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The linkage between dopamine D2 receptors and PDE activity via cAMP prompted us to design a series of novel N-(3-arylprop-2-ynyl)substituted olanzapine derivatives as potential inhibitors of PDE4B. The target compounds were conveniently prepared by using a simple and inexpensive method involving Pd/C-mediated CC bond forming reaction under Sonogashira conditions. A number of compounds were synthesized by using this strategy in good yields. Some of the compounds showed promising inhibition of PDE4B when tested in vitro that was supported by the docking studies.

Montmorillonite K-10 mediated MCR of anilines, arylaldehydes and ethyl-3,3-diethoxypropionate in water afforded 2,6-unsubstituted dihydropyridines depending on the nature of anilines employed. A variety of dihydropyridines were prepared by using this green methodology in good yields and montmorillonite K-10 was found to be an inexpensive and reusable catalyst. The structure elaboration of a representative compound was carried out under Heck conditions. Some of the compounds synthesized showed significant inhibition of PDE4B when tested in vitro. Docking studies indicated that one of the ester moieties of these compounds played a key role in their interactions with the PDE4B protein.

The design and synthesis of 4-alkynyl pyrazole derivatives has led to the identification of new class of PDE4 inhibitors. All these compounds were accessed for the first time via a facile Pd/C-CuI-PPh(3) mediated C-C bond forming reaction between an appropriate pyrazole iodide and various terminal alkynes. In vitro PDE4B inhibitory properties and molecular modeling studies of some of the compounds synthesized indicated that 4-alkynyl pyrazole could be a promising template for the discovery of novel PDE4 inhibitors.

An efficient and green synthesis of functionalized cyano pyridines has been achieved via montmorillonite K-10 mediated multi-component reaction in a chemo- and regioselective manner. The four-component reaction of β-keto ester, arylaldehyde, malononitrile and an alcohol provided a variety of pyridine derivatives and montmorillonite K-10 was found to be a reusable catalyst. The potential of this operationally simple methodology has been demonstrated in further structure elaboration of a compound synthesized via C–C bond forming reactions under Suzuki, Sonogashira and Heck conditions. Some of the cyano pyridines synthesized showed PDE4B inhibitory properties in vitro and good interactions with PDE4B protein in silico suggesting cyano pyridine scaffold as a potential template for the discovery of novel PDE4 inhibitors.

A number of novel 1-(3-arylprop-2-ynyl) substituted 1,2-dihydroquinoline derivatives related to nimesulide and their 2-oxo analogues have been designed as potential inhibitors of PDE4. All these compounds were synthesized by using Sonogashira coupling as a key step. In vitro PDE4B inhibitory properties and molecular modeling studies of some of the compounds synthesized are presented.

The mechanisms underlying inflammation induced insulin resistance are poorly understood. Here, we report that the expression of PIMT, a transcriptional co-activator binding protein, was up-regulated in the soleus muscle of high sucrose diet (HSD) induced insulin resistant rats and TNF-α exposed cultured myoblasts. Moreover, TNF-α induced phosphorylation of PIMT at the ERK1/2 target site Ser298. Wild type (WT) PIMT or phospho-mimic Ser298Asp mutant but not phospho-deficient Ser298Ala PIMT mutant abrogated insulin stimulated glucose uptake by L6 myotubes and neonatal rat skeletal myoblasts. Whereas, PIMT knock down relieved TNF-α inhibited insulin signaling. Mechanistic analysis revealed that PIMT differentially regulated the expression of GLUT4, MEF2A, PGC-1α and HDAC5 in cultured cells and skeletal muscle of Wistar rats. Further characterization showed that PIMT was recruited to GLUT4, MEF2A and HDAC5 promoters and overexpression of PIMT abolished the activity of WT but not MEF2A binding defective mutant GLUT4 promoter. Collectively, we conclude that PIMT mediates TNF-α induced insulin resistance at the skeletal muscle via the transcriptional modulation of GLUT4, MEF2A, PGC-1α and HDAC5 genes.

A rapid, versatile and one-pot Cu-mediated domino reaction has been developed for facile assembly of two six membered fused N-heterocyclic rings leading to novel small molecules as potential inhibitors of PDE4.

A variety of 2,6-disubstituted dihydropyridines (IV) (15 examples) is obtained in a multicomponent reaction of anilines, aldehydes and 3,3-diethoxypropionate (I) using montmorillonite K10 as cheap and reusable catalyst.

With a view to find novel inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-4, a variety of fused tetra- and pentacyclic heterocycles is prepared by Cu-mediated domino reaction of starting carboxylic esters with nitriles (36 examples).

A new strategy for converting antipsychotic drug olanzapine into PDE4 inhibitors is described via the design and Pd/C mediated synthesis of novel N-indolylmethyl olanzapine derivatives. One compound showed good inhibition (IC50 1.1 μM) and >10 fold selectivity towards PDE4B over D that was supported by docking studies. This compound also showed significant inhibition of TNF-α and no major toxicities in cell lines and a zebrafish embryo model except the teratogenic effects to be re-assessed in rodents.

2-Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines (V) are prepared in a single reaction from 3-alkynyl-2-chloroquinoxalines (III) using methanesulfonamide as ammonia surrogate.

A number of novel imidazophenoxazine-4-sulfonamides have been designed as potential inhibitors of PDE4. All these compounds were readily prepared via an elegant multi-step method involving the initial construction of 1-nitro-10H-phenoxazine ring and then fused imidazole ring as key steps. Some of these compounds showed promising PDE4B and D inhibition when tested in vitro and good interactions with these proteins in silico. Three of these compounds showed dose dependent inhibition of PDE4B with IC50 value of 3.31 ± 0.62, 1.23 ± 0.18 and 0.53 ± 0.18 μM.

Substituted 1,4-dihydropyridines were discovered as a novel and potent series of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors. Structure–activity relationships within this series have been carried out and studies revealed that the dihydropyridine core, with indole moiety and 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl group, is a potent analogue for PDE4 inhibition. These novel series of compounds were prepared via a 3-component reaction in a single pot. In vitro biological activity, modeling studies and crystallography data are also reported.

The compounds (IV) are evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory potential against phosphodiesterase 4.

A facile Pd—C/CuI/PPh3 mediated C—C bond forming reaction between pyrazole iodide and several terminal alkynes leads to title compounds (III).

2-Substituted pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines having free NH were prepared directly from 3-alkynyl-2-chloroquinoxalines in a single pot by using readily available and inexpensive methane sulfonamide (or p-toluene sulfonamide) as an ammonia surrogate. The reaction proceeded in the presence of Cu(OAc)(2) affording the desired product in moderate yield. The crystal structure analysis of a representative compound and its supramolecular interactions are presented. Some of the compounds synthesized exhibited inhibitory activities against luciferase that was supported by the predictive binding mode of these compounds with luciferase enzyme through molecular docking studies. The key observations disclosed here can alert users of luciferase reporter gene assays for possible false positive results due to the direct inhibition of luciferase.

Novel thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines containing a cyclohexane ring fused with a six- or five-membered heterocyclic moiety along with a benzylic nitrile were designed as potential inhibitors of PDE4. Expeditious synthesis of these compounds was carried out via a multi-step sequence consisting of a few key steps such as Gewald reaction, Dieckmann type cyclisation and Krapcho decarboxylation. This newly developed strategy involved construction of the thienopyrimidine ring followed by the cyclohexanone moiety and subsequently the fused heterocyclic ring. A number of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine based derivatives were synthesized using this method some of which showed promising PDE4B inhibitory properties. One of them was tested for PDE4D inhibition in vitro and dose dependent inhibition of TNF-α. A few selected molecules were docked into the PE4B protein the results of which showed good overall correlations to their observed PDE4B inhibitory properties in vitro. The crystal structure analysis of representative compounds along with hydrogen bonding patterns and molecular arrangement present within the molecule is described.

Functionalized cyanopyridines (V) (18 examples) are efficiently obtained in a chemo- and regioselective four-component reaction of β-keto ester, arylaldehyde, malononitrile, and an alcohol using montmorillonite K10 as efficient and reusable catalyst.

Novel polysubstituted pyrroles have been designed and accessed via a one-pot multicomponent reaction followed by Pd-mediated C-C bond forming reactions. All the compounds synthesized were tested for their PDE4B inhibitory properties in vitro and two of them obtained via Heck reaction showed significant inhibition. The docking results suggested that these alkenyl derivatives containing ester moiety interact well with the PDE4B protein in silico where the ester carbonyl oxygen played a key role. The pyrrole framework presented here could be a new template for the identification of small molecule based novel inhibitors of PDE4. The single crystal X-ray data of a representative compound is presented.

A number of novel arylpropynyl-substituted dihydroquinoline derivatives related to nimesulide [cf.

A number of novel 1,8-disubstituted 5,5-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-benzo[g]indazoles based on a conformationally restricted pyrazole framework have been designed as potential inhibitors of PDE4. All these compounds were readily prepared by using simple chemistry strategy. The in vitro PDE4B inhibitory properties and molecular modeling studies of some of the compounds synthesized along with the X-ray single crystal data of a representative compound is presented.

A conceptually new and general strategy has been developed for the construction of a benzimidazole or a benzoxazole ring fused with isoquinolinone affording a diverse and unique class of small molecules as potential and novel inhibitors of PDE4.

A one-pot cascade reaction has been developed leading to the concurrent construction of six and five membered fused N-heterocyclic rings of indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinones. The methodology involved the reaction of isatoic anhydride, a hydrazine and o-iodo benzaldehyde in the presence of Pd(PPh(3))(4) and BINAP in MeCN. The mechanism of this cascade reaction is discussed. A variety of indazolo[3,2-b]quinazolinone derivatives were prepared by using this methodology in good yields, some of which were tested for their PDE4 inhibitory properties in vitro. The dose response and docking study performed using a representative compound is presented.

Pyranones fused with a pyrazolopyrimidine moiety were prepared via regioselective construction of pyranone ring using (Pd/C-mediated)coupling–iodocyclization followed by Sonogashira/Heck/Suzuki reactions. The pyrazolopyrimidine based reactant required was obtained via a new H3PO3 mediated condensation reaction. This strategy has led to the discovery of a novel and potentially safe PDE4 inhibitor.

A regioselective synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted pyrroles has been achieved via Yb(OTf)3-mediated 3-component reaction of amines, a 1,3-diketone and phenacyl bromide in a single pot. Yb(OTf)3 was identified as a reusable catalyst and a number of pyrrole derivatives were prepared by using this strategy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study of a representative compound confirmed the substitution pattern on the central pyrrole ring. The crystal structure analysis of the same compound indicated the presence of a sheet-like molecular arrangement along the bc-plane present in the molecule. A possible mechanism for the regioselective formation of 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted pyrrole rings is discussed. A number of compounds synthesized showed PDE4 inhibitory properties when tested in vitro and two of them were identified as inhibitors of further interest.