Effects of a Losartan-Antioxidant Hybrid (GGN1231) on Vascular and Cardiac Health in an Experimental Model of Chronic Renal Failure.

Drugs providing antihypertensive and protective cardiovascular actions are of clinical interest in controlling cardiovascular events and slowing the progression of kidney disease. We studied the effect of a hybrid compound, GGN1231 (derived from losartan in which a powerful antioxidant was attached), on the prevention of cardiovascular damage, cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis in a rat model of severe chronic renal failure (CRF). CRF by a 7/8 nephrectomy was carried out in male Wistar rats fed with a diet rich in phosphorous (0.9%) and normal calcium (0.6%) for a period of 12 weeks until sacrifice. In week 8, rats were randomized in five groups receiving different drugs including dihydrocaffeic acid as antioxidant (Aox), losartan (Los), dihydrocaffeic acid+losartan (Aox+Los) and GGN1231 as follows: Group 1 (CRF+vehicle group), Group 2 (CRF+Aox group), Group 3 (CRF+Los group), Group 4 (CRF+Aox+Los group), and Group 5 (CRF+GGN1231 group). Group 5, the CRF+GGN1231 group, displayed reduced proteinuria, aortic TNF-α, blood pressure, LV wall thickness, diameter of the cardiomyocytes, ATR1, cardiac TNF-α and fibrosis, cardiac collagen I, and TGF-ß1 expression. A non-significant 20% reduction in the mortality was also observed. This study showed the possible advantages of GGN1231, which could help in the management of cardiovascular and inflammatory processes. Further research is needed to confirm and even expand the positive aspects of this compound.

Pyridazino-pyrrolo-quinoxalinium salts as highly potent and selective leishmanicidal agents targeting trypanothione reductase.

Fifteen pyridazino-pyrrolo-quinoxalinium salts were synthesized and tested for their antiprotozoal activity against Leishmania infantum amastigotes. Eleven of them turned out to be leishmanicidal, with EC50 values in the nanomolar range, and displayed low toxicity against the human THP-1 cell line. Selectivity indices for these compounds range from 10 to more than 1000. Compounds 3b and 3f behave as potent inhibitors of the oxidoreductase activity of the essential enzyme trypanothione disulfide reductase (TryR). Interestingly, binding of 3f is not affected by high trypanothione concentrations, as revealed by the noncompetitive pattern of inhibition observed when tested in the presence of increasing concentrations of this substrate. Furthermore, when analyzed at varying NADPH concentrations, the characteristic pattern of hyperbolic uncompetitive inhibition supports the view that binding of NADPH to TryR is a prerequisite for inhibitor-protein association. Similar to other TryR uncompetitive inhibitors for NADPH, 3f is responsible for TryR-dependent reduction of cytochrome c in a reaction that is typically inhibited by superoxide dismutase.

Tripeptides as Integrin-Linked Kinase Modulating Agents Based on a Protein-Protein Interaction with α-Parvin.

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) has emerged as a controversial pseudokinase protein that plays a crucial role in the signaling process initiated by integrin-mediated signaling. However, ILK also exhibits a scaffolding protein function inside cells, controlling cytoskeletal dynamics, and has been related to non-neoplastic diseases such as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although this protein always acts as a heterotrimeric complex bound to PINCH and parvin adaptor proteins, the role of parvin proteins is currently not well understood. Using in silico approaches for the design, we have generated and prepared a set of new tripeptides mimicking an α-parvin segment. These derivatives exhibit activity in phenotypic assays in an ILK-dependent manner without altering kinase activity, thus allowing the generation of new chemical probes and drug candidates with interesting ILK-modulating activities.

Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxal-5-inium salts and 4,5-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines: Synthesis, activity and computational docking for protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) is an interesting therapeutical target for diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer. As such, inhibition of PTP1B using orally administered drugs is still being pursued by academia and pharmaceutical companies. The failure of catalytic-site inhibitors led to the focus in this field being switched to allosteric inhibitors. To date, the non-competitive inhibitors that have reached clinical trials target the site formed by the α3/α6/α7 tunnel or the site found in a disordered C-terminal non-catalytic segment. Herein, pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxal-5-inium salts and 4,5-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines are synthesized from pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines by alkylation and reduction, respectively. These compounds showed no toxicity in HepG2 cells and exhibited inhibitory activity against PTP1B, with inhibition percentages of between 37% and 53% at 1 µM and activities (IC50) of between 0.25 and 1.90 µM. The inhibitory activity against T-cell protein tyrosine phosphatase (TC-TPT) was also assayed, with 4,5-dihydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines being found to be slightly more active and selective. Compounds from the two series behave as insulin mimetics since they exhibit enhancement of glucose uptake in C2C12 cells. Computational docking studies provide information about the putative binding mode for both series and the preference for the α3/α6/α7 allosteric tunnel.

A Computer-Driven Scaffold-Hopping Approach Generating New PTP1B Inhibitors from the Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline Core.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a very promising target for the treatment of metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes mellitus. Although it was validated as a promising target for this disease more than 30 years ago, as yet there is no drug in advanced clinical trials, and its biochemical mechanism and functions are still being studied. In the present study, based on our experience generating PTP1B inhibitors, we have developed and implemented a scaffold-hopping approach to vary the pyrrole ring of the pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline core, supported by extensive computational techniques aimed to explain the molecular interaction with PTP1B. Using a combination of docking, molecular dynamics and end-point free-energy calculations, we have rationally designed a hypothesis for new PTP1B inhibitors, supporting their recognition mechanism at a molecular level. After the design phase, we were able to easily synthesize proposed candidates and their evaluation against PTP1B was found to be in good concordance with our predictions. Moreover, the best candidates exhibited glucose uptake increments in cellulo model, thus confirming their utility for PTP1B inhibition and validating this approach for inhibitors design and molecules thus obtained.

Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines: Insulin Mimetics that Exhibit Potent and Selective Inhibition against Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B.

PTP1B dephosphorylates insulin receptor and substrates to modulate glucose metabolism. This enzyme is a validated therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes, but no current drug candidates have completed clinical trials. Pyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalines substituted at positions C1-C4 and/or C7-C8 were found to be nontoxic to cells and good inhibitors in the low- to sub-micromolar range, with the 4-benzyl derivative being the most potent inhibitor (0.24 µm). Some analogues bearing chlorine atoms at C7 and/or C8 kept potency and showed good selectivity compared to TCPTP (selectivity index >40). The most potent inhibitors behaved as insulin mimetics by increasing glucose uptake. The 4-benzyl derivative inhibited insulin receptor substrate 1 and AKT phosphorylation. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations supported a putative binding mode for these compounds to the allosteric α3/α6/α7 pocket, but inconsistent results in enzyme inhibition kinetics were obtained due to the high tendency of these inhibitors to form stable aggregates. Computational calculations supported the druggability of inhibitors.

Preliminary research on 1-(4-bromo-2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)-3-[(18)F]fluoropropan-2-ol as a novel brain hypoxia PET tracer in a rodent model of stroke.

The synthesis of the new radiotracer precursor 4-Br-NITTP and the radiolabeling of the new tracer 1-(4-bromo-2-nitroimidazol-1-yl)-3-[(18)F]fluoropropan-2-ol (4-Br-[(18)F]FMISO) is reported. The cyclic voltammetry behaviour, neuronal cell toxicity, transport through the brain endothelial cell monolayer, in vivo PET imaging and preliminary calculations of the tracer uptake for a rodent model of stroke were studied for the new compound and the results were compared to those obtained with [(18)F]FMISO, the current gold standard PET hypoxia tracer. The new PET brain hypoxia tracer is more easily reduced, has higher CLogP than [(18)F]FMISO and it diffuses more rapidly through brain endothelial cells. The new compound is non-toxic to neuronal cells and it allows the in vivo mapping of stroke in mice with higher sensitivity. 4-Br-[(18)F]FMISO is a good candidate for further development in ischemic stroke.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyridazino[1',6':1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indolinium and pyridazino[1,6-a]benzimidazolium salts as anti-inflammatory agents.

Condensed polycyclic heteroaromatic cations bearing a bridgehead nitrogen with pyridazino[1',6':1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indolinium and pyridazino[1,6-a]benzimidazolium structures were assayed as inhibitors of LPS-induced TNF-α production by THP-1 cells. The hit compound 1e, which had the best IC50 value (4.49 µM) and low toxicity, was further assayed on human PMBCs (IC50 3.91 µM) and monocytes (IC50 1.82 µM). This compound also inhibited TNF-α production following poly I:C stimulation of human monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells; in the latter case, inhibition of IL-12 production was also observed. Compound 1e was also able to inhibit TNF-α expression at the transcriptional level and proved to be effective in vivo. Compound 1e is an interesting potential therapeutic agent in IMIDs.

N-(4-[(18)F]-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}carboxamides as analogs of WAY100635. New PET tracers of serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptors.

N-(4-[(18)F]-Fluoropyridin-2-yl)-N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl}-carboxamides were prepared by labeling their 4-nitropyridin-2-yl precursors through nitro substitution by the (18)F anion. In vitro and in vivo tests showed that the cyclohexanecarboxamide derivative is a reversible, selective and high affinity 5-HT1A receptor antagonist (IC50 = 0.29 nM, ki = 0.18 nM) with high brain uptake, slow brain clearance and stability to defluorination when compared with conventional standards. This PET radioligand is a promising candidate for an improved in vivo quantification of 5-HT1A receptors in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Synthesis, modelling and biological characterization of 3-substituted-1H-indoles as ligands of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors.

A three-step synthetic pathway has been employed to synthesize a small library of 2-(4-arylpiperidin-1-yl)-1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethanone and 2-(4-arylpiperidin-1-yl)-1-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethane-1,2-dione derivatives that have been screened in [(3)H]ifenprodil competition binding assay. Some compounds exhibited significant binding affinity at nanomolar concentration, the most active being ligand 35 (IC50=5.5nM). Docking experiments suggested the main interactions between 35 and GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors. Notably, the compound 35 reduced NMDA-mediated excitatory post-synaptic currents recorded in mouse hippocampal slices indicating antagonistic effects (50nM). Moreover, the compound 35 has shown antioxidant effects in a preliminary screening, thus suggesting that it might be considered prototype for future drug development of novel 'dual target' neuroprotective agents.

Indole derivatives as dual-effective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases: synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular modeling studies.

Several indole derivatives, that were highly potent ligands of GluN2B-subunit-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, also demonstrated antioxidant properties in ABTS method. In particular, the 2-(4-benzylpiperidin-1-yl)-1-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)ethanone (1) proved to be a dual-effective neuroprotective agent. With the aim to increase the antioxidant properties we added a catechol moiety onto piperidine moiety. The designed hybrid derivative 3,4-dihydroxy-N-[1-[2-(5-hydroxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-2-oxoethyl]piperidin-4-yl]benzamide (10) was the most effective antioxidant agent (>94.1 ± 0.1% of inhibition at 17 µM) and showed GluN2B/NMDA receptor affinity at low micromolar concentration (IC50 0.66 µM). By means of computational studies we explored the effect of the presence of this antioxidant fragment during the recognition process to binding pocket.

Remote aryl cyanation via isocyanide-cyanide rearrangement on tosylmethyl isocyanide derivatives.

The reaction of alkyl tosylmethyl isocyanides and 2-bromobenzyl bromides in the presence of t-BuLi gives rise to a cascade reaction to give unexpected 2-substituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-indenimines which, upon treatment with t-BuOK, rearrange to 2-vinylbenzonitriles in high overall yields. This simple procedure represents a new approach to the synthesis of aromatic nitriles via isocyanide-cyanide interconversion.

New losartan-hydrocaffeic acid hybrids as antihypertensive-antioxidant dual drugs: Ester, amide and amine linkers.

We report new examples of a series of losartan-hydrocaffeic hybrids that bear novel ester, amide and amine linkers. These compounds were made by linking hydrocaffeic acid to the side chain of losartan at the C-5 position of the imidazole ring through different strategies. Experiments performed in cultured cells demonstrate that these new hybrids retain the ability to block the angiotensin II effect and have increased antioxidant ability. Most of them reduced arterial pressure in rats better or as much as losartan.

Losartan-antioxidant hybrids: novel molecules for the prevention of hypertension-induced cardiovascular damage.

We report the first examples of a new series of antioxidant-sartan hybrids (AO-sartans), which were made by adding an antioxidant fragment to the hydroxymethyl side chain of losartan. Experiments performed in cultured cells demonstrate that these new hybrids retain the ability to block the angiotensin II effect with increased antioxidant ability. In hypertensive rats, these compounds show properties that suggest they may be more useful than losartan for controlling hypertension and preventing hypertension-induced cardiovascular damage.

An improved synthesis of alpha-carbolines under microwave irradiation.

[reaction: see text]. Alpha-carbolines are interesting core structures for designing DNA-interacting small molecules. However, these compounds are not commercially available and their synthetic methods are low yielding or time consuming. The shortest synthetic route, the modified Graebe-Ullmann reaction, has been optimized by using microwave heating in four different types of apparatus to give shorter reaction times and enhanced yields. Optimized conditions enabled the preparation of a small library of alpha-carbolines.

Westphal reaction in solid-phase.

[reaction: see text]. A library of cycloimonium salts has been prepared through Westphal reaction in solid-phase. By reaction of solid-support-bound azolium or azinium acetates 2, 1,2-diketones 4, and base, cycloimonium salts 5 were synthesized in good to high yield and purities.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of pyridazino[1',6':1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indol-5-inium derivatives as anti-cancer agents.

Several new pyridazino[1',6':1,2]pyrido[3,4-b]indol-5-inium derivatives were synthesised from beta-carboline derivatives and their cytotoxic activity and effect on the cell cycle were evaluated against L1210 cancer cells.