Tafenoquine: A 2018 Novel FDA-Approved Prodrug for the Radical Cure of Plasmodium vivax Malaria and Prophylaxis of Malaria.

Tafenoquine (an 8-aminoquinoline) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria and preventive action against malaria. Despite the fact that the mechanism of action of the drug remains unclear, all studies indicated that a metabolite is responsible for its efficacy. Routes for the preparation of the drug are described.

Baricitinib: A 2018 Novel FDA-Approved Small Molecule Inhibiting Janus Kinases.

In 2018, Baricitinib was approved by the Food and Drig Administration (FDA) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Baricitinib exerts its action by targeting Janus kinases (JAK). In this study, we describe the necessary steps for preparing the drug using two alternative routes.

Third International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry (ECMC-3).

The third International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry, organized and sponsored by MDPI AG, publisher, and the journal Pharmaceuticals, took place in November 2017 on the SciForum website (www.sciforum.net/conference/ecmc-3). Around 300 authors from 34 different countries participated at the event, which hosted more than 70 presentations, keynotes, videos, and posters. A short description of some works presented during that scientific meeting is disclosed in this report.

Potential of bisbenzimidazole-analogs toward metronidazole-resistant Trichomonas vaginalis isolates.

A bisoxyphenylene-bisbenzimidazole series with increasing aliphatic chain length (CH2 to C10 H20 ) containing a meta- (m) or para (p)-benzimidazole linkage to the phenylene ring was tested for ability to inhibit the growth of metronidazole-susceptible (C1) and metronidazole-refractory (085) Trichomonas vaginalis isolates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Compound 3m, 2,2'-[α,ω-propanediylbis(oxy-1,3-phenylene)]bis-1H-benzimidazole, displayed a 5.5-fold lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) toward T. vaginalis isolate 085 than metronidazole under aerobic growth conditions, (26 µm compared to 145 µm). A dose of 25 mg/kg per day for four days of compound 3m cured a subcutaneous mouse model infection using T. vaginalis isolates 286 (metronidazole susceptible) and 085 (metronidazole refractory). Compound 3m was weakly reduced by pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, but unlike metronidazole was not dependent upon added ferredoxin. It is concluded from structure-activity relationships that there was no obvious trend based on the length of the central aliphatic chain, or the steric position of the bisbenzimidazole enabling prediction of biological activity. The compounds generally fulfill Lipinski's rile of five, indicating their potential as drug leads.

Second International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry (ECMC-2).

The second International Electronic Conference on Medicinal Chemistry, organized and sponsored by the publisher MDPI AG and the Journal Pharmaceuticals, took place in November 2016 on the SciForum website (www.sciforum.net/conference/ecmc-12). More than 150 authors from 22 countries participated in the event. Selected works presented during the scientific meeting are disclosed in this report.

Evaluation of bisbenzamidines as inhibitors for matriptase-2.

The serine protease matriptase-2 has attracted much attention as a potential target for the treatment of iron overload diseases. In this study, a series of 27 symmetric, achiral bisbenzamidines was evaluated for inhibitory activity against human matriptase-2, against the closely related enzyme human matriptase, as well as against human thrombin, bovine factor Xa and human trypsin. The conformationally restricted piperazine derivative 19 and the oxamide-derived bisbenzamidine 1 were identified as the most potent inhibitors of this series for matriptase-2 and matriptase, respectively.

Alkanediamide-Linked Bisbenzamidines Are Promising Antiparasitic Agents.

A series of 15 alkanediamide-linked bisbenzamidines and related analogs was synthesized and tested in vitro against two Trypanosoma brucei (T.b.) subspecies: T.b. brucei and T.b. rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani and two Plasmodium falciparum subspecies: a chloroquine-sensitive strain (NF54) and a chloroquine-resistant strain (K1). The in vitro cytotoxicity was determined against rat myoblast cells (L6). Seven compounds (5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15) showed high potency against both strains of T. brucei and P. falciparum with the inhibitory concentrations for 50% (IC50) in the nanomolar range (IC50 = 1-96 nM). None of the tested derivatives was significantly active against T. cruzi or L. donovani. Three of the more potent compounds (5, 6, 11) were evaluated in vivo in mice infected with the drug-sensitive (Lab 110 EATRO and KETRI 2002) or drug-resistant (KETRI 2538 and KETRI 1992) clinical isolates of T. brucei. Compounds 5 and 6 were highly effective in curing mice infected with the drug-sensitive strains, including a drug-resistant strain KETRI 2538, but were ineffective against KETRI 1992. Thermal melting of DNA and molecular modeling studies indicate AT-rich DNA sequences as possible binding sites for these compounds. Several of the tested compounds are suitable leads for the development of improved antiparasitic agents.

Pentamidine analogs as inhibitors of [(3)H]MK-801 and [(3)H]ifenprodil binding to rat brain NMDA receptors.

The anti-protozoal drug pentamidine is active against opportunistic Pneumocystis pneumonia, but in addition has several other biological targets, including the NMDA receptor (NR). Here we describe the inhibitory potencies of 76 pentamidine analogs at 2 binding sites of the NR, the channel binding site labeled with [(3)H]MK-801 and the [(3)H]ifenprodil binding site. Most analogs acted weaker at the ifenprodil than at the channel site. The spermine-sensitivity of NR inhibition by the majority of the compounds was reminiscent of other long-chain dicationic NR blockers. The potency of the parent compound as NR blocker was increased by modifying the heteroatoms in the bridge connecting the 2 benzamidine moieties and also by integrating the bridge into a seven-membered ring. Docking of the 45 most spermine-sensitive bisbenzamidines to a recently described acidic interface between the N-terminal domains of GluN1 and GluN2B mediating polyamine stimulation of the NR revealed the domain contributed by GluN1 as the most relevant target.

Some non-conventional biomolecular targets for diamidines. A short survey.

Increasing the affinity of diamidines for AT-rich regions of DNA has long been an important goal of medicinal chemists who wanted to improve the antiparasitic and antifungal properties of that class of derivatives. In recent years it was demonstrated that diamidines could interfere with many other biomolecular targets including ion channels as well as enzymes and modulate some RNA-protein, DNA-protein, and protein-protein interactions. It is therefore not surprising that diamidines now emerge as novel potential drug candidates for the treatment of various diseases, i.a. neurodegenerative disorders, acidosis-related pathological conditions, hypertension, thrombosis, type 2 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy, and cancers. A summary of the most striking results obtained to date in those domains is presented is this review.

Design and synthesis of N¹,N5-bis[4-(5-alkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]glutaramides as potential antifungal prodrugs.

A facile three step synthesis of a group of N1,N5-bis[4-(5-alkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]glutaramides, N1,N5-bis[4-(1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]glutaramide and N1,N5-bis[4-(5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenyl]glutaramide is described. These products are designed to function as masked bis-amidine prodrugs of a promising N1,N5-bis[4-(N'-(carbamimidoyl)phenyl]glutaramide antifungal lead.

Fragment-based design of symmetrical bis-benzimidazoles as selective inhibitors of the trimethoprim-resistant, type II R67 dihydrofolate reductase.

The continuously increasing use of trimethoprim as a common antibiotic for medical use and for prophylactic application in terrestrial and aquatic animal farming has increased its prevalence in the environment. This has been accompanied by increased drug resistance, generally in the form of alterations in the drug target, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). The most highly resistant variants of DHFR are known as type II DHFR, among which R67 DHFR is the most broadly studied variant. We report the first attempt at designing specific inhibitors to this emerging drug target by fragment-based design. The detection of inhibition in R67 DHFR was accompanied by parallel monitoring of the human DHFR, as an assessment of compound selectivity. By those means, small aromatic molecules of 150-250 g/mol (fragments) inhibiting R67 DHFR selectively in the low millimolar range were identified. More complex, symmetrical bis-benzimidazoles and a bis-carboxyphenyl were then assayed as fragment-based leads, which procured selective inhibition of the target in the low micromolar range (K(i) = 2-4 µM). The putative mode of inhibition is discussed according to molecular modeling supported by in vitro tests.

Bis(oxyphenylene)benzimidazoles: a novel class of anti-Plasmodium falciparum agents.

A small library of 26 2,2'-[alkane-α,ω-diylbis(oxyphenylene)]bis-1H-benzimidazoles has been prepared and evaluated against Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. Among the tested compounds, eight derivatives (17, 19, 20, 24, 27, 30, 32 and 35) exhibited an anti-Plasmodium falciparum activity characterized by IC(50) values in the range of 180-410 nM (0.11-0.21 µg/mL) and selectivity indexes (IC(50) rat skeletal myoblasts L6 cells vs IC(50)P. falciparum K1 strain) varying between 92 and more than 450. Two of the eight novel drug leads, namely compounds 19 and 32, were also active against G. intestinalis and L. donovani with selectivity indexes of 122 and >164 respectively.

Synthesis and SAR of alkanediamide-linked bisbenzamidines with anti-trypanosomal and anti-pneumocystis activity.

A series of alkanediamide-linked bisbenzamidines was synthesized and tested in vitro against a drug-sensitive strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei, a drug-resistant strain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Pneumocystiscarinii. Bisbenzamidines linked with longer alkanediamide chains were potent inhibitors of both strains of T. brucei. However, bisbenzamidines linked with shorter alkanediamide chains were the most potent compounds against P. carinii. N,N'-Bis[4-(aminoiminomethyl)phenyl] hexanediamide, 4 displayed potent inhibition (IC50=2-3 nM) against T. brucei and P. carinii, and was non-cytotoxic in the A549 human lung carcinoma cell line. The inhibitory bioactivity was significantly reduced when the amidine groups in 4 were moved from the para to the meta positions or replaced with amides.

Novel bisbenzimidazoles with antileishmanial effectiveness.

A small library of 2,2'-[(alpha,omega-alkanediylbis(oxyphenylene)]bis-1H-benzimidazoles has been prepared and screened in vitro against Pneumocystis carinii, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, and Leishmania donovani. Among the six tested compounds two derivatives emerged as promising hits characterized by IC(50) values lower than that determined for pentamidine against L. donovani.

Trypanocidal activity of piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines and bisbenzamidoxime, an orally active prodrug.

A series of 32 piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines (and related analogues) were analysed for their in vitro and in vivo trypanocidal activity against a drug-sensitive strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and a drug-resistant strain of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. The compounds showed similar potencies against both strains. The most potent compounds were bisbenzamidines substituted at the amidinium nitrogens with a linear pentyl group (8, inhibitory concentration for 50% (IC(50))=1.7-3.0 nM) or cyclic octyl group (17, IC(50)=2.3-4.6 nM). Replacement of the diamidine groups with diamidoxime groups resulted in a prodrug (22) that was effective orally against T. b. brucei-infected mice. Three compounds (7, 11 and 15) provided 100% cure when administered parenterally. The results indicate that the nature of the substituents at the amidinium nitrogens of bisbenzamidines strongly influence their trypanocidal activity.

Anti-plasmodial and anti-leishmanial activity of conformationally restricted pentamidine congeners.

A library of 52 pentamidine congeners in which the flexible pentyldioxy linker in pentamidine was replaced with various restricted linkers was tested for in-vitro activity against two Plasmodium falciparum strains and Leishmania donovani. The tested compounds were generally more effective against P. falciparum than L. donovani. The most active compounds against the chloroquine-sensitive (D6, Sierra Leone) and -resistant (W2, Indochina) strains of P. falciparum were bisbenzamidines linked with a 1,4-piperazinediyl or 1, 4-homopiperazinediyl moiety, with IC50 values (50% inhibitory concentration, inhibiting parasite growth by 50% in relation to drug-free control) as low as 7 nM based on the parasite lactate dehydrogenase assay. Seven piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines substituted at the amidinium nitrogens with a linear alkyl group of 3-6 carbons (22, 25, 27, 31) or cycloalkyl group of 4, 6 or 7 carbons (26, 32, 34) were more potent (IC50<40 nM) than chloroquine or pentamidine as anti-plasmodial agents. The most active anti-leishmanial agents were 4,4'-[1,4-phenylenebis(methyleneoxy)]bisbenzenecarboximidamide (2, IC50 approximately 0.290 microM) and 1,4-bis[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenyl] piperazine (44, IC50 approximately 0.410 microM), which were 10- and 7-fold more potent than pentamidine (IC50 approximately 2.90 microM). Several of the more active anti-plasmodial agents (e.g. 2, 31, 33, 36-38) were also potent anti-leishmanial agents, indicating broad antiprotozoal properties. However, a number of analogues that showed potent anti-plasmodial activity (1, 18, 21, 22, 25-28, 32, 43, 45) were not significantly active against the Leishmania parasite. This indicates differential modes of anti-plasmodial and anti-leishmanial actions for this class of compounds. These compounds provide important structure-activity relationship data for the design of improved chemotherapeutic agents against parasitic infections.

In vitro selection and in vivo efficacy of piperazine- and alkanediamide-linked bisbenzamidines against Pneumocystis pneumonia in mice.

Bisbenzamidines, such as pentamidine isethionate, are aromatic dicationic compounds that are active against Pneumocystis and other microbes but are oftentimes toxic to the host. To identify potential anti-Pneumocystis agents, we synthesized bisbenzamidine derivatives in which the parent compound pentamidine was modified by a 1,4-piperazinediyl, alkanediamide, or 1,3-phenylenediamide moiety as the central linker. Several of the compounds were more active against P. carinii and less toxic than pentamidine in cytotoxicity assays. For this study, we evaluated nine bisbenzamidine derivatives representing a range of in vitro activities, from highly active to inactive, for the treatment of pneumocystosis in an immunosuppressed mouse model. Six of these in vitro-active compounds, 01, 02, 04, 06, 100, and 101, exhibited marked efficacies against infection at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight, and four compounds, 01, 04, 100, and 101, showed significant increases in survival versus that of untreated infected control mice. Compound 100 was highly efficacious against the infection at 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, with > 1,000-fold reductions in burden, and resulted in improved survival curves versus those for pentamidine-treated mice (at the same doses). All six bisbenzamidine compounds that exhibited high in vitro activity significantly decreased the infection in vivo; two compounds, 12 and 102, with marked to moderate in vitro activities had slight or no activity in vivo, while compound 31 was inactive in vitro and was also inactive in vivo. Thus, the selection of highly active compounds from in vitro cytotoxicity assays was predictive of activity in the mouse model of Pneumocystis pneumonia. We conclude that a number of these bisbenzamidine compounds, especially compound 100, may show promise as new anti-Pneumocystis drugs.

Highly active anti-Pneumocystis carinii compounds in a library of novel piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines and related compounds.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pentamidine isethionate have been used extensively for the prophylaxis and therapy of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii. Problems associated with toxicity and potential emerging resistance for both therapies necessitate the development of safe and effective analogs or new treatment strategies. In the present study, a library of 36 compounds was synthesized by using the pentamidine molecule as the parent compound modified by a 1,4-piperazinediyl moiety as the central linker to restrict conformation flexibility. The compounds were evaluated for anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity in a bioluminescent ATP-driven assay. Four of the compounds were highly active, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of <0.01 microg/ml; four had very marked activity (IC(50) < 0.10 microg/ml); ten had marked activity (IC(50) < 1.0 microg/ml); nine had moderate activity (IC(50) < 10 microg/ml); one had slight activity (IC(50) = 34.1 microg/ml); and the remaining eight did not demonstrate activity in this assay system. The high level of activity was specifically associated with an alkyl chain length of five to six carbons attached to one of the nitrogens of the bisamidinium groups. None of the highly active compounds and only one of the very marked compounds exhibited any toxicity when evaluated in three mammalian cell lines. The strategy of substitution of 1,4-piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines produced compounds with the highest level of activity observed in the ATP assay and holds great promise for the development of efficacious anti-P. carinii therapy.

Novel bisbenzamidines as potential drug candidates for the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.

A series of pentamidine congeners has been synthesized and screened for their in vitro activity against Pneumocystis carinii. Among the tested compounds, bisbenzamidines linked by a flexible pentanediamide or hexanediamide chain (7 and 9) emerged as exceptionally potent agents that were more effective and less toxic than pentamidine in the assays described in this study.

Piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines: a novel class of antileishmanial agents.

A series of 13 1,4-diarylpiperazines has been prepared, evaluated for antileishmanial activity and their binding affinity to DNA was measured. Among these compounds, 1,4-bis[4-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenyl]piperazine (14) emerged as the most active compound with an IC(50) value of 0.41 microM which is about sevenfold more potent than pentamidine.