Heteroatom insertion into 3,4-dihydro-1H-quinolin-2-ones leads to potent and selective inhibitors of human and rat aldosterone synthase.

Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) catalyzes the conversion of 11-deoxycorticosterone to aldosterone via corticosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone. CYP11B2 is regarded as a new target for several cardiovascular diseases which are associated with chronically elevated aldosterone levels such as hypertension, congestive heart failure and myocardial fibrosis. In this paper, we optimized heterocycle substituted 3,4-dihydropyridin-2(1H)-ones as CYP11B inhibitors by systematic introduction of heteroatoms and by bioisosteric exchange of the lactame moiety by a sultame moiety. The most promising compounds regarding inhibition of human CYP11B2 and selectivity versus human enzymes CYP11B1, CYP17, and CYP19 were tested for inhibition of rat CYP11B2. Thus, we discovered compounds 4 and 9 which show potent inhibition of hCYP11B2 (IC50 < 1 nM) and the corresponding rat enzyme (4: 64%, 9: 51% inhibition, at 2 µM).

1-Phenylsulfinyl-3-(pyridin-3-yl)naphthalen-2-ols: a new class of potent and selective aldosterone synthase inhibitors.

1-Phenylsulfinyl-3-(pyridin-3-yl)naphthalen-2-ols and related compounds were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), a potential target for cardiovascular diseases associated with elevated plasma aldosterone levels like congestive heart failure and myocardial fibrosis. Introduction of substituents at the phenylsulfinyl moiety and changes of the substitution pattern at the naphthalene core were examined. Potent compounds were further examined for selectivity versus other important steroidogenic CYP enzymes, i.e. the highly homologous 11ß-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), CYP17 and CYP19. The most potent compound (IC50 = 14 nM) discovered was the meta-trifluoromethoxy derivative 11, which also exhibited excellent selectivity toward CYP11B1 (SF = 415), and showed no inhibition of CYP17 and CYP19.

Overcoming undesirable CYP1A2 inhibition of pyridylnaphthalene-type aldosterone synthase inhibitors: influence of heteroaryl derivatization on potency and selectivity.

Recently, we reported on the development of potent and selective inhibitors of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) for the treatment of congestive heart failure and myocardial fibrosis. A major drawback of these nonsteroidal compounds was a strong inhibition of the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP1A2. In the present study, we examined the influence of substituents in the heterocycle of lead structures with a naphthalene molecular scaffold to overcome this unwanted side effect. With respect to CYP11B2 inhibition, some substituents induced a dramatic increase in inhibitory potency. The methoxyalkyl derivatives 22 and 26 are the most potent CYP11B2 inhibitors up to now (IC50 = 0.2 nM). Most compounds also clearly discriminated between CYP11B2 and CYP11B1, and the CYP1A2 potency significantly decreased in some cases (e.g., isoquinoline derivative 30 displayed only 6% CYP1A2 inhibition at 2 microM concentration). Furthermore, isoquinoline derivative 28 proved to be capable of passing the gastrointestinal tract and reached the general circulation after peroral administration to male Wistar rats.