Imidazo[2,1-b]thiazepines: synthesis, structure and evaluation of benzodiazepine receptor binding

As a continuation of our search for new ligands acting on benzodiazepine receptors among the fused 2-thiohydantoin derivatives, a series of 5-substituted imidazo[2,1-b]thiazepines was synthesized and investigated in radioligand binding studies at the benzodiazepine binding site of GABA(A) receptors in rat brain cortical membranes. Among ortho-substituted 5-arylidene-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazepines compounds could be identified which exhibit affinity for the benzodiazepine binding site at low micromolar concentrations. X-ray structure analyses for two compounds (6ae and 6ag) have been performed. In order to analyze the structure-activity relationships, 3D models of all compounds have been completed (using X-ray data). Physicochemical properties calculated (log P and log D) as well as experimental thin layer chromatography data were examined.

Convergent synthesis and antibacterial activity of pyrazole and pyrazoline derivatives of diazepam

Polysubstituted pyrazoles (5)(a-l), pyrazolines (7)(a-c), (8)(a-c) and pyrazolotriazine (10) derivatives of diazepam were synthesized. The structures of hitherto unknown compounds were established by analytical and spectral methods. Some of these compounds were screened to test their antibacterial activity against gram-positive (B. subtilis) and gram-negative (P. aeruginosa). All compounds showed potent activity against these bacteria.

[A novel pyridazino-fused ring system: synthesis of pyridazino[3,4-b]diazepam]

As an analogue of pyridazino-fused ring systems with pharmacological activities, the novel pyridazinol[3,4-b][1,5]diazepine ring system was prepared. The synthetic pathway includes three steps from 4 5-(N-benzyl-N-3-hydroxypropyl)amino derivative which is easily available through nucleophilic substitution reaction of the known 4,5-dichloro-2-methyl-6-nitro-3(2H)-pyridazinone (2) with N-benzyl-N-(3-hydroxypropyl)amine. In the first step, compound 4 was treated with thionyl chloride to give the chloropropyl derivative 5. In the second step, a Bechamp reduction was carried out with Fe in acetic acid to obtain the amino compound 6, and finally the ring closure reaction of 6 was performed in N,N-dimethylformamide in the presence of potassium carbonate at 110 degrees C for 40 hours. In this way the bicyclic compound 7 could be isolated in 48% yield.

Facile synthesis and biological evaluation of heterocyclic compounds containing diazepam

Diazepamoxadiazoles 4, 5, 6, 12, 14 and 22 were prepared with the binary form system. Diazepamthiadiazoles 15, 20 and Diazepamtriazoles 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19 and 21 were also shapely synthesized. Some of these compounds were screened to test their antibacterial activity against E. coli and B. subtilis compounds 15 and 20 show potent activity against these bacteria.

Imidazo-thiazine, -diazinone and -diazepinone derivatives. Synthesis, structure and benzodiazepine receptor binding

In our search for new compounds acting on benzodiazepine receptors among the fused 2-thiohydantoin derivatives, a series of arylidene imidazo[2,1-b]thiazines was synthesized. The 1,2- and 2,3- cyclized derivatives of mono- and di-substituted Z-5-arylidene-2-thiohydantoins were examined (the X-ray crystal structure of Z-2-cinnamylidene-6,7-dihydro-5H-imidazo[2,1-b][1,3]thiazin-3(2H)-one was determined) and compared with the diphenyl derivatives. To investigate the influence of the type of annelated ring on the biological activity, imidazo[2,1-b]pyrimidinone and imidazo[2,1-b]diazepinone derivatives were obtained. The method used in annelation (1,2- and 2,3-cyclized isomers with the exception of fused arylidene imidazothiazines), the substitution pattern (arylidene towards diphenyl) as well as the character of the annelated ring had minor influence on the benzodiazepine receptor affinity of the investigated compounds. It appears that the greatest influence on the biological activity has the character and position of the substituents on the arylidene ring.

11C-labeled 2'-iododiazepam for PET studies of benzodiazepine receptors: synthesis and comparison of biodistribution with its radioiodinated compound

For PET studies of benzodiazepine receptors, N-11C-methyl-2'-iododiazepam (2'-IDZ) was synthesized by N-methylation of its desmethyl derivative with 11C-methyl iodide, and was subsequently purified by HPLC. The labeling and purification procedures were completed within 45 min after 11C-methyl iodide trapping, and the radiochemical yield (corrected for decay) was approximately 40% based on the initial trapped radioactivity of 11C-methyl iodide. Biodistribution studies in mice demonstrated that 11C-2'-IDZ was rapidly and noticeably accumulated in the brain, and subsequently decreased with time. Accumulation was greater in the cortex than in other brain regions. When compared with 125I-2'-IDZ, the distribution was almost the same until 5 min after injection, but levels were low after 20 min. Metabolic studies indicated that the difference between these two compounds in the time course of brain radioactivity distribution may be due to N-demethylation in vivo.

An approach for assaying benzodiazepine receptor binding with radioiodinated ligand: 125I-labeled diazepam derivative

[125I]2'-Iododiazepam (IDZ) was prepared and its application in a benzodiazepine receptor binding assay was studied. [125I]2'-IDZ binds to the rat cortical membrane with a high affinity (Kd, 0.66 nM). Various benzodiazepines showed competition with [125I]2'-IDZ for the binding sites in the rat cortical membrane, and the specificity of its binding correlated well with that of [3H]diazepam (r = 0.992, p < 0.001). These findings suggested that [125I]2'-IDZ binds to the same sites as [3H]diazepam and indicated that [125I]2'-IDZ can be used in a benzodiazepine receptor assay.

Synthesis and biodistribution of [11C]fludiazepam for imaging benzodiazepine receptors

As a tracer for in vivo studies on benzodiazepine receptors, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-[11C]methyl-2H-1,4- benzodiazepin-2-one, [11C]fludiazepam, was synthesized by the methylation of nor-derivative with [11C]CH3I, and purified by high-performance liquid chromatography. Within 60 min [11C]fludiazepam was obtained for injection in high radiochemical yields and in high radiochemical purity with a specific activity of up to 230 mCi/mumol. After i.v. injection of [11C]fludiazepam in rats the radioactivity was rapidly incorporated into many tissues and the blood clearance of the radioactivity was very rapid. The brain uptake was high and decreased gradually. The adrenal uptake was the highest and decreased with high loading doses. The effect of the loading dose on the uptake was also found in the heart and lungs. By autoradiography using [11C]fludiazepam, a higher accumulation was visualized in the cortex and thalamus than in other regions.

Pharmacology of some metabolites of triazolam, alprazolam, and diazepam prepared by a simple, one-step oxidation of benzodiazepines

A simple, one-step chemical oxidation of triazolam (7) to its 4-hydroxy analogue, 7a, has been developed and applied to other triazolo- and imidazobenzodiazepines. The reaction may be used to convert diazepam to temazepam. 4-Hydroxytriazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepines have low central nervous system sedative and anticonvulsant activity in sharp contrast to metabolites of diazepam which remain active. While 10, an alpha-hydroxy metabolite of triazolam, retains much of the activity of 7, 10a, and alpha,4-dihydroxy metabolite of triazolam, is 250 times less potent than 7 on the nicotine-antagonism assay and over 300 times less potent on the traction assay.

[Determination of the origin of drugs by measuring natural isotope contents: D/H and 13C/12C ratios of some diazepam samples (author's transl)]

The precise determination of the natural isotopic abundance ratios of carbon and hydrogen in several production batches of the commercial product 7-chlor-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-on (diazepam) gave results which allowed certain batches to be differentiated. The differences in the ratios appear to be mainly due to differences in the isotopic composition of the (fossile) starting materials of the synthesis. The measurement of the natural isotopic ratios may therefore offer another possibility to determine the origin of a drug.