Antitrypanosomatid Pharmacomodulation at Position 3 of the 8-Nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one Scaffold Using Palladium-Catalysed Cross-Coupling Reactions

International audienceAn antikinetoplastid pharmacomodulation study at position 3 of the recently described hit molecule 3-bromo-8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one was conducted. Twenty-four derivatives were synthesised using the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and evaluated in vitro on both Leishmania infantum axenic amastigotes and Trypanosoma brucei brucei trypomastigotes. Introduction of a para-carboxyphenyl group at position 3 of the scaffold led to the selective antitrypanosomal hit molecule 3-(4-carboxyphenyl)-8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one (21) with a lower reduction potential (-0.56 V) than the initial hit (-0.45 V). Compound 21 displays micromolar antitrypanosomal activity (IC50 =1.5 μm) and low cytotoxicity on the human HepG2 cell line (CC50 =120 μm), having a higher selectivity index (SI=80) than the reference drug eflornithine. Contrary to results previously obtained in this series, hit compound 21 is inactive toward L. infantum and is not efficiently bioactivated by T. brucei brucei type I nitroreductase, which suggests the existence of an alternative mechanism of action

Novel 8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-ones as NTR-bioactivated antikinetoplastid molecules:Synthesis, electrochemical and SAR study

International audienceTo study the antiparasitic 8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one pharmacophore, a series of 31 derivatives was synthesized in 1-5 steps and evaluated in vitro against both Leishmania infantum and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. In parallel, the reduction potential of all molecules was measured by cyclic voltammetry. Structure-activity relationships first indicated that antileishmanial activity depends on an intramolecular hydrogen bond (described by X-ray diffraction) between the lactam function and the nitro group, which is responsible for an important shift of the redox potential (+0.3 V in comparison with 8-nitroquinoline). With the assistance of computational chemistry, a set of derivatives presenting a large range of redox potentials (from -1.1 to -0.45 V) was designed and provided a list of suitable molecules to be synthesized and tested. This approach highlighted that, in this series, only substrates with a redox potential above -0.6 V display activity toward L. infantum. Nevertheless, such relation between redox potentials and in vitro antiparasitic activities was not observed in T. b. brucei. Compound 22 is a new hit compound in the series, displaying both antileishmanial and antitrypanosomal activity along with a low cytotoxicity on the human HepG2 cell line. Compound 22 is selectively bioactivated by the type 1 nitroreductases (NTR1) of L. donovani and T. brucei brucei. Moreover, despite being mutagenic in the Ames test, as most of nitroaromatic derivatives, compound 22 was not genotoxic in the comet assay. Preliminary in vitro pharmacokinetic parameters were finally determined and pointed out a good in vitro microsomal stability (half-life > 40 min) and a 92% binding to human albumin

8-Aryl-6-chloro-3-nitro-2-(phenylsulfonylmethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines as potent antitrypanosomatid molecules bioactivated by type 1 nitroreductases

Based on a previously identified antileishmanial 6,8-dibromo-3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivative, a Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction at position 8 of the scaffold was studied and optimized from a 8-bromo-6-chloro-3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine substrate. Twenty-one original derivatives were prepared, screened in vitro for activity against L infantum axenic amastigotes and T. brucei brucei trypomastigotes and evaluated for their cytotoxicity on the HepG2 human cell line. Thus, 7 antileishmanial hit compounds were identified, displaying IC50 values in the 1.1-3 mu M range. Compounds 13 and 23, the 2 most selective molecules (SI = >18 or >17) were additionally tested on both the promastigote and intramacrophage amastigote stages of L donovani. The two molecules presented a good activity (IC50 = 1.2-1.3 mu M) on the promastigote stage but only molecule 23, bearing a 4-pyridinyl substituent at position 8, was active on the intracellular amastigote stage, with a good IC50 value (2.3 mu M), slightly lower than the one of miltefosine (IC50 = 4.3 mu M). The antiparasitic screening also revealed 8 antitrypanosomal hit compounds, including 14 and 20, 2 very active (IC50 = 0.04-0.16 mu M) and selective (SI = >313 to 550) molecules toward T brucei brucei, in comparison with drug-candidate fexinidazole (IC50 = 0.6 & SI > 333) or reference drugs suramin and eflornithine (respective IC50 = 0.03 and 13.3 mu M). Introducing an aryl moiety at position 8 of the scaffold quite significantly increased the antitrypanosomal activity of the pharmacophore. Antikinetoplastid molecules 13, 14, 20 and 23 were assessed for bioactivation by parasitic nitroreductases (either in L donovani or in T. brucei brucei), using genetically modified parasite strains that over-express NTRs: all these molecules are substrates of type 1 nitroreductases (NTRI), such as those that are responsible for the bioactivation of fexinidazole. Reduction potentials measured for these 4 hit compounds were higher than that of fexinidazole (-0.83 V), ranging from -0.70 to -0.64 V

Nongenotoxic 3-Nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines Are NTR1 Substrates That Display Potent in Vitro Antileishmanial Activity

Twenty nine original 3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives, bearing a phenylthio (or benzylthio) moiety at position 8 of the scaffold, were synthesized. In vitro evaluation highlighted compound 5 as an antiparasitic hit molecule displaying low cytotoxicity for the human HepG2 cell line (CC50 > 100 mu M) alongside good antileishmanial activities (IC50 = 1-2.1 mu M) against L. donovani, L. infantum, and L. major; and good antitrypanosomal activities (IC50 = 1.3-2.2 mu M) against T. brucei brucei and T. cruzi, in comparison to several reference drugs such as miltefosine, fexinidazole, eflornithine, and benznidazole (IC50 = 0.6 to 13.3 mu M). Molecule 5, presenting a low reduction potential (E degrees = -0.63 V), was shown to be selectively bioactivated by the L. donovani type 1 nitroreductase (NTR1). Importantly, molecule 5 was neither mutagenic (negative Ames test), nor genotoxic (negative comet assay), in contrast to many other nitroaromatics. Molecule 5 showed poor microsomal stability; however, its main metabolite (sulfoxide) remained both active and nonmutagenic, making 5 a good candidate for further in vivo studies

New 8-nitroquinolinone derivative displaying submicromolar in vitro activities against both Trypanosoma brucei and cruzi

International audienceAn antikinetoplastid pharmacomodulation study was conducted at position 6 of the 8-nitroquinolin-2(1H)-one pharmacophore. Fifteen new derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against L. infantum, T. brucei brucei, and T. cruzi, in parallel with a cytotoxicity assay on the human HepG2 cell line. A potent and selective 6-bromo-substituted antitrypanosomal derivative 12 was revealed, presenting EC50 values of 12 and 500 nM on T. b. brucei trypomastigotes and T. cruzi amastigotes respectively, in comparison with four reference drugs (30 nM ≤ EC50 ≤ 13 μM). Moreover, compound 12 was not genotoxic in the comet assay and showed high in vitro microsomal stability (half life >40 min) as well as favorable pharmacokinetic behavior in the mouse after oral administration. Finally, molecule 12 (E° = −0.37 V/NHE) was shown to be bioactivated by type 1 nitroreductases, in both Leishmania and Trypanosoma, and appears to be a good candidate to search for novel antitrypanosomal lead compounds

Antikinetoplastid SAR study in 3-nitroimidazopyridine series: identification of a novel non-genotoxic and potent anti-T. b. brucei hit-compound with improved pharmacokinetic properties

To study the antikinetoplastid 3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine pharmacophore, a structure-activity relationship study was conducted through the synthesis of 26 original derivatives and their in vitro evaluation on both Leishmania spp and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. This SAR study showed that the antitrypanosomal pharmacophore was less restrictive than the antileishmanial one and highlighted positions 2, 6 and 8 of the imidazopyridine ring as key modulation points. None of the synthesized compounds allowed improvement in antileishmanial activity, compared to previous hit molecules in the series. Nevertheless, compound 8, the best antitrypanosomal molecule in this series (EC50 = 17 nM, SI = 2650 & E° = -0.6 V), was not only more active than all reference drugs and previous hit molecules in the series but also displayed improved aqueous solubility and better in vitro pharmacokinetic characteristics: good microsomal stability (T1/2 > 40 min), moderate albumin binding (77%) and moderate permeability across the blood brain barrier according to a PAMPA assay. Moreover, both micronucleus and comet assays showed that nitroaromatic molecule 8 was not genotoxic in vitro. It was evidenced that bioactivation of molecule 8 was operated by T. b. brucei type 1 nitroreductase, in the same manner as fexinidazole. Finally, a mouse pharmacokinetic study showed that 8 displayed good systemic exposure after both single and repeated oral administrations at 100 mg/kg (NOAEL) and satisfying plasmatic half-life (T1/2 = 7.7 h). Thus, molecule 8 appears as a good candidate for initiating a hit to lead drug discovery program

Antikinetoplastid SAR study in 3-nitroimidazopyridine series:identification of a novel non-genotoxic and potent anti-T. b. brucei hit-compound with improved pharmacokinetic properties.

International audienceTo study the antikinetoplastid 3-nitroimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine pharmacophore, a structure-activity relationship study was conducted through the synthesis of 26 original derivatives and their in vitro evaluation on both Leishmania spp and Trypanosoma brucei brucei. This SAR study showed that the antitrypanosomal pharmacophore was less restrictive than the antileishmanial one and highlighted positions 2, 6 and 8 of the imidazopyridine ring as key modulation points. None of the synthesized compounds allowed improvement in antileishmanial activity, compared to previous hit molecules in the series. Nevertheless, compound 8, the best antitrypanosomal molecule in this series (EC50 = 17 nM, SI = 2650 & E° = −0.6 V), was not only more active than all reference drugs and previous hit molecules in the series but also displayed improved aqueous solubility and better in vitro pharmacokinetic characteristics: good microsomal stability (T1/2 > 40 min), moderate albumin binding (77%) and moderate permeability across the blood brain barrier according to a PAMPA assay. Moreover, both micronucleus and comet assays showed that nitroaromatic molecule 8 was not genotoxic in vitro. It was evidenced that bioactivation of molecule 8 was operated by T. b. brucei type 1 nitroreductase, in the same manner as fexinidazole. Finally, a mouse pharmacokinetic study showed that 8 displayed good systemic exposure after both single and repeated oral administrations at 100 mg/kg (NOAEL) and satisfying plasmatic half-life (T1/2 = 7.7 h). Thus, molecule 8 appears as a good candidate for initiating a hit to lead drug discovery program

Recherche de nouvelles molécules trypanocides

Kinetoplastid diseases are vectorial parasitoses caused by flagellated blood protozoa. Among these, African Trypanosomiasis, due to a parasite of the genus Trypanosoma, affects both humans and animals. In humans, this disease, known as sleeping sickness, progresses classically in 2 stages: the hemolymphatic stage characterized by multiplication of the parasite in blood and lymph and the nervous stage characterized by the presence of the parasite in the brain. In the absence of appropriate therapy, death is inevitable. Currently, the treatments proposed in human and veterinary medicine are old, toxic and at the origin of cases of resistance. The search for new molecules is therefore essential to control this pathology. It is in this context that we studied two families of molecules which recognize parasitic sites: (i) Nitroimidazoles that interact with nitroreductases to generate toxic intermediates, and (ii) Phenanthroline derivatives targeting telomerases to disrupt trypanosome DNA synthesis. Our thesis research evaluated the trypanocidal power of different molecules from these two families both by in vitro tests and in a mouse model infected with a strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The purpose of this work was to identify new drug candidates. The results obtained have made it possible to identify compounds of interest that open up new pathways of research to control this parasite, as well as all kinetoplastidae.Les maladies à kinétoplastidés sont des parasitoses vectorielles dues à des protozoaires flagellés sanguicoles. Parmi celles-ci, la Trypanosomose Africaine due à un parasite du genre Trypanosoma touche à la fois les Hommes et les animaux. Chez l’Homme, cette maladie, plus connue sous le nom de maladie du sommeil, évolue classiquement en 2 stades. Le stade hémolymphatique où le parasite se multiplie dans le sang et la lymphe et le stade nerveux caractérisé par la présence du parasite au niveau cérébral. En l’absence d’une thérapeutique adapté, la mort est inéluctable. Actuellement les traitements proposés en médecine humaine comme vétérinaire sont anciens, non dénués de toxicité et sont à l’origine de cas de résistances de plus en plus marqués. La recherche de nouvelles molécules est donc primordiale pour pouvoir espérer maitriser cette pathologie. C’est dans ce contexte que nous avons étudié deux familles de molécules capables de reconnaitre des sites parasitaires : (i)Les nitroimidazolés qui vont interagir avec les nitroréductases pour générer des intermédiaires toxiques, et (ii) les dérivés phénanthroliniques ciblant les télomérases afin de perturber la synthèse d’ADN du trypanosome. Notre travail de thèse a permis d’évaluer le pouvoir trypanocide de différentes molécules de ces deux familles à la fois par des tests in vitro mais aussi sur un modèle murin infecté par une souche de Trypanosoma brucei brucei. La finalité de ce travail étant d’identifier de nouveaux candidats médicaments. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de mettre en évidence des composés d’intérêt qui ouvrent de nouvelles voies de recherche pour lutter contre cette parasitose, mais aussi plus largement contre tous les kinétoplastidés

Screening of new trypanocid molecules

Les maladies à kinétoplastidés sont des parasitoses vectorielles dues à des protozoaires flagellés sanguicoles. Parmi celles-ci, la Trypanosomose Africaine due à un parasite du genre Trypanosoma touche à la fois les Hommes et les animaux. Chez l’Homme, cette maladie, plus connue sous le nom de maladie du sommeil, évolue classiquement en 2 stades. Le stade hémolymphatique où le parasite se multiplie dans le sang et la lymphe et le stade nerveux caractérisé par la présence du parasite au niveau cérébral. En l’absence d’une thérapeutique adapté, la mort est inéluctable. Actuellement les traitements proposés en médecine humaine comme vétérinaire sont anciens, non dénués de toxicité et sont à l’origine de cas de résistances de plus en plus marqués. La recherche de nouvelles molécules est donc primordiale pour pouvoir espérer maitriser cette pathologie. C’est dans ce contexte que nous avons étudié deux familles de molécules capables de reconnaitre des sites parasitaires : (i)Les nitroimidazolés qui vont interagir avec les nitroréductases pour générer des intermédiaires toxiques, et (ii) les dérivés phénanthroliniques ciblant les télomérases afin de perturber la synthèse d’ADN du trypanosome. Notre travail de thèse a permis d’évaluer le pouvoir trypanocide de différentes molécules de ces deux familles à la fois par des tests in vitro mais aussi sur un modèle murin infecté par une souche de Trypanosoma brucei brucei. La finalité de ce travail étant d’identifier de nouveaux candidats médicaments. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de mettre en évidence des composés d’intérêt qui ouvrent de nouvelles voies de recherche pour lutter contre cette parasitose, mais aussi plus largement contre tous les kinétoplastidés.Kinetoplastid diseases are vectorial parasitoses caused by flagellated blood protozoa. Among these, African Trypanosomiasis, due to a parasite of the genus Trypanosoma, affects both humans and animals. In humans, this disease, known as sleeping sickness, progresses classically in 2 stages: the hemolymphatic stage characterized by multiplication of the parasite in blood and lymph and the nervous stage characterized by the presence of the parasite in the brain. In the absence of appropriate therapy, death is inevitable. Currently, the treatments proposed in human and veterinary medicine are old, toxic and at the origin of cases of resistance. The search for new molecules is therefore essential to control this pathology. It is in this context that we studied two families of molecules which recognize parasitic sites: (i) Nitroimidazoles that interact with nitroreductases to generate toxic intermediates, and (ii) Phenanthroline derivatives targeting telomerases to disrupt trypanosome DNA synthesis. Our thesis research evaluated the trypanocidal power of different molecules from these two families both by in vitro tests and in a mouse model infected with a strain of Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The purpose of this work was to identify new drug candidates. The results obtained have made it possible to identify compounds of interest that open up new pathways of research to control this parasite, as well as all kinetoplastidae

En éveil sur la maladie du sommeil.

Article paru dans le journal régional le "Populaire du Centre", jeudi 6 Février 202