Marek Bednarski

Synthesis and evaluation of some xanthone derivatives for anti-arrhythmic, hypotensive properties and their affinity for adrenergic receptors.

A series of 2‐, 4‐ or 2‐methyl‐6‐substituted xanthone derivatives 8–17 containing selected piperazine moieties were synthesized and tested for their electrocardiographic, anti‐arrhythmic, and antihypertensive activity, as well as for the α1‐ and β1‐adrenoceptor binding affinities. Of the newly synthesized derivatives, 2‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐(2‐phenoxyethyl)piperazin‐1‐yl)propoxy)‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one dihydrochloride 9, 4‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐(4‐(2‐phenoxyethyl)piperazin‐1‐yl)propoxy)‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one dihydrochloride 12, and 4‐(2‐(4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)piperazin‐1‐yl)ethoxy)‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one dihydrochloride 15 possessed significant anti‐arrhythmic activity in the adrenaline‐induced model of arrhythmia, with the ED50 values ranging 1.7–7.2 mg/kg. Compound 15 had the lowest ED50 value equaling 1.7 mg/kg, which was comparable with ED50 value of propranolol, which was used in this test as a reference compound. Compound 9 showed also the strongest hypotensive activity, which persisted for 60 minutes at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg. 2‐(2‐(4‐(2‐Phenoxyethyl)piperazin‐1‐yl)ethoxy)‐9H‐xanthen‐9‐one dihydrochloride 8 also significantly lowered blood pressure at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg but much weaker than compound 9. Binding studies are in agreement with our pharmacological results and could explain anti‐arrhythmic effect of compound 15 and anti‐arrhythmic and hypotensive effects of compounds 9 and 12.

Antiarrhythmic properties of phenylpiperazine derivatives of phenytoin with α1-adrenoceptor affinities

An association between α(1)-adrenoceptor affinities, hERG K(+)-antagonistic properties and antiarrhythmic activities for a series of phenylpiperazine derivatives of hydantoin (2a-21a) was investigated. New compounds were synthesized and tested for their affinity for α(1)-adrenoceptors in radioligand binding assay using [(3)H]-prazosin as a selective radioligand. Antiarrhythmic activities in adrenaline- and barium chloride-induced arrhythmia models, an influence of the phenylpiperazine derivatives on the ECG-components and blood pressure were tested in vivo in normotensive rats. The hERG K(+)-antagonistic properties of the most potent antiarrhythmic agents were investigated in silico by the use of program QikProp. The highest α(1)-adrenoceptor affinity (K(i)=4.7 nM) and the strongest antiarrhythmic activity in adrenaline induced arrhythmia (ED(50)=0.1 mg/kg) was found for 1-(4-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-3-methyl-5,5-diphenylimidazolidine-2,4-dione hydrochloride (19a). The results indicated a significant correlation between α(1)-AR affinities (pK(i)) and antiarrhythmic activity (ED(50)) in adrenaline model (R(2)=0.92, p <0.005). Influence of the examined phenylpiperazine hydantoin derivatives on hERG K(+) channel, predicted by means of in silico methods, suggested their hERG K(+)-blocking properties.

Alpha lipoic acid protects the heart against myocardial post ischemia-reperfusion arrhythmias via KATP channel activation in isolated rat hearts.

The cardiovascular effects of alpha lipoic acid were evaluated in isolated rat hearts exposed to ischemia-reperfusion injury in vitro. Alpha-lipoic acid raised the level of sulfane sulfur playing an important role in the release of hydrogen sulfide. H2S was shown to prevent the post-reperfusion arrhythmias and to protect the cardiomyocytes from death caused by hypoxia. The activation of potassium ATP-sensitive channels (K(ATP) channels) is one of the most important mechanisms of action of hydrogen sulfide in the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate whether alpha lipoic acid can prevent the occurrence of post-reperfusion arrhythmias in vitro using a Langendorff model of ischemia-reperfusion in rats affecting the K(ATP) channels. Alpha lipoic acid significantly improved post-reperfusion cardiac function (reducing incidence of arrhythmias), especially in a dose of 10(-7)M. These cardiovascular effects of this compound on the measured parameters were reversed by glibenclamide, a selective K(ATP) blocker. Alpha lipoic acid increased the level of sulfane sulfur in the hearts. This may suggest that the positive effects caused by alpha lipoic acid in the cardiovascular system are not only related to its strong antioxidant activity, and the influence on the activity of such enzymes as aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, as previously suggested, but this compound can affect K(ATP) channels. It is possible that this indirect effect of alpha lipoic acid is connected with changes in the release of sulfane sulfur and hydrogen sulfide.

Synthesis and adrenolytic activity of 1-(1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-(2-(2-methoxy phenoxy)ethylamino)propan-2-ol analogs and its enantiomers. Part 2.

The synthesis of (2RS)-1-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-(2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethylamino)propan-2-ol and (2RS)-1-(7-methoxy-1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-(2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethylamino)propan-2-ol and its enantiomers, analogs of 1-(1H-indol-4-yloxy)-3-(2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethylamino)propan-2-ol ((RS)-9) is described. Compounds were tested for electrographic, antiarrhythmic, hypotensive and spasmolytic activities as well as for alpha(1)-, alpha(2)- and beta(1)-adrenoceptors binding affinities. The antagonist potency of the new compounds was compared with carvedilol and (RS)-9.

Tissue distribution of gold nanoparticles after single intravenous administration in mice

BACKGROUND Nanoparticles (a part of matter which size is less than 100 nm) have numerous potential applications in biomedicine, due to their unique surface, electronic and optical properties. The goal of the present study was to examine the distribution of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in mice after single intravenous administration. METHODS Spherical GNPs were synthesized by chemical reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with ascorbic acid as a reductant. GNPs were stabilized using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, m.w. = 67000Da) a substance approved for use in the pharmaceutical industry. The size of colloidal gold particles (diameter equals 25 ± 8 nm) was determined using HR SEM and DLS techniques; ζ potential of GNPs was determined using Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS and it equals -5.2 ± 5.4 mV. An aqueous dispersion of GNPs was administered to mice in a dose of about 10 cm(3)/kg and 24 h later the amount of gold in different organs was determined using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP MS). Initial concentration of GNPs equals 29.55 mg/l. RESULTS GNPs after single intravenous administration preferentially accumulated in the liver (12.7% of the applied dose), while the other organs accumulated around 0.1% or less. CONCLUSION Colloidal GNPs of the used size (about 25 ± 8 nm) provide new potential route for direct delivery system to the liver, which may be important e.g., in liver cancer diagnosis.

Novel Mannich Bases, 5‐Arylimidazolidine‐2,4‐dione Derivatives with Dual 5‐HT1A Receptor and Serotonin Transporter Affinity

A computer aided ligand design study of imidazolidine‐2,4‐dione derivatives was conducted in order to obtain compounds with dual 5‐HT1A receptor and serotonin transporter (SERT) affinity. According to molecular modeling results, series of Mannich bases were chosen and synthesized. Investigated compounds were tested for 5‐HT1A, 5‐HT2A, α1 and SERT affinity. Two selected compounds (5, 9) were characterized in functional experiments and possessed a pharmacological profile which may enhance SERT blocking efficacy – 5‐HT1A partial agonism and 5‐HT2A antagonism in one molecule. Furthermore these compounds displayed satisfactory selectivity over adrenergic α1 receptors. The most promising compounds, 5‐arylimidazolidine‐2,4‐dione derivatives with 4‐(3‐chlorophenyl)piperazinylmethyl moiety were tested for antidepressant and anxiolytic activity. In particular, compound 5 (5‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐{1‐[4‐(3‐chlorophenyl)piperazin‐1‐yl]methyl}‐imidazolidine‐2,4‐dione), tested in the forced swim test in mice, exhibited a favorable antidepressant‐like profile without affecting spontaneous locomotor activity.

Studies on Novel Pyridine and 2-pyridone Derivatives of N-arylpiperazine as α-adrenoceptor Ligands

This paper describes the synthesis of a series of new N-arylpiperazine derivatives of pyridine and 2-pyridone. The in vitro pharmacological study indicated that all of the compounds possess affinity towards α1-adrenoceptors, with exception of 6d, and are selective over α2 receptor. The most potent compound 5f displayed 62-fold α2/α1 selectivity with Ki value of 27.3 nM for α1 receptor. Selectivity of other ligands ranged from 6 to more than 146-fold. Hydrochlorides of selected compounds with the best α1-adrenoceptor affinity (7b, 7e, 7f, 8b) were tested in vivo (hypotensive activity test in rats) and the results proved their α-adrenoreceptor antagonistic activity. Furthermore, the lipophilicity of the investigated compounds has been assessed experimentally and in silico.

Antiarrhythmic activity of some xanthone derivatives with β1-adrenoceptor affinities in rats.

A series of aminoalkanolic derivatives of xanthone with high affinity for β1-adrenoceptors was evaluated for antiarrhythmic activity in the model of ischemia-reperfusion in isolated hearts, as well as in barium chloride- and adrenaline-induced model of arrhythmia. In order to better understand biological activity of studied compounds, the influence on β2-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig trachea and vasorelaxant properties in rat aorta were evaluated. Furthermore, due to assessed antioxidant activity, some biochemical studies were also performed. All tested compounds showed prominent antiarrhythmic activity in the model of ventricular arrhythmias associated with coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. In this experiment the most active was compound MH-97. Whereas, compound MH-82 was the most active in barium- and adrenaline-induced arrhythmia after i.v. or p.o. administration, respectively. These two compounds have higher affinity to β1-adrenoceptors than compound MH-87, thus it suggests that blocking properties of β1-adrenoceptors are involved in the observed antiarrhythmic effects. All studied compounds have revealed antagonistic potency for β2-adrenoceptors in tracheal smooth muscle, however weaker than that of propranolol. None of tested compounds demonstrated antioxidant effect. They also had weak calcium entry blocking activity. The results of this study suggest that new compounds with antiarrhythmic activity might be found in the group of xanthone derivatives.

In vivo anti-inflammatory activity of lipoic acid derivatives in mice.

BACKGROUND In mammals lipoic acid (LA) and its reduced form dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) function as cofactors for multienzymatic complexes catalyzing the decarboxylation of α-ketoacids. Moreover, LA is used as a drug in a variety of diseases including inflammatory diseases. The aim of the study was to examine anti-inflammatory properties of LA metabolites. MATERIAL/METHODS The present paper reports the chemical synthesis of 2,4-bismethylthio-butanoic acid (BMTBA) and tetranor-dihydrolipoic acid (tetranor-DHLA). BMTBA is one of the biotransformation products of LA, while tetranor-DHLA is an analogue of DHLA. Structural identity of these compounds was confirmed by 1H NMR. These compounds were assessed for their anti-inflammatory activity in mice. For this purpose, the zymosan-induced peritonitis and the carrageenan-induced hind paw edema animal models were applied. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS The obtained results indicated that the early vascular permeability measured at 30 min of zymosan-induced peritonitis was significantly inhibited in groups receiving BMTBA (10, 30, 50 mg/kg). The early infiltration of neutrophils measured at 4 hours of zymosan-induced peritonitis was inhibited in the group receiving BMTBA (50 mg/kg) and tetranor-DHLA (50 mg/kg). The results indicated that the increase in paw edema was significantly inhibited in the groups receiving BMTBA (50, 100 mg/kg) and tetranor-DHLA (30, 50 mg/kg). In summary, the present studies clearly demonstrated that both BMTBA and tetranor-DHLA were able to act as anti-inflammatory agents. This is the first study examining in vivo the anti-inflammatory properties of LA metabolites.

α-Adrenoceptor antagonistic and hypotensive properties of novel arylpiperazine derivatives of pyrrolidin-2-one.

This study focused on a series of pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives connected via two or four methylene units to arylpiperazine fragment. The compounds obtained for α₁- and α₂-adrenoceptors were assessed. The compound with highest affinity for the α₁-adrenoceptors was 1-{4-[4-(2-chloro-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-butyl}-pyrrolidin-2-one (10 h) with pKi=7.30. Compound with pKi (α₁) ⩾6.44 were evaluated in functional bioassays for intrinsic activity at α₁A- and α₁B-adrenoceptors. All compounds tested were antagonists of the α₁B-adrenoceptors. Additionally, compounds 10e and 10h were α₁A-adrenoceptors antagonist. The dual α₁A-/α₁B-adrenoceptors antagonists, compounds 10e and 10h were also tested in vivo for their hypotensive activity in rats. These compounds, when dosed of 1.0 mg/kg iv in normotensive, anesthetized rats, significantly decreased systolic and diastolic pressure and their hypotensive effects lasted for longer than one hour.