N-terminal 4-imidazolidinone prodrugs of Leu-enkephalin: synthesis, chemical and enzymatic stability studies

Four N-terminal 4-imidazolidinone prodrugs of Leu-enkephalin are prepared and characterized. Their enzymatic and chemical stability are assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The prodrug derivatives are shown to degrade stoichiometrically to Leu-enkephalin in phosphate buffer t_1/2 (0.05 M phosphate buffer without KCl): acetone prodrug (II) 930 min; cyclopentanone prodrug (III): 216 min; cyclohexanone prodrug (IV): 432 min; 4-methylcyclohexanone prodrug (V): 792 min]. Furthermore, the prodrugs are shown to afford global stabilization of the Leu-enkephalin molecule towards the enzymes, aminopeptidase N and angiotensin converting enzyme, primarily responsible for degradation of Leu-enkephalin at the blood–brain barrier and in plasma. Therefore, the 4-imidazolidinones, being metabolic stable and bioreversible, may be suitable prodrug candidates for delivery of Leu-enkephalin to important target areas such as the brain, if given intravenously.