Search for compounds with antioxidant and antiradical activity among N9-substituted 2-(biphenyl-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazoles

Introduction: Biphenyl and imidazobenzimidazole derivatives attract ongoing attention as a combination of these two privileged substructures with promising pharmacological activities. The aim of this study was to synthesize and investigate in vitro antioxidant activity of promising novel compounds: 2-(biphenyl-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazoles. Materials and methods: The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR and CHBr(Cl)NO analyses. All newly synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antioxidant activity: inhibition of lipid peroxidation (LPO), 2,2’-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) radical cation decolorization and inhibition of hemoglobin (Hb)-H2O2-induced luminol chemiluminescence. Results and discussion: 2-Amino-3-[(2-biphenyl-4-yl)-2-oxo-ethyl)]-1-R-1Н-benzimidazolium bromides were synthesized, and their cyclization into functionalized imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives was studied. The resulting compounds showed LPO inhibitory activity comparable to that of dibunol. Compounds 1a and 1d (see graphical abstract), containing a methyl or dimethylaminoethyl substituent in the N9 position also proved to be equally highly active in the Hb-H2O2-induced luminol chemiluminescence model, while compound 1a was somewhat more active than 1d in the ABTS• radical scavenging assay. Conclusion: The study showed that compounds 1a and 1d have the highest antioxidant activity. Thus, this new class of 2-(biphenyl-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives represents a valuable leading series with great potential for use as antioxidants and as promising candidates for further efficacy evaluation. Graphical abstract

Distribution, excretion and metabolic pathways of a single parenteral administration of kappa-opioid receptor agonist RU-1205

Introduction: The purpose was to study the pharmacokinetic properties of RU-1205 with the previously identified kappa-agonistic and analgesic effects after parenteral administration. Materials and methods: Pharmacokinetic parameters of RU-1205 after intravenous and subcutaneous administration at doses of 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, respectively, were investigated, using the method of high-performance liquid chromatography with measurement of the compound according to a pre-established calibration curve. The indices of the area under the pharmacokinetic curve, clearance, half-life, residence time of the drug molecule in the body, total (apparent) volume of distribution, as well as the indicator of absolute bioavailability for subcutaneous administration were calculated. Tissue distribution and excretion of RU-1205 were also studied. Evaluation of metabolism of RU-1205 was conducted in silico, using the PALLAS 3.00 software, with the use of specific tests with CYP 450 substrates and by studying the ability of RU-1205 to form conjugates with endogenous acids. Results and discussion: It was found that after a single intravenous administration, the investigated substance was determined in the blood for 12 h; the half-life was 8.49 hours. The absolute bioavailability after subcutaneous administration is 57.35%. RU-1205 is eliminated within 3–4 days. The main route of excretion is extrarenal. The biotransformation of the substance probably proceeds mainly with the formation of oxidized forms of the initial molecule according to the reactions of the first phase of metabolic transformation, so the chance to observe phase 2 of the metabolism could be very low. Conclusion: The test substance undergoes a long process of elimination, has the highest tropism to the elimination organs and undergoes active biotransformation processes in the body of animals