizures induced by tossing stimulation in epilepsy-prone EL mice are considered as models of complex partial seizures. We used these models to evaluate the anticonvulsive effects of 2-[ N-(4-chlorophenyl)- N-methylamino]-4 H-pyrido[3.2-e]-1,3-thiazin-4-one (YM928), a novel alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist. In the kainate-induced seizure test in rats, wet-dog shakes (WDS) were reduced by oral administration of YM928 at doses of 7.5 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg. YM928 (15 mg/kg) reduced the number of WDS within the first 80 min, but then prolonged the time of occurrence compared with the other groups. Significant reduction in kainate-induced motor seizure was observed with 4-30 mg/kg. YM928 did not induce apparently abnormal behaviour at doses of 2-15 mg/kg but did induce sedation at 30 mg/kg. Carbamazepine (40 or 80 mg/kg), valproate (600 mg/kg), diazepam (2.5 mg/kg), and phenobarbital (20 or 40 mg/kg) exerted anticonvulsant effects against motor seizures, but only valproate, at a dose that also caused sedation, suppressed WDS. Phenytoin and ethosuximide did not show significant anti-kainate effects. In the tossing stimulation test in EL mice, i.p. injection of YM928 at 5 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg significantly increased the number of stimulations required to elicit generalized seizure. Carbamazepine (4 or 8 mg/kg), phenytoin (8 or 16 mg/kg), valproate (100-400 mg/kg), diazepam (0.5 mg/kg), phenobarbital (1.3 or 2.5 mg/kg) and ethosuximide (75-300 mg/kg) exerted significant anticonvulsant effects against these seizures. These results indicate that YM928 has anticonvulsant effects on seizure models that are characteristic of partial onset seizures in humans. YM928 is expected to have beneficial effects against human complex partial seizure with secondary generalization or temporal lobe epilepsy.

Functional characterization of YM928, a novel moncompetitive alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist.

The alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders as well as normal brain function. The search for AMPA receptor antagonists as potential therapeutics is ongoing. Here, we describe the functional characterization of a novel noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist, 2-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylamino]-4H-pyrido[3,2-e]-1,3-thiazin-4-one (YM928). This compound inhibited AMPA receptor-mediated toxicity in primary rat hippocampal cultures with an IC50 of 2 micro M. Its manner of inhibition was noncompetitive as the agonist concentration was increased. YM928 blocked AMPA-induced intracellular calcium influx with an IC50 of 3 micro M and antagonized AMPA-induced inward currents with an IC50 of 1 micro M in cultured cells. YM928 displaced neither [3H]AMPA binding nor other existing glutamate receptor-related ligand binding in rat brain membranes. In terms of in vivo activity, YM928 had an anticonvulsant effect in sound-induced seizures in DBA/2 mice 45 min after oral administration at 3 mg/kg. Thus, YM928 has potential as an oral therapeutic drug for various types of neurological disorders.

Effects of 2-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylamino]-4H-pyrido[3.2-e]-1,3-thiazin-4-one (YM928), an orally active alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor antagonist, in models of generalized epileptic seizure in mice and rats.

The anticonvulsant activity of 2-[N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methylamino]-4H-pyrido[3.2-e]-1,3-thiazin-4-one (YM928), a novel alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist, was studied in animal models of generalized seizure. YM928 exerted significant anticonvulsant effects in the maximal electroshock (MES) seizure test (ED50 = 7.4 mg/kg p.o.), pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizure test (ED50 = 9.6 mg/kg p.o.), AMPA-induced seizure test (ED50 = 5.5 mg/kg p.o.), and strychnine-induced seizure test (ED50 = 14.0 mg/kg p.o.) in mice. Effects in rats were detected in the MES seizure test (ED50 = 4.0 mg/kg p.o.) and PTZ-induced seizure test (ED50 = 6.2 mg/kg p.o.). The profile of YM928 was compared with that of established antiepileptics. Valproate showed beneficial effects in all tests used. In contrast, carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, phenobarbital, diazepam, ethosuximide, and gabapentin were not active against seizures induced by at least one stimulant. In the rotarod test, YM928 impaired motor coordination (TD50 = 22.5 mg/kg p.o.). The protective index (TD50 value of the rotarod test/ED50 value of MES seizure) was 3.0, suggesting that YM928 can exert antiepileptic effects with only minor motor disturbances. YM928 at doses of 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg p.o. did not significantly affect the threshold of electroshock seizure in rats after 16 days of repeated administration. These data indicate that YM928 does not induce tolerance after subchronic administration. These results indicate that YM928 is a broad-spectrum anticonvulsant that would prove useful for the treatment of generalized seizure in human epileptic patients.

YM872: a selective, potent and highly water-soluble alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor antagonist.

This review focuses on the in vitro and in vivo neuropharmacology of YM872, a potential neuroprotective agent currently undergoing clinical trials in the United States (trial name: AMPA Receptor Antagonist Treatment in Ischemic Stroke - ARTIST). Its neuroprotective properties in rats and cats with induced focal cerebral ischemia are described. YM872, [2,3-dioxo-7-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxalin-1-yl]-acetic acid monohydrate, is a selective, potent and highly water-soluble competitive alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist. YM872 has a potent inhibitory effect on [(3)H]AMPA binding with a K(i) value of 0.096 microM. In contrast, YM872 has very low affinity for other ionotropic glutamate receptors. The solubility of YM872 is approximately 500 to 1000 times higher than that of the other competitive AMPA antagonists: YM90K, NBQX, or CNQX. The neuroprotective efficacy of YM872 was investigated in rats and cats subjected to permanent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery. The animals were assessed either histologically or neurologically following ischemia. In rats with occluded middle cerebral artery (MCAO) YM872, by i.v. infusion, significantly reduced infarct volume measured at 24 h and 1 week after ischemia. Significant neuroprotection was maintained even when drug administration was delayed for up to 2 h after ischemia. In addition, YM872 significantly improved neurological deficit measured at 1 week after ischemia. In cats with MCAO YM872, by i.v. infusion, dose-dependently reduced infarct volume at 6 h after ischemia. YM872 produced no behavioral abnormalities and was not nephrotoxic. The evidence for the neuroprotective efficacy of YM872 suggests its therapeutic potential in the treatment of acute stroke in humans.