Stereoselective Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of (1E,2Z,3E)‐1‐(Piperidin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(arylhydrazono)‐2‐[(benzoyl/benzothiazol‐ 2‐oyl)hydrazono]‐4‐(aryl1)but‐3‐enes

The reaction of benzoyl hydrazine 1a or benzothiazole‐2‐carbohydrazide 1b with 2‐oxo‐N‐arylpropanehydrazonoyl chlorides 2a–d yielded (1Z,2E)‐2‐[(benzoyl/benzothiazol‐2‐oyl)hydrazono]‐N‐(aryl)propanehydrazonoyl chlorides 3a–e . The reaction of 3a–c with sodium benzenesulphinate furnished sulphones 5a–c while the reaction of 5d , e with hydroxyl amine afforded hydroxomoyl derivatives 6a , b . The one‐pot sterioselective reaction of N‐(aryl)propanehydrazonoyl chlorides 3 with certain aromatic aldehydes in the presence of piperidine resulted in the formation of (1E,2Z,3E)‐1‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)‐1‐(arylhydrazono)‐2‐[(benzoyl/benzothiazol‐2‐oyl)hydrazono]‐4‐(aryl¹)‐but‐3‐enes 7a–g . X‐ray analysis of piperidinyl amidrazone 7g showed a conversion of its geometrical structure with respect to that of compound 3 and confirmed the stereoselectivity of the latter reaction. The piperidinyl amidrazones 7a–g possessed a significant antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses (HSV‐1). Compound 7d reduced the number of viral plaques of herpes simplex type‐1 (HSV‐1) by 67%, with respect to the effect of reference drug Aphidicolin.     

Discovery of Novel 2‐(piperidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole Derivatives as Potential Anti‐Inflammatory Agents

A novel 2‐(piperidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole derivative 5 with good anti‐inflammatory activity was identified from our in‐house library. Based on hit compound 5 , two series of 2‐(piperidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole derivative 6a – g and 7a – h were designed and synthesized as novel anti‐inflammatory agents. Most of synthesized compounds exhibited good inhibitory activity on NO and TNF‐α production in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, in which the compound 6e showed most potent inhibitory activity on NO (IC₅₀ = 0.86 μm ) and TNF‐α (IC₅₀ = 1.87 μm ) production. Further evaluation revealed that compound 6e displayed more potent in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity than ibuprofen did on xylene‐induced ear oedema in mice. Additionally, Western blot analysis revealed that compound 6e could restore phosphorylation level of IκBα and protein expression of p65 NF‐κB in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of 5‐(4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)benzonitrile derivatives as xanthine oxidase inhibitors

A series of 5‐(4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐1‐yl)benzonitrile derivatives ( 1a–p ) was designed, synthesized, and identified as xanthine oxidase inhibitors with micromolar level potencies. Among them, the most promising compounds 1j and 1k were obtained with IC₅₀ values of 8.1 and 6.7 μm , respectively. The Lineweaver–Burk plot revealed that compound 1k acted as a mixed‐type xanthine oxidase inhibitor. SAR analysis revealed that a carbon atom occupying the X³ position is not as effective as a nitrogen atom, and an iso‐pentyloxy or a cyclopentyloxy at the 2‐position of benzonitrile moiety will benefit the inhibitory potency. The basis of xanthine oxidase inhibition by 1k was rationalized by molecular modeling studies.     

Synthesis and Positive Inotropic Evaluation of (E)‐2‐(4‐Cinnamylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐N‐(1‐substituted‐4,5‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)acetamides

A series of (E)‐2‐(4‐cinnamylpiperazin‐1‐yl)‐N‐(1‐substituted‐4,5‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)acetamides were synthesized and evaluated for their positive inotropic activity by measuring the left atrium stroke volume on isolated rabbit heart preparations. This class of compounds presented favorable in vitro activity compared with the standard drug, milrinone, among which N‐(1‐(3‐chlorophenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)‐2‐(4‐cinnamylpiperazin‐1‐yl)acetamide 5e was found to be the most potent with 16.58 ± 0.11% increased stroke volume (milrinone: 2.46 ± 0.07%) at a concentration of 3 × 10^?5 M. The chronotropic effects of the compounds having inotropic effects were also evaluated.     

Design,Synthesis, and Antitumor Activity of (E,Z)‐1‐(dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐yl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propen‐1‐ones

A series of (E,Z)‐1‐(dihydrobenzofuran‐5‐yl)‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐2‐propen‐1‐ones ( C1 – C35 ) were designed and synthesized, and the structures of compounds (Z)‐ C27 and (Z)‐ C29 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The antitumor activities of these novel compounds against cervical cancer (HeLa), lung cancer (A549), and breast cancer (MCF‐7) cell lines were evaluated in vitro. Majority of the title compounds exhibited strong antitumor activities and were much more promising than the positive control Taxol, which were also accompanied by lower cytotoxicity to normal cells. In particular, compounds (E,Z)‐ C24 exhibited the most consistent potent activities against three neoplastic cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.2 to 7.1 μm . Further researches demonstrated that compounds (E,Z)‐ C24 could induce cell apoptosis and arrest cell cycle at the G2/M and S phases. Meanwhile, the structure–activity relationship between the configurations and cytotoxicity of the compounds was also investigated.     

The synthesis of [1‐14C]2‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)acetic acid

Tetrazoles are a common heterocyclic functionality in many biologically active molecules. [1‐¹⁴C]2‐(1H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)acetic acid was required as an intermediate in the synthesis of a development candidate as part of a discovery phase program to complete metabolic profiling studies. [1‐¹⁴C]2‐(1H‐Tetrazol‐5‐yl)acetic acid was prepared in 4 steps overall and in 3 radiochemical steps from K¹⁴CN in an overall 32% radiochemical yield.     

Synthesis and characterization of tritium labeled N‐((R)‐1‐((S)‐4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐3,3‐dimethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐3‐sulfamoylbenzamide

N‐((R)‐1‐((S)‐4‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐4‐hydroxy‐3,3‐dimethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐3‐sulfamoylbenzamide is a potent C‐C chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) antagonist. The compound, possessing benzamide functionality, successfully underwent tritium/hydrogen (T/H) exchange with an organoiridium catalyst (Crabtree's catalyst). The labeling pattern in the product was studied with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, and ³H‐NMR. Overall, multiple labeled species were identified. In addition to the anticipated incorporation of tritium in the benzamide moiety, tritium labeling was observed in the valine portion of the molecule including substitution at its chiral carbon. Using authentic standards, liquid chromatography analysis of the labeled compound showed complete retention of stereochemical configuration.     

Radiosynthesis of N‐[4‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)piperidin‐1‐yl]‐N′‐(2‐[11C]oxo‐1,3‐dihydrobenzimidazol‐5‐yl)oxamide,a NR2B‐selective NMDA receptor antagonist

In order to perform in vivo imaging of the NR2B NMDA receptor system by positron emission tomography, a NR2B selective NMDA receptor antagonist has been labelled with carbon‐11 (half‐life: 20 min). N‐[4‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)piperidin‐1‐yl]‐N′‐(2‐oxo‐1,3‐dihydrobenzimidazol‐5‐yl)oxamide has been described demonstrating high affinity and selectivity for the NR2B receptors (IC₅₀ of 5 nM in [³H]Ro‐25,6981 binding assay). The labelling precursor and the reference compound were synthesized by coupling the 4‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)piperidine with the corresponding oxalamic acid. The reaction of [¹¹C]phosgene with phenylenediamine precursor led the formation of the [¹¹C]benzimidazolone ring present on the ligand. The labelling occurred in THF or acetonitrile and the decay corrected radiochemical yield was 30–40% from the produced [¹¹C]methane. HPLC purification and formulation led to 2.6–3.7 GBq (70–100 mCi) of radioligand within 30–35 min. The specific radioactivity was 72–127 GBq/µmol (2–3.4 Ci/µmol) at the end of synthesis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

13C‐ and 14C‐labelling of N‐[1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl‐methyleneamino] guanidinium acetate

N‐[1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl‐¹³C₄‐methyleneamino]guanidinium acetate has been synthesized by a four‐step procedure. This involved reduction of the Weinreb amide N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dimethyloxybutane‐1,4‐diamide‐1,2,3,4‐¹³C₄ by Dibal‐H to give the corresponding unstable dialdehyde which is reacted in situ with 4‐chloroaniline to form 1‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrrole‐¹³C₄. This pyrrole analogue underwent a Vilsmeyer acylation with POCl₃/DMF followed by final reaction with aminoguanidine bicarbonate to produce the desired labelled compound with 99% atom ¹³C. By using DMF [α‐¹⁴C] a radio‐labelled analogue was synthesized with a specific activity of 60 mCi/mmol. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exploration of 5‐(5‐nitrothiophen‐2‐yl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles as selective,multitargeted antimycobacterial agents

We report the biological evaluation of 5‐(5‐nitrothiophen‐2‐yl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole derivatives against bacteria, eukaryotic cell lines and the assessment of their mechanisms of action to determine their prospects of being developed into potent antituberculosis agents. The compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial property against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, multidrug‐resistant M. tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis BCG, Mycobacterium aurum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus using high‐throughput spot‐culture growth inhibition assay. They were found to be selective toward slow‐growing mycobacteria and Gram‐positive bacteria. In M. bovis BCG, they exhibited a bactericidal mode of action. Cytotoxicity was assessed in human THP‐1 and murine RAW 264.7 cell lines, and the compounds showed a lower cytotoxicity potential when compared with their antibacterial activity. They were found to be excellent whole‐cell efflux pump inhibitors of the mycobacterial surrogate M. aurum, performing better than known efflux pump inhibitor verapamil. The 5‐nitrothiophene moiety was identified for the first time as a prospective inhibitor scaffold of mycobacterial arylamine N‐acetyltransferase enzyme, which is the key enzyme in metabolizing isoniazid, a first‐line antituberculosis drug. The two aforementioned findings make the compounds potential hits in the development of adjunctive tuberculosis therapy.     

Synthesis and Positive Inotropic Evaluation of 2‐(4‐(4‐Substituted benzyloxy)‐3‐methoxybenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepan‐1‐yl)‐N‐(4,5‐dihydro‐1‐methyl[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)‐acetamides

In an attempt to search for more potent positive inotropic agents, a series of 2‐(4‐(4‐substituted benzyloxy)‐3‐methoxybenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepan‐1‐yl)‐N‐(4,5‐dihydro‐1‐methyl[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)acetamides was synthesized and their positive inotropic activities were evaluated by measuring left atrium stroke volume on isolated rabbit‐heart preparations. Several compounds showed favorable activity compared with the standard drug Milrinone among which 2‐(4‐(4‐(2‐chlorobenzyloxy)‐3‐methoxybenzyl)‐1,4‐diazepan‐1‐yl)‐N‐(4,5‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinolin‐7‐yl)acetamide 6e was found to have the most desirable potency with the 6.79 ± 0.18% increased stroke volume (Milrinone: 1.67 ± 0.64%) at a concentration of 1×10^–5 M in our in‐vitro study. The chronotropic effects of those compounds having inotropic effects were also evaluated in this work.     

A Novel Antifungal Agent with Broad Spectrum: 1‐(4‐Biphenylyl)‐3‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐propanone

A series of (1‐substituted aryl)‐3‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐propanones was synthesized through the N‐alkylation of imidazole with 3‐dimethylamino‐1‐(substituted aryl)‐1‐propanone hydrochlorides (ketonic Mannich bases). A second series of N¹‐substituted imidazoles was obtained by the reduction of the carbonyl function of the imidazole–ketones in the previous series by means of NaBH₄. All of the compounds were evaluated for antifungal activity against 16 strains of Candida, and 3‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐(4‐biphenylyl)‐1‐propanone emerged as a broad‐spectrum antifungal agent. Several 3‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐(2′‐(substituted benzyl)oxyphenyl)‐1‐propanones were also active towards Candida kefyr.     

Synthesis and Antistaphylococcal Activity of N‐Substituted‐1H‐benzimidazole‐sulphonamides

A series of N‐substituted‐1H‐benzimidazole‐5(6)‐sulfonamides and 3‐(5,6‐dichloro‐1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐N‐substituted benzensulfonamides were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Certain compounds inhibit bacterial growth with low MIC (μg/mL) values. The most active compounds 30 , 31 , and 32 have the lowest MIC values with 0.39 to 0.19 μg/mL. Among the compounds having sulfonamido moities, 16 , 23 , and 24 exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity with 1.56 μg/mL MIC values.     

New pyrazole derivative 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole: synthesis and assessment of some biological activities

The molecular modification and synthesis of compounds is vital to discovering drugs with desirable pharmacological and toxicity profiles. In response to pyrazole compounds' antipyretic, analgesic, and anti‐inflammatory effects, this study sought to evaluate the analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, and vasorelaxant effects, as well as the mechanisms of action, of a new pyrazole derivative, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole. During the acetic acid‐induced abdominal writhing test, treatments with 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole reduced abdominal writhing, while during the formalin test, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole reduced licking times in response to both neurogenic pain and inflammatory pain, all without demonstrating any antinociceptive effects, as revealed during the tail flick test. 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole also reduced carrageenan‐induced paw edema and cell migration during the carrageenan‐induced pleurisy test. As demonstrated by the model of the isolated organ, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole exhibits a vasorelaxant effect attenuated by Nω‐nitro‐l ‐arginine methyl ester, 1H‐[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3‐alpha]quinoxalin‐1‐one, tetraethylammonium or glibenclamide. 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole also blocked CaCl₂‐induced contraction in a dose‐dependent manner. Suggesting a safe toxicity profile, 5‐[1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl]‐2H‐tetrazole reduced the viability of 3T3 cells at higher concentrations and was orally tolerated, despite signs of toxicity in doses of 2000 mg/kg. Lastly, the compounds' analgesic activity might be attributed to the involvement of the NO/cGMP pathway and K⁺ channels observed in the vasorelaxant effect.     

Synthesis of deuterium‐labelled 6‐[5‐(4‐amidinophenyl)furan‐2‐yl]nicotinamidine and N‐alkoxy‐6‐{5‐[4‐(N‐alkoxyamidino)phenyl]‐ furan‐2‐yl}‐nicotinamidines

6‐[5‐(4‐Amidinophenyl)furan‐2‐yl]nicotinamidine‐d₄ ( 5 ) was synthesized from 6‐[5‐(4‐cyanophenyl)furan‐2‐yl]nicotinonitrile‐d₄ ( 3 ), through the bis‐O‐acetoxy‐amidoxime followed by hydrogenation. Compound 3 was prepared from 6‐(furan‐2‐yl)‐nicotinonitrile by a Heck coupling reaction with 4‐bromobenzonitrile‐d₄, a product of selective cyanation reaction of 1,4‐dibromobenzene‐d₄ with Cu(1)CN. Deuterium‐labelled N‐methoxy‐6‐{5‐[4‐(N‐methoxy‐amidinophenyl]‐furan‐2‐yl}‐nicotinamidines were prepared via methylation of their respective amidoximes with dimethyl sulfate‐d₆ in aqueous sodium hydroxide in good yields. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,molecular docking,and pharmacological evaluation of N‐(2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)benzoxazole‐5‐yl)benzamide derivatives as selective COX‐2 inhibitors and anti‐inflammatory agents

A series of N‐(2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)benzoxazole‐5‐yl)benzamide derivatives ( 3am ) was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against COX‐1 and COX‐2. The compounds with considerable in vitro activity (IC₅₀ < 1 μM) were evaluated in vivo for their anti‐inflammatory potential by the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. Out of 13 newly synthesized compounds, 3a , 3b , 3d , 3g , 3j , and 3k were found to be the most potent COX‐2 inhibitors in the in vitro enzymatic assay, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.06–0.71 μM. The in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity of these six compounds ( 3a , 3b , 3d , 3g , 3j , and 3k ) was assessed by the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. Compounds 3d (84.09%), 3g (79.54%), and 3a (70.45%) demonstrated significant anti‐inflammatory activity compared to the standard drug ibuprofen (65.90%) and were also found to be safer than ibuprofen, by ulcerogenic studies. A docking study was done using the crystal structure of human COX‐2, to understand the binding mechanism of these inhibitors to the active site of COX‐2.

     

Regioselective synthesis of 3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐5‐(1H‐indole‐3‐carbonyl)‐4‐hydroxyfuroic acids: route to hydroxyfuroic acid‐based insulin receptor activators

A new class of insulin receptor activator with a hydroxyfuroic acid in place of a hydroxyquinone moiety is reported. The synthesis of 3‐(1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐5‐(1H‐indole‐3‐carbonyl)‐4‐hydroxyfuroic acids ( 26 – 30 ) requires seven major steps. Key elements in the syntheses include (1) sequential preparation of two 4‐(N‐protected indole)‐3‐methoxy‐furoic 2,5‐dicarboxylic esters ( 4 and 6 ); (2) regioselective conversion of the furoic diacid 8 into its C‐5 methyl ester 10 with methyl chloroformate; and (3) acylation of 10 by a 7‐substituted indole under a mild condition. This study demonstrates a feasible route of synthesizing insulin receptor activators with a hydroxyfuroic acid scaffold. Among those hydroxyfuroic acid compounds, compound 28 demonstrates insulin receptor activation potential comparable to Merck's compound 2 with a dihydroxybenzoquinone scaffold. Drug Dev Res 72: 247–258, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Some Novel Thebaine Derivatives: N‐(Tetrazol‐1H‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endoethenotetrahydrothebaine Incorporating the 1,3,4‐Oxadiazole or the 1,3,4‐Thiadiazole Moiety

In this study, we synthesized some novel N‐(tetrazol‐1H‐5‐yl)‐6,14‐endoethenotetrahydrothebaine 7α‐substituted 1,3,4‐oxadiazole and 1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives as potential analgesic agents. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 2D NMR, and high‐resolution mass spectral data. The analgesic activity was evaluated by a rat‐hot plate test model and a rat tail‐flick model. Compound 12 showed analgesic activity higher than that of morphine. In addition to a histopathological and biochemical evaluation, the LD₅₀ dose for the most active compound 12 was determined.     

Synthesis and preliminary in vivo evaluation of 4‐[18F]fluoro‐N‐{2‐[4‐(6‐trifluoromethylpyridin‐2‐yl)piperazin‐1‐yl]ethyl}benzamide,a potential PET radioligand for the 5‐HT1A receptor

4‐Fluoro‐N‐{2‐[4‐(6‐trifluoromethylpyridin‐2‐yl)piperazin‐1‐yl]ethyl}benzamide is a full 5‐HT_1A agonist with high affinity (pK_i=9.3), selectivity and a c log P of 3.045. The corresponding PET radioligand 4‐[¹⁸F]fluoro‐N‐{2‐[4‐(6‐trifluoromethylpyridin‐2‐yl)piperazin‐1‐yl]ethyl}benzamide was synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution on the nitro precursor. The fluorinating agent K[¹⁸F]F/Kryptofix 2.2.2 was both dried (9 min, 700 W) and incorporated in the precursor (5 min, 700 W) using a commercially available microwave oven. In a total synthesis time of 60 min, an overall radiochemical yield of 18% (SD=5, n=7, EOS) was obtained. Radiochemical purity was always higher than 99% and specific activity always higher than 81.4 GBq/µmol (2.2 Ci/µmol). Initial brain uptake in mice was 2.19% ID (5.47% ID/g, 2 min) but decreased rapidly (0.17% ID, 0.45% ID/g (60 min)). During the first 20 min p.i., radioactivity concentration of the brain was significantly higher than that of blood demonstrating good brain entry of the tracer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of carbon‐14 analogue of N‐(1‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐5‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzo[e][1,4]diazepin‐3‐yl)‐benzamide‐[carboxyl‐14C] as CCK‐A antagonist

N‐(1‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐5‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzo[e][1,4]diazepin‐3‐yl)‐benzamide‐[carboxyl‐¹⁴C] has been synthesized from benzonitrile‐[cyano‐¹⁴C]. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.