Diketopiperazine-Based, Flexible Tadalafil Analogues: Synthesis, Crystal Structures and Biological Activity Profile.

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) is one of the most extensively studied phosphodiesterases that is highly specific for cyclic-GMP hydrolysis. PDE5 became a target for drug development based on its efficacy for treatment of erectile dysfunction. In the present study, we synthesized four novel analogues of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor-tadalafil, which differs in (i) ligand flexibility (rigid structure of tadalafil vs. conformational flexibility of newly synthesized compounds), (ii) stereochemistry associated with applied amino acid building blocks, and (iii) substitution with bromine atom in the piperonyl moiety. For both the intermediate and final compounds as well as for the parent molecule, we have established the crystal structures and performed a detailed analysis of their structural features. The initial screening of the cytotoxic effect on 16 different human cancer and non-cancer derived cell lines revealed that in most cases, the parent compound exhibited a stronger cytotoxic effect than new derivatives, except for two cell lines: HEK 293T (derived from a normal embryonic kidney, that expresses a mutant version of SV40 large T antigen) and MCF7 (breast adenocarcinoma). Two independent studies on the inhibition of PDE5 activity, based on both pure enzyme assay and modulation of the release of nitric oxide from platelets under the influence of tadalafil and its analogues revealed that, unlike a reference compound that showed strong PDE5 inhibitory activity, the newly obtained compounds did not have a noticeable effect on PDE5 activity in the range of concentrations tested. Finally, we performed an investigation of the toxicological effect of synthesized compounds on Caenorhabditis elegans in the highest applied concentration of 6a,b and 7a,b (160 µM) and did not find any effect that would suggest disturbance to the life cycle of Caenorhabditis elegans. The lack of toxicity observed in Caenorhabditis elegans and enhanced, strengthened selectivity and activity toward the MCF7 cell line made 7a,b good leading structures for further structure activity optimization and makes 7a,b a reasonable starting point for the search of new, selective cytotoxic agents.

Isolation and characterisation of N-benzyl tadalafil as a novel adulterant in a coffee-based dietary supplement.

A new tadalafil analogue was detected via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detection (DAD) during routine screening of health foods suspected of adulteration with erectile dysfunction drugs. The UV absorption spectrum of the unknown was almost identical to that of tadalafil. The analogue was purified by preparative HPLC and structural elucidation carried out by mass spectrometric and NMR spectroscopic experiments. The spectral data revealed that this tadalafil analogue bears a benzyl group instead of the methyl group. The isolated compound was identified as N-benzyl tadalafil. Considering the risk it poses to public health, this new PDE-5 analogues for ED should be included on the inspection list for illegal products.

Screening of Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors and Their Analogs in Dietary Supplements by Liquid Chromatography-Hybrid Ion Trap-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry.

An accurate and reliable method based on ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry (IT-TOF MS) was developed for screening phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, including sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil, and their analogs in dietary supplements. Various parameters affecting liquid chromatographic separation and IT-TOF detection were investigated, and the optimal conditions were determined. The separation was achieved on a reversed-phase column under gradient elution using acetonitrile and water containing 0.2% acetic acid at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The chromatographic eluents were directly ionized in the IT-TOF system equipped with an electrospray ion source operating in the positive ion mode. The proposed screening method was validated by assessing its linearity, precision, and accuracy. Sequential tandem MS was conducted to obtain structural information of the references, and the fragmentation mechanism of each reference was proposed for providing spectral insight for newly synthesized analogs. Structural information, including accurate masses of both parent and fragment ions, was incorporated into the MSn spectral library. The developed method was successfully applied for screening adulterated dietary supplement samples.

Development of a specific fragment pattern-based quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry method to screen adulterated products of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and their analogues.

Recently, adulterated supplements with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) have frequently observed. New synthetic analogues obtained from the chemical modification of parent compounds are frequently found in illicit products despite continuous efforts to inspect for these adulterants. A rapid and accurate method based on quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry was developed for simultaneously confirming and quantifying 85 PDE-5i and derived analogues present in illicit products for erectile dysfunction (ED). Common ions of PDE-5i according to their similar structures were proposed based on MS/MS fragmentations. These common ions could be an important diagnosis of their presence targets or new emerging analogues in supplements. Several validation parameters were employed, resulting in a limit of detection and quantification of 0.09-8.55 ng/mL and 0.24-17.10 ng/mL, respectively. The linear correlation coefficient (r2) was higher than 0.995, and mean recoveries of target compounds were in the range of 82-118%. A total of 187 illicit products, obtained from on/offline markets over a period of 3 years (2015-2017), were screened by the established method. Approximately 53% of them were adulterated with PDE-5i or derived analogues at concentrations of 0.1-726.0 mg/g in the illicit products. In the interests of public health, this study describes a rapid and accurate method to determine PDE-5i and new emerging analogues in adulterated products.

Elucidation of the absolute configuration of a tadalafil analogue found as adulterant in a health supplement by mass spectrometry, chiroptical methods and NMR spectroscopy.

The chirality of a dipropylaminopretadalafil stereoisomer isolated from a health supplement has been studied. Under high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) study, this unknown compound seems to be one of the trans configuration tadalafil analogues i.e. (6S, 12aR) or (6R, 12aS), owing to the same precursor ion at m/z 492 with mass errors within ±2 ppm tolerance and very close retention times. Moreover, the MS2 fragmentation pattern is also very similar to the two trans isomers. Fortunately, the unknown compound can be distinguished from the two trans isomers by enantioselective separation with the use of a chiral column. Further comparison studies with a series of homologous compounds without a diketopiperazine ring on ellipticity and optical rotation support the unknown compound to be in the cis-(6R, 12aR) configuration. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in one dimensional (1D) and nuclear overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) have affirmed the abovementioned configuration.

Identification of a new tadalafil analogue, N-3-hydroxypropylnortadalafil, in a supplement product.

A novel tadalafil analogue, which exhibits similarity to 2-hydroxypropylnortadalafil, was found in dietary supplements using adulterants screening and isolated using column chromatography. By using extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR and MS spectral analyses, the structure was determined as 6-(1,3-Benzodioxol-5-yl)-2,3,6,7,12,12a-hexahydro-2-(3-hydroxypropyl)pyrazino(1',2':1,6)pyrido(3,4-b)indole-1,4-dione, and the analogue was named N-3-hydroxypropylnortadalafil.

Identification of a new type tadalafil analogue in a supplement product.

A novel compound structurally similar to tadalafil was found in a dietary supplement by adulterants screening test and isolated by column chromatography. After analysis by accurate mass, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray, the structure of this novel tadalafil analogue was determined as (5R, 16R)-5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2- (3-ethypentan-3-yl)-15,16-dihydro(1H-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrido)[3,4-b]indol-1,3-dion.

Identification of a new tadalafil analogue in commercial dietary supplements: isopropylnortadalafil.

A new tadalafil analogue was found in a commercial dietary supplement for enhancing sexual performance. The compound was detected by a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). The analogue was isolated using semi-preparative HPLC, and its accurate mass was established by two LC-high-resolution-mass spectrometers (LC-HRMS). The structure was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The accurate mass of the compound corresponded to a molecular formula of C24H23N3O4. The compound was identified as a structural analogue of tadalafil in which the N-methyl group of tadalafil was replaced with an N-isopropyl group. We have named the new analogue isopropylnortadalafil and it is first reported herein.

Isolation and structural characterization of a new tadalafil analog (chloropropanoylpretadalafil) found in a dietary supplement.

A screen for known PDE-5 inhibitors in a dietary supplement product marketed for "enhanced sexual performance" detected a compound that structurally resembled chloropretadalafil, a known analog of tadalafil. The compound was isolated from the supplement matrix using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) and a fraction collector, and was further characterized using gas chromatography with Fourier Transform infrared detection and mass spectral detection (GC/FT-IR/MS), as well as high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The analog had an accurate mass of m/z 441.1216 (error is 0.8706ppm) for the protonated species [M+H](+), corresponding to a molecular formula of C23H22ClN2O5. HRAM and GC/FT-IR/MS mass spectral fragmentation data suggested that the modification is a chloropropanoyl moiety extending from the nitrogen on the piperidine ring of chloropretadalafil. The proposed new analog has been named chloropropanoylpretadalafil.

Identification of a new tadalafil analogue, dipropylaminopretadalafil, in a dietary supplement.

A novel tadalafil analogue in a dietary supplement was found by drug-adulteration screening and isolated by column chromatography and HPLC. Based on extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR and mass spectral analyses, the structure of this new compound was determined as 2-(N,N-dipropyl acetyl) 3-methyl 1-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-3,4-dihydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylate - its common name is dipropylaminopretadalafil.

Isolation and structural elucidation of a new tadalafil analogue in health supplements: bisprenortadalafil.

A new tadalafil analogue was found, along with nortadalafil, using HPLC-DAD during the inspection of a health product sold without official approval. The analogue was separated using a semi-preparative HPLC system and its structure was determined by a combination of mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The compound was identified as a tadalafil analogue in which the N-methyl group of tadalafil was replaced with a tadalafil precursor moiety. Nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy experiments suggested a cis-relationship between the substituents on a piperidine ring in the tadalafil moiety.

Identification and structural elucidation of three new tadalafil analogues found in a dietary supplement.

Compounds elucidated as new tadalafil analogues were found to be adulterated in a dietary supplement and detected during routine analysis by HPLC with photodiode array detection. The UV spectra of these compounds were found to be almost identical to that of tadalafil. The unknown compounds were isolated by preparative HPLC and elucidated by quadrupole-time-of-flight MS and NMR spectroscopy. Two compounds were identified as cyclopentyltadalafil and trans-cyclopentyltadalafil, from the substitution of the tadalafil N-methyl group with a cyclopentyl group. Another analogue was a dimeric form of tadalafil with an N-cyclopentyl group. This represents the first report of the elucidation of compounds used as adulterants in a dietary supplement.

Isolation and characterization of a tadalafil analogue, N-cyclopentyl nortadalafil in health supplement.

A tadalafil analogue was detected for the first time during the screening of a health supplement for undeclared sexual enhancement drugs. The compound had been isolated and purified by preparative high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Its chemical structure was elucidated using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The compound had a protonated molecular ion at m/z 444 with a chemical formula of C26H25N3O4. The data obtained from the MS analysis of the compound suggested that the N-methyl group on the piperazinedione moiety of tadalafil was substituted with a -C5H9 group. Analysis using NMR was performed and the -C5H9 group was characterized as a cyclopentyl moiety. The analogue was named N-cyclopentyl nortadalafil.

Simultaneous Detection of Three Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors and Eight of Their Analogs in Lifestyle Products and Screening for Adulterants by High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography.

An HPTLC method is proposed to permit effective screening for the presence of three phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is; sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil) and eight of their analogs (hydroxyacetildenafil, homosildenafil, thiohomosildenafil, acetildenafil, acetaminotadalafil, propoxyphenyl hydroxyhomosildenafil, hydroxyhomosildenafil, and hydroxythiohomosildenafil) in finished products, including tablets, capsules, chocolate, instant coffee, syrup, and chewing gum. For all the finished products, the same simple sample preparation may be applied: ultrasound-assisted extraction in 10 mL methanol for 30 min followed by centrifugation. The Rf values of individual HPTLC bands afford preliminary identification of potential PDE5-Is. Scanning densitometry capabilities enable comparison of the unknown UV spectra with those of known standard compounds and allow further structural insight. Mass spectrometric analysis of the material derived from individual zones supplies an additional degree of confidence. Significantly, the proposed screening technique allows focus on the already known PDE5 Is and provides a platform for isolation and chemical categorization of the newly-synthesized analogs. Furthermore, the scope could be expanded to other therapeutic categories (e.g., analgesics, antidiabetics, and anorexiants) that are occasionally coadulterated along with the PDE5-Is. The method was successfully applied to screening of 45 commercial lifestyle products. Of those, 31 products tested positive for at least one illegal component (sildenafil, tadalafil, propoxyphenyl hydroxyhomosildenafil, or dimethylsildenafil).

Identification of a new tadalafil analogue in an adulterated dietary supplement: trans-Bisprehomotadalafil.

A new tadalafil analogue was identified along with homotadalafil during routine screening of an adulterated dietary supplement using HPLC-DAD. The UV spectrum of this analogue was almost identical with that of tadalafil. This compound was isolated from the supplement by using semi-preparative HPLC and its structure was subsequently elucidated by performing Q-TOF/MS/MS and NMR spectroscopic experiments. The spectral data indicate that this tadalafil analogue is a dimeric compound that consists of an ethylamino group and two pretadalafil moieties. NOE experiments and comparison with (1)H NMR spectra of tadalafil and trans-tadalafil suggested the trans-relationship between the substituents on piperidine rings in the pretadalafil moieties.

Identification and screening of a tadalafil analogue found in adulterated herbal products.

A tadalafil analogue was detected in an herbal product by high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) with a similar chromatographic retention time to tadalafil. The compounds were separated using semi-preparative HPLC. The structure of the detected tadalafil analogue was elucidated by LC-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. A positive ion at m/z 404.1644 was detected by LC-Q-TOF/MS, corresponding to a molecular formula of C23H22N3O4. This unknown compound was identified as an analogue of tadalafil containing an additional methylene group and named homotadalafil. Homotadalafil was detected in 10 of 91 herbal products at concentrations of 0.058mgg(-1) to 8.735mgg(-1).

Isolation and structural characterization of a new tadalafil analog (2-hydroxyethylnortadalafil) found in a dietary supplement.

A screen for known PDE-5 inhibitors in a dietary supplement product marketed for "enhanced sexual performance" detected a compound that structurally resembled tadalafil. The compound was isolated from the supplement matrix using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) and a fraction collector, and was further characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), as well as high-resolution accurate mass mass spectrometry (HRAM-MS). The analog had an accurate mass of m/z 420.15614 (error is 1.77235ppm) for the protonated species [M+H](+), corresponding to a molecular formula of C23H22N3O5. Mass spectral fragmentation data suggested that the modification occurred in place of the CH3 located on the pyrazinopyridoindole-1,4-dione of tadalafil. NMR was utilized to further elucidate the configuration of the substitution. The analysis indicated that the moiety is a CH2CH2OH, hydroxyethyl group. The new analog has been named 2-hydroxyethylnortadalafil.