Synthesis and evaluation of cyclohexane carboxylic acid head group containing isoxazole and thiazole analogs as DGAT1 inhibitors.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) is known to play an important catalytic role in the final step of triglyceride biosynthesis. High fat diet fed DGAT1 knockout mice were resistant to weight gain and exhibited increased insulin and leptin sensitivity thereby indicating a plausible role for DGAT1 inhibitors in the treatment of obesity. 4-Phenylpiperidine-1-carbonyl cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (compound 6, DGAT1 IC50 = 57 nM) has been lately reported as a potent DGAT1 inhibitor. In our search for newer scaffolds possessing potent DGAT1 activity we undertook a systematic diversification of compound 6 to identify a 4-(5-phenylthiazole-2-carboxamido)cyclohexanecarboxylic acid scaffold. Further linker optimization of this scaffold identified compound 9e (DGAT1 IC50 = 14.8 nM) as a potent DGAT1 inhibitor. Coupled with its in vitro potency, compound 9e also exhibited 112 percent plasma triglyceride reduction at a 3 mpk dose in an oral fat tolerance test (FTT) when studied in Swiss mice.

Discovery of p1736, a novel antidiabetic compound that improves peripheral insulin sensitivity in mice models.

Insulin resistance is a characteristic feature of Type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Currently used thiazolidinedione (TZD) insulin sensitizers although effective, have adverse side effects of weight gain, fluid retention and heart failure. Using fat cell-based phenotypic drug discovery approach we identified P1736, a novel antidiabetic molecule that has completed Phase II clinical trials. The present study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of P1736. P1736 is a non-TZD and it did not activate human PPAR(Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor Gamma )receptors. P1736 caused dose dependent increase in glucose uptake (EC50-400 nM) in the insulin resistant 3T3 adipocytes. The compound (10 µM) induced translocation of GLUT-4 (Glucose Transporter type 4) transporters in these adipocytes while metformin (1.0mM) was inactive. In diabetic db/db mice, P1736 (150 mg/kg) was more efficacious than metformin in lowering plasma glucose (35% vs 25%) and triglyceride levels (38% vs 31%). P1736 tested at 5mg/kg, twice daily doses, reduced glucose by 41% and triglycerides by 32%, in db/db mice. These effects were not associated with adverse effects on body weight or liver function. Rosiglitazone (5mg/kg, twice daily) caused 60% and 40 % decreases in glucose and triglyceride levels, respectively. However, rosiglitazone induced 13% weight gain (p<0.05) in db/db mice. P1736 was also efficacious in ob/ob mice wherein 30-35% decrease in glucose and significant improvement in hyperinsulinemia were observed. Administration of P1736 to ob/ob mice resulted in 70% increase in glucose uptake in soleus muscles while metformin caused 38% increase. P1736 exhibited excellent safety profile and was weight neutral in all preclinical models of diabetes. Thus, P1736 with its unique pharmacology coupled with PPAR- independent mode of action could represent an alternative option in the management of insulin resistant Type 2 diabetic patients.

Synthesis of N-(6-(4-(Piperazin-1-yl)phenoxy)pyridin-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide Derivatives for the Treatment of Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a widely prevalent multifactorial disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. High plasma levels of insulin and glucose due to insulin resistance are a major component of the metabolic disorder. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are potent PPARγ ligand and used as insulin sensitizers in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. They are potent insulin-sensitizing agents but due to adverse effects like hepatotoxicity, a safer alternative of TZDs is highly demanded. Here we report synthesis of N-(6-(4-(piperazin-1-yl)phenoxy)pyridin-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives as an alternate remedy for insulin resistance.

Synthesis of N-(5-chloro-6-(quinolin-3-yloxy)pyridin-3-yl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives as non-TZD peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist.

The thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are a class of oral antidiabetic drugs that improve insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although the mechanism by which the TZDs lower insulin resistance is unclear, they are known to target the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a nuclear hormone receptor. Ligands for PPARγ regulate adipocyte production and secretion of fatty acids as well as glucose metabolism, resulting in increased insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle. However, TZDs have several adverse effects, including weight gain and liver toxicity. Herein we report identification of non-TZD PPARγ agonists which exhibit beneficial effects similar to that of TZDs in animal models, but without the associated adverse effects.