Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives: Selective inhibitors of human monoamine oxidase B with neuroprotective activity

I2-DMSO-Mediated Construction of 2,3- and 2,4-Disubstituted Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Skeletons

An efficient synthetic method for constructing 2,3- and 2,4-disubstituted pyrimidio[1,2-b]indazole skeletons through I2-DMSO-mediated and substrate-controlled regioselective [4 + 2] cyclization is reported. The reaction conditions are mild, its operation is simple, and the substrate scope is wide. More than 60 pyrimidio[1,2-b]indazole derivatives have been synthesized, providing a new methodology for constructing related molecules and potentially enriching bioactive-molecule libraries.

Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Derivatives through the Cyclocondensation of 3-Aminoindazoles with Ketoester and Their Functionalization via Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling and SNAr Reactions

A new series of trifluoromethylated pyrimido[1,2-b]indazol-4(1H)-one derivatives was synthesized with good to excellent yields through a simple condensation of 3-aminoindazole derivatives with ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoro 3-oxobutanoate. The functionalization of the corresponding chlorinated fused tricyclic scaffolds via Suzuki-Miyaura and aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions led to the synthesis of highly diverse trifluoromethylated pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives with good yields.

I2-Promoted gem-Diarylethene Involved Aza-Diels-Alder Reaction and Wagner-Meerwein Rearrangement: Construction of 2,3,4-Trisubstituted Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Skeletons

A [3 + 1 + 2] cyclization-rearrangement reaction scheme was developed to synthesize pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles from aryl methyl ketones, 3-aminoindazoles, and gem-diarylethenes. This metal-free process proceeds via a sequential aza-Diels-Alder reaction and Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement, and a possible reaction mechanism was demonstrated based on control experiments. This method exhibits good substrate compatibility and allows simple reaction conditions. Moreover, the products display significant aggregation-induced emission characteristics after simple modifications.

Three Component One-Pot Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of New [1,2,4]Triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidines

A series of new [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine derivatives was prepared using a one-pot three-component synthesis from 5-amino-1-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazoles, aromatic aldehydes and ethyl acetoacetate. The compound structures were confirmed by IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HRMS and X-ray analyses. The biological activity of these compounds as antitumor agents was evaluated. Their antitumor activities against cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) were tested by the MTT in vitro method. Among them, compounds 4c and 4j displayed the best antitumor activity with IC₅₀ values of 17.83 μM and 19.73 μM against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively, compared to the Cisplatin reference.

Stepwise synthesis of 2,6-difunctionalized ethyl pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate via site-selective cross-coupling reactions: experimental and computational studies

A variety of novel disubstituted 2-(alknyl, aryl and arylamine)-6-alkynylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives was prepared via sequential site-selective cross-coupling reactions from 2,6-dibromopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine 3. The regio-controlled Sonogashira-type coupling of 3 with a wide range of terminal alkynes proceeded smoothly with excellent selectivity in favor of the C6-position through careful adjustment of the coupling conditions, followed by the subsequent introduction of alkynyl, aryl or arylamine groups at the C2-position via the Sonogashira, Suzuki-Miyaura and Buchwald-Hartwig coupling reactions, respectively. These promising results allow for further use and diversification of the chemically and biologically interesting pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine scaffold. In addition, computational studies were conducted to provide explanations for the origin of regioselectivity.

Anoectochilus roxburghii flavonoids extract ameliorated the memory decline and reduced neuron apoptosis via modulating SIRT1 signaling pathway in senescent mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Anoectochilus roxburghii (A. roxburghii) is a precious herb and folk medicine in many Asian countries. It has been used traditionally to treat diabetes, etc., and also used as a dietary therapy to delay senescence.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of A. roxburghii flavonoids extract (ARF) and whether its effects were due to the regulation of SIRT1 signaling pathway in senescent mice and in D-galactose (D-gal) induced aging in SH-SY5Y cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

18-month-old mice were randomly divided into senescent model, low-dose ARF, high-dose ARF and vitamin E group. 2-Month-old mice were as a control group. After 8 weeks treatment, Morris water maze (MWM) was performed. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (ACh-E) in the cortex were determined. Hippocampus morphologic changes were observed with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Nissl, senescence-associated-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Apoptosis-related molecular expressions in the hippocampus were performed by western blotting. Furthermore, after stimulated by EX527 (a SIRT1 inhibitor), the SIRT1-dependent neuroprotective effects of ARF were determined by measuring SRIT1 and p53 expression in SH-SY5Y aging cells induced by D-gal.

RESULTS

ARF could significantly ameliorate memory decline in senescent mice and reduce the generations of ROS, MDA and the activities of MAO and ACh-E, while increasing SOD activities in the cortex of aging mice. ARF obviously improved hippocampus pathological alterations, increased the number of Nissl bodies, while reducing senescent and apoptotic cells in senescent mice hippocampus. Further, ARF positively regulated SIRT1 expression, and reduced apoptosis-related molecules p53, p21 and Caspase-3 expression, while increasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. In D-gal-induced SH-SY5Y cells, the effects of ARF on SIRT1 and p53, and the ability of scavenging ROS were mostly abolished after incubation with the EX527.

CONCLUSIONS

ARF, in a SIRT1-dependent manner, exerted neuroprotection via modulating SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway against memory decline and apoptosis due to age-induced oxidative stress damage in senescent mice.

Recent advances in 3-aminoindazoles as versatile synthons for the synthesis of nitrogen heterocycles

Nitrogen-based heterocycles are an important class of structural scaffolds distributed in biologically active natural products, medicinal chemistry, and agrochemicals. Hence, there is increasing interest in the development of novel synthetic strategies for the construction of these privileged structural motifs. Recently, 3-aminoindazoles have emerged as versatile synthons participating in a variety of condensation annulation, denitrogenative transannulation and rearrangement ring expansion reactions, which provide efficient synthetic routes for the formation of nitrogen heterocycles. This review systematically highlights for the first time the most recent advances in 3-aminoindazoles to provide a deep understanding of using 3-aminoindazoles as versatile synthons in organic transformations for synthetic and medicinal chemists.

A Straightforward Approach to Fluorinated Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole Derivatives via Metal/Additive-Free Annulation with Enaminones, 3-Aminoindazoles, and Selectfluor

A novel and efficient three-component reaction with two C-N bonds and one C-F bond formation has been reported, which provides a straightforward route to a variety of fluorinated pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives. This transformation has the advantage of excellent functional group compatibility, including aliphatic and aromatic substituents enaminones. Moreover, metal and additives are not necessary for this reaction, which is of great significance for the synthesis and application of fluorinated heterocycles.

Iron-catalyzed [3+2+1] annulation of 2-aminobenzimidazoles/3-aminopyrazoles and aromatic alkynes using N,N-dimethylaminoethanol as one carbon synthon for the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles

A simple and efficient method for the synthesis of pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazoles and pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles from 2-aminobenzimidazoles/3-aminoindazoles, alkynes and N,N-dimethylaminoethanol in a three-component [3+2+1] annulation catalyzed by FeCl3 has been established, where N,N-dimethylaminoethanol...

Melatonin Analogues Potently Inhibit MAO-B and Protect PC12 Cells against Oxidative Stress

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) metabolizes dopamine and plays an important role in oxidative stress by altering the redox state of neuronal and glial cells. MAO-B inhibitors are a promising therapeutical approach for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Herein, 24 melatonin analogues (3a–x) were synthesized as novel MAO-B inhibitors with the potential to counteract oxidative stress in neuronal PC12 cells. Structure elucidation, characterization, and purity of the synthesized compounds were performed using ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, HRMS, and HPLC. At 10 µM, 12 compounds showed >50% MAO-B inhibition. Among them, compounds 3n, 3r, and 3u–w showed >70% inhibition of MAO-B and IC₅₀ values of 1.41, 0.91, 1.20, 0.66, and 2.41 µM, respectively. When compared with the modest selectivity index of rasagiline (II, a well-known MAO-B inhibitor, SI > 50), compounds 3n, 3r, 3u, and 3v demonstrated better selectivity indices (SI > 71, 109, 83, and 151, respectively). Furthermore, compounds 3n and 3r exhibited safe neurotoxicity profiles in PC12 cells and reversed 6-OHDA- and rotenone-induced neuronal oxidative stress. Both compounds significantly up-regulated the expression of the anti-oxidant enzyme, heme oxygenase (HO)-1. Treatment with Zn(II)-protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), a selective HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the neuroprotective effects of the tested compounds, suggesting a critical role of HO-1 up-regulation. Both compounds increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, which is a key regulator of the antioxidative response. Taken together, these data show that compounds 3n and 3r could be further exploited for their multi-targeted role in oxidative stress-related PD therapy.

Discovery of 3,4-dichloro-N-(1H-indol-5-yl)benzamide: A highly potent, selective, and competitive hMAO-B inhibitor with high BBB permeability profile and neuroprotective action

Since there is no disease-modifying treatment discovered yet for Parkinson's disease (PD), there is still a vital need to develop novel selective monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitors as promising therapeutically active candidates for PD patients. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and full characterization of new twenty-six indole derivatives as potential human MAO-B (hMAO-B) selective inhibitors. Six compounds (2i, 3b-e, and 5) exhibited low micromolar to nanomolar inhibitory activities over hMAO-B; compared to our recently reported N-substituted indole-based lead compound VIII (hMAO-B IC₅₀ = 777 nM), compound 5 (3,4-dichloro-N-(1H-indol-5-yl)benzamide) exhibited 18-fold increase in potency (IC₅₀ = 42 nM). A selectivity study over hMAO-A revealed an excellent selectivity index of compound 5 (SI > 2375) with a 47-fold increase compared to rasagiline (II, a well-known MAO-B inhibitor, SI > 50). A further kinetic evaluation of compound 5 over hMAO-B showed a reversible and competitive mode of inhibition with K_i value of 7 nM. Highly effective permeability and high CNS bioavailability of compound 5 with P_e = 54.49 × 10^-6 cm/s were demonstrated. Compound 5 also exhibited a low cytotoxicity profile and a promising neuroprotective effect against the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal cell damage in PC12 cells, which was more effective than that of rasagiline. Docking simulations on both hMAO-B and hMAO-A supported the in vitro data and served as further molecular evidence. Accordingly, we report the discovery of compound 5 as one of the most potent indole-based MAO-B inhibitors to date which is noteworthy to be further evaluated as a promising agent for PD treatment.

Indoleninyl-substituted pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles via a facile condensation reaction

A new series of pyrimido[1,2-b]indazoles bearing indolenine moieties was synthesized through a simple condensation reaction with up to 94% yield. The present method features the versatile formation of a pyrimidine ring with a broad range of substrates, great functional group compatibility and facile synthetic operation. The work offers opportunities in drug development as well as in materials science.

Current Approaches and Tools Used in Drug Development against Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of nerve cells in the substantia nigra of the brain. The treatment options for this disease are very limited as currently the treatment is mainly symptomatic, and the available drugs are not able to completely stop the progression of the disease but only to slow it down. There is still a need to search for new compounds with the most optimal pharmacological profile that would stop the rapidly progressing disease. An increasing understanding of Parkinson's pathogenesis and the discovery of new molecular targets pave the way to develop new therapeutic agents. The use and selection of appropriate cell and animal models that better reflect pathogenic changes in the brain is a key aspect of the research. In addition, computer-assisted drug design methods are a promising approach to developing effective compounds with potential therapeutic effects. In light of the above, in this review, we present current approaches for developing new drugs for Parkinson's disease.

Controllable Site-Selective Construction of 2- and 4-Substituted Pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole from 3-Aminoindazoles and Ynals

A straightforward and novel controllable site-selective construction of 2- and 4-substituted pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole from 3-aminoindazoles and ynals has been developed. The high regioselectivity of this reaction could be easily switched by converting different catalytic systems. In this way, a series of 2- and 4-substituted pyrimido[1,2-b]indazole derivatives were obtained in moderate to good yields. In addition, the photophysical properties of compound 3a prepared by the present method were discussed.