Discovery of 4-Benzyloxybenzo[ d]isoxazole-3-amine Derivatives as Highly Selective and Orally Efficacious Human Sphingomyelin Synthase 2 Inhibitors that Reduce Chronic Inflammation in db/ db Mice

J Med Chem. 2018 Sep 27;61(18):8241-8254. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00727. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

Abstract

Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2) is a promising therapeutic target for several chronic inflammation-associated diseases, including atherosclerosis, fatty liver, and insulin resistance. Herein, we report the identification of 4-benzyloxybenzo[ d]isoxazole-3-amine derivatives as potent and highly selective SMS2 inhibitors through a conformational restriction strategy. After systematic structural modifications, several compounds with high selectivity and good potency in vitro were selected for further evaluation. Compound 15w demonstrated good pharmacokinetics (oral bioavailability, F = 56%) in vivo and has an inhibitory potency against sphingomyelin synthase activity when Institute of Cancer Research mice are provided with an oral dose of this compound. In addition, compound 15w attenuated chronic inflammation significantly in db/ db mice after oral dosing for 6 weeks.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amines / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / drug therapy*
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transferases (Other Substituted Phosphate Groups) / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Transferases (Other Substituted Phosphate Groups) / metabolism

Substances

  • Amines
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • SGMS1 protein, human
  • Transferases (Other Substituted Phosphate Groups)