Synthesis and biological evaluation of CX-659S and its related compounds for their inhibitory effects on the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction

Construction of Dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine Scaffolds via Aza-Claisen Rearrangement Catalyzed by N-Heterocyclic Carbenes

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) catalyzing aza-Claisen rearrangement of α,β-unsaturated enals with cyclic vinylogous amides under oxidative conditions generating potentially biologically active dihydropyridinone-fused uracils have been developed. This strategy represents a unique NHC-activation-based path with the use of 6-aminouracils as stable α,β-diEWG cyclic vinylogous amides for the efficient synthesis of bicyclic N-unprotected lactams similar to those in many useful drugs.

Stable C-N axial chirality in 1-aryluracil scaffold and differences in in vitro metabolic clearance between atropisomers of PDE4 inhibitor

We report herein the stable C-N axial chirality in a 1-phenyl-6-aminouracil scaffold owing to the presence of various functional groups at the ortho-position of the N(1)-phenyl group. Racemic 1-phenyl-6-aminouracils were first separated by chiral HPLC or converting them to the corresponding diastereomers using a chiral resolving agent. We then determined the rotational barrier of each atropisomer by a thermal racemization method and found that these compounds have rotational barriers similar to other C-N axially chiral biaryls. In addition, there was a good correlation between the rotational barriers and van der Waals radii of an ortho-substituent of the N(1)-phenyl group. To explore the possibility of the chiral 1-phenyl-6-aminouracil scaffold as a drug lead, we synthesized both atropisomers as phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors 10. The atropisomers showed significantly different metabolic stabilities while their PDE4 inhibitory activities were somewhat similar. This finding demonstrates the potential utility of stable C-N bond atropisomers in the development of chiral drugs.

Synthesis of novel 2-(substituted amino)alkylthiopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones as potential antimicrobial agents

5-Alkyl-6-(substituted benzyl)-2-thiouracils 3a,c were reacted with (2-chloroethyl) diethylamine hydrochloride to afford the corresponding 2-(2-diethylamino)ethylthiopyrimidin- 4(3H)-ones 4a,b. Reaction of 3a-c with N-(2-chloroethyl)pyrrolidine hydrochloride and/or N-(2-chloroethyl)piperidine hydrochloride gave the corresponding 2-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)ethyl]-thiopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones 5a-c and 2-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl]thiopyrimidin-4(3H)-ones 6a,b, respectively. Treatment of 3a-d with N-(2-chloroethyl)morpholine hydrochloride under the same reaction conditions formed the corresponding 2-[2-(morpholin-4-yl)ethyl]thiopyrimidines 6c-f. On the other hand, 3a,b were reacted with N-(2-bromoethyl)phthalimide and/or N-(3-bromopropyl)phthalimide to furnish the corresponding 2-[2-(N-phthalimido)ethyl]-pyrimidines 7a,b and 2-[3-(N-phthalimido)-propyl]pyrimidines 7c,d, respectively. Compounds 3a-d, 4a,b, 5a-c, 6a-f and 7a-d were screened against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Bacillus subtilis NRRL 4219 and Bacillus cereus), yeast-like pathogenic fungus (Candida albicans ATCC 10231) and a fungus (Aspergillusniger NRRL 599). The best antibacterial activity was displayed by compounds 3a, 3b, 4a, 5a, 5b, 6d, 6f, 7b and 7d, whereas compounds 4b, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b and 6f exhibited the best antifungal activity.

Racemic and optically active tocopherol analogues with a modified side chain: Synthesis and biological activity (Review)

Information on the synthesis and biological activity of natural and synthetic analogues of alpha-tocopherol with a modified side chain is systematized. These compounds are of interest as vitamin E metabolites, hydrophilic antioxidants, and precursors of drugs with combined pharmacological properties useful in therapy of pathological disorders caused by oxidative stress.

Enantiomeric impurities in chiral synthons, catalysts, and auxiliaries. Part 3

The enantiomeric excess of chiral reagents used in asymmetric syntheses directly affects the reaction selectivity and product purity. In this work, 84 of the more recently available chiral compounds were evaluated to determine their actual enantiomeric composition. These compounds are widely used in asymmetric syntheses as chiral synthons, catalysts, and auxiliaries. These include chiral alcohols, amines, amino alcohols, amides, carboxylic acids, epoxides, esters, ketones, and oxolanes among other classes of compounds. All enantiomeric test results were categorized within five purity levels (i.e. <0.01%, 0.01% to 0.1%, 0.1% to 1%, 1% to 10%, and >10%). The majority of the reagents tested were determined to have enantiomeric impurities over 0.01%, and two of them were found to contain enantiomeric impurities exceeding the 10% level. The most effective enantioselective analysis method was a GC approach using a Chiraldex GTA chiral stationary phase (CSP). This method worked exceedingly well with chiral amines and alcohols.

Improving Potency, Selectivity, and Water Solubility of Adenosine A1 Receptor Antagonists: Xanthines Modified at Position 3 and Related Pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purinediones

The structure-activity relationships of xanthine derivatives related to the adenosine A(1) receptor antagonists 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) and 1,3-dipropyl-8-(3-noradamantyl)xanthine (KW3902) were investigated by focusing on variations of the 3-substituent. Aromatic residues were well tolerated by the A(1) receptor in that position. A moderate effect of stereochemistry was found for the 3-(1-phenylethyl)-substituted analogue of DPCPX (S>R) at A(1) and A(3) receptors, whereas the opposite stereoselectivity was observed at the A(2) receptor subtypes. A 3-hydroxypropyl substituent was found to be optimal for high A(1) affinity and selectivity. The most potent compound of the present series was 1-butyl-3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-8-(3-noradamantyl)xanthine (10 c), which exhibits a K(i) value of 0.124 nM at rat, and 0.7 nM at human adenosine A(1) receptors, combined with high selectivity (>>200-fold) versus the other receptor subtypes. The similarly potent 8-cyclopentyl-3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-1-propylxanthine was converted into a water-soluble phosphate prodrug, which may become a useful pharmacological tool for in vivo studies. 8-Alkyl-2-(3-noradamantyl)pyrimido[1,2,3-cd]purine-8,10-diones, which can be envisaged as xanthine analogues with a fixed 3-propyl substituent, were identified as a new class of potent, selective adenosine A(1) receptor antagonists. For example, compound 14 (8-butyl-substituted) exhibits a K(i) value of 13.8 nM at human A(1) receptors. A selection of the most potent compounds was investigated in [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding assays and showed inverse agonistic activity. Their efficacy was generally lower than that of the full inverse agonist DPCPX, and depended on subtle structural changes. Some of the new compounds belong to the most potent and selective A(1) antagonists described to date.

Structure and activity relationships of novel uracil derivatives as topical anti-inflammatory agents

In order to create novel, topical anti-inflammatory compounds exhibiting more potent activities than lead compound CX-659S (1), we designed and synthesized various derivatives of 1 focusing on the uracil N(1)- and N(3)-substituents, and evaluated their anti-inflammatory activities via inhibition of the picryl chloride-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) in mice. In the course of our structure and activity relationship study, we found that compounds 6k, 6q, and 6r inhibited by approximately 50% the CHR, at 0.1 mg/ear. These activities were essentially equipotent with that of Tacrolimus, a strong immunosuppressant.

CX-659S, a diaminouracil derivative, indirectly inhibits the function of Langerhans cells by blocking the MEK1/2-Erk1/2 pathway in keratinocytes

Keratinocytes are an important component of the skin immune system, and keratinocyte-derived cytokines control the function of Langerhans cells. We previously showed that CX-659S, a novel diaminouracil derivative, had an inhibitory effect on hapten-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction in mice. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which CX-659S elicits its inhibitory effect. CX-659S inhibited the expressions of CD80 and CD86, but not that of CD54, on Langerhans cells in epidermal cell suspensions. Exogenous granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor restored the CX-659S-induced inhibition of CD80 and CD86 expressions of Langerhans cells. The production of interleukin-2 from allogeneic T cells was also inhibited when the cells were stimulated with CX-659S-treated epidermal cells, and this inhibition was suppressed by the addition of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor during CX-659S treatment. As CX-659S significantly inhibited production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor from keratinocytes, CX-659S was thought to indirectly affect Langerhans cells by inhibiting the function of keratinocytes. These effects of CX-659S were preceded by blockade of the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and their direct activators, mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase or inhibitory nuclear factor kappaBalpha, in keratinocytes. Furthermore, a specific MEK1/2 inhibitor, U0126, mimicked the effect of CX-659S. CX-659S, a keratinocyte-response modifier, would be an effective therapeutic compound to inhibit contact hypersensitivity reaction, its action mechanism being different from those of other immunosuppressive agents such as glucocorticosteroids or cyclosporine A.

Inhibitory activities of novel pyrimidine derivatives on the contact hypersensitivity reaction

In order to obtain novel topically applied anti-inflammatory compounds containing an inexpensive anti-oxidative moiety without chirality, we synthesized compound 2c derivatives having a di-tert-butylphenol moiety, and evaluated by topical administration their anti-inflammatory potentials on picryl chloride-(PC) induced contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) in mice. In the course of our structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies on the pyrimidine or the anti-oxidative moiety and the linker between them, the most potent compounds (10, 11) were obtained by the insertion of a C2 unit in compound 2c. The potencies of these compounds were 2-fold greater than that of 1. Compounds 10 and 11 were considered to be useful lead compounds having inexpensive anti-oxidative moieties without chirality.

Synthesis of Pyrimidine Derivatives Possessing an Antioxidative Property and Their Inhibitory Effects on Picryl Chloride-Induced Contact Hypersensitivity Reaction

We conducted a preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of some barbituric acid and uracil derivatives against the picryl chloride-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction. The introduction of an antioxidative moiety to the side chain of the C(6)-position of uracil was effective against this model. The introduction of dimethoxyphenol (8b) or dimethylphenol (8c) instead of di-t-butylphenol (8a) as an antioxidative moiety gave diminished activities, so, the reactive oxygen would contribute to the inflammation of this model, and an antioxidative activity was required for exhibiting the inhibitory activity. The inhibitory activity was significantly affected by the substituent at the N(1)-phenyl moiety.

The combined effect of topical CX-659S, a novel diaminouracil derivative, with topical corticosteroid on the three types of allergic responses in mice or guinea pigs

CX-659S ((S)-6-amino-5-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxamido)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione), a newly discovered anti-inflammatory compound, exerts inhibitory effects against picryl chloride-, oxazolone-, and dinitrochlorobenzene-induced acute contact hypersensitivity responses (CHRs) characterized by Th1-type reactions. Furthermore, this compound suppressed chronic CHRs characterized by Th2-type reactions, which is well known to mimic many, if not all, events occurring within the lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The present study was conducted to determine the combined effect of topical CX-659S with topical corticosteroid on immediate type (ITR), late type (LTR), and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTHR) allergic reactions that are involved in AD. An ineffective dose of CX-659S (0.03 mg/ear) combined with betamethasone valerate (BV) significantly potentiated inhibitory activity of BV alone (0.1 micro g/ear and 0.3Shizuokag/ear) on both the ITR and the LTR in mice with the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced biphasic cutaneous reaction. Furthermore, the combined effect of CX-659S with BV was also observed on dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced DTHR in guinea pigs. These results indicate that CX-659S has a combined effect with corticosteroids on every ITR, LTR, and DTHR. Proper treatment with corticosteroids for a safe and effective treatment of AD is needed. Thus, the combination therapy of topical CX-659S with topical corticosteroid would be one of the potential approaches for devising a proper treatment with corticosteroids.

Synthesis and activity of a metabolite of (S)-6-amino-5-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxamido)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione (CX-659S)

CX-659S (1) [(S)-6-amino-5-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxamido)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione], has been developed as a new type anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of dermatitis. The structure of a major metabolite of CX-659S was determined as (S)-6-amino-5-[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-(2,4,5-trimethyl-3,6-dioxo-1,4-cyclohexadienyl)butanamide]-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,4-(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione (2) by direct comparison with the synthesized authentic compound. The anti-inflammatory activity of 2 was equipotent with that of 1 on the contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) induced by picryl chloride (PC) in mice, suggesting that compound 2 contributes, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity of CX-659S.

Protective and curative effects of topically applied CX-659S, a novel diaminouracil derivative, on chronic picryl chloride-induced contact hypersensitivity responses

BACKGROUND

CX-659S, a newly discovered anti-inflammatory compound, exerts inhibitory effects against acute contact hypersensitivity responses (CHRs) induced by picryl chloride (PC), oxazolone and dinitrochlorobenzene. The murine model of chronic CHR induced by repeated application of PC is known to mimic many, if not all, events occurring within the lesional skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the ability of CX-659S to inhibit PC-induced chronic CHR in mice.

METHODS

The protective and curative effects of CX-659S were tested on PC-treated ears of BALB/c mice, and were compared with those of prednisolone. Effects were quantified by measurements of ear thickness, serum IgE and cytokine mRNA expression.

RESULTS

Both protectively applied and curatively applied CX-659S significantly inhibited increases in ear thickness and total serum IgE. Inhibition was dose-dependent. Although protectively applied prednisolone showed similar activities to CX-659S against chronic CHR, curatively applied prednisolone did not affect the serum IgE level despite inhibiting increases in ear thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration. Consistent with these results, CX-659S reduced mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 but not of interferon (IFN)-gamma, whereas prednisolone inhibited not only mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10 but also that of IFN-gamma in the ear lesion. In contrast to prednisolone, CX-659S did not show any side-effect such as atrophy, alopecia or telangiectasia.

CONCLUSIONS

CX-659S is the first promising compound having inhibitory activities against chronic CHR accompanied by a diminishing effect on elevated serum IgE, without any other side-effect. Therefore, CX-659S may be a promising candidate for management of patients with recurring AD who require long-term therapy.

CX-659S: a novel diaminouracil derivative that has antioxidative and acute anti-inflammatory activities

We investigated the antioxidative activities and the effects on acute inflammation in mice of a novel diaminouracil derivative, CX-659S ((S)-6-amino-5-(6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxamido)-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione). CX-659S showed potent scavenging activities against the hydroxyl radical and peroxynitrite and inhibited lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates in vitro. Topically applied CX-659S dose-dependently inhibited arachidonic acid- and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema in mice. Consistent with its antioxidative properties in vitro, CX-659S dramatically attenuated the accumulation of lipid peroxides in the mouse ear elicited by repeated application of TPA. Previously, we reported the effectiveness of CX-659S against contact hypersensitivity reactions in both mouse and guinea pig models. These present results further suggest the therapeutic potential of CX-659S for acute skin inflammation that may involve oxidative tissue damage.