Jae Yang Kong

Modulation of the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes, COX-2 and iNOS, by chrysin derivatives.

Chrysin, a natural flavone compound found in plants, has anti-inflammatory activity that has been previously explained in part by the suppression of promoter activities of pro-inflammatory enzymes, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Here we present evidence that several chrysin derivatives modulate the activities, as well as the expression, of COX-2 and iNOS enzymes. Nitrate production triggered by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was suppressed by treatment of cultured Raw264.7 cells (mice macrophage/monocyte) with chrysin, 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (Ch-2), and 5,7-diacetylflavone (Ch-4). Interestingly, COX-2 enzyme was strongly inhibited by Ch-4 (IC(50)=2.7 microM) but not by other derivatives. Furthermore, the inhibition of COX enzyme by Ch-4 was selective for COX-2 over COX-1. Three-dimensional modeling showed that Ch-4 fits well into the binding pocket of COX-2. The modeling suggested that a hydrogen bond exists between the oxygen of the ketone group at the 7-position of Ch-4 and the hydroxyl group of Tyr355. Docking Ch-4 into the V523I mutant of COX-2 indicated that Ile523 of COX-1 might contribute to the selectivity of COX-2 over COX-1. Ch-4 showed no effect on iNOS activity. Chrysin and Ch-2 weakly inhibited iNOS enzyme activity in the hemoglobin assay, but the underlying mechanisms of inhibition of iNOS by chrysin are not understood.

KKHA-761, a potent D3 receptor antagonist with high 5-HT1A receptor affinity, exhibits antipsychotic properties in animal models of schizophrenia

KKHA-761, 1-{4-[3-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-butyl}-4-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-piperazine, has a high affinity (Ki=3.85 nM) for human dopamine D3 receptor with about 70-fold selectivity over the human dopamine D(2L) receptor (Ki=270 nM). KKHA-761 also showed high affinity for cloned human 5-HT1A receptor (Ki=6.4 nM). KKHA-761 exhibited D3 and 5-HT1A receptor antagonist activities in vitro, reversing dopamine- or 5-HT-mediated stimulation of [35S]GTPrS binding. The in vivo pharmacological profile of KKHA-761 was compared with both typical and atypical antipsychotics including clozapine and haloperidol. Apomorphine-induced dopaminergic behavior, cage climbing, in mice was potently blocked by a single administration (i.p.) of KKHA-761 (ID50=4.06 mg/kg) or clozapine (ID50=4.0 mg/kg). Cocaine- or MK-801-induced hyperactivity in animals was markedly inhibited by KKHA-761 or clozapine. In addition, KKHA-761 significantly reversed the disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI) produced by apomorphine in mice, indicating the antidopaminergic or antipsychotic activity of KKHA-761 in mice. However, KKHA-761 was inactive in the forced swimming behavioral despair model in mice, suggesting lack of antidepressant properties. KKHA-761 attenuated the hypothermia induced by a selective dopamine D3 agonist, 7-OH-DPAT, in mice, whereas clozapine enhanced it. Moderate doses of both KKHA-761 and clozapine did not increase serum prolactin levels in rats. Lower doses of, however, haloperidol significantly increased prolactin secretion. KKHA-761 did not induce cataleptic response up to 20 mg/kg, but significant catalepsy was shown at lower doses of clozapine and haloperidol. Furthermore, KKHA-761 showed a low incidence of rotarod ataxia (TD50=34.4 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice. The present results, therefore, suggest that KKHA-761 is a potent antipsychotic agent with combined dopamine D3 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors modulation activity, which may further enhance its therapeutic potential for anxiety, psychotic depression, and other related disorders.

Preparation of piperazine derivatives as 5-HT7 receptor antagonists.

Twenty-four compounds of 4-methoxy-N-[3-(4-substituted phenyl-piperazine-1-yl)propyl] benzene sulfonamides and N-[3-(4-substituted phenyl-piperazine-1-yl)propyl] naphthyl sulfonamides were prepared and evaluated as 5-HT(7) receptor antagonists. Most of the compounds showed the IC(50) values of 12-580nM. Four methyl branched analogues were also obtained, but the activity for methyl branched analogues was almost same as its straight chain congeners. Among the synthesized compounds, 3c showed a good activity on 5-HT(7) receptors and a good selectivity on 5-HT(1a), 5-HT(2a), 5-HT(2c), and 5-HT(6) receptors.

Aminostyrylbenzofuran directly reduces oligomeric amyloid-β and reverses cognitive deficits in Alzheimer transgenic mice.

Alzheimers disease is an irreversible neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the abnormal aggregation of amyloid-β into neurotoxic oligomers and plaques. Although many disease-modifying molecules are currently in Alzheimer clinical trials, a small molecule that inhibits amyloid-β aggregation and ameliorates the disorder has not been approved to date. Herein, we report the effects of a potent small molecule, 6-methoxy-2-(4-dimethylaminostyryl) benzofuran (KMS88009), that directly disrupts amyloid-β oligomerization, preserving cognitive behavior when used prophylactically and reversing declines in cognitive behavior when used therapeutically. KMS88009 exhibited excellent pharmacokinetic profiles with extensive brain uptake and a high level of safety. When orally administered before and after the onset of Alzheimers disease symptoms, KMS88009 significantly reduced assembly of amyloid-β oligomers and improved cognitive behaviors in the APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse model. The unique dual mode of action indicates that KMS88009 may be a powerful therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Alzheimers disease.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (phenylpiperazinyl-propyl)arylsulfonamides as selective 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonists.

A novel series of 5-HT(2A) ligands that contain a (phenylpiperazinyl-propyl)arylsulfonamides skeleton was synthesized. Thirty-seven N-(cycloalkylmethyl)-4-methoxy-N-(3-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)propyl)-arylsulfonamide and N-(4-(4-arylpiperazin-1-yl)butan-2-yl)-arylsulfonamide compounds were obtained. The binding of these compounds to the 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C), and 5-HT(7) receptors was evaluated. Most of the compounds showed IC(50) values of less than 100 nM and exhibited high selectivity for the 5-HT(2A) receptor. Among the synthesized compounds, 16a and 16d showed good affinity at 5-HT(2A) (IC(50)=0.7 nM and 0.5 nM) and good selectivity over 5-HT(2C) (50-100 times) and 5-HT(7) (1500-3000 times).

A furanquinone from Paulownia tomentosa stem for a new cathepsin K inhibitor

In the search for novel inhibitors of cathepsin K, a new furanquinone compound, methyl 5‐hydroxy‐dinaphtho[1,2‐2′3′]furan‐7,12‐dione‐6‐carboxylate (1a), showed in vitro inhibitory activities for cathepsin K. Compound 1a was isolated originally from Paulownia tomentosa stem and its derivatives were synthesized. Furanquinone compounds (1a, 1b, 1c and 1d) were also found to be capable of inhibiting cathepsin L, which is closely related to cathepsin K. The inhibitory activity of the parent compound 1a (IC50 = 21 µm) for cathepsin K was slightly higher than those of the other three derivatives that have a methoxy (1b), propoxy (1c) or acetoxy (1d) group (IC50 = 33–66 µm) in the 5‐position of compound 1a. This implies that the 5‐hydroxyl functional group of 1a may have favorable effects on the reduction potential which are related to the cathepsin K inhibitory activities of furanquinone compounds. Therefore, the cathepsin K inhibitory activity of a new furanquinone compound is proposed. Copyright

Screening of Kit inhibitors: suppression of Kit signaling and melanogenesis by emodin

In search of novel antipigmentation agents, a set of 3,840 compounds with natural‐like synthetic or natural origin were screened against Kit (stem cell factor receptor). Emodin from the seed of Cassia tora and baicalin from Scutellariae radix showed potent inhibitory effects (IC50 = 4.9 and 9.0 mm, respectively) on the phosphorylation of Kit. Emodin also blocked other receptor tyrosine kinase activities, such as epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR‐2), fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR‐1), platelet‐derived growth factor receptor b (PDGFR‐b). In contrast to emodin, aloe‐emodin did not inhibit Kit activity at all. Emodin also blocked the cellular kinase activities of Kit and its down‐stream p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in MO7e cells and human primary melanocytes. Emodin strongly suppressed the melanin synthesis triggered by stem cell factor (SCF) treatment. Also, emodin showed almost no toxicity up to 10 mm on cultured melanocytes as reported previously by other researchers. The results indicate that emodin is a good candidate for the development of antipigmentation agents since it can radically block the differentiation and proliferation of pigment cells by reducing Kit signaling. Copyright

Therapeutic and pharmacokinetic characterizations of an anti-amyloidogenic bis-styrylbenzene derivative for Alzheimer’s disease treatment

Alzheimers disease drug discovery regarding exploration into the molecules and processes has focused on the intrinsic causes of the brain disorder correlated with the accumulation of amyloid-β. An anti-amyloidogenic bis-styrylbenzene derivative, KMS80013, showed excellent oral bioavailability (F=46.2%), facilitated brain penetration (26%, iv) in mouse and target specific in vivo efficacy in acute AD mouse model attenuating the cognitive deficiency in Y-maze test. Acute toxicity (LD50 >2000 mg/kg) and hERG channel inhibition (14% at 10 μM) results indicated safety of KMS80013.