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PubMed2004

The serotonin1A receptor partial agonist S15535 [4-(benzodioxan-5-yl)1-(indan-2-yl)piperazine] enhances cholinergic transmission and cognitive function in rodents: a combined neurochemical and behavioral analysis.

These studies examined the influence of the selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (5-HT)(1A) receptor partial agonist S15535 [4-(benzodioxan-5-yl)1-(indan-2-yl)piperazine] upon cholinergic transmission and cognitive function in rodents. In the absence of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, S15535 dose-dependently (0.04-5.0 mg/kg s.c.) elevated dialysis levels of acetylcholine in the frontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus of freely moving rats. In the cortex, the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY100,635 [(N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclo-hexanecarboxamide) fumarate] dose-dependently (0.0025-0.63) blocked this action of S15535. By contrast, in dorsal hippocampus, WAY100,635 mimicked the induction of acetylcholine release by S15535. In a social recognition paradigm, S15535 dose-dependently (0.16-10.0) improved retention, an action blocked by WAY100,635 (0.16), which was ineffective alone. Furthermore, S15535 dose-dependently (0.04-2.5) and WAY100,635 reversibly abolished amnesic properties of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine (0.63) in this procedure. Cognitive deficits provoked by scopolamine in autoshaping and Morris water-maze procedures were likewise blocked by S15535 at doses of 0.63 to 10.0 and 0.16 to 2.5, respectively. In a two-platform spatial discrimination task, in which S15535 similarly abrogates cognitive deficits elicited by scopolamine, injection of S15535 (1.0 and 10.0 microg) into dorsal hippocampus blocked amnesic effects of the 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin (0.5 microg). Finally, S15535 (0.16-0.63) improved performance in a spatial, delayed nonmatching to sample model in mice, and in an operant delayed nonmatching to sample model in old rats, S15535 (1.25-5.0 mg/kg p.o.) increased response accuracy and reduced latency to respond. In conclusion, S15535 reinforces frontocortical and hippocampal release of acetylcholine and displays a broad-based pattern of procognitive properties. Its actions involve both blockade of postsynaptic 5-HT(1A) receptors and engagement of 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin↗
PubMed2005

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. XI. Identification of a 1-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (GBR12909) analog that allosterically modulates the serotonin transporter.

Previous studies identified partial inhibitors of serotonin (5-HT) transporter and dopamine transporter binding. We report here on a partial inhibitor of 5-HT transporter (SERT) binding identified among a group of 1-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine analogs (4-[2-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)-methoxy]ethyl]-1-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzyl)-piperidine; TB-1-099). Membranes were prepared from rat brains or human embryonic kidney cells expressing the cloned human dopamine (hDAT), serotonin (hSERT), and norepinephrine (hNET) transporters. beta-(4'-(125)Iodophenyl)tropan-2beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester ([(125)I]RTI-55) binding and other assays followed published procedures. Using rat brain membranes, TB-1-099 weakly inhibited DAT binding (K(i) = 439 nM), was inactive at NET binding ([(3)H]nisoxetine), and partially inhibited SERT binding with an extrapolated plateau ("A" value) of 20%. Similarly, TB-1-099 partially inhibited [(125)I]RTI-55 binding to hSERT with an extrapolated plateau (A value) of 14%. Upon examining the effect of increasing concentrations of TB-1-099 on the apparent K(d) and B(max) of [(125)I]RTI-55 binding to hSERT, we found that TB-1-099 decreased the B(max) in a dose-dependent manner and affected the apparent K(d) in a manner well described by a sigmoid dose-response curve. TB-1-099 increased the K(d) but not to the magnitude expected for a competitive inhibitor. In rat brain synaptosomes, TB-1-099 noncompetitively inhibited [(3)H]5-HT, but not [(3)H]dopamine, uptake. Dissociation experiments indicated that TB-1-099 promoted the rapid dissociation of a small component of [(125)I]RTI-55 binding to hSERT. Association experiments demonstrated that TB-1-099 slowed [(125)I]RTI-55 binding to hSERT in a manner unlike that of the competitive inhibitor indatraline. Viewed collectively, these results support the hypothesis that TB-1-099 allosterically modulates hSERT binding and function.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Relationship between in vivo occupancy at the dopamine transporter and behavioral effects of cocaine, GBR 12909 [1-{2-[bis-(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl}-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine], and benztropine analogs.

Analogs of benztropine (BZT) bind to the dopamine (DA) transporter and inhibit DA uptake but often have behavioral effects that differ from those of cocaine and other DA-uptake inhibitors. To better understand these differences, we examined the relationship between locomotor-stimulant effects of cocaine, 1-{2-[bis-(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl}-4-(3-phenylpropyl)-piperazine (GBR 12909), and BZT analogs [(3alpha-[bis(4'-fluorophenyl)methoxy]-tropane) (AHN 1-055) and (N-allyl-3alpha-[bis(4'-fluorophenyl)methoxy]-tropane) (AHN 2-005)] and their in vivo displacement of the DA transporter ligand [125I]3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-tropan-2beta-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester hydrochloride (RTI-121) in striatum. Cocaine, GBR 12909, and BZT analogs each displaced [125I]RTI-121 and stimulated locomotor activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The time course revealed a slower onset of both effects for AHN 1-055 and AHN 2-005 compared with cocaine and GBR 12909. The BZT analogs were less effective than cocaine and GBR 12909 in stimulating locomotor activity. Locomotor stimulant effects of cocaine were generally greater than predicted by the regression of displacement of [125I]RTI-121 and effect at short times after injection and less than predicted at longer times after injection. This result suggests that the apparent rate of occupancy of the DA transporter, in addition to percentage of sites occupied, contributes to the behavioral effects of cocaine. The present results suggest that among drugs that act at the DA transporter, the slower apparent rates of occupancy with the DA transporter by the BZT analogs may contribute in an important way to differences in their effectiveness.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Effects of RGH-237 [N-{4-[4-(3-aminocarbonyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-butyl}-4-bromo-benzamide], an orally active, selective dopamine D(3) receptor partial agonist in animal models of cocaine abuse.

Dopamine D(3) receptor partial agonism has been suggested as a potential therapeutic intervention in cocaine addiction. RGH-237 [N-{4-[4-(3-aminocarbonyl-phenyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-butyl}-4-bromo-benzamide] was identified as a novel selective dopamine D(3) receptor partial agonist and used for testing this hypothesis in animal models. The compound showed nanomolar affinity to human (K(i) = 6.7 nM) and rat (K(i) = 1.6 nM) D(3) receptors with an intrinsic activity of approximately 50%. It possessed several hundredfold selectivity over the D(2) receptor. The molecule bound with moderate (100-250 nM) affinity to 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT(1A)) and nonselectively labeled opiate receptors. RGH-237 proved to be practically inactive on more than 40 other targets, including monoaminergic, cholinergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic receptors. In rats orally administered RGH-237 was well and rapidly absorbed yielding 41% oral bioavailability. At its pharmacologically active dose (10 mg/kg p.o.), the brain concentration of RGH-237 reached 110 ng/g. Its blood and brain levels were sustained for 3 h. RGH-237 at the oral dose of 10 mg/kg moderately but significantly inhibited the acquisition of cocaine-induced place preference, although by itself, it had no place-conditioning effect. The compound did not affect fixed ratio 1 cocaine self-administration. In a reinstatement paradigm of cocaine self-administration, the compound potently and dose-dependently blocked the cue-induced cocaine-seeking behavior of rats at 10 and 30 mg/kg oral doses. RGH-237 did not affect seeking activity for natural rewards, such as sucrose and water. It did not exert notable effect on spontaneous motor activity of rats. Our results demonstrate that selective D(3) partial agonists may be an effective therapeutic means in the treatment of cocaine abuse.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2006

7-But-2-ynyl-9-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-6-piperazin-1-yl-7,9-dihydro-purin-8-one is a novel competitive and selective inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase IV with an antihyperglycemic activity.

7-But-2-ynyl-9-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-6-piperazin-1-yl-7,9-dihydro-purin-8-one (ER-319711) is a novel dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-IV inhibitor discovered in our laboratories. In this study, we have characterized this DPP-IV inhibitor in vitro and in vivo as an antidiabetic agent. The trifluoroacetate salt form of ER-319711, ER-319711-15, inhibited human DPP-IV with an IC(50) value of 0.089 microM, whereas its IC(50) values toward human DPP8 and DPP9 were >100 microM. Inhibition kinetic pattern analysis indicated that ER-319711-15 inhibited DPP-IV in a competitive manner. ER-319711-15 (1 mg/kg) reduced glucose excursion in an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) using Zucker fa/fa rats, with significant increases in plasma insulin and active glucagon-like peptide-1 levels. In an OGTT using mice fed a high-fat diet in which ER-319711-15 (0.1-10 mg/kg) was orally administered at 0 h, and glucose was loaded at 0 and 5 h, this compound improved glucose tolerance dose dependently at both 0- and 5-h glucose loading. Next, we compared efficacy of ER-319711-15, E3024, a competitive DPP-IV inhibitor having an imidazopyridazinone structure, or vildagliptin, a slow-binding and long-acting DPP-IV inhibitor, at the same dose, 10 mg/kg, in the same procedures. At the first glucose challenge, all compounds lowered area under the curve (AUC) values of delta blood glucose between 0 and 2 h significantly to the same degree. At the second glucose load, the AUC values between 5 and 7 h were significantly decreased by ER-319711-15 and vildagliptin, but not by E3024. Therefore, ER-319711 might be a potent, competitive, and selective DPP-IV inhibitor with an antihyperglycemic activity.

Adamantane↗
PubMed2004

Certain 1,4-disubstituted aromatic piperidines and piperazines with extreme selectivity for the dopamine D4 receptor interact with a common receptor microdomain.

We previously demonstrated that, in the D4 dopamine receptor, the aromatic microdomain that spans the interface of the second and third transmembrane segments influences the high-affinity interactions with the D4-selective ligand L750,667 [3-[[4-(4-iodophenyl) piperazin-1-yl]methyl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine] and the D2-selective ligands methylspiperone, aripiprazole, and its congener OPC4392 [7-[3-(4-(2,3-dimethylphenyl) piperazinyl) propoxy] 2-(1H)-quinolinone] (Schetz et al., 2000). Here we tested a variety of 1,4-disubstituted aromatic piperidines/piperazines (1,4-DAPs) with different subtype selectivities and functional properties against a panel of D4 receptor mutations in the aromatic microdomain to ascertain whether these ligands recognize this common site. Mutant D4 receptors were constructed by substituting the nonconserved amino acid(s) from the corresponding locations in the D2 receptor. The D4-L2.60W, D4-F2.61V, and D4-LM3.28-3.29FV substitutions result in alterations of the relative position of members of the aromatic microdomain. From these results and molecular models of the ligand-receptor complexes, we conclude that 9 of the 11 D4-selective 1,4-DAPs, including L750,667, have a common pattern of ligand-receptor recognition that depends upon favorable interactions with the phenylalanine at position 2.61 (D4-F2.61V, 20-96-fold decrease). Like methylspiperone, aripiprazole, and OPC4392, the two D4-selective 1,4-DAPs that are insensitive to the D4-F2.61V mutation are sensitive to aromatics at position 2.60 (D4-L2.60W, 7-20-fold increase), and they all have longer spacer arms that permit their tethered aromatics to adopt alternative orientations in the binding-site crevice. All 11 of the D4-selective 1,4-DAPs were sensitive to the D4-LM3.28-3.29FV mutation (13-494-fold decrease) but not the moderately D2-selective methylspiperone. The inferences suggest that subtype selectivity involves two different modes of interaction with the microdomain for the D4-selective 1,4-DAPs and a third mode for D2-selective 1,4-DAPs.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Highly active anti-Pneumocystis carinii compounds in a library of novel piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines and related compounds.

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and pentamidine isethionate have been used extensively for the prophylaxis and therapy of pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii. Problems associated with toxicity and potential emerging resistance for both therapies necessitate the development of safe and effective analogs or new treatment strategies. In the present study, a library of 36 compounds was synthesized by using the pentamidine molecule as the parent compound modified by a 1,4-piperazinediyl moiety as the central linker to restrict conformation flexibility. The compounds were evaluated for anti-Pneumocystis carinii activity in a bioluminescent ATP-driven assay. Four of the compounds were highly active, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of <0.01 microg/ml; four had very marked activity (IC(50) < 0.10 microg/ml); ten had marked activity (IC(50) < 1.0 microg/ml); nine had moderate activity (IC(50) < 10 microg/ml); one had slight activity (IC(50) = 34.1 microg/ml); and the remaining eight did not demonstrate activity in this assay system. The high level of activity was specifically associated with an alkyl chain length of five to six carbons attached to one of the nitrogens of the bisamidinium groups. None of the highly active compounds and only one of the very marked compounds exhibited any toxicity when evaluated in three mammalian cell lines. The strategy of substitution of 1,4-piperazine-linked bisbenzamidines produced compounds with the highest level of activity observed in the ATP assay and holds great promise for the development of efficacious anti-P. carinii therapy.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1979

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in the rat: effect of iron and protein deficiency on the anthelmintic efficacy of mebendazole, pyrantel, piperazine, and levamisole.

The benzimidazole anthelmintics mebendazole and fenbendazole have been shown to be much less effective against Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infections in the rat on a combined iron and protein deficient diet. In the present experiments it was shown that the anthelmintic efficacy of mebendazole was significantly impaired in the rat on either an iron deficient or a protein deficient diet. Furthermore, iron and protein deficiency reduced the efficacy of the anthelmintics pyrantel and piperazine but not levamisole. The finding that nutritional deficiencies reduce anthelmintic efficacy may well be relevant to worm eradication programmes in iron deficient and protein calorie malnourished populations.

Anemia, Hypochromic↗
PubMed1986

1-(2-Pyrimidinyl)-piperazine as active metabolite of buspirone in man and rat.

Buspirone (BP), a newly developed antianxiety agent, forms 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazine (PmP) during its biotransformation in rats and man. After oral administration of pharmacologically effective doses of BP-hydrochloride to rats (1 and 10 mg/kg), the metabolite appears in significant amounts in body fluids and tissues; it is highly concentrated in the central nervous system, the brain-to-plasma concentration ratios being approximately 5 at the time of the maximum concentrations (Cmax). In man given the anxiolytic dose (20 mg) of BP the metabolite reaches higher plasma Cmax values than its parent drug. Its plasma elimination t1/2 is more than double that for BP. These results, together with the fact that PmP is biochemically and pharmacologically active, suggest that the metabolite may contribute significantly to the central effects of the parent drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A fluorescent protein kinase C inhibitor: 1-(1-hydroxy-5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)piperazine.

The isoquinolinesulfonamide compound 1-(5-isoquinolinyl-sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) has been widely used as a protein kinase C inhibitor. Although H-7 and its derivatives are useful for the demonstration of the biological function of protein kinase C or cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases, these compounds are not available for a histological approach to protein kinase C. In the present study, we introduce 1-(1-hydroxy-5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)piperazine (hydroxy H-7) as a useful tool in tissue experiments. The property of the compound as a protein kinase C inhibitor was similar to that of H-7. Hydroxy H-7 inhibited the enzyme in a competitive manner with ATP, the Ki value was 23 microM, and exhibited a fluorescence property with a maximum emission wavelength of 444 nm excited at 350 nm. Fluoromicroscopical investigations revealed that hydroxy H-7 penetrated the cell membrane and was distributed mainly in the cytoplasm.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed2002

Pharmacological properties and SAR of new 1,4-disubstituted piperazine derivatives with hypnotic-sedative activity.

Preparation, pharmacological properties and structure-activity relationships of new pyrimidyl-piperazine derivatives, exhibiting sedative and hypnotic activity in mice, are reported. The hypnotic activity of the compounds was comparable with that of zopiclone (the known hypnotic-sedative agent), their interaction with ethanol, however, being much lower. The obtained results suggested that zopiclone and pyrimidylpiperazines 2, 4 and 5 exerted their pharmacological activity through a different mechanism - zopiclone through the interaction with benzodiazepine receptors and compounds 2, 4 and 5 through an unidentified molecular target. The pharmacological properties of compound 3 could be the result of a mixed mechanism of action, combining the properties of zopiclone and those of compounds 2, 4 and 5. A common feature of zopiclone and compounds 2 and 3 was that, after their systemic administration, independently of mechanism of action, together with the hypnotic effect a reduction of the 5-HT turnover in the mouse brain was observed. Minimum structural requirements for the hypnotic activity were formulated. Structural considerations have shown that removing the alpha-carbonyl group did not influence the drug's ability to inhibit the locomotor activity. However, it did influence its ability to disturb motor coordination or abolish the righting reflex within non-lethal doses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Inhibitory effects of N-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-n-octyloxycinnamoyl)-N'-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)piperazine (YIC-C8-434), an acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase inhibitor, on cholesterol esterification in the intestine and liver.

The effects of an acyl-CoA:cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor, N-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-n-octyloxycinnamoyl)-N'-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)piperazine (YIC-C8-434), on cholesterol esterification in the intestine and liver were investigated in vitro and in vivo. YIC-C8-434 inhibited the formation of cholesteryl [(3)H]oleate from [(3)H]oleic acid and cholesterol both in human colon adenocarcinoma Caco2 cells and in human hepatoma HepG2 cells with IC(50) values of 0.38 and 0.49 microM, respectively. However, it did not influence the incorporation of [(3)H]oleic acid into triacylglycerols and phospholipids. Oral administration of YIC-C8-434 at a dose of 8.3 mg/kg/d inhibited [(14)C]cholesterol absorption by 17% (p<0.01) in rats. YIC-C8-434 also significantly reduced the secretion of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol from the liver into the plasma at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg/d after an intravenous injection of Triton WR-1339. These results suggest that oral administration of YIC-C8-434 reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption and hepatic VLDL cholesterol secretion by direct inhibition of ACAT in the intestinal epithelium and hepatocytes, respectively. However, the inhibitory action of YIC-C8-434 on cholesterol absorption rather than hepatic cholesterol secretion may play a more important role in its hypocholesterolemic activity, because the effective dose for the former was 12-fold lower than that for the latter.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Benzylpiperazine derivatives. XI. Synthesis of compounds related to the metabolites of 1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (KB-2796).

The metabolites of 1-[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-4-(2,3,4-trimethoxybenzyl)piperazine dihydrochloride (KB-2796, 1), a cerebral vasodilator, and related compounds were synthesized to confirm the proposed structures. The structures of the metabolites (3-5) in rats were identified by means of synthesis of the authentic compounds.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Synthesis and platelet-activating factor (PAF)-antagonistic activities of trisubstituted piperazine derivatives.

2- or 3-Substituted 1-(2,3-dimethoxy-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocyclohepten-8- ylcarbonyl)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)- and 4-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)piperazines (2a-s, 3a, b) were prepared and evaluated for antagonistic activities against platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation and blood pressure reduction. The 2-methoxymethyl derivative (2f) showed the most potent activities in this series. The enantiomers (R)-(+)-2f and (S)-(-)-2f were synthesized from carbobenzoxy-O-benzyl-L- and D-serine in several steps. In the binding experiment, (S)-(-)-2f showed thirty times greater affinity than the R isomer for the PAF receptor.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Synthesis and affinities for dopamine (D2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2A) receptors of 1-(benzoylpropyl)-4-(1-oxocycloalkyl-2-ethyl)-piperazines as cyclic butyrophenone derivatives.

Starting from benzo- or thienocycloalkaneacetic acids, we have prepared a series of 1-(3-p-fluorobenzoylpropyl)-4-(1-oxo-benzo- or thienocycloalkyl-2-ethyl)piperazines 8a-e containing both semirigid and linear butyrophenones pharmacophores. The affinities of these compounds for dopamine (D2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2A) receptors were evaluated in vitro in receptor-binding assays and in functional experiments. The ratios of pKi's for 5-HT2A/D2 receptors may be useful for rapid screening of new compounds and assessing potential induction of extrapyramidal symptoms; ratio values > or = 1.12 (Meltzer's ratio) are predictive of an atypical antipsychotic profile. The new molecules had a ratio in the range of 0.96-1.11 while haloperidol showed a ratio of 0.93. The 2-piperazinoethyl thiotetralone derivative 8d (QF 0506B) with a ratio of 1.11 was the most active compound.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Roles of two basic nitrogen atoms in 1-substituted 4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine derivatives in production of opioid agonist and antagonist activities.

To ascertain roles of the two basic nitrogen atoms in 1-substituted 4-[2,(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethyl]-piperazine derivatives (1) in the expression of opioid agonist and antagonist activities, a methine group (CH) was isosterically substituted for nitrogen atom at the 1-position (N-1) in compound 1 to obtain 4-substituted 1-[2-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1-phenylethyl]piperidine derivatives (2). Their analgesic action and ability to produce physical dependence (jump-producing activity) as the mu-opioid receptor specific in vivo actions, and narcotic antagonist action in mice were compared with those of compound 1. Results of this study showed that, in cases of the racemate and the (S)-(+) enantiomer, opioid agonist activities (analgesic and jump-producing activities) were not greatly affected by the methine-substitution for N-1 in compound 1, but that the narcotic antagonist activity of the (R)-(-) enatiomer was abolished by this substitution. It thus appears that N-1 in compound 1 contributes to the expression of narcotic antagonist activity, whereas the nitrogen atom at the 4-position corresponds to the tyramine moiety necessary for the expression of mu-opioid agonist activity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Structure-activity relationships of N-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-n-octyloxycinnamoyl)-N'-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)piperazine and analogues as inhibitors of acyl-CoA: cholesterol O-acyltransferase.

A novel series of acyl-CoA: cholesterol O-acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors were synthesized from a lead compound, 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylhept-1-en-3-one (1, Yakuchinone B) through a modification of three regions (A, B, C) in the molecule. In this study, the compounds prepared were tested for in vitro inhibitory activity on microsomal ACAT from the liver of rats and for in vivo hypocholesterolemic activity in rats given a high cholesterol diet. N-(3,5-Dimethoxy-4-n-octyloxycinnamoyl)-N'-(3,4-dimethylphenyl)piperazine (45), which belongs to the amide compounds, has finally been discovered. Compound 45 inhibited rat hepatic ACAT in a more striking manner than CI-976, an amide compound ACAT inhibitor, and it exhibited a high level of hypocholesterolemic activity in vivo. Since 45 strongly inhibited both microsomal ACAT prepared from HepG2 (a cell line derived from human hepatocarcinoma) and Caco2 (a cell line derived from human colon adenocarcinoma), there is speculation that 45 might have the ability to inhibit ACAT in both the human intestine and liver independent of the difference in the distribution of ACAT isozymes. On the other hand, 45 did not induce adrenotoxicity in subacute toxicity studies in rats. These results suggest that it has promise for development as a new therapeutic agent for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

Animals↗