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The MT2‐selective melatonin receptor ligand UCM765 (N‐(2‐((3‐methoxyphenyl)(phenyl)amino)ethyl)acetamide), showed interesting sleep inducing, analgesic and anxiolytic properties in rodents, but suffers from low water solubility and modest metabolic stability. To overcome these limitations, different strategies were investigated, including modification of metabolically liable sites, introduction of hydrophilic substituents and design of more basic derivatives. Thermodynamic solubility, microsomal stability and lipophilicity of new compounds were experimentally evaluated, together with their MT1 and MT2 binding affinities. Introduction of a m‐hydroxymethyl substituent on the phenyl ring of UCM765 and replacement of the replacement of the N,N‐diphenyl‐amino scaffold with a N‐methyl‐N‐phenyl‐amino one led to highly soluble compounds with good microsomal stability and receptor binding affinity. Docking studies into the receptor crystal structure provided a rationale for their binding affinity. Pharmacokinetic characterization in rats highlighted higher plasma concentrations for the N‐methyl‐N‐phenyl‐amino derivative, consistent with its improved microsomal stability and makes this compound worthy of consideration for further pharmacological investigation., A taste for stability: Compound 19 is a potent melatonin receptor agonist obtained from the structural optimization of UCM765, an MT2‐selective partial agonist active in vivo, but characterized by poor physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Insertion of a bromine atom on the phenyl‐methylamino scaffold led to a more soluble derivative endowed with higher microsomal stability.

Inhibition of FGF/FGFR signaling is a promising strategy for the treatment of malignances dependent from FGF stimulation, including multiple myeloma (MM). The steroidal derivative NSC12 (compound 1) is a pan-FGF trap endowed with antitumor activity in vivo. Chemical modifications of compound 1 were explored to investigate structure-activity relationships, focusing on the role of the bis(trifluoromethyl)1,3-propanediol chain, the stereochemistry at C20 and functionalization of C3 position. Our studies unveiled compound 25b, the pregnane 3-keto 20R derivative of compound 1 as an effective agent, blocking the proliferation of MM cells in vitro by inhibiting FGF-dependent receptor activation and slowing MM growth in vivo. Importantly, the absence of the hydroxyl group at C3 prevents binding to estrogen receptors, which might concur to the antitumor activity observed for compound 1, leading to a specific FGF/FGFR system inhibitor, and further supporting the role of FGFR in anticancer therapy in MM.

N-anilinoethylamides are a class of melatoninergic agents with the aniline portion mimicking the indole ring of the natural ligand and the ethylamide chain reproducing that of melatonin. The simplest compound in this class, N-{2-[(3-methoxyphenyl)methylamino]ethyl}acetamide (UCM793), has nanomolar binding affinity for MT1 and MT2 membrane receptors. To explore the effect of chain conformation on receptor binding, a methyl group was inserted on the methylene alpha or beta to the amide nitrogen and conformational equilibria were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations. Receptor affinity was conserved only for the beta-methyl derivative, which also showed significant stereoselectivity, with the (S) enantiomer being the eutomer. Molecular dynamics simulations, validated by NMR spectroscopy, showed that the beta-methyl group affects the conformational preferences of the ethylamide chain. Docking into the receptor crystal structure provides a rationale for the observed chiral recognition, suggesting that the (S)-beta-methyl group favors the conformation that better fits the receptor binding site.

A new family of melatonin receptor ligands, characterized by a tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) scaffold carrying an amide chain in position 3, was devised as conformationally constrained analogs of flexible N-anilinoethylamides previously developed. Molecular superposition models allowed to identify the patterns of substitution conferring high receptor binding affinity and to support the THQ ring as a suitable scaffold for the preparation of melatonin ligands. The biological activity of 3-acylamino-THQs was compared with that of the corresponding tetralin derivatives. The THQ ring proved to be a versatile scaffold for easy feasible MT1 and MT2 ligands, which resulted as more polar bioisosteres of their tetralin analogs. Potent partial agonists, with subnanomolar binding affinity for the MT2 receptor, were obtained, and a new series of THQ derivatives is presented. The putative binding mode of potent THQs and tetralines was discussed on the basis of their conformational equilibria as inferred from molecular dyna...

Stimulus-responsive cleavage reactions have found broad use to direct drug release at a particular target disease area. Increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been associated with the development and progression of cancer and several other disease states, motivating the development of drug conjugates that can undergo a chemoselective ROS-triggered release. Melatonin (MLT) and the reactive electrophile p-benzoquinone methide ( p-QM) have evidenced either cytoprotective or cytotoxic effects in biological systems, depending on the dose, cellular targets, and time of exposure. In this study, we report the synthesis and biological activity of two MLT derivatives linked to ROS-responsive arylboronate triggers (P1 and P2), which can be activated by endogenously generated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to release MLT, or 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT), and p-QM-intermediates. Their H2O2-induced activation mechanism was studied by HPLC-DAD-MS. P1, which rapidly releases MLT and p-QM, was able to strongly induce the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway, but was ineffective to provide protection against H2O2-mediated oxidative damage. By contrast, P1 exhibited strong toxic effects in HeLa cancer cells, without causing significant toxicity to normal NCTC-2544 cells. Similar, although more limited, effects were exerted by P2. In both cases, cytotoxicity was accompanied by depletion of cellular glutathione (GSH), probably as a consequence of p-QM release, and increased ROS levels. A role for MLT in toxicity was also observed, suggesting that the P1 released products, MLT and p-QM, contributed additively to promote cell death.

The selective C3-alkylation of indoles with N-protected ethanolamines involving the "borrowing hydrogen" strategy is described. This method provides convenient and sustainable access to several tryptamine derivatives.

The design of compounds selective for the MT1 melatonin receptor is still a challenging task owing to the limited knowledge of the structural features conferring selectivity for the MT1 subtype, and only few selective compounds have been reported so far. N-(Anilinoalkyl)amides are a versatile class of melatonin receptor ligands that include nonselective MT1/MT2 agonists and MT2-selective antagonists. We synthesized a new series of N-(anilinoalkyl)amides bearing 3-arylalkyloxy or 3-alkyloxy substituents at the aniline ring, looking for new potent and MT1-selective ligands. To evaluate the effect of substituent size and shape on binding affinity and intrinsic activity, both flexible and conformationally constrained derivatives were prepared. The phenylbutyloxy substituent gave the best result, providing the partial agonist 4 a, which was endowed with high MT1 binding affinity (pKi=8.93) and 78-fold selectivity for the MT1 receptor. To investigate the molecular basis for agonist recognition, and to explain the role of the 3-arylalkyloxy substituent, we built a homology model of the MT1 receptor based on the β2 adrenergic receptor crystal structure in its activated state. A binding mode for MT1 agonists is proposed, as well as a hypothesis regarding the receptor structural features responsible for MT1 selectivity of compounds with lipophilic arylalkyloxy substituents.

An efficient, one-pot reductive alkylation of indoles with N-protected aminoethyl acetals in the presence of TES/TFA is reported. It represents the first general method for the direct synthesis of tryptamine derivatives from indoles and nitrogen-functionalized acetals. This convergent and versatile approach employs safe and inexpensive reagents, proceeds under mild conditions, and tolerates several functional groups. The new procedure was efficiently applied to a gram-scale synthesis of both luzindole, a reference MT2-selective melatonin receptor antagonist, and melatonin.

We report the synthesis, binding properties and intrinsic activity at MT(1) and MT(2) melatonin receptors of new dimeric melatonin receptor ligands in which two units of the monomeric agonist N-{2-[(3-methoxyphenyl)methylamino]ethyl}acetamide (1) are linked together through different anchor points. Dimerization of compound 1 through the methoxy substituent leads to a substantial improvement in selectivity for the MT(1) receptor, and to a partial agonist behavior. Compound 3a, with a trimethylene linker, was the most selective for the MT(1) subtype (112-fold selectivity) and compound 3d, characterized by a hexamethylene spacer, had the highest MT(1) binding affinity (pK(iMT1)=8.47) and 54-fold MT(1)-selectivity. Dimerization through the aniline nitrogen of 1 abolished MT(1) selectivity, leading to compounds with either a full agonist or an antagonist behavior depending on the nature of the linker.

In humans, chronic anxiety represents an independent risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Here we evaluate in male Wistar rats bred for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety-related behavior, as well as non-selected (NAB) animals, the relationship between trait anxiety and cardiac electrical instability and investigate whether pharmacological augmentation of endocannabinoid anandamide-mediated signaling exerts anxiolytic-like and cardioprotective effects. HAB rats displayed (i) a higher incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias induced by isoproterenol and (ii) a larger spatial dispersion of ventricular refractoriness assessed by means of an epicardial mapping protocol. In HAB rats, acute pharmacological inhibition of the anandamide-degrading enzyme, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), with URB694 (0.3 mg/kg), (i) decreased anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze, (ii) increased anandamide levels in the heart, (iii) reduced isoproterenol-induced occurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and (iv) corrected alterations of ventricular refractoriness. The anti-arrhythmic effect of URB694 was prevented by pharmacological blockade of the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1), but not of the CB2, receptor. These findings suggest that URB694 exerts anxiolytic-like and cardioprotective effects in HAB rats, the latter via anandamide-mediated activation of CB1 receptors. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of FAAH might be a viable pharmacological strategy for the treatment of anxiety-related cardiac dysfunction.

The selective C3-alkylation of indoles with N-protected ethanolamines involving the “borrowing hydrogen” strategy is described. This method provides convenient and sustainable access to several tryptamine derivatives.

In humans, depression is often triggered by prolonged exposure to psychosocial stressors and is often associated with cardiovascular comorbidity. Mounting evidence suggests a role for endocannabinoid signaling in the regulation of both emotional behavior and cardiovascular function. Here, we examined cardiac activity in a rodent model of social stress-induced depression and investigated whether pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which terminates signaling of the endocannabinoid anandamide, exerts antidepressant-like and cardioprotective effects. Male Wistar Kyoto rats were exposed to five weeks of repeated social stress or control procedure. Starting from the third week, they received daily administration of the selective FAAH inhibitor URB694 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle. Cardiac electrical activity was recorded by radiotelemetry. Repeated social stress triggered biological and behavioral changes that mirror symptoms of human depression, such as (i) reductions in body weight gain and sucrose solution preference, (ii) hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis, and (iii) increased immobility in the forced swim test. Moreover, stressed rats showed (i) alterations in heart rate daily rhythm and cardiac autonomic neural regulation, (ii) a larger incidence of spontaneous arrhythmias, and (iii) signs of cardiac hypertrophy. Daily treatment with URB694 (i) increased central and peripheral anandamide levels, (ii) corrected stress-induced alterations of biological and behavioral parameters, and (iii) protected the heart against the adverse effects of social stress. Repeated social stress in Wistar Kyoto rats reproduces aspects of human depression/cardiovascular comorbidity. Pharmacological enhancement of anandamide signaling might be a promising strategy for the treatment of these comorbid conditions.

Twenty 4,5-dimethylpyrrole-2-carboxylic acids (5a-t) with different 2-carbamoylvinyl chains in position 3 were prepared to further investigate the relationships between structure and in vitro affinity for the strychnine-insensitive glycine-binding site. None of these compounds was superior to (E)-3-(N-phenyl-2-carbamoylvinyl)-4,5-dimethylpyrrole-2-carb oxylic acid III (pKi = 6.70), which was taken as a reference standard, but overall the results obtained indicate that the N-phenyl-2-carbamoylvinyl substituent of III may be replaced with the N-(1-adamantyl)-2-carbamoylvinyl group as in 5h (pKi = 6.20) without considerable loss of affinity. This finding adds to previous knowledge.

The synthesis of several novel indole melatonin analogues substituted at the 2-position with acylaminomethyl (8-11), acylaminoethyl (5a-k), or acylaminopropyl (13) side chains is reported. On the basis of a novel in vitro functional assay (specific binding of [35S]GTPgammaS), which can discriminate agonist from partial agonist, antagonist, and inverse agonist ligands, 5a,g, h,j and 13 were shown to be partial agonists, 5d,e and 8-11 competitive antagonists, and 5b,c,k putative inverse agonists. Binding and functional assays were performed on cloned human MT1 receptor. Structure-activity relationship considerations indicate that N-[1-aryl-2-(4-methoxy-1H-indol-2-yl)(C1-C2)alkyl]alkanamides represent a lead structure for this type of ligands.

The method can be used to synthesize melatonin (VIII) and luzindole (IIIe), an MT2 melatonin receptor antagonist.

The reactivity and in particular the siteselectivity of [3+2] electrocyclic additions to 1,1-diphenyl-2-aza -1,3-butadienes, substituted or not on the terminal carbon with methyl and phenyl, and with a 3-carbomethoxyl group, have been investigated with the 1,3-dipolar reagents 4-nitrobenzonitrile oxide and diazomethane. The role of the 3-carbomethoxy substituent in determining the siteselectivity observed in these reactions is discussed in relation to experimental results and to conformational models of some of the tested 2-azadiene dipolarophiles calculated on AM1 bases.

The reactions of 1,1-diphenyl-3-carbomethoxy-2-aza-1,3-butadiene derivatives la - e (on C4 : H,H or H,CH 3 or H,C 6 H 5 , both E and Z isomers), and of the C4 unsubstituted 1 -phenyl-1-ethoxy analogue 2, were studied with a number of electron-rich and electron-poor dienophiles, with results showing that la - e give heterocycloadducts in Diels-Alder reactions with electron-poor dienophiles. Michael adducts were obtained from the EtAlCl 2 catalyzed reactions of these compounds with dimethyl acetylendicarboxylate. Compound 2 gave heterocyclic adducts as well but behaved like a nucleophile, at least in the case of the reactions with dimethyl acetylendicarboxylate and ethyl propynoate: these reactions afforded 2-azatrienes as Michael adducts that gave pyridine derivatives upon heating. The synthesis of the new 1-ethoxy-2-aza-1,3-butadiene 2 is also reported.

A new, efficient, and chemoselective method to prepare unsymmetrical ethylenediamines and propylenediamines is reported.

A new, robust, and reliable method has been developed for the selective reductive N-alkylation of primary and secondary aromatic amines with some functionalized acetals using TFA/Et(3)SiH as a reagent combination. A variety of unsymmetrically substituted ethylenediamines can be synthesized in a one-pot procedure in excellent yields at room temperature. This new procedure offers significant advantages over previous synthetic approaches, including brevity, mild reaction conditions, excellent yields, and high functional group tolerance.

The alkyl N-(diphenylmethylene)-α,β-dehydroamino acids 1 have been submitted to 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with nitrile oxides. The reactivity of these compounds depends on the type and on the stereochemistry of the β-substituents. With the unsubstituted terms 1a,b the reaction occurs on the C,C double bond, providing a good method for the synthesis of the 4,5-dihydroisoxazole derivatives 3a,b,c and for the gem-functionalized 4,5-dihydroisoxazoles amino carboxylic ester 5. The β-substituted compounds 1c,d,e, inert to 1,1-dimethylethylnitrile oxide, undergo the reaction to the N,C double bond, thus giving with 2a,b the 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives 4. All the reactions occur with high site- and regioselectivity.

A new synthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid and of its (E)- and (Z)-2-substituted analogues (R = CH3;i-Pr;C6H5) has been performed by means of the "diazo-addition" method, starting from N-(diphenylmethylene)-2,3-dehydro-1-amino-1-carboxylate precursors. The (E)- and (Z)-2-phenyl and the (Z)-2-methylcyclopropaneamino acids have been obtained with high diastereospecificity. All the cyclopropaneamino acids prepared were tested for their affinity for some glutamate receptors and resulted inactive, with the exception of compounds (E)-1b and (Z)-1c which showed a shallow displacement of [3H]-glycine binding.

The reactivity and in particular the siteselectivity of [3+2] electrocyclic additions to 1,1-diphenyl-2-aza -1,3-butadienes, substituted or not on the terminal carbon with methyl and phenyl, and with a 3-carbomethoxyl group, have been investigated with the 1,3-dipolar reagents 4-nitrobenzonitrile oxide and diazomethane. The role of the 3-carbomethoxy substituent in determining the siteselectivity observed in these reactions is discussed in relation to experimental results and to conformational models of some of the tested 2-azadiene dipolarophiles calculated on AM1 bases.

The reactions of 1,1-diphenyl-3-carbomethoxy-2-aza-1,3-butadiene derivatives la - e (on C4 : H,H or H,CH 3 or H,C 6 H 5 , both E and Z isomers), and of the C4 unsubstituted 1 -phenyl-1-ethoxy analogue 2, were studied with a number of electron-rich and electron-poor dienophiles, with results showing that la - e give heterocycloadducts in Diels-Alder reactions with electron-poor dienophiles. Michael adducts were obtained from the EtAlCl 2 catalyzed reactions of these compounds with dimethyl acetylendicarboxylate. Compound 2 gave heterocyclic adducts as well but behaved like a nucleophile, at least in the case of the reactions with dimethyl acetylendicarboxylate and ethyl propynoate: these reactions afforded 2-azatrienes as Michael adducts that gave pyridine derivatives upon heating. The synthesis of the new 1-ethoxy-2-aza-1,3-butadiene 2 is also reported.

Twenty 4,5-dimethylpyrrole-2-carboxylic acids (5a-t) with different 2-carbamoylvinyl chains in position 3 were prepared to further investigate the relationships between structure and in vitro affinity for the strychnine-insensitive glycine-binding site. None of these compounds was superior to (E)-3-(N-phenyl-2-carbamoylvinyl)-4,5-dimethylpyrrole-2-carb oxylic acid III (pKi = 6.70), which was taken as a reference standard, but overall the results obtained indicate that the N-phenyl-2-carbamoylvinyl substituent of III may be replaced with the N-(1-adamantyl)-2-carbamoylvinyl group as in 5h (pKi = 6.20) without considerable loss of affinity. This finding adds to previous knowledge.

A clean, efficient, and diasteroselective (dr >95%) catalytic hydrogenation of the enamide N-(4-phenyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)propionamide (2 a) using palladium on carbon is performed. This procedure provides the melatonin receptor ligand (+/-)-cis-4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (cis-4-P-PDOT, 1 a) and its 8-methoxy analog. Furthermore, Rh and Ru catalyzed homogeneous asymmetric hydrogenation of the challenging racemic endocyclic enamide 2 a with several chiral phosphine ligands is studied. The best results, in terms of enantioselectivity, for both diastereomers are obtained when chiral Rh-Josiphos is used as the catalyst.

The alkyl N-(diphenylmethylene)-α,β-dehydroamino acids 1 have been submitted to 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with nitrile oxides. The reactivity of these compounds depends on the type and on the stereochemistry of the β-substituents. With the unsubstituted terms 1a,b the reaction occurs on the C,C double bond, providing a good method for the synthesis of the 4,5-dihydroisoxazole derivatives 3a,b,c and for the gem-functionalized 4,5-dihydroisoxazoles amino carboxylic ester 5. The β-substituted compounds 1c,d,e, inert to 1,1-dimethylethylnitrile oxide, undergo the reaction to the N,C double bond, thus giving with 2a,b the 4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives 4. All the reactions occur with high site- and regioselectivity.

The class of N-(anilinoethyl)amides includes melatonin receptor ligands with varied subtype selectivity and intrinsic activity. One of these ligands, the MT(2)-selective partial agonist UCM765 (N-{2-[(3-methoxyphenyl)phenylamino]ethyl}acetamide), had evidenced hypnotic effects in rodents at doses > or =40 mg kg(-1) (s.c.), in spite of its sub-nanomolar affinity for human melatonin receptors. Supposing that its low in vivo potency could be due, at least in part, to metabolic liability in rat liver, UCM765 was incubated with rat liver S9 fraction and rat, mouse, or human microsomes, and the major metabolites were identified by LC-MS, synthesized, and in vitro tested for their affinity toward MT(1) and MT(2) receptors. The obtained information was exploited to design novel analogues of UCM765 that are more resistant to in vitro oxidative degradation, while maintaining a similar binding profile. The analogue UCM924 (N-{2-[(3-bromophenyl)-(4-fluorophenyl)amino]ethyl}acetamide) displayed a binding profile similar to that of UCM765 on cloned human receptors (MT(2)-selective partial agonist) and a significantly longer half-life in the presence of rat liver S9 fraction.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is synthesized and released by the pineal gland following a circadian rhythm characterized by high levels during the night. It shows several pharmacological effects on diverse cellular and animal models, mainly related to either its antioxidant activity or to its ability to activate specific receptors (MTr). Melatonin is widely used as a self-administered food additive, but its therapeutic potential needs more investigation and is hampered by its poor pharmacokinetics. This review will focus on the medicinal chemistry of agonist ligands of the two human GPCRs MT(1) and MT(2) melatonin receptors. The recent introduction of ramelteon, a non-selective MT(1)/MT(2) agonist for the treatment of insomnia, and the advancement to clinical trials of other MTr agonists have renewed interest for different classes of compounds endowed with this activity. Several chemical classes of MTr agonists are described in the literature, generally characterized by an indole, or an indole bioisostere, carrying an amide side chain and a methoxy group, or substituents with similar stereoelectronic features. Abundant information is available for non-selective MT(1)/MT(2) ligands, and several molecular models, both ligand- and receptor-based, have been proposed to rationalize their structure activity relationships. Fewer classes of selective agonists have been reported in the literature, and they could help clarifying the physiological role of the two receptor subtypes. A brief discussion on the therapeutic potential of this class of compounds is based on the clinical data available for the agonists ramelteon, agomelatine, beta-methyl-6-chloromelatonin (TIK-301) and VEC-162.

A novel series of melatonin receptor ligands, characterized by a N-(substituted-anilinoethyl)amido scaffold, along with preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs), is presented. MT1 and MT2 receptor binding affinity and intrinsic activity have been modulated by the introduction of different substituents on the aniline nitrogen, on the benzene ring, and on the amide side chain. Modulation of intrinsic activity and MT2 selectivity of the newly synthesized compounds has been achieved by applying SAR models previously developed, providing compounds with different binding and intrinsic activity profiles. Compound 3d, with a bulky ss-naphthyl group, behaves as an MT2-selective antagonist with sub-nM affinity. Size reduction of the substituent enhances intrinsic activity, as in the nonselective N-methyl-anilino agonist 3i. The phenyl derivative 3g is an MT2-selective partial agonist, with MT2 binding affinity higher than melatonin, showing promising sleep-promoting and antianxiety properties in animal models.

Racemic N-(8-methoxy-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-10-ylmethyl)acetamide (compound 5) was previously identified as a novel selective MT(2) antagonist fulfilling the requirements of pharmacophore and 3D QSAR models. In this study the enantiomers of 5 were separated by medium-pressure liquid chromatography and behaved as the racemate. Compound 5 was modified at the acylaminomethyl side chain and at position C8. The resulting analogues generally behaved as melatonin receptor antagonists (GTPgammaS test) with a modest degree of selectivity (up to 10-fold) for the MT(2) receptor. Changes at the amide side chain led to a decrease in binding affinity, whereas 8-acetyl and 8-methyl derivatives 12 and 11, respectively, were as potent as the 8-methoxy parent compound 5. Docking experiments with an MT(2) receptor model suggested binding modes consistent with the observed SARs and with the lack of selectivity of the enantiomers of 5.

A new series of melatonin (MLT) dimers were obtained by linking together two melatonin units with a linear alkyl chain through the MLT acetamido group or through a C-2 carboxyalkyl function. The binding properties of these ligands were evaluated in in vivo experiments on cloned human MT1 and MT2 receptors expressed in NIH3T3 rat fibroblast cells. The class of 2-carboxyalkyl dimers was the most interesting one with compounds having good MT1/MT2 nanomolar affinity. The data obtained suggest that the spacer length is crucial for optimal interaction at both receptor subtypes as well as to determine functional activity of the resulting dimers.

5-Methoxy-2-(N-acetylaminoethyl)indole (5d), a melatonin analogue derived from the transposition of the acetylaminoethyl side chain from C3 to C2 of the indole nucleus, had been previously characterized as a low affinity antagonist at MT1 and MT2 membrane receptors; this molecule is endowed with good in vitro antioxidant and cytoprotective potency in rat cerebellar cell cultures, comparable to or better than those of melatonin. In order to further investigate the role of structure-antioxidant activity relationships in cytoprotection, the structure of 5d was systematically modulated to design a new series of compounds. The 5-methoxy group was replaced by substituents with different electronic and lipophilic properties and it was moved to a different position on the indole ring. Other modifications of the lead structure involved the methylation of the indole nitrogen or its replacement by a sulfur atom. The side chain was also modified either increasing its lipophilicity or introducing an ionisable acid group. The antioxidant activity of this set of compounds was evaluated by the ABTS and conjugated dienes (CD) assays, while their cytoprotection was evaluated against kainate-induced cytotoxicity in cultured cerebellar neurons. In both antioxidant assays, the shift of the 5-methoxy group to the 4-position of the indole nucleus led to the most active radical scavenger (9), more potent than the parent compound and melatonin in the antioxidant tests, but much less effective as a cytoprotectant. Sharp structure-activity relationships were registered for cytoprotection, where the maintenance of the 5-alkoxy-2-(N-acylaminoethyl)indole scaffold appeared as the key feature to confer both antioxidant and cytoprotective activity to the structure. Some derivatives of the set, however, together with the most potent 5d, maintained a significant antioxidant and cytoprotective effect and could be employed as tools for in vivo pharmacological investigations on neuroprotective efficacy of melatonin-related indoles.

The known neuroprotective actions of melatonin could be due to its antioxidant or radical scavenging activity, or they could be due to specific interactions of the indole with its receptors. A study of structure-activity relationships may provide useful information when a validated macromolecular target has not been (or is not) identified. A set of indole derivatives, with changes in the 5-methoxy and acylamino groups, the side chain position and the lipophilic/hydrophilic balance, were selected and tested for their in vitro antioxidant potency in the ABTS (2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid disodium salt) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays and for their cytoprotective activity against kainate excitotoxicity on cerebellar cell cultures. No quantitative model was able to relate the potencies obtained in the two antioxidant assays, probably because they are related to different physico-chemical properties. However, the lipophilicity of the compounds and the antioxidant potency in the TBARS assay were linearly correlated. This may be due to improved access to the lipidic substrate, where the antioxidant action occurs. In the cytoprotection assay, most compounds showed potencies comparable with or lower than melatonin. An exception was N-[2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-2-yl)ethyl]acetamide (12), yielding, at 50 microM, percentages of cell vitality higher than 75%, while melatonin EC50 was 333 microM. No correlation was observed between cytoprotective and antioxidant potencies, nor with MT1 or MT(2) receptor affinity. Compound 12 is a low-affinity antagonist at melatonin membrane receptors, and one of the most potent compounds in the antioxidant assays; its cytoprotective potency and the absence of agonist activity at melatonin membrane receptors make it a valid candidate for further investigations.

This work reports the design and synthesis of novel alkylamides, characterized by a dibenzo[a,d]cycloheptene nucleus, as melatonin (MLT) receptor ligands. The tricyclic scaffold was chosen on the basis of previous quantitative structure-activity studies on MT1 and MT2 antagonists, relating selective MT2 antagonism to the presence of an aromatic substituent out of the plane of the MLT indole ring. Some dibenzo seven-membered structures were thus selected because of the noncoplanar arrangement of their benzene rings, and an alkylamide chain was introduced to fit the requirements for MLT receptor binding, namely, dibenzocycloheptenes with an acylaminoalkyl side chain at position 10 and dibenzoazepines with this side chain originating from the nitrogen atom bridging the two phenyl rings. Binding affinity at human cloned MT1 and MT2 receptors was measured by 2-[125I]iodomelatonin displacement assay and intrinsic activity by the GTPgammaS test. The majority of the compounds were characterized by higher affinity at the MT2 than at the MT1 receptor and by very low intrinsic activity values, thus confirming the importance of the noncoplanar arrangement of the two aromatic rings for selective MT2 antagonism. Dibenzocycloheptenes generally displayed higher MT1 and MT 2affinity than dibenzoazepines. N-(8-Methoxy-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-10-ylmethyl)propionamide (4c) and -butyramide (4d) were the most selective MT2 receptor antagonists of the series, with MT2 receptor affinity comparable to that of melatonin and as such among the highest reported in the literature for MLT receptor antagonists. The acetamide derivative 4b produced a noticeable reduction of GTPgammaS binding at MT2 receptor, thus being among the few inverse agonists described.

The synthesis of a selected set of 6-bromopenicillanic acid derivatives with an additional C6 substituent is reported. All these substances were tested as inhibitors of class A and C β-lactamase enzymes derived from Escherichia coli (TEM-1) and E. cloacae (P99). As 6-(1-hydroxyethyl) derivatives 4c and 6c were found to be weak β-lactamase inhibitors, they were further investigated in combination with amoxicillin against a series of β-lactamase-producing bacterial strains. Some structure-activity relationships are discussed.

The synthesis of a selected set of 6-bromopenicillanic acid derivatives with an additional C6 substituent is reported. All these substances were tested as inhibitors of class A and C beta-lactamase enzymes derived from Escherichia coli (TEM-1) and E. cloacae (P99). As 6-(1-hydroxyethyl) derivatives 4c and 6c were found to be weak beta-lactamase inhibitors, they were further investigated in combination with amoxicillin against a series of beta-lactamase-producing bacterial strains. Some structure-activity relationships are discussed.

The protective effects of selected members from a series of caffeic acid esters and flavonoids were tested in various toxicity paradigms using U937 cells, previously shown to be sensitive to either iron chelators or bona fide radical scavengers or to both classes of compounds. It was found that all the protective polyphenols were active at very low concentrations and that their effects were observed only under those conditions in which iron chelators also afforded protection. Consistently, active polyphenolic compounds, unlike the inactive ones, effectively chelated iron in an in vitro system. It follows that, at least under the experimental conditions utilized in the present study, the most prominent activity of these polyphenolic compounds resides in their ability to chelate iron. Further studies revealed that the protective effects afforded by the caffeic acid esters and flavonoids were largely mediated by the catechol moiety and that the relative biological potency of these compounds was a direct function of their lipophilicity.

Melatonin (MLT) is known for its radical scavenger activity, which had been related to its ability to protect neuronal cells from different kinds of oxidative stress. In particular, MLT protects rat cerebellum granular cells from kainate-induced necrosis at concentrations higher than 100 µM, and is able to reduce lipoperoxidation induced by radical stress in rat brain homogenate at similar concentrations. On the other hand, MLT has nanomolar affinity for its membrane receptors (MT’and MT2), and these are completely saturated at the high concentrations employed when the cytoprotective effect is observed. Other indole derivatives are also known to possess antioxidant and cytoprotective activity. In order to dissociate the cytoprotective effect of MLT from its receptor affinity, and to investigate the structure-activity relationships (SAR) between this effect and some potentially relevant chemical properties, we prepared a series of indole derivatives, where the structure of MLT was gradually modulated, varying the 5methoxy group nature and position, the acylaminoethyl chain position, and by the introduction of lipophilic groups. These modifications resulted in a set of compounds having different receptor affinity and intrinsic activity, different lipophilicity, and different substitution at the indole nucleus. The compounds were tested for their antioxidant potency by the ABTS test and by inhibition of rat brain homogenate kainate

Molecular superposition models guided the design of novel melatonin receptor ligands characterized by a 2-acylaminomethyltetrahydroquinoline scaffold. Starting from the structure of N-anilinoethylamide ligands, the flexible chain was conformationally constrained to reproduce the bioactive conformation of melatonin. Structure-activity relationships were investigated, focusing on the substituent at the nitrogen atom, the position of the methoxy group, and the replacement of the amide side chain by urea and thiourea groups. The compounds were tested for binding affinity and intrinsic activity at human MT1 and MT2 receptors. Structural optimization resulted in N-[(1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-5-methoxyquinolin-2-yl)methyl]propionamide (UCM1014), with picomolar MT2 binding affinity (K(i) = 0.001 nM), more than 10000-fold selectivity over the MT1 receptor, and a full agonist profile (GTPγS test), being the most potent MT2-selective full agonist reported to date. Molecular dynamics simulations provided a rationale for high binding affinity, stereoselectivity, and agonist behavior of these novel melatonin receptor ligands based on superposition models and conformational preference.