Synthesis, molecular modeling and SAR study of novel pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridines as CB2 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists.

Pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for the affinity at CB1 and CB2 receptors. Based on the AgOTf and proline-cocatalyzed multicomponent methodology, the ethyl 5-(p-tolyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxylate (12) and ethyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxylate (13) intermediates were synthesized from the appropriate o-alkynylaldehydes, p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide and ethyl pyruvate. Most of the novel compounds feature a p-tolyl (8a-i) or a 2,4-dichlorophenyl (8j) motif at the C5-position of the tricyclic pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine scaffold. Structural variation on the carboxamide moiety at the C2-position includes basic monocyclic, terpenoid and adamantine-based amines. Among these derivatives, compound 8h (N-adamant-1-yl-5-(p-tolyl)pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine-2-carboxamide) exhibited the highest CB2 receptor affinity (Ki=33nM) and a high degree of selectivity (KiCB1/KiCB2=173:1), whereas a similar trend in the near nM range was seen for the bornyl analogue (compound 8f, Ki=53nM) and the myrtanyl derivative 8j (Ki=67nM). Effects of 8h, 8f and 8j on forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were determined, showing antagonist/inverse agonist properties for such compounds. Docking studies conducted for these derivatives and the reference antagonist/inverse agonist compound 4 (SR144528) disclosed the specific pattern of interactions probably related to the pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine scaffold as CB2 inverse agonists.

Synthesis and SAR study of novel tricyclic pyrazoles as potent phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitors.

Novel pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridines, pyrazolo[5,1-a][2,6]naphthyridines, pyrazolo[5,1-a][2,7]naphthyridines and pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines phenylimidazole/benzimidazole ethylene-linked were designed and synthesized for PDE10A interaction. An AgOTf and proline-cocatalyzed multicomponent methodology based on use of o-alkynylaldehydes, tosylhydrazide and ketones was developed and proved to be a convenient route for assembly of most of the novel tricyclic pyrazoles synthesized. Pyrazolo[5,1-f][1,6]naphthyridine 43 and 59, pyrazolo[5,1-a][2,6]naphthyridine 66, and pyrazolo[5,1-a][2,7]naphthyridine 42 showed the highest affinity for PDE10A enzyme (IC50 = 40, 42, 40, 55 nM, respectively).