5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) receptor antagonists. 1. Indazole and indolizine-3-carboxylic acid derivatives

A Scalable and Metal-Free Synthesis of Indazoles from 2-Aminophenones and In Situ Generated De-Boc-Protected O-Mesitylsulfonyl Hydroxylamine Derivatives

A one-pot metal-free protocol to access indazoles from easily available 2-aminophenones and hydroxylamine derivatives has been achieved. The reaction is operationally simple, mild, and insensitive to air and moisture. A broad range of indazoles were prepared in good to excellent yield (up to 97% yield), and the reaction displayed a broad functional group tolerance. The reaction was performed at gram scale, and its synthetic application was exhibited through the rapid and efficient preparation of bioactive molecule YC-3 and FDA-approved drug axitinib.

Involvement of the serotonergic system in the antidepressant-like effect of 1-(phenylselanyl)-2-(p-tolyl)indolizine in mice

RATIONALE

Depression is a mental disorder that affects approximately 280 million people worldwide. In the search for new treatments for mood disorders, compounds containing selenium and indolizine derivatives show promising results.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

To evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of 1-(phenylselanyl)-2-(p-tolyl)indolizine (MeSeI) (0.5-50 mg/kg, intragastric-i.g.) on the tail suspension test (TST) and the forced swim test (FST) in adult male Swiss mice and to elucidate the role of the serotonergic system in this effect through pharmacological and in silico approaches, as well to evaluate acute oral toxicity at a high dose (300 mg/kg).

RESULTS

MeSeI administered 30 min before the FST and the TST reduced immobility time at doses from 1 mg/kg and at 50 mg/kg and increased the latency time for the first episode of immobility, demonstrating an antidepressant-like effect. In the open field test (OFT), MeSeI did not change the locomotor activity. The antidepressant-like effect of MeSeI (50 mg/kg, i.g.) was prevented by the pre-treatment with p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA), a selective tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally-i.p. for 4 days), with ketanserin, a 5-HT_2A/2C receptor antagonist (1 mg/kg, i.p.), and with GR113808, a 5-HT₄ receptor antagonist (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), but not with WAY100635, a selective 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist (0.1 mg/kg, subcutaneous-s.c.) and ondansetron, a 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist (1 mg/kg, i.p.). MeSeI showed a binding affinity with 5-HT_2A, 5 -HT_2C, and 5-HT₄ receptors by molecular docking. MeSeI (300 mg/kg, i.g.) demonstrated low potential to cause acute toxicity in adult female Swiss mice.

CONCLUSION

In summary, MeSeI exhibits an antidepressant-like effect mediated by the serotonergic system and could be considered for the development of new treatment strategies for depression.

Efficient synthesis of novel indolizine C-nucleoside analogues via coupling of sugar alkynes, pyridines and α-bromo carbonyl compounds in one pot

The synthesis of novel indolizine C-nucleoside analogues has been achieved by the three-component coupling reaction of sugar alkynes, pyridines and α-bromo carbonyl compounds in one pot. The corresponding products are obtained in good to excellent yields. 49 examples have been given. The synthetic method is convenient, practical and efficient. It is suitable for various substrates including structurally diversified sugar alkynes with sensitive groups. The sugar alkynes include pyranosides, furanosides, and acyclic sugars. A plausible mechanism for the formation of indolizine C-nucleoside analogues has been elucidated.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Synthesis of Functionalized Indolizinones from Substituted Pyridine Homologated Ynones

An efficient two-component copper-catalyzed cyclization cascade approach toward highly functionalized indolizinone heterocycles has been developed from reactions of pyridine-, isoquinoline-, and quinoline ynones, via 5-exo-dig cyclization. The catalysis involves the activation by diorgano diselenide and diorgano disulfide and also their incorporation into the indolizinone core. In addition, the obtained substituted indolizinones were readily transformed into 1-(organochalcogenyl)indolizin-2-ols, which are important building blocks in organic synthesis.

Some indazoles reduced the activity of human serum paraoxonase 1, an antioxidant enzyme: in vitro inhibition and molecular modeling studies

Background: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1: EC 3.1.8.1) is a vital antioxidant enzyme against mainly atherosclerosis and many other diseases associated with oxidative stress. Thus, studies related to PON1 have an important place in the pharmacology. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the in vitro inhibition effects of some indazoles on the activity of human PON1. Methods: PON1 was purified from human serum with a specific activity of 5000 U/mg and 13.50% yield by using simple chromatographic methods. Results: The indazoles showed K_i values in a range of 26.0 ± 3.00-111 ± 31.0 μM against hPON1. All these indazoles exhibited competitive inhibition. In addition, molecular docking studies were performed in order to assess the probable binding mechanisms into the active site of hPON1. Molecular modeling studies confirmed our results. Conclusions: Inhibition of PON1 by indazoles supplies a verification to further consideration of limitation dosage of indazole molecule groups as drug.

Nucleophilic Dearomatization of Activated Pyridines

Amongst nitrogen heterocycles of different ring sizes and oxidation statuses, dihydropyridines (DHP) occupy a prominent role due to their synthetic versatility and occurrence in medicinally relevant compounds. One of the most straightforward synthetic approaches to polysubstituted DHP derivatives is provided by nucleophilic dearomatization of readily assembled pyridines. In this article, we collect and summarize nucleophilic dearomatization reactions of - pyridines reported in the literature between 2010 and mid-2018, complementing and updating previous reviews published in the early 2010s dedicated to various aspects of pyridine chemistry. Since functionalization of the pyridine nitrogen, rendering a (transient) pyridinium ion, is usually required to render the pyridine nucleus sufficiently electrophilic to suffer the attack of a nucleophile, the material is organized according to the type of N-functionalization. A variety of nucleophilic species (organometallic reagents, enolates, heteroaromatics, umpoled aldehydes) can be productively engaged in pyridine dearomatization reactions, including catalytic asymmetric implementations, providing useful and efficient synthetic platforms to (enantioenriched) DHPs. Conversely, pyridine nitrogen functionalization can also lead to pyridinium ylides. These dipolar species can undergo a variety of dipolar cycloaddition reactions with electron-poor dipolarophiles, affording polycyclic frameworks and embedding a DHP moiety in their structures.

Synthesis of 4-Aryl-3,4,5,6-Tetrahydropyrimido[5,4-g]Indolizine-2(1H)-Thione

A number of 4-aryl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimido[5,4-g]indolizine-2(1H)-thiones were synthesised by the reaction of (7E)-7-arylidene-6,7-dihydroindolizin-8(5H)-one and thiourea in the presence of potassium hydroxide in moderate yields. The structures of all the products were characterised thoroughly by NMR, IR and HRMS together with X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationships, and Preclinical Evaluation of Heteroaromatic Amides and 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivatives as 5-HT4 Receptor Partial Agonists

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that has a higher prevalence and incidence in people older than 60 years. The need for improved AD therapies is unmet as the current therapies are symptomatic with modest efficacy. Partial agonists of the 5-HT₄ receptor (5-HT₄R) offer both symptomatic and disease-modifying treatments as they shift amyloid-precursor-protein (APP) processing from the amyloidogenic pathway to the nonamyloidogenic pathway by activating the α-secretase enzyme. In addition, they also offer symptomatic treatment by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. Because of this fascinating dual mechanism of action, several chemical scaffolds having 5-HT₄R pharmacophores were designed and evaluated. Most of the synthesized compounds showed potent in vitro affinities and in vivo efficacies. Upon analysis of focused structure-activity relationships, compound 4o was identified as a potent 5-HT₄R partial agonist with favorable ADME properties and good in vivo efficacy. GR-125487, a selective 5-HT₄R antagonist, attenuated the activity of compound 4o in the novel-object-recognition-test cognition model.

Pyridinium salts: from synthesis to reactivity and applications

This review highlights the pyridinium salts in terms of their natural occurrence, synthesis, reactivity, biological properties, and diverse applications.

Synthesis of Novel Spiro(Indolizine-Pyrazole) Derivatives via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Nitrilimine

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrilimine, generated in situ from N′-phenylbenzohydrazonoyl chloride and triethylamine, to 7-arylmethylidene-6,7-dihydroindolizin-8( 5H)-one afforded novel 4′-aryl-2′,5′-diphenyl-2′,4′,5,6-tetrahydro-8 H-spiro(indolazine-7,3′-pyrazol)-8-ones in moderate yields. The structures of all the products were characterised thoroughly by NMR, infrared spectroscopy and HRMS. The structure and stereochemistry was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Borate esters: Simple catalysts for the sustainable synthesis of complex amides

Chemical reactions for the formation of amide bonds are among the most commonly used transformations in organic chemistry, yet they are often highly inefficient. A novel protocol for amidation using a simple borate ester catalyst is reported. The process presents significant improvements over other catalytic amidation methods in terms of efficiency and safety, with an unprecedented substrate scope including functionalized heterocycles and even unprotected amino acids. The method was used to access a wide range of functionalized amide derivatives, including pharmaceutically relevant targets, important synthetic intermediates, a catalyst, and a natural product.

Application of primary halogenated hydrocarbons for the synthesis of 3-aryl and 3-alkyl indolizines

A transition-metal-free synthetic route to 3-aryl and 3-alkyl indolizines from electron-deficient alkenes, pyridines and primary halogenated hydrocarbons is reported for the first time using a tandem reaction.

Greener synthesis of indolizine analogues using water as a base and solvent: study for larvicidal activity against Anopheles arabiensis

Greener synthesis of a series of novel indolizine analogues have been achieved by the cyclization of aromatic cycloimmonium ylides with electron-deficient alkynes in the presence of water as the base and solvent at 80 °C. Yield of the title compounds was good and reactions performed were eco-friendly. The structures of these newly synthesized compounds have been confirmed by spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR, NMR, LC-MS, and elemental analysis. Characterized title compounds were evaluated for larvicidal activity against Anopheles arabiensis by standard WHO larvicidal assay using Temefos as standard at 4 μg/mL. Title compounds 2e, 2f, and 2g emerged as promising larvicidal agents.

Synthesis and biological activities of indolizine derivatives as alpha-7 nAChR agonists

Human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of schizophrenia accompanied with cognitive impairment. Herein, we report the synthesis and agonistic activities of a series of indolizine derivatives targeting to α7 nAChR. The results show that all synthesized compounds have affinity to α7 nAChR and some give strong agonistic activity, particularly most active agonists show higher potency than control EVP-6124. The docking and structure-activity relationship studies provide insights to develop more potent novel α7 nAChR agonists.

Iodine-mediated synthesis of heterocycles via electrophilic cyclization of alkynes

Syntheses of heterocyclesvia5-exoor 6-endo-digiodocyclizations from alkynes.

A novel approach for the synthesis of imidazo and triazolopyridines from dithioesters

Various imidazo- and triazolo-pyridines were synthesised by the intramolecular cyclization of pyridine 2-methylamine and dithioesters under mild conditions.

One-pot construction of fused polycyclic heteroarenes involving 7-azaindoles and α,β-unsaturated ketones

A novel one-pot synthesis of π-conjugated polycyclic compounds has been realized between 7-azaindoles and α,β-unsaturated ketones.

Multicomponent Strategy to Pyrazolo[3,4-e]indolizine Derivatives under Microwave Irradiation

A simple and efficient one-pot construction of pyrazolo[3,4-e]indolizine derivatives via a diethylamine-catalyzed three-component domino reaction of arylglyoxals, cyclic 1,3-diones, and 5-aminopyrazoles under microwave irradiation is described. In this one-pot transformation, seven bonds and two new rings are efficiently formed. This synthesis was confirmed to follow the group-assisted-purification (GAP) chemistry process, which can avoid traditional recrystallization or chromatography purification methods.

Identification and in vitro pharmacological characterization of a novel and selective α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, Br-IQ17B

Aim:

Alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is a ligand-gated Ca²⁺-permeable ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Activation of α7 nAChR improves learning, memory, and sensory gating in animal models. To identify novel α7 nAChR agonists, we synthesized a series of small molecules and characterized a representative compound, Br-IQ17B, N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2,2,2]oct-3-yl]-5-bromoindolizine-2-carboxamide, which specifically activates α7 nAChR.

Methods:

Two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) recordings were primarily used for screening in Xenopus oocytes expressing human α7 nAChR. Assays, including radioisotope ligand binding, Western blots, whole-cell recordings of hippocampal culture neurons, and spontaneous IPSC recordings of brain slices, were also utilized to evaluate and confirm the specific activation of α7 nAChR by Br-IQ17B.

Results:

Br-IQ17B potently activates α7 nAChR with an EC₅₀ of 1.8±0.2 μmol/L. Br-IQ17B is selective over other subtypes such as α4β2 and α3β4, but it blocks 5-HT_3A receptors. Br-IQ17B displaced binding of the α7 blocker [³H]-MLA to hippocampal crude membranes with a K_i of 14.9±3.2 nmol/L. In hippocampal neurons, Br-IQ17B evoked α7-like currents that were inhibited by MLA and enhanced in the presence of the α7 PAM PNU-120596. In brain slice recordings, Br-IQ17B enhanced GABAergic synaptic transmission in CA1 neurons. Mechanistically, Br-IQ17B increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation that was MLA-sensitive.

Conclusion:

We identified the novel, potent, and selective α7 agonist Br-IQ17B, which enhances synaptic transmission. Br-IQ17B may be a helpful tool to understand new aspects of α7 nAChR function, and it also has potential for being developed as therapy for schizophrenia and cognitive deficits.

A facile approach for the synthesis of 1,3-di- and 1,2,3-tri-substituted indolizines

A convenient synthesis of 1,3-di- and 1,2,3-tri-substituted indolizines involving the multicomponent reaction of pyridinium salt (or quinolinium salt), olefine acid, and 1,2-dichloroethane has been achieved. The process proceeds smoothly in moderate to high yields.

The synthesis, characterization and optical properties of novel 2-acyl 6-arylindolizines

A series of novel 2-acyl-6-aryl substituted indolizine derivatives was synthesized by a novel tandem reaction between 4-acyl-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde derivatives and ethyl 4-bromo-3-arylbut-2-enoate under mild conditions. The compounds were characterized using IR, (1)H NMR (13)C NMR and HRMS. The crystal structure of 7a was determined using single crystal X-ray crystallography. The absorption results showed that compounds 7a-e presented their absorption maxima at ca. 270 nm, while compounds 7f and 7g with a larger conjugation system exhibited red-shifted absorption character (ca. 280 nm). Fluorescence spectra revealed that these compounds exhibited blue fluorescence (434-456 nm) in dilute solutions and showed quantum yields of fluorescence between 0.02 and 0.39 in dichloromethane.