4-Substituted boro-proline dipeptides: synthesis, characterization, and dipeptidyl peptidase IV, 8, and 9 activities.

The boroProline-based dipeptidyl boronic acids were among the first DPP-IV inhibitors identified, and remain the most potent known. We introduced various substitutions at the 4-position of the boroProline ring regioselectively and stereoselectively, and incorporated these aminoboronic acids into a series of 4-substituted boroPro-based dipeptides. Among these dipeptidyl boronic acids, Arg-(4S)-boroHyp (4q) was the most potent inhibitor of DPP-IV, DPP8 and DPP9, while (4S)-Hyp-(4R)-boroHyp (4o) exhibited the most selectivity for DPP-IV over DPP8 and DPP9.

[Studies on analogues of huperzine A for treatment of senile dementia. VI. Asymmetric total synthesis of 14-nor-huperzine A and its inhibitory activity of acetylcholinesterase].

AIM: To study asymmetric total synthesis of 14-nor-huperzine A 2 and its inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase. METHODS: Highly enantioselective synthesis of compound 5 from beta-keto-ester 3 and 2-methylene-1,3-propanediol diacetate 4 by palladium-catalyzed bicycloannulation was carried out using new chiral ferrocenylphosphine ligands, such as 10, 11, followed by regioselective double-bond migration to produce compound 6. Optically pure 6 was obtained after enantio-enrichment recrystallization. Then, according to similar procedures of huperzine A synthesis, the target compound 14-nor-huperzine A 2 was prepared. The inhibitory activity was tested with rat erythrocyte membrame acetylcholinesterase. RESULTS: The inhibitory activity of synthetic (-)-14-nor-huperzine A was 8 fold less potent than that of (-)-huperzine A. CONCLUSION: A hydrogen-bond between 14-methyl group of (-) huperzine A and the main-chain oxygen of His 440 is necessary for the highly acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of huperzine A.

Structure-activity relationships of macrolides against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Existing 14, 15 and 16-membered macrolide antibiotics, while effective for other bacterial infections, including some mycobacteria, have not demonstrated significant efficacy in tuberculosis. Therefore an attempt was made to optimize this class for activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis through semisyntheses and bioassay. Approximately 300 macrolides were synthesized and screened for anti-TB activity. Structural modifications on erythromycin were carried out at positions 3, 6, 9, 11, and 12 of the 14-membered lactone ring; as well as at position 4'' of cladinose and position 2' of desosamine. In general, the synthesized macrolides belong to four subclasses: 9-oxime, 11,12-carbamate, 11,12-carbazate, and 6-O-substituted derivatives. Selected compounds were assessed for mammalian cell toxicity and in some cases were further assessed for CYP3A4 inhibition, microsome stability, in vivo tolerance and efficacy. The activity of 11,12-carbamates and carbazates as well as 9-oximes is highly influenced by the nature of the substitution at these positions. For hydrophilic macrolides, lipophilic substitution may result in enhanced potency, presumably by enhanced passive permeation through the cell envelope. This strategy, however, has limitations. Removal of the C-3 cladinose generally reduces the activity. Acetylation at C-2' or 4'' maintains potency of C-9 oximes but dramatically decreases that of 11,12-substituted compounds. Further significant increases in the potency of macrolides for M. tuberculosis may require a strategy for the concurrent reduction of ribosome methylation.

Metabolism of stavudine-5'-[p-bromophenyl methoxyalaninyl phosphate], stampidine, in mice, dogs, and cats.

We examined the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the experimental nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor compound stampidine in mice, dogs, and cats. Also reported is the identification of p-bromophenyl sulfate (p-Br-Ph-S) as a major in vivo phase II metabolite of stampidine. Liver cytosol was shown to take part in the hydrolysis of stampidine to form alaninyl-STV-monophosphate (Ala-STV-MP), 2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine (STV), and p-bromophenol; p-bromophenol was further sulfonated by sulfotransferase to form p-Br-Ph-S. Notably, plasma concentrations of stampidine >4 logs higher than its IC(50) value can be achieved in both dogs and cats after its p.o administration at a 100-mg/kg dose level. In dogs as well as cats, stampidine was metabolized to yield micromolar concentrations of the active metabolites ala-STV-MP and STV, which is similar to the metabolism of stampidine in mice. These findings encourage the further development of this new antiviral agent for possible clinical use in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.