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Dichiara M, Cosentino G, Giordano G, Pasquinucci L, Marrazzo A, Costanzo G, Amata E. Designing drugs optimized for both blood-brain barrier permeation and intra-cerebral partition. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:317-329. [PMID: 38145409 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2023.2294118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With the increasing incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders globally, there is a paramount need for new pharmacotherapies. BBB effectively protects the brain but raises a profound challenge to drug permeation, with less than 2% of most drugs reaching the CNS. AREAS COVERED This article reviews aspects of the most recent design strategies, providing insights into ideas and concepts in CNS drug discovery. An overview of the products available on the market is given and why clinical trials are continuously failing is discussed. EXPERT OPINION Among the available CNS drugs, small molecules account for most successful CNS therapeutics due to their ability to penetrate the BBB through passive or carrier-mediated mechanisms. The development of new CNS drugs is very difficult. To date, there is a lack of effective drugs for alleviating or even reversing the progression of brain diseases. Particularly, the use of artificial intelligence strategies, together with more appropriate animal models, may enable the design of molecules with appropriate permeation, to elicit a biological response from the neurotherapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dichiara
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cosentino
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giordano
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Lorella Pasquinucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Marrazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Costanzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Emanuele Amata
- Dipartimento di Scienze del Farmaco e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Catania, Catania, Italy
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2
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Wang T, Pang L, He M, Wang Z. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 262:115889. [PMID: 37883895 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Apoptosis signal regulated kinase 1 (ASK1, also known as MAP3K5) is a member of the mitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) family. Since its first isolation from a human macrophage library in 1996, its research has been ongoing for over 25 years. A large number of reports have revealed that ASK1, as a key activator of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling cascade, responds to various stressors, and its inhibitors have important potential value in the treatment of diseases such as inflammation, cancer, and the nervous system and so on. This review summarizes the recent development in this field, including the structure and signaling pathways of ASK1, with a particular focus on the structure-activity relationships, and the hit-to-lead optimization strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China; National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006, PR China
| | - Lidan Pang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China
| | - Mengni He
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China
| | - Zengtao Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China.
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Li Q, Qi S, Liang J, Tian Y, He S, Liao Q, Xing S, Han L, Chen X. Review of triazole scaffolds for treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110623. [PMID: 37451665 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Triazole scaffolds, a series of 5-membered heterocycles, are well known for their high efficacy, low toxicity, and superior pharmacokinetics. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the first neurodegenerative disorder with complex pathological mechanisms. Triazole, as an aromatic group with three nitrogen atoms, forms polar and non-polar interactions with diverse key residues in the receptor-ligand binding procedure, and has been widely used in the molecular design in the development of anti-AD agents. Moreover, considering the simple synthesis approaches, triazole scaffolds are commonly used to link two pharmacodynamic groups in one chemical molecule, forming multi-target directed ligands (MTDLs). Furthermore, the click reaction between azide- and cyano-modified enzyme and ligand provides feasibility for the new modulator discovery, compound tissue distribution evaluation, enzyme localization, and pharmacological mechanism study, promoting the diagnosis of AD course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Shulei Qi
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Jinxin Liang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yuqing Tian
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Siyu He
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Qinghong Liao
- Shandong Junrong Technology Transfer Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shuaishuai Xing
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Lingfei Han
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xuehong Chen
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
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Qin J, Cao M, Hu X, Tan W, Ma B, Cao Y, Chen Z, Li Q, Hu G. Dual inhibitors of ASK1 and PDK1 kinases: Design, synthesis, molecular docking and mechanism studies of N-benzyl pyridine-2-one containing derivatives as anti-fibrotic agents. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115057. [PMID: 36603508 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Utilizing fragment-based hybrid designing strategies, 24 N-benzyl pyridine-2-one containing derivatives were synthesized by successfully incorporating 6-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) pyridin-2-amine of scaffold of ASK1 inhibitor (GS-444217). These newly synthesized compounds were screened in cell-free ASK1 and PDK1 kinase and cellular vitality assays. Among all compounds tested, both 21c and 21d displayed single digit potency of 9.13, 1.73 nM in inhibiting ASK1, and exhibited excellent enzyme inhibitory activity against PDK1 (the inhibition rates at 10 μM were 13.63% and 23.80%, respectively). Specifically, both compounds inhibited the TGF-β1 induced fibrotic response and blocked the up-regulated protein expression levels of ASK1-p38/JNK signaling pathways and possessed the potency in reducing PDK1/Akt phosphorylation. The results herein showed the potential lead characteristics of 21c or 21d as dual inhibitors ASK1/PDK1 kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Qin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Meng Cao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xinlan Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Wenhua Tan
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Binghao Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Yuanyuan Cao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qianbin Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Gaoyun Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Small Molecules for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Disease, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
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Lee JH, Ji SH, Lim JS, Ahn S, Yun HY, Kim SH, Song JS. Anti-neuroinflammatory Effects and Brain Pharmacokinetic Properties of Selonsertib, an Apoptosis signal-regulating Kinase 1 Inhibitor, in mice. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:3829-3837. [PMID: 36309631 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03777-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Selonsertib is a first-in-class apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) inhibitor in clinical trials for treating NASH and diabetic kidney disease due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities. In the present study, we investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects and brain pharmacokinetic properties of selonsertib. It inhibited inflammatory cytokines and NO production by suppressing phosphorylated ASK1 in the LPS-stimulated microglial cell line, BV2 cells. Consistent with the in vitro results, selonsertib attenuated plasma and brain TNF-α levels in the LPS-induced murine neuroinflammation model. In vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies of selonsertib were conducted in support of central nervous system (CNS) drug discovery. In both Caco-2 and MDR-MDCK cells, selonsertib exhibited a high efflux ratio, showing that it is a P-gp substrate. Selonsertib was rapidly and effectively absorbed into the systemic circulation after oral treatment, with a Tmax of 0.5 h and oral bioavailability of 74%. In comparison with high systemic exposure with Cmax of 16.2 µg/ml and AUC of 64 µg·h/mL following oral dosing of 10 mg/kg, the brain disposition of selonsertib was limited, with Cmax of 0.08 µg/g and Kp value of 0.004. This study demonstrates that selonsertib can be a therapeutic agent for neuroinflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Hun Lee
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, 34114, Daejeon, Korea.,College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.,New Drug Development Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundataion, 41061, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sang Hee Ji
- Drug Discovery Platform Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 34114, Daejeon, Korea.,Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jong Seung Lim
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, 34114, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Sunjoo Ahn
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, 34114, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hwi-Yeol Yun
- College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seong Hwan Kim
- Drug Discovery Platform Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 34114, Daejeon, Korea. .,Graduate School of New Drug Discovery and Development, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
| | - Jin Sook Song
- Data Convergence Drug Research Center, Therapeutics & Biotechnology Division, Research Institute of Chemical Technology, 141 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, 34114, Daejeon, Korea.
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Chen SJ, Li JH, He ZQ, Chen GS, Zhuang YY, Chen CP, Liu YL. N-Trifluoropropylation of Azoles through N-Vinylation and Sequential Hydrogenation. J Org Chem 2022; 87:15703-15712. [PMID: 36331418 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Installing a fluoroalkyl group onto the nitrogen atom of azoles represents a potential strategy for lead optimization in medicinal chemistry. Herein, we describe a method for the N-trifluoropropylation of azoles. This process is accomplished using a combination of regioselective N-vinylation and sequential hydrogenation. The two-step sequence is applicable to a diverse set of azoles and tolerates a wide range of functionalities. In addition, we showcase its practicability and utility through the gram-scale synthesis and the late-stage modification of a complex molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Jie Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Hui Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Qing He
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Guo-Shu Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yin-Yin Zhuang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Chang-Ping Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Lin Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, P.R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Functions and Applications of Medicinal Plants, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang 550014, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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