Novel heterocyclic-fused pyridazinones as potent and selective phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors.

A series of 6-aryl-4,5-heterocyclic-fused pyridazinones were designed and synthesized as selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) IV inhibitors. Biological evaluation of these compounds demonstrated a good selectivity profile toward the PDE IV family and greatly attenuated affinity for the Rolipram high-affinity binding site that seems to be responsible for undesiderable side effects. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) studies showed that the presence of an ethyl group at pyridazine N-2 is associated with the best potency and selectivity profile.

Isoxazolo-[3,4-d]-pyridazin-7-(6H)-one as a potential substrate for new aldose reductase inhibitors.

The isoxazolo-[3,4-d]-pyridazin-7-(6H)-one (2) and its corresponding open derivatives 5-acetyl-4-amino-(4-nitro)-6-substituted-3(2H)pyridazinones (3, 4) were used as simplified substrates for the synthesis of new aldose reductase inhibitors with respect to the previously reported 5, 6-dihydrobenzo[h]cinnolin-3(2H)one-2 acetic acids (1). Moreover, a few derivatives lacking the 5-acetyl group were prepared. Several compounds derived from 2 displayed inhibitory properties comparable to those of Sorbinil. In this class the presence at position 6 of a phenyl carrying an electron-withdrawing substituent proved to be beneficial, independently from its position on the ring (5g,j-l). Acetic acid derivatives were more effective than propionic and butyric analogues. On the contrary, all the monocyclic compounds (6-8) were either inactive or only weakly active. The 3-methyl-4-(p-chlorophenyl)isoxazolo-[3,4-d]-pyridazin-7-(6H )-one acetic acid (5g), which proved to be the most potent derivative, was also investigated in molecular modeling studies, to assess possible similarities in its interaction with the enzyme, with respect to the model 1.

Antinociceptive activity of a 3(2H)-pyridazinone derivative in mice.

The antinociceptive activity of a 3(2H)-pyridazinone derivative (18a) was investigated in mice. 18a administered at doses which did not change either motor coordination or locomotor activity was able to induce antinociceptive effects in four nociceptive tests, the hot plate test, the tail flick test, the writhing test, and the formalin test. In the hot plate and tail flick test, 18a-induced antinociception was observed both after intraperitoneal administration and after intracerebroventricular injection thus indicating 18a has a central site of action. The pretreatment with the opioid antagonist naloxone, the alpha2-antagonist yohimbine or the GABA(B) antagonist CGP 35348 did not change 18a-induced antinociception in the hot plate test and in the tail flick test. Pretreatment with nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine did not change 18a effects either. A reversion of the 18a effects was observed after pretreatment with the muscarinic antagonists atropine and pirenzepine. Binding experiments revealed that 18a binds to muscarinic receptors, suggesting that 18a antinociception is mediated by central muscarinic receptors. The above findings together with the lack of parasympathomimetic cholinergic side effects indicate useful clinical application for this compound.

Gravimetric determination of chlorhexidine using tetraphenylborate ion.

A precise and accurate gravimetric procedure was developed for the determination of chlorhexidine diacetate, digluconate, or dihydrochloride. Sodium tetraphenylborate solution was the precipitant in an acidic medium (pH 1). Tablets containing both chlorhexidine diacetate and benzocaine also were assayed.

5-Acyl-6-aryl-4-nitro-3(2H)pyridazinones and related 4-amino compounds: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation.

Several 4-nitro- and 4-amino-5-acyl-6-aryl-3(2H)pyridazinones were prepared and their in vitro and ex vivo antiaggregatory properties were evaluated. 4-Nitro derivatives 3 generally showed good activity in vitro towards arachidonic acid (AA)-induced human blood platelet aggregation. The 4-amino compound 4a, which has weak in vitro activity, exhibited antiplatelet activity, particularly on adenosine dephosphate (ADP)-induced aggregation ex vivo in rabbit. Moreover, the same compound was shown to be active in platelet-activating factors (PAF)-induced rat paw hyperalgesia and to be endowed with low acute oral toxicity. The 4-amino derivatives 4a-m and the other pyridazinones 5-9 administered orally to rats were also found to be more potent antiinflammatory agents than acetyl salicylic acid (ASA). Compounds 3a and 4a, tested in vitro on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages, were seen to be active in the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and interleukin-1 activity. Structure-activity relationship studies in the series of antiaggregating pyridazinones 3 have shown the primary importance of the nitro and acetyl substituents at positions 4 and 5, respectively. Hydrophobic substituents at position 2 were also required for better activity.

Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, structurally unrelated to rolipram, as promising agents for the treatment of asthma and other pathologies.

An increase of cyclic adenosine and guanosine monophosphate (cAMP and cGMP) level can be achieved by inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which are the enzymes responsible for the conversion of these second messengers into the corresponding 5-monophosphate inactive counterparts. The high heterogeneity in PDE families and in their tissue distribution, as well as their different functional role, make these enzymes very attractive targets for medicinal chemists. The PDE 4 family is particularly abundant in immunocompetent cells, where an increase of cAMP leads to the inhibition of the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory mediators, cytokines and active oxygen species. Moreover PDE 4 inhibitors are able to reduce bronchial smooth muscle tone in vitro and show bronchodilatory effects in vivo. Thus, the current therapy for asthma, which is based on a combination of beta(2) agonists and corticosteroids, could be replaced by treatment with PDE 4 inhibitors. This review mainly covers PDE 4 inhibitors structurally related to xanthines and Nitraquazone, which appear to be very attractive models for the synthesis of novel PDE 4 inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and some autoimmune diseases. These compounds could be devoid of the central side-effects (nausea, vomiting, headache) of the archetypal Rolipram, which hampered its development as a drug. The review also highlights the novel structural classes of PDE 4 inhibitors recently reported in the literature.

Synthesis of 4,5-functionalized-2-methyl-6-(substituted aryl)-3 (2H)-pyridazinones: a new group of potent platelet aggregation inhibitors.

A series of 4,5-functionalized-2-methyl-6-(substituted phenyl)-3 (2H)-pyridazinones were synthesized and evaluated as platelet aggregation inhibitors in human platelet rich plasma (PRP). The new products generally displayed significant higher activity with respect to the corresponding unsubstituted aryl compounds. Compounds 27 and 31 appeared of particular interest, being their IC50s in the submicromolar range. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) are discussed.

Synthesis and evaluation of in vitro antitumor activity of some substituted 5-pyridazinyl-styrylketones.

A series of twenty pyridazinyl-styrilketones, substituted at position 4 with linear or cyclic tertiary amino groups, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as antitumor agents against 60 human tumor cell-lines. Moderate activity and differential cell sensitivity were found for several of the compounds. Cell-line XF-498L (panel:Brain) showed differential cell sensitivity towards compound 5b (more than 1000 times the mean sensitivity of all cell-lines).

New 6-cyano-3-phenyl-1-,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,2-diazepin-5-ones: synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity evaluation.

A series of 6-cyano-3-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,2-diazepin-5-ones were synthesized and evaluated in vitro as antitumor agents against several human tumor cell lines. Moderate activity and differential cellular sensitivity were found for a few of the tested compounds.

PDE5 inhibitors and their applications.

PDE5 belongs to a superfamily of enzymes that catalyzes the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP to the corresponding 5-nucleoside monophosphate. PDE5 takes part in many physiological and pathological functions, therefore selective PDE5 inhibitors are potentially useful for a variety of pathologies. At the present, PDE5 inhibitors available on the market have been used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction but, at the same time, are in clinical trials investigating other pathologies such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, coronary vasospasm, benign prostatic hyperplasia etc. This review analyzes the PDE5 inhibitors currently in clinical use, the drugs in clinical trials and the most representative chemical classes published in literature in this last decade.

Synthesis and complete 1H, 13C and 15N NMR assignment of substituted isoxazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-ones.

The synthesis and complete assignment of all hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen NMR signals of several new isoxazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-ones is reported. The spectroscopic characterization is extended to previously described analogues.

1,2,3,4,-Tetrahydro-1,2-diazepine derivatives: synthesis and evaluation of antileukemic activity.

A series of 3-aryl or etheroaryl-6-cyano-7-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,2-diazepin- 5-ones was synthesized and evaluated for its antitumor activity against P388 leukemic tumor system in mice. None of the tested compounds showed significant antitumor properties.

Synthesis and evaluation as platelet aggregation inhibitors of 6-phenyl-2,4-substituted-3(2H)-pyridazinones and their rigid analogues benzo[h]cinnolin-3,5-diones.

A series of 5-acyl-6-phenyl-2,4-substituted-3(2H)-pyridazinones and analogous benzo[h]cinnolin-3,5-diones with reduced flexibility has been prepared and evaluated as human platelet aggregation inhibitors. The 4-methylsulfoxide 13b was the most potent compound of the series (IC50 = 1.2 microM). SAR studies have shown the primary importance of an electronegative substituent at position 4 and an acetyl group at position 5 of the pyridazine system for potent platelet aggregation inhibitory activity. Biological tests performed on a group of representative compounds showed these products have not effects on prostaglandins, thromboxanes and nitric oxide biosynthetic pathways. Some of synthesized compounds produced a moderate increase of cAMP level in platets which does not depend on the adenylate-cyclase stimulation. Tests performed on human platelet PDE III have shown that these compounds are not inhibitors of this enzyme.