U.S. patent application number 16/018770 was filed with the patent office on 2018-10-25 for potent non-urea inhibitors of soluble epoxide hydrolase.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. The applicant listed for this patent is THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. Invention is credited to Shi-Xian Deng, Gangli Gong, Donald W. Landry, Yidong Liu, Kirsten Alison Rinderspacher, Yuli Xie.
Application Number | 20180305314 16/018770 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42316693 |
Filed Date | 2018-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180305314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Landry; Donald W. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2018 |
POTENT NON-UREA INHIBITORS OF SOLUBLE EPOXIDE HYDROLASE
Abstract
The present invention relates to compounds that exhibit
vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the
activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The present invention
is also directed to methods of identifying such compounds, and use
of such compounds for the treatment of diseases related to
dysfunction of vasodilation, inflammation, and/or endothelial
cells. In particular non-limiting embodiments, components of the
invention may be used to treat hypertension.
Inventors: |
Landry; Donald W.; (New
York, NY) ; Xie; Yuli; (New York, NY) ; Liu;
Yidong; (New York, NY) ; Gong; Gangli; (Little
Neck, NY) ; Deng; Shi-Xian; (White Plains, NY)
; Rinderspacher; Kirsten Alison; (Bronx, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW
YORK |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
42316693 |
Appl. No.: |
16/018770 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14930409 |
Nov 2, 2015 |
10005732 |
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16018770 |
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14182175 |
Feb 17, 2014 |
9175285 |
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14930409 |
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13178117 |
Jul 7, 2011 |
8653273 |
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14182175 |
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PCT/US2009/057553 |
Sep 18, 2009 |
|
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13178117 |
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61143397 |
Jan 8, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07D 211/62 20130101;
A61P 9/00 20180101; A61P 9/12 20180101; C07D 409/12 20130101; C07D
211/96 20130101; C07F 9/59 20130101; A61P 29/00 20180101; C07D
401/12 20130101; C12N 9/99 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07D 211/96 20060101
C07D211/96; C07F 9/59 20060101 C07F009/59; C07D 211/62 20060101
C07D211/62; C12N 9/99 20060101 C12N009/99; C07D 401/12 20060101
C07D401/12; C07D 409/12 20060101 C07D409/12 |
Goverment Interests
GRANT INFORMATION
[0002] The subject matter of the invention was developed, at least
in part, under National Institutes of Health Grant No. MLSCN. The
United States Government has certain rights herein.
Claims
1. A compound of Formula 1: ##STR00103## wherein R.sup.1 is
independently selected for each occurrence from the group
consisting of Phosphorus, substituted or unsubstituted
benzothiazol, substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or
unsubstituted naphthyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl,
substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted
cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or
unsubstituted cycloalkalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted
arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl,
substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted or
unsubstituted heterocyclic, --C(O)R.sup.3 and --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3;
wherein R.sup.3 is independently selected for each occurrence from
the groups consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl,
substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl; substituted or
unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl;
substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; substituted or
unsubstituted heterocyclic, substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl,
substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted
thienyl, substituted or unsubstituted benzothienyl, substituted or
unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or unsubstituted indol,
substituted or unsubstituted isoquinolyl, substituted or
unsubstituted quinolyl, and substituted or unsubstituted
benzothiazol; wherein R.sup.2 is independently selected for each
occurrence from the group consisting of Phosphorus, substituted or
unsubstituted benzothiazol, substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl,
substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, substituted or unsubstituted
phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or
unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl,
substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkalkyl, substituted or
unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted
heteroarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl,
substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic, --C(O)R.sup.3 and
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.3; wherein R.sup.3 is independently selected for
each occurrence from the groups consisting of substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;
substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted
arylalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; substituted or
unsubstituted heterocyclic, substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl,
substituted or unsubstituted thienyl, substituted or unsubstituted
benzothienyl, substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or
unsubstituted indol, substituted or unsubstituted isoquinolyl,
substituted or unsubstituted quinolyl, and substituted or
unsubstituted benzothiazol; and further wherein, when R.sup.2 is
##STR00104## and R.sup.1 is a substituted phenyl, wherein the
substituent is an unsubstituted alkyl, the alkyl is at least a
C.sub.3 alkyl; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs
thereof.
2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the
group consisting of a substituted aryl having one or more
substituent which is a halogen.
3. The compound of claim 2, wherein the halogen is selected from
the group consisting of fluorine or chlorine.
4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3,
and wherein R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of a
substituted aryl having one or more substituent and an
unsubstituted aryl.
5. The compound of claim 4, wherein R.sup.3 is a substituted aryl
and the one or more substituent is selected from the group
consisting of a hydrophobic alkyl group and a halide.
6. The compound of claim 4, wherein R.sup.3 is a substituted aryl
having one or more substituent, and wherein at least one of the one
or more substituents is in the ortho position.
7. The compound of claim 6, wherein the one or more substituents in
the ortho position is selected from the group consisting of a
bromide, fluoride and methyl.
8. The compound of claim 1, wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the
group consisting of: ##STR00105##
9. The compound of claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is selected from the
group consisting of: ##STR00106##
10. The compound of claim 1, wherein R' is independently selected
for each occurrence from the group consisting of ##STR00107##
##STR00108## ##STR00109##
11. The compound of claim 1, wherein R.sup.2 is independently
selected for each occurrence from the group consisting of
##STR00110## ##STR00111##
12. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is formulated as
a pharmaceutical formulation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/930,409, filed Nov. 2, 2015, which is a
divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/182,175, filed
Feb. 17, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,175,285, which is a continuation
of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/178,117, filed Jul. 7, 2011, now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,653,273, which is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/US2009/057553, filed Sep. 18, 2009, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/143,397,
filed Jan. 8, 2009, priority to each of which is claimed, and the
contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entireties.
1. INTRODUCTION
[0003] The present invention relates to compounds that exhibit
vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the
activity of the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The present
invention is also directed to the use of such compounds for the
treatment of diseases related to dysfunction of vasodilation,
inflammation, and/or endothelial cell function. In particular
non-limiting embodiments, components of the invention may be used
to treat hypertension.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Epoxide hydrolases are a group of enzymes that are
ubiquitous in nature, detected in species ranging from plants to
mammals. These enzymes are functionally related in that they
catalyze the addition of water to an epoxide, resulting in a diol.
One subtype of epoxide hydrolase is the soluble epoxide hydrolase
(sEH). sEH plays an important role in the metabolism of lipid
epoxides. Endogenous substrates of sEH include epoxyeicosatrienoic
acids (EETs), which are effective regulators of blood pressure and
inflammation.
[0005] The metabolism of arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450
monoxygenase leads to the formation of various biologically active
eicosanoids, and is the primary route of EET synthesis. Three types
of oxidative reactions are known to occur to the precursor
eicosanoids, and one of these, olefin epoxidation (catalyzed by
epoxygenases), produces EETs. Four important EET regioisomers are
[5,6]-EET, [8,9]-EET, [11,12]-EET, and [14,15]-EET. These
arachidonic acid derivatives function as lipid mediators in certain
tissues, potentially through receptor-ligand interactions, and
further, can be incorporated into tissue phospholipids (Bernstrom
et al. 1992, J. Biol. Chem. 267:3686-3690).
[0006] Hypertension has been shown to result from an impairment of
endothelium dependent vasodilation (Lind, et al., Blood Pressure,
9: 4-15 (2000)). In healthy individuals, endothelium derived
hyperpolarizing factor, EDHF, hyperpolarizes vascular smooth muscle
tissue resulting in endothelium-dependent relaxation. EETs are
known to provoke signaling pathways which lead to cell membrane
hyperpolarization, and therefore have been considered as a
candidate EDHF. In vascular tissue, hyperpolarization by EETs
results in increased coronary blood flow and improved recovery of
myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury. (Wu et al., 272 J.
Biol. Chem 12551 (1997); Oltman et al., 83 Circ. Res. 932 (1998)).
Accordingly, EETs are predicted to be useful in the treatment of
hypertension as well as ischemia-related damage and disease.
[0007] In addition to promoting vasodilation, EETs have also been
shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. For example,
11,12-EET can reduce inflammation by decreasing the expression of
cytokine induced endothelial cell adhesion molecules (such as
VCAM-1) (Node, et al., Science, 285: 1276-1279 (1999); Campbell,
TIPS, 21: 125-127 (2000); Zeldin and Liao, TIPS, 21: 127-128
(2000)). Other studies have demonstrated that EETs can inhibit
vascular inflammation by inhibiting NF-.kappa.B and I.kappa.B,
which prevents leukocyte adhesion to vascular cell walls. As such,
EETs are also predicted to be useful in reducing inflammation and
alleviating endothelial cell dysfunction (Kessler, et al.,
Circulation, 99: 1878-1884 (1999).
[0008] Hydrolysis of EETs by sEH converts the EETs to corresponding
diols. Such diols have been shown to exhibit diminished
vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects (Smith et al., 2005,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 102:2186-91; and Schmelzer et al.,
2005, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 102:9772-7). As inhibition of sEH
leads to accumulation of active EETs, such inhibition provides a
novel approach to the treatment of hypertension and vascular
inflammation (Chiamvimonvat et al., 2007, J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol.
50:225-37). To date, the most successful sEH inhibitors reported
are 1,3-disubstituted ureas. These urea-based inhibitors have been
shown to treat hypertension and inflammatory diseases through
inhibition of EET hydrolysis in several animal models. However,
these inhibitors often suffer from poor solubility and
bioavailability, which makes them less therapeutically efficient
(Wolf et al., 2006, J. Med. Chem. 335:71-80). Therefore there
remains a need for identifying new sEH inhibitors for therapeutic
application.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I:
##STR00001##
[0010] wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are described herein below. The
present invention also provides salts, esters and prodrugs of the
compounds of Formula I.
[0011] Additionally, the present invention describes methods of
synthesizing compounds of Formula I.
[0012] The present invention further provides a method of
inhibiting the activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), by
contacting the sEH with a compound of Formula I in an amount
effective to inhibit the activity of sEH.
[0013] In one embodiment, the sEH is expressed by a cell, for
example, a mammalian cell, and the cell is contacted with the
compound of Formula I.
[0014] In another embodiment, the sEH is contacted with the
compound of Formula I in vitro.
[0015] The present invention also provides a method of decreasing
the metabolism of an epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET), and thus
increasing the level of an EET, by contacting an sEH with a
compound of Formula I in an amount effective to increase the level
of an EET.
[0016] The present invention also provides compositions comprising
a compound of Formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier.
[0017] Also provided is a method for treating, preventing, or
controlling diseases related to dysfunction of vasodilation,
inflammation, and/or endothelial cells by administering to an
individual in need of such treatment a pharmaceutical composition
comprising a compound of Formula I in an amount effective to
inhibit sEH activity or increase the level of EETs in the
individual.
[0018] Also provided is a method for treating, preventing, or
controlling metabolic syndrome by administering to an individual in
need of such treatment a pharmaceutical composition comprising a
compound of Formula I in an amount effective to inhibit sEH
activity or increase the level of EETs in the individual.
4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 Shows a reaction mechanism of a fluorescent high
throughput screen encompassed by the present invention. In the
screen, the sEH substrate PHOME fluoresces following sEH-catalyzed
hydrolysis.
[0020] FIG. 2 Shows the structure of sEH inhibitors AMAU and
sulfonyl isonipecotamide (compound 1).
[0021] FIG. 3 Shows the synthesis of compound 6-1 to 6-37 and
compound 8-1 to 8-51
[0022] FIG. 4A-B Shows compounds and their biological results for
the tail (i.e. R.sup.2) modifications of compound 1.
[0023] FIG. 5A-C Shows compounds and their biological results for
the head (i.e. R.sup.1) modifications of compound 1.
[0024] FIG. 6 Shows the in vivo effect of compound 8-42 on
inflammation induced by Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA).
Inflammation was assayed by determining pain threshold using
electronic Von Frey and thermal testing. A baseline pain threshold
was determined before CFA administration. CFA was administered at
day 1, and 8-42 or control agents were administered 24 hours later.
Pain threshold was measured on days 1, 2 and 5.
5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The present invention is based on the discovery of compounds
that inhibit sEH enzymatic activity and increase the level of EETs
in a cell. In light of the role EETs play in connection with
vasodilation, inflammation, and endothelial cell function, the
compounds of the instant invention can be used to increase EET
levels and thereby ameliorate pathologies associated with diseases
relating to vasodilation dysregulation, inflammation, and/or
endothelial cell dysfunction.
[0026] For clarity and not by way of limitation, this detailed
description is divided into the following sub-portions:
[0027] (i) definitions;
[0028] (ii) sEH inhibitors;
[0029] (iii) methods of treatment; and
[0030] (iv) pharmaceutical compositions.
5.1 Definitions
[0031] The terms used in this specification generally have their
ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of this invention
and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms
are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide
additional guidance to the practitioner in describing the
compositions and methods of the invention and how to make and use
them.
[0032] The terms "soluble epoxide hydrolase" and "sEH" refer to a
polypeptide which catalyzes the addition of water to an epoxide
substrate, resulting in a diol. In one non-limiting embodiment the
epoxide substrate is a lipid epoxide. In another non-limiting
embodiment, the substrate is an epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET).
[0033] In one non-limiting embodiment, a soluble epoxide hydrolase
which may be inhibited according to the invention is a human
soluble epoxide hydrolase. Such soluble epoxide hydrolase may, for
example, be encoded by the human epoxide hydrolase 2, cytoplasmic
gene (EPHX2) (GenBank accession number NM_001979), a nucleic acid
which encodes the human soluble epoxide hydrolase polypeptide.
Alternatively, soluble epoxide hydrolase can be encoded by any
nucleic acid molecule exhibiting at least 50%, at least 60%, at
least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or up to 100% homology to the
EPHX2 gene (as determined by standard software, e.g. BLAST or
FASTA), and any sequences which hybridize under standard conditions
to these sequences.
[0034] In other non-limiting embodiments, a soluble epoxide
hydrolase which may be inhibited according to the invention may be
characterized as having an amino acid sequence described by GenBank
accession numbers: AAG14968, AAG14967, AAG14966 and NP_001970, or
any other amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous thereto.
[0035] The soluble epoxide hydrolase may be a recombinant sEH
polypeptide encoded by a recombinant nucleic acid, for example, a
recombinant DNA molecule, or may be of natural origin.
[0036] The terms "epoxyeicosatrienoic acid" and "EET" refer to a
substrate of the soluble epoxide hydrolase enzyme. For example, an
epoxyeicosatrienoic acid may have the following generic Formula
II:
##STR00002##
wherein R.sub.4 is C.sub.19H.sub.31, and wherein an epoxide is
bound to any two consecutive carbons of Formula II, and further,
wherein any two consecutive carbons may be covalently bonded to
each other by a double bond.
[0037] Substrate EETs, the cleavage of which are inhibited
according to the invention, include effective regulators of blood
pressure and cardiovascular function and/or inflammation.
[0038] In one such non-limiting embodiment, EET is an eicosanoid
produced by the metabolic activity of a Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase
on a fatty acid, such as arachidonic acid.
[0039] In another such non-limiting embodiment, the EET is a
[5,6]-EET, as depicted in Formula III:
##STR00003##
[0040] In another such non-limiting embodiment, the EET is a
[8,9]-EET, as depicted in Formula IV:
##STR00004##
[0041] In another such non-limiting embodiment, the EET is a
[11,12]-EET, as depicted in Formula V:
##STR00005##
[0042] In yet another such non-limiting embodiment, the EET is a
[14,15]-EET, as depicted in Formula VI:
##STR00006##
[0043] In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the EET can function
as a lipid mediator and can be incorporated into tissue
phospholipids (Bernstrom et al. 1992, J. Biol. Chem.
267:3686-3690).
[0044] The term "dysfunction of vasodilation" refers to the reduced
capability of a blood vessel, for example, an artery or arteriole,
to dilate normally in response to an appropriate stimulus, for
example, an endothelium derived hyperpolarizing factor, EDHF, and
may be manifested by an inappropriate blood pressure, e.g.
hypertension.
[0045] The term "endothelial cell dysfunction" refers to a
physiological dysfunction of normal biochemical processes carried
out by endothelial cells, the cells that line the inner surface of
all blood vessels including arteries and veins. For example,
endothelial cell dysfunction may result in an inability of blood
vessels, such as arteries and arterioles, to dilate normally in
response to an appropriate stimulus.
[0046] The term "inflammation" encompasses both acute responses
(i.e., responses in which the inflammatory processes are active) as
well as chronic responses (i.e., responses marked by slow
progression and formation of new connective tissue).
[0047] In certain non-limiting embodiments, a disease associated
with a dysfunction of vasodilation, inflammation, and/or
endothelial cells that is to be treated by a compound of the
instant invention is, by way of example, but not by way of
limitation, heart disease, hypertension, such as primary or
secondary hypertension, an ischemic condition such as angina,
myocardial infarction, transient ischemic neurologic attack,
cerebral ischemia, ischemic cerebral infarction, bowel infarction
or other ischemic damage to tissue associated with poor
perfusion.
[0048] In other non-limiting embodiments, a disease associated with
inflammation that may be treated by a compound of the instant
invention is, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, type
I hypersensitivity, atopy, anaphylaxis, asthma, osteoarthritis,
rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gout, juvenile idiopathic
arthritis, still's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory
bowel disease, Crohn's disease or inflammation associated with
vertebral disc herniation.
[0049] The term "metabolic syndrome" refers to risk factors that
indicate an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease,
type 2 diabetes and other diseases related to plaque buildups in
artery walls, such as, for example, atherosclerosis, stroke and
peripheral vascular disease. Metabolic syndrome risk factors
include, for example, abdominal obesity (i.e. excessive fat tissue
in and around the abdomen), atherogenic dyslipidemia (i.e. blood
fat disorders such as for example, high triglycerides, low HDL
cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol, that foster plaque buildups
in artery walls), elevated blood pressure, insulin resistance or
glucose intolerance, prothrombotic state (e.g., high fibrinogen or
plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the blood) and/or a
proinflammatory state (e.g., elevated C-reactive protein in the
blood).
[0050] The term `alkyl` refers to a straight or branched
C.sub.1-C.sub.20 (preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.6) hydrocarbon group
consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing no
unsaturation, and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by
a single bond, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methyl ethyl
(isopropyl), n-butyl, n-pentyl, 1,1-dimethyl ethyl (t-butyl).
[0051] The term "alkenyl" refers to a C.sub.2-C.sub.20 (preferably
C.sub.1-C.sub.4) aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing at least
one carbon-carbon double bond and which may be a straight or
branched chain, e.g., ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl (allyl),
iso-propenyl, 2-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl.
[0052] The term "cycloalkyl" denotes an unsaturated, non-aromatic
mono- or multicyclic hydrocarbon ring system (containing, for
example, C.sub.3-C.sub.6) such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,
cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl. Examples of multicyclic cycloalkyl groups
(containing, for example, C.sub.6-C.sub.15) include
perhydronapththyl, adamantyl and norbornyl groups bridged cyclic
group or sprirobicyclic groups, e.g., spiro (4,4) non-2-yl.
[0053] The term "cycloalkalkyl" refers to a cycloalkyl as defined
above directly attached to an alkyl group as defined above, that
results in the creation of a stable structure such as
cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylethyl, cyclopentylethyl.
[0054] The term "alkyl ether" refers to an alkyl group or
cycloalkyl group as defined above having at least one oxygen
incorporated into the alkyl chain, e.g., methyl ethyl ether,
diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran.
[0055] The term "alkyl amine" refers to an alkyl group or a
cycloalkyl group as defined above having at least one nitrogen
atom, e.g., n-butyl amine and tetrahydrooxazine.
[0056] The term "aryl" refers to aromatic radicals having in the
range of about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms such as phenyl, naphthyl,
tetrahydronapthyl, indanyl, biphenyl.
[0057] The term "arylalkyl" refers to an aryl group as defined
above directly bonded to an alkyl group as defined above, e.g.,
--CH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.5, and --C.sub.2H.sub.4C.sub.6H.sub.5.
[0058] The term "heterocyclic" refers to a stable 3- to 15-membered
ring radical which consists of carbon atoms and one or more, for
example, from one to five, heteroatoms selected from the group
consisting of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. For purposes of this
invention, the heterocyclic ring radical may be a monocyclic or
bicyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring
systems, and the nitrogen, carbon, oxygen or sulfur atoms in the
heterocyclic ring radical may be optionally oxidized to various
oxidation states. In addition, the nitrogen atom may be optionally
quaternized; and the ring radical may be partially or fully
saturated (i.e., heteroaromatic or heteroaryl aromatic).
[0059] The heterocyclic ring radical may be attached to the main
structure at any heteroatom or carbon atom that results in the
creation of a stable structure.
[0060] The term "heteroaryl" refers to a heterocyclic ring wherein
the ring is aromatic.
[0061] The term "heteroarylalkyl" refers to heteroaryl ring radical
as defined above directly bonded to alkyl group. The
heteroarylalkyl radical may be attached to the main structure at
any carbon atom from alkyl group that results in the creation of a
stable structure.
[0062] The term "heterocyclyl" refers to a heterocylic ring radical
as defined above. The heterocyclyl ring radical may be attached to
the main structure at any heteroatom or carbon atom that results in
the creation of a stable structure.
[0063] The term "halogen" refers to radicals of fluorine, chlorine,
bromine and iodine.
5.2 sEH Inhibitors
[0064] The present invention provides compounds of the following
Formula I:
##STR00007##
[0065] wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected for
each occurrence from the group consisting of phosphorous (e.g.,
substituted phosphorous such as diphenylphosphine), substituted or
unsubstituted benzothiazol, substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl,
substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, substituted or unsubstituted
phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or
unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl,
substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkalkyl, substituted or
unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted
heteroarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl,
substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic, --C(O)R.sup.3 and
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.3 is independently selected for
each occurrence from the groups consisting of substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl;
substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted
arylalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; substituted or
unsubstituted heterocyclic, substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl,
substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted
thienyl, substituted or unsubstituted benzothienyl, substituted or
unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or unsubstituted indol,
substituted or unsubstituted isoquinolyl, substituted or
unsubstituted quinolyl, and substituted or unsubstituted
benzothiazol.
[0066] The substituents in the `substituted alkyl`, `substituted
cycloalkyl`, `substituted cycloalkalkyl`, `substituted arylalkyl`,
`substituted aryl`, `substituted heterocyclic`, `substituted
heteroarylalkyl,` `substituted heteroaryl`, `substituted naphthyl`,
`substituted phenyl`, `substituted thienyl`, `substituted
benzothienyl`, `substituted pyridyl`, `substituted indol`,
`substituted isoquinolyl`, `substituted quinolyl`, or `substituted
benzothiazol` may be the same or different with one or more
selected from the groups hydrogen, halogen, acetyl, nitro, oxo
(.dbd.O), thio (.dbd.S), --NO.sub.2, --CF.sub.3, --OCH.sub.3, -Boc
or optionally substituted groups selected from alkyl, alkoxy, aryl,
arylalkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic ring. A "substituted"
functionality may have one or more than one substituent.
[0067] In one preferred non-limiting embodiment, R.sup.1 is an
unsubstituted cycloalkyl.
[0068] In other preferred non-limiting embodiments, R.sup.1 is an
unsubstituted or substituted aryl having one or more substituent
which is a halogen, more preferably fluorine or chlorine (where
multiple substituents are present they may be the same or
different).
[0069] In preferred non-limiting embodiments, R.sup.2 is
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.3. In specific preferred non-limiting embodiments
R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl. In further specific
preferred non-limiting embodiments, R.sup.2 is --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3,
where R.sup.3 is a substituted aryl and the one or more substituent
is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic alkyl
group(s), such as the methyl group(s) present on toluene, xylene,
and mesitylene, and a halide. In preferred non-limiting
embodiments, at least one of said substituent of
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, where R.sup.3 is a substituted aryl, is in the
ortho position. In preferred non-limiting embodiments, the
substituent of --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, where R.sup.3 is a substituted
aryl, is a bromide or fluoride or methyl at the ortho position.
[0070] In non-limiting embodiments within the scope of Formula I,
the present invention provides compounds of the following Formula
VII:
##STR00008##
[0071] wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of
phosphorous (e.g., substituted phosphorous such as
diphenylphosphine), substituted or unsubstituted benzothiazol,
substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or unsubstituted
naphthyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,
substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted
cycloalkalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted
or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted
heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic,
--C(O)R.sup.3 and --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.3 is
independently selected for each occurrence from the groups
consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or
unsubstituted cycloalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl;
substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl; substituted or
unsubstituted heteroaryl; substituted or unsubstituted
heterocyclic, substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, substituted or
unsubstituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted thienyl,
substituted or unsubstituted benzothienyl, substituted or
unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or unsubstituted indol,
substituted or unsubstituted isoquinolyl, substituted or
unsubstituted quinolyl, and substituted or unsubstituted
benzothiazol.
[0072] The substituents in the `substituted alkyl`, `substituted
cycloalkyl`, `substituted cycloalkalkyl`, `substituted arylalkyl`,
`substituted aryl`, `substituted heterocyclic`, `substituted
heteroarylalkyl,` `substituted heteroaryl`, `substituted naphthyl`,
`substituted phenyl`, `substituted thienyl`, `substituted
benzothienyl`, `substituted pyridyl`, `substituted indol`,
`substituted isoquinolyl`, `substituted quinolyl`, or `substituted
benzothiazol` may be the same or different with one or more
selected from the groups hydrogen, halogen, acetyl, nitro, oxo
(.dbd.O), thio (.dbd.S), --NO.sub.2, --CF.sub.3, --OCH.sub.3, -Boc
or optionally substituted groups selected from alkyl, alkoxy, aryl,
arylalkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic ring. A "substituted"
functionality may have one or more than one substituent.
[0073] In one non-limiting embodiment, when R.sup.1 is a
substituted phenyl, and the substituent is an unsubstituted alkyl,
the alkyl is at least a C.sub.3 alkyl, for example, a propyl or
butyl.
[0074] In further non-limiting embodiments of the invention,
R.sup.1 in Formula I or Formula VII is selected from the compounds
listed in Table 1:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Compound R.sup.1 8-1 ##STR00009## 8-2
##STR00010## 8-3 ##STR00011## 8-4 ##STR00012## 8-5 ##STR00013## 8-6
##STR00014## 8-7 ##STR00015## 8-8 ##STR00016## 8-9 ##STR00017##
8-10 ##STR00018## 8-11 ##STR00019## 8-12 ##STR00020## 8-13
##STR00021## 8-14 ##STR00022## 8-15 ##STR00023## 8-16 ##STR00024##
8-17 ##STR00025## 8-18 ##STR00026## 8-19 ##STR00027## 8-20
##STR00028## 8-21 ##STR00029## 8-22 ##STR00030## 8-23 ##STR00031##
8-24 ##STR00032## 8-25 ##STR00033## 8-26 ##STR00034## 8-27
##STR00035## 8-28 ##STR00036## 8-29 ##STR00037## 8-30 ##STR00038##
8-31 ##STR00039## 8-32 ##STR00040## 8-33 ##STR00041## 8-34
##STR00042## 8-35 ##STR00043## 8-36 ##STR00044## 8-37 ##STR00045##
8-38 ##STR00046## 8-39 ##STR00047## 8-40 ##STR00048## 8-41
##STR00049## 8-42 ##STR00050## 8-43 ##STR00051## 8-44 ##STR00052##
8-45 ##STR00053## 8-46 ##STR00054## 8-47 ##STR00055## 8-48
##STR00056## 8-49 ##STR00057## 8-50 ##STR00058##
[0075] In preferred non-limiting embodiments, R.sup.1 in Formula I
or Formula VII is selected from the group consisting of the
following compounds:
##STR00059##
[0076] In other non-limiting embodiments within the scope of
Formula I, the present invention provides compounds of the
following Formula VIII:
##STR00060##
[0077] wherein R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of
phosphorous (e.g., substituted phosphorous such as
diphenylphosphine), substituted or unsubstituted benzothiazol,
substituted or unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or unsubstituted
naphthyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, substituted or
unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl,
substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted
cycloalkalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl, substituted
or unsubstituted heteroarylalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted
heteroaryl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic,
--C(O)R.sup.3 and --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, wherein R.sup.3 is
independently selected for each occurrence from the groups
consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or
unsubstituted cycloalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl;
substituted or unsubstituted arylalkyl; substituted or
unsubstituted heteroaryl; substituted or unsubstituted
heterocyclic, substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, substituted or
unsubstituted phenyl, substituted or unsubstituted thienyl,
substituted or unsubstituted benzothienyl, substituted or
unsubstituted pyridyl, substituted or unsubstituted indol,
substituted or unsubstituted isoquinolyl, substituted or
unsubstituted quinolyl, and substituted or unsubstituted
benzothiazol.
[0078] The substituents in the `substituted alkyl`, `substituted
cycloalkyl`, `substituted cycloalkalkyl`, `substituted arylalkyl`,
`substituted aryl`, `substituted heterocyclic`, `substituted
heteroarylalkyl,` `substituted heteroaryl`, `substituted naphthyl`,
`substituted phenyl`, `substituted thienyl`, `substituted
benzothienyl`, `substituted pyridyl`, `substituted indol`,
`substituted isoquinolyl`, `substituted quinolyl`, or `substituted
benzothiazol` may be the same or different with one or more
selected from the groups hydrogen, halogen, acetyl, nitro, oxo
(.dbd.O), thio (.dbd.S), --NO.sub.2, --CF.sub.3, --OCH.sub.3, -Boc
or optionally substituted groups selected from alkyl, alkoxy, aryl,
arylalkyl, heteroaryl, and heterocyclic ring. A "substituted"
functionality may have one or more than one substituent.
[0079] In preferred non-limiting embodiments, R.sup.2 is
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.3. In specific preferred non-limiting embodiments
R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl. In further specific
preferred non-limiting embodiments, R.sup.2 is --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3,
where R.sup.3 is a substituted aryl and the one or more substituent
is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic alkyl
group(s), such as the methyl group(s) present on toluene, xylene,
and mesitylene, and a halide. In preferred non-limiting
embodiments, at least one of said substituent of
--S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, where R.sup.3 is a substituted aryl, is in the
ortho position. In preferred non-limiting embodiments, the
substituent of --S(O).sub.2R.sup.3, where R.sup.3 is a substituted
aryl, is a bromide or fluoride or methyl at the ortho position.
[0080] In specific non-limiting embodiments of the invention,
R.sup.2 in Formula I or VIII is selected from the compounds listed
in Table 2:
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Compound R.sup.2 1 ##STR00061## 6-1
##STR00062## 6-2 ##STR00063## 6-3 ##STR00064## 6-4 ##STR00065## 6-5
##STR00066## 6-6(a) ##STR00067## 6-6(b) ##STR00068## 6-7
##STR00069## 6-8 ##STR00070## 6-9 ##STR00071## 6-10 ##STR00072##
6-11 ##STR00073## 6-12 ##STR00074## 6-13 ##STR00075## 6-14
##STR00076## 6-15 ##STR00077## 6-16 ##STR00078## 6-17 ##STR00079##
6-18 ##STR00080## 6-19 ##STR00081## 6-20 ##STR00082## 6-21
##STR00083## 6-22 ##STR00084## 6-23 ##STR00085## 6-24 ##STR00086##
6-25 ##STR00087## 6-26 ##STR00088## 6-27 ##STR00089## 6-28
##STR00090## 6-29 ##STR00091## 6-30 ##STR00092## 6-31 ##STR00093##
6-32 ##STR00094## 6-33 ##STR00095## 6-34 ##STR00096## 6-35
##STR00097## 6-36 ##STR00098##
[0081] In other preferred non-limiting embodiments, R.sup.2 in
Formula I or Formula VIII is selected from the group consisting of
the following compounds:
##STR00099##
[0082] In another preferred embodiment, the compound defined by
Formula I, Formula VII and/or Formula VIII is selected from the
group consisting of the following compounds:
##STR00100## ##STR00101##
[0083] Compounds of Formula I may, without limitation, be
synthesized by any means known in the art. For example, methyl
isonipecotate may be protected with benzyl chloroformate, and then
converted into an acid chloride by removing the methyl ester
followed by treatment with oxalyl chloride. Coupling of the acid
chloride with 2,4-dichlorobenzylamine followed by Palladium
catalyzed hydrogenation produces an amine, which may be reacted
with a variety of sulfonyl chlorides, acid chlorides and
chloroformates to produce compounds 6-6 and 6-10.
[0084] In other non-limiting embodiments, Methyl isonipecotate may
be treated with mesitylenesulphonyl chloride followed by conversion
into acid chloride by removing the methyl ester followed by
treatment with oxalyl chloride. The acid chloride may then be
reacted with various amines to produce compounds 8-9, 8-14, 8-37,
8-42, and 8-47
[0085] In other non-limiting embodiments, the compounds of Formula
I, VII and VIII may be synthesized according to the following
scheme:
##STR00102##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are selected from the compounds listed
in Table 2 and Table 1.
5.3 Methods of Treatment
[0086] In accordance with the invention, there are provided methods
of using the compounds of Formula I. The compounds used in the
invention may be used to inhibit the degradation of sEH substrates
having beneficial effects and/or inhibit the formation of
metabolites that have adverse effects. The methods of the invention
may be used to treat a variety of diseases related to dysfunction
of vasodilation, inflammation, and/or endothelial cells. For
example, the methods of the invention are useful for the treatment
of conditions including, but not limited to, hypertension, such as
primary or secondary hypertension, ischemic conditions such as
angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic neurologic
attack, cerebral ischemia, ischemic cerebral infarction, bowel
infarction, etc. Additionally, inflammatory conditions including,
but not limited to, type I hypersensitivity, atopy, anaphylaxis,
asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis,
gout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, still's disease, ankylosing
spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or
inflammation associated with vertebral disc herniation may be
treated according to the methods of the present invention. The
invention may also be used to reduce the risk of ischemic damage to
tissue associated with atherosclerosis.
[0087] According to the invention, a "subject" or "patient" is a
human or non-human animal. Although the animal subject is
preferably a human, the compounds and compositions of the invention
have application in veterinary medicine as well, e.g., for the
treatment of domesticated species such as canine, feline, and
various other pets; farm animal species such as bovine, equine,
ovine, caprine, porcine, etc.; wild animals, e.g., in the wild or
in a zoological garden; and avian species, such as chickens,
turkeys, quail, songbirds, etc.
[0088] In one embodiment, the subject or patient has been diagnosed
with, or has been identified as having an increased risk of
developing, a disease related to dysfunction of vasodilation,
inflammation, and/or an endothelial cell dysfunction.
[0089] In other non-limiting embodiments, the present invention
provides for methods of reducing the risk of damage resulting from
diseases related to dysfunction of vasodilation, inflammation,
and/or endothelial cell dysfunction to a tissue of a subject
comprising administering to the subject, an effective amount of a
composition according to the invention.
[0090] The present invention provides for methods of treating
diseases related to dysfunction of vasodilation, inflammation,
and/or endothelial cell dysfunction in a subject in need of such
treatment by administration of a therapeutic formulation which
comprises a compound of Formula I. In particular embodiments, the
formulation may be administered to a subject in need of such
treatment in an amount effective to inhibit sEH enzymatic activity.
Where the formulation is to be administered to a subject in vivo,
the formulation may be administered systemically (e.g. by
intravenous injection, oral administration, inhalation, etc.), or
may be administered by any other means known in the art. The amount
of the formulation to be administered may be determined using
methods known in the art, for example, by performing dose response
studies in one or more model system, followed by approved clinical
testing in humans.
[0091] In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a
subject to be treated with a compound of Formula I suffers from
metabolic syndrome, wherein administering a compound of Formula I
to the subject reduces the subject's risk of developing coronary
heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other diseases related to plaque
buildups in artery walls, such as, for example, atherosclerosis,
stroke and peripheral vascular disease.
[0092] In another non-limiting embodiment, the invention provides a
method for inhibiting the activity of a soluble epoxide hydrolase
which comprises contacting the soluble epoxide hydrolase with a
compound of Formula I in an amount effective to inhibit soluble
epoxide hydrolase activity.
[0093] In other non-limiting embodiments, the invention provides a
method for treating a disease related to dysfunction of
vasodilation, inflammation, and/or endothelial cell dysfunction in
an individual, which method comprises administering to the
individual an effective amount of a compound according to Formula
1.
[0094] In certain non-limiting embodiments of the invention, an
effective amount of compound is an amount which results in a blood
level of compound which is at least 20% or at least 50% or at least
90% of the IC.sub.50. Non-limiting specific examples of compounds
of the invention and their IC.sub.50 values are shown in FIGS. 4
and 5.
[0095] According to the invention, an effective amount is an amount
of a compound of Formula I which reduces the clinical symptoms of
diseases related to dysfunction of vasodilation, inflammation,
and/or endothelial cells. For example, an effective amount is an
amount of a compound of Formula I that reduces abnormally high
arterial blood pressure (for example but not by way of limitation,
abnormally high systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, or both,
wherein systolic blood pressure is at least 140 mm Hg and a
diastolic blood pressure is at least 90 mm Hg), or inflammation in
a subject, or increases the flow of blood to an organ or tissue,
for example but not by way of limitation, the heart or brain in a
subject.
[0096] In a further non-limiting embodiment, the effective amount
of a compound of Formula I may be determined via an in vitro assay.
By way of example, and not of limitation, such an assay may utilize
an sEH enzyme and a substrate which can report the level of sEH
activity through a detectable signal, such as, for example, a
change in luminescence, coloration, temperature, or fluorescence.
In one embodiment, the assay is a high throughput fluorescent assay
that utilizes a recombinant human sEH and a water soluble
.alpha.-cyanocarobonate epoxide (PHOME) substrate (see, e.g., Wolf
et al., 2006, Anal. Biochem 335:71-80). According to the invention,
the assay can be initiated by sEH-catalyzed hydrolysis of the
non-fluorescent PHOME substrate followed by spontaneous cyclization
to give a cyanohydrin. Under basic condition, the cyanohydrin
rapidly decomposes into a highly fluorescent product. Fluorescence
with excitation at 320 nm and emission at 460 nm can be recorded at
the endpoint of the reaction cascade with or without the presence
of assay samples. When the hydrolysis reaction is performed in the
presence of a compound of Formula I, a decrease in recorded
fluorescence indicates inhibition of sEH enzymatic activity,
wherein a greater decrease in fluorescence indicates a greater
inhibition of sEH.
[0097] In one non-limiting embodiment, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be an amount that results in a local
concentration of compound at the therapeutic site (such as, but not
limited to, the serum concentration) of from at least about 0.01 nM
to about 2 preferably from at least about 0.01 nM to about 200 nM,
and more preferably from at least about 0.01 nM to about 50 nM.
[0098] In another non-limiting embodiment, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit sEH activity by at least about 5-10%, more preferably
from at least about 10-20%, more preferably from at least about
20-30%, more preferably from at least about 30-40%, more preferably
from at least about 40-50%, more preferably from at least about
50-60%, more preferably from at least about 60-70%, more preferably
from at least about 70-80%, more preferably from at least about
80-90%, and more preferably from at least about 90-100%, when the
compound is administered in the in vitro assay, wherein a greater
level of sEH inhibition at a lower concentration in the in vitro
assay is correlative with the compound's therapeutic efficacy.
[0099] In a further non-limiting embodiment, the compound is
administered at a concentration of 200 nM in the in vitro
assay.
[0100] In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, an effective amount
of a compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's
ability to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 60% when the
compound is administered at a concentration of 200 nM in the in
vitro assay.
[0101] In other preferred non-limiting embodiments, an effective
amount of a compound of Formula I may be correlated with the
compound's ability to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 70%
when the compound is administered at a concentration of 200 nM in
the in vitro assay. In other preferred non-limiting embodiments, an
effective amount of a compound of Formula I may be correlated with
the compound's ability to inhibit sEH activity by about at least
80% when the compound is administered at a concentration of 200 nM
in the in vitro assay.
[0102] In other preferred non-limiting embodiments, an effective
amount of a compound of Formula I may be correlated with the
compound's ability to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 90%
when the compound is administered at a concentration of 200 nM in
the in vitro assay.
[0103] In other preferred non-limiting embodiments, an effective
amount of a compound of Formula I may be correlated with the
compound's ability to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 95%
when the compound is administered at a concentration of 200 nM in
the in vitro assay.
[0104] In other preferred non-limiting embodiments, an effective
amount of a compound of Formula I may be correlated with the
compound's ability to inhibit sEH activity by about 100% when the
compound is administered at a concentration of 200 nM in the in
vitro assay.
[0105] In another non-limiting embodiment, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit sEH activity by at least about 50% compared to a control
cell line that was not contacted with the candidate compound (i.e.,
IC.sub.50), wherein the compound is tested at a concentration
ranging from at least about 200 nM to about 0.01 nM, preferably
from at least about 100 nM to about 0.01 nM, and more preferably
from at least about 10 nM to about 0.01 nM in the in vitro assay,
wherein such inhibition of sEH activity at the above-described
concentrations is correlative with the compound's therapeutic
efficacy.
[0106] In other non-limiting embodiments, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 50% when the compound is
administered at a concentration of about 90 nM in the in vitro
assay.
[0107] In other non-limiting embodiments, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 50% when the compound is
administered at a concentration of 80 nM in the in vitro assay.
[0108] In other non-limiting embodiments, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 50% when the compound is
administered at a concentration of about 40 nM in the in vitro
assay.
[0109] In other non-limiting embodiments, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 50% when the compound is
administered at a concentration of about 20 nM in the in vitro
assay.
[0110] In other non-limiting embodiments, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit sEH activity by about at least 50% when the compound is
administered at a concentration of about 10 nM in the in vitro
assay.
[0111] In other non-limiting embodiments, an effective amount of a
compound of Formula I may be correlated with the compound's ability
to inhibit or reduce inflammation or pain, for example, mechanical
allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia, in vivo, wherein a greater
reduction in inflammation or pain at a lower concentration compared
to a control subject that is not administered the compound is
correlative with the compound's therapeutic efficacy. By way of
example, and not of limitation, such an in vivo assay may comprise
administering a compound of Formula I to a test subject, for
example, a mouse or rat, followed by an assay to determine a change
in inflammation or pain in the subject. The assay used to measure
inflammation or pain may be any assay known in the art, for
example, behavioral assays such as an electronic Von Frey test,
tail flick assay or thermal paw withdrawal test.
[0112] In one embodiment, inflammation or pain may be induced in
the subject using methods known in the art, such as, for example,
by administering Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) to the test
subject. The inflammation or pain may be induced prior to, at the
same time as, or after administration of the compound of Formula I.
When inflammation or pain is induced before the administration of a
compound of Formula I, the inflammation or pain may be induced at
least 5 minutes, at least 30 minutes, at least 1 hour, at least 5
hours, at least 10 hours, at least 24 hours, at least 2 days, at
least 5 days, or at least 1 week or more before the compound of
formula I is administered. The level of inflammation or pain in the
test subject may be assayed following induction.
[0113] In another embodiment of the invention, the level of
inflammation or pain in the test subject may be assayed before
inflammation or pain is induced. Inflammation or pain may be
assayed again when the compound of formula I is administered, and
at intervals following administration of the compound, for example,
at intervals of at least 5 seconds, at least 10 seconds, at least
30 seconds, at least 1 minute, at least 5 minutes, at least 30
minutes, at least 1 hour, at least 5 hours, at least 10 hours, at
least 24 hours, at least 2 days, at least 5 days, or at least 1
week, or combinations thereof, following administration of the
compound.
[0114] According to the invention, the component or components of a
pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be introduced by
intravenous, intra-arteriole, intramuscular, intradermal,
transdermal, subcutaneous, oral, intraperitoneal, intraventricular,
and intrathecal administration.
[0115] In yet another embodiment, the therapeutic compound can be
delivered in a controlled or sustained release system. For example,
a compound or composition may be administered using intravenous
infusion, an implantable osmotic pump, a transdermal patch,
liposomes, or other modes of administration. In one embodiment, a
pump may be used (see Sefton, 1987, CRC Crit. Ref. Biomed. Eng.
14:201; Buchwald et al., 1980, Surgery 88:507; Saudek et al., 1989,
N. Engl. J. Med. 321:574). In another embodiment, polymeric
materials can be used (see Langer and Wise eds., 1974, Medical
Applications of Controlled Release, CRC Press: Boca Raton, Fla.;
Smolen and Ball eds., 1984, Controlled Drug Bioavailability, Drug
Product Design and Performance, Wiley, N.Y.; Ranger and Peppas,
1983, J. Macromol. Sci. Rev. Macromol. Chem., 23:61; Levy et al.,
1985, Science 228:190; During et al., 1989, Ann. Neurol., 25:351;
Howard et al., 9189, J. Neurosurg. 71:105). In yet another
embodiment, a controlled release system can be placed in proximity
of the therapeutic target, i.e., the heart or a blood vessel, thus
requiring only a fraction of the systemic dose (see, e.g., Goodson,
1984, in Medical Applications of Controlled Release, supra, Vol. 2,
pp. 115-138). Other controlled release systems known in the art may
also be used.
5.4 Pharmaceutical Compositions
[0116] The compounds and compositions of the invention may be
formulated as pharmaceutical compositions by admixture with a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
[0117] In one non-limiting embodiment, the pharmaceutical
composition may comprise an effective amount of a compound of
Formula I and a physiologically acceptable diluent or carrier. The
pharmaceutical composition may further comprise a second drug, for
example, but not by way of limitation, an anti-hypertension drug or
an anti-inflammatory drug.
[0118] The phrase "pharmaceutically acceptable" refers to molecular
entities and compositions that are physiologically tolerable when
administered to a subject. Preferably, but not by way of
limitation, as used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable"
means approved by a regulatory agency of the federal or a state
government or listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia or other generally
recognized pharmacopeia for use in animals, and more particularly
in humans. The term "carrier" refers to a diluent, adjuvant,
excipient, or vehicle with which the compound is administered. Such
pharmaceutical carriers can be sterile liquids, such as water and
oils, or, for solid dosage forms, may be standard tabletting
excipients. Water or aqueous solution saline solutions and aqueous
dextrose and glycerol solutions are preferably employed as
carriers, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitable
pharmaceutical carriers are described in "Remington's
Pharmaceutical Sciences" by E.W. Martin, 18th Edition, or other
editions.
[0119] In a specific embodiment, the therapeutic compound can be
delivered in a vesicle, in particular a liposome (see Langer, 1990,
Science 249:1527-1533; Treat et al., 1989, in Liposomes in the
Therapy of Infectious Disease and Cancer, Lopez-Berestein and
Fidler eds., Liss: New York, pp. 353-365; Lopez-Berestein, ibid.,
pp. 317-327; see generally Lopez-Berestein, ibid.).
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Screening Assay to Identify Inhibitors of sEH
[0120] A fluorescent assay was employed for high throughput
screening (HTS) of inhibitors of she. This HTS employs recombinant
human sEH and a water soluble .alpha.-cyanocarobonate epoxide
(PHOME) as the substrate (Wolf et. al. Anal Biochem. 2006, 335,
71). As shown in FIG. 1, the assay was initiated by sEH-catalyzed
hydrolysis of the non-fluorescent substrate followed by spontaneous
cyclization to give a cyanohydrin. Under basic condition, the
cyanohydrin rapidly decomposed into a highly fluorescent product.
Fluorescence with excitation at 320 nm and emission at 460 nm was
recorded at the endpoint of the reaction cascade with or without
the presence of assay samples.
[0121] From a compound collection provided by the NIH Roadmap
project, a variety of hits were identified having low micromolar to
nanomolar potency (See the screen results published in Pubchem
[AID:1026]). Several non-urea compounds exhibited therapeutically
acceptable activities in this screening. Among these, sulfonyl
isonipecotamide 1 (FIG. 2), a nanomolar inhibitor (IC.sub.50=20.0
nm) structurally similar to previously reported piperidine-based
sEH inhibitors such as AMAU (FIG. 2), was of particular interest
(Jones et al. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2006, 16, 5212).
[0122] To identify alternative inhibitory compounds, a secondary
library was rapidly assembled by modifying the amide head group and
the sulfonamide tail group of 1. The design strategy was to keep
one group in tact while modifying the other, in an attempt to
identify a "super" compound generated from a combination of the
best head and tail. The synthesis is outlined in FIG. 3. Methyl
isonipecotate 2 (FIG. 3) was first protected with benzyl
chloroformate, and then converted into acid chloride 4 (FIG. 3) by
removing the methyl ester and treating with oxalyl chloride.
Coupling of 4 with 2,4-dichlorobenzylamine followed by Palladium
catalyzed hydrogenation afforded amine 5 (FIG. 3), which reacted
with a variety of sulfonyl chlorides, acid chlorides and
chloroformates to give the final products 6-1 to 6-36. On the other
hand, 2 was treated with mesitylenesulphonyl chloride and similarly
converted into acid chloride 7 (FIG. 3). In parallel, reaction of 7
with various amines led to the target compounds 8-1 to 8-50.
[0123] New compounds were first screened at concentrations of 2
.mu.M, 400 nm and 200 nm using the fluorescence assay described
above. The IC.sub.50s were further determined for those compounds
showing more than 50% inhibition at the concentration of 200 nm.
The biological results for the tail and head modification are
summarized in FIG. 4A-B and FIG. 5A-C, respectively.
[0124] As illustrated in FIG. 4A-B, the diverse tail modification
did not improve inhibitory potency over the mesitylenesulfonamide
identified from the original screen (i.e. compound 1). However,
several structure activity relationships were observed in this
series. First, the functionality of sulfonamide is important for
potent inhibition. Great loss of activities was observed for amides
(6-26, 6-27 and 6-29) compared with the corresponding sulfonamides.
Aromatic sulfonamides appear to be more favorable as all tested
alkylsulfonamides are poor inhibitors. Substitution on the aromatic
ring can further affect the activities. Hydrophobic alkyl groups
and halides are generally preferred. Interestingly, their positive
effect is more pronounced at ortho position. For example, a bromide
or fluoride at ortho position (6-6, 6-10) confers nanomolar potency
but not at para position (6-19). Deleting the ortho methyl groups
in 1 led to less active compounds 6-1 and 6-24.
[0125] In the optimization of the head group, a set of structurally
diversified amides were first screened. All disubstituted amides
tested were inactive (results not shown), suggesting the proton in
NH is essential to sEH inhibition. Previous studies with urea-based
inhibitors have shown that one NH of the urea, which forms a salt
bridge with the catalytic nucleophile Asp.sup.333 in the active
side of sEH, is required for inhibitory activity (Argiriadi et al.,
J Biol Chem. 2000, 275(20), 15265). It becomes apparent that the
amide in positive hit corresponds to the urea functionality serving
as the primary pharmacophore. A variety of primary amines were
selected to replace 2,4-dichloride benzylamine moiety, including
those frequently found in urea inhibitors. As shown in FIG. 5A-C,
the amide is quite tolerant to modification and nanomolar potency
is retained with various scaffolds. N-benzylamide 8-9
(IC.sub.50=42.0 nm) and N-cyclohexylamide 8-14, (IC.sub.50=16.4 nm)
represent favorable choices for further optimization. Exhaustively
adjusting the benzyl group led to improved potency in 8-37
(IC.sub.50=12.7 nm). The most noticeable SAR illustrated by this
modification is that halides such as chloride and Fluoride seem
favored for the substitutions of the benzyl group. Modification of
cyclohexylamide was successful and resulted in several inhibitors
with a potency that achieved a single digital nanomolar range. As
demonstrated by compounds 8-42 (IC.sub.50=7.9 nm) and 8-47
(IC.sub.50=12.6 nm), wherein an extra methylene added to the
cyclohexyl ring enhanced inhibitory activity. In contrast, polar
atoms (N, O) in the ring reduce inhibition to the micromolar range
(8-49, 8-50). These SARs are consistent with previous results
obtained for urea derivatives (Kim et al. J Med Chem. 2005, 48,
3621).
[0126] In summary, a series of potent non-urea sEH inhibitors have
been successfully identified via high throughput screens. Improved
potency was sought through SAR-guided modification. The compound
8-42 with an IC.sub.50 of 7.9 nm represents the most potent
non-urea sEH inhibitor identified in this study.
Example 2: In Vivo Effect of sEH Inhibitors on Mechanical Allodynia
and Thermal Hyperalgesia
[0127] The effectiveness of a compound of Formula I in reducing
pain sensitivity was examined in vivo. Inflammation was induced by
injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) into the footpad of
six mice at day 1 of the study. 24 hours following CFA
administration, two test animals received a subcutaneous injection
of compound 8-42. Compound 8-42 was dissolved in 100% DMSO prior to
administration. As a positive control, an analgesic effect was
elicited in one animal by administering the Protein Kinase G (PKG)
inhibitor RPG (exemplary RPGs include Rp-cGMPs) intrathecally 24
hours after CFA administration. As a negative control, one animal
was administered an intrathecal injection of saline and a
subcutaneous injection of 100% DMSO 24 hours after CFA.
Additionally, two animals were administered a subcutaneous
injection of compound 8-42 and an intrathecal injection of RPG 24
hours after CFA to determine if the two compounds could achieve an
additive or synergistic analgesic effect.
[0128] Pain sensitivity was measured using two behavioral assays.
The electronic Von Frey test was used to measure mechanical
allodynia in the control and test animals, while the thermal paw
withdrawal test was used to measure thermal hyperalgesia. The
electronic Von Frey test consisted of application of a filament
against the rodent's paw, whereby paw withdrawal caused by the
stimulation is registered as a response. The corresponding force
(resistance) applied was recorded in grams. The thermal paw
withdrawal test comprised applying a thermal stimulus to the
rodent's foot, whereby the withdrawal latency was measured as a
response.
[0129] A baseline sensitivity to pain was first measure prior to
CFA treatment, and again after administration of CFA. Pain
sensitivity was then assayed 24 hours later at day 2 following the
administration of compound 8-42 or the control agents, and again at
day 5. As shown in FIG. 6, 8-42 did not reduce CFA-induced
mechanical allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia compared to RPG and
the control agents. Furthermore, the combination of 8-42 and RPG
did not produce an additive or synergistic reduction in CFA-induced
mechanical allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia compared to RPG or
8-42 treatment alone.
[0130] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the
specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various
modifications of the invention in addition to those described
herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
foregoing description and the accompanying figures. Such
modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended
claims.
[0131] Patents, patent applications, publications, product
descriptions, GenBank Accession Numbers, and protocols are cited
throughout this application, the disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all
purpose.
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