Discovery of a potent G-protein-coupled receptor 119 agonist for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The ever-growing prevalence of Type-2 diabetes in the world has an urgent need for multiple orally effective agents that can regulate glucose homeostasis. G-Protein coupled receptor 119 (GPR 119) agonists have demonstrated the glucose-dependent insulin secretion and showed beneficial effects on glycemic control in humans and/or relevant animal models. Herein, we describe our efforts towards identification of a potent and oral GPR 119 agonist 13c (ZY-G19), which showed in vitro potency in the cell-based assay and in vivo efficacy without exerting any significant signs of toxicity in relevant animal models.

Effect of structurally constrained oxime-ether linker on PPAR subtype selectivity: Discovery of a novel and potent series of PPAR-pan agonists.

A novel series of thaizole and oxazole containing phenoxy acetic acid derivatives is reported as PPAR-pan agonists. Incorporation of structurally constrained oxime-ether based linker in the chemotype of a potent PPARδ selective agonist GW-501516 was adapted as designing strategy. In vitro, selected test compounds 12a, 12c, 17a and 18a showed PPAR-pan agonists activities and among these four compounds tested, 12a emerged as highly potent and efficacious compound, while 17a exhibited moderate and balanced PPAR-pan agonistic activity. In vivo, selected test compounds 12a and 17a exhibited significant anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic activities in relevant animal models. These results support our hypothesis that the introduction of structurally constrained oxime-ether linker between lipophilic tail and acidic head plays an important role in modulating subtype selectivity and subsequently led to the discovery of potent PPAR-pan agonists.

Modulation of PPAR subtype selectivity. Part 2: Transforming PPARα/γ dual agonist into α selective PPAR agonist through bioisosteric modification.

A novel series of oxime containing benzyl-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid derivatives (6a-k) were designed as selective PPARα agonists, through bioisosteric modification in the lipophilic tail region of PPARα/γ dual agonist. Some of the test compounds (6a, 6b, 6c and 6f) showed high selectivity towards PPARα over PPARγ in vitro. Further, highly potent and selective PPARα agonist 6c exhibited significant antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activity in vivo, along with its improved pharmacokinetic profile. Favorable in-silico interaction of 6c with PPARα binding pocket correlate its in vitro selectivity profile toward PPARα over PPARγ. Together, these results confirm discovery of novel series of oxime based selective PPARα agonists for the safe and effective treatment of various metabolic disorders.

Design and synthesis of novel bis-oximinoalkanoic acids as potent PPAR alpha agonists.

Bis-oximinoalkanoic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized to aid in the characterization of selective PPARalpha agonists by replacing the oxazole ring with flexible oximino group in the lipophilic tail part of a previously reported compound 3. Selected compounds 9d and 9m showed excellent potency and high selectivity towards PPARalpha in vitro. These compounds found effective in reducing serum triglycerides (TG) in vivo.

Modulation of PPAR receptor subtype selectivity of the ligands: aliphatic chain vs aromatic ring as a spacer between pharmacophore and the lipophilic moiety.

Oxazole containing glycine and oximinobutyric acid derivatives were synthesized as PPARalpha agonists by incorporating polymethylene spacer as a replacement of commonly used phenylene group that connects the acidic head with lipophilic tail. Compound 13a was found to be a selective and potent PPARalpha agonist. Further 1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic acid derivative 20 was synthesized by replacing the tetramethylene spacer of NS-220, a selective PPARalpha agonist with phenylene group and found to exhibit PPARalpha/gamma dual agonism. These results suggest that compounds possessing polymethylene spacer between pharmacophore and lipophilic tail exhibit predominantly PPARalpha agonism whereas those with an aromatic phenylene spacer shows PPARalpha/gamma dual agonism.

Discovery of a highly orally bioavailable c-5-[6-(4-Methanesulfonyloxyphenyl)hexyl]-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid as a potent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent.

A series of novel 1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic acid derivatives containing alkyl chain tether and substituted phenyl group as a lipophilic tail have been prepared as agonists of PPARalpha and gamma. c-5-[6-(4-Methanesulfonyloxyphenyl)hexyl]-2-methyl-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid 13c exhibited potent hypoglycemic and lipid lowering activity with high oral bioavailability in animal models.

Design and synthesis of novel oxazole containing 1,3-dioxane-2-carboxylic acid derivatives as PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonists.

A few novel 1,3-dioxane carboxylic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized to aid in the characterization of PPAR alpha/gamma dual agonists. Structural requirements for PPARalpha/gamma dual agonism of 1,3-dioxane carboxylic acid derivatives included the structural similarity with potent glitazones in fibric acid chemotype. The compounds with this pharmacophore and substituted oxazole as a lipophilic heterocyclic tail were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro PPAR agonistic potential and in vivo hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic efficacy in animal models. Lead compound 2-methyl-c-5-[4-(5-methyl-2-(4-methylphenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy)-benzyl]-1,3-dioxane-r-2-carboxylic acid 13b exhibited potent hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and insulin sensitizing effects in db/db mice and Zucker fa/fa rats.