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Toward repositioning the antitubercular clinical candidate SQ109 as an antimalarial, analogs were investigated for structure-activity relationships for activity against asexual blood stages of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum pathogenic forms, as well as transmissible, sexual stage gametocytes. We show that equipotent activity (IC 50 ) in the 100-300 nM range could be attained for both asexual and sexual stages, with the activity of most compounds retained against a multidrug-resistant strain. The multistage activity profile relies on high lipophilicity ascribed to the adamantane headgroup, and antiplasmodial activity is critically dependent on the diamine linker. Frontrunner compounds showed conserved activity against genetically diverse southern African clinical isolates. We additionally validated that this series could block transmission to mosquitoes, marking these compounds as novel chemotypes with multistage antiplasmodial activity.

A novel group of agents known as the indole-2-carboxamides (often referred to as indoleamides) have been shown to demonstrate high antimycobacterial activity. Studies have demonstrated that the best indoleamides possess desirable ADME/Tox properties, with less adverse effects and increased efficacy against both MDR-TB (multi-drug resistant TB) and XDR-TB (extensively drug-resistant TB). The primary mechanism of killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by indoleamides is by disrupting the function of the essential mycolic acid transporter MmpL3 protein (Mycobacterial membrane protein Large 3). Therefore, targeting this essential mycobacterial transporter by small molecules opens new possibility for the development of novel and effective anti-TB agents. In the present study, we characterized the effects of indoleamides in altering the viability of Mtb in an in vitro granuloma model using immune cells derived from healthy subjects and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our results indicate that treatment with the best indoleamide 3 resulted in a significant reduction in the viability of Mtb in both THP-1 macrophages as well as in granulomas derived from healthy individuals and subjects with T2DM. Graphical Abstract.

Indole-2-carboxamide derivatives are inhibitors of MmpL3, the cell wall-associated mycolic acid transporter of Mycobacterium tuberculosis In the present study, we characterized indoleamide effects on bacterial cell morphology and reevaluated pharmacokinetics and in vivo efficacy using an optimized oral formulation. Morphologically, indoleamide-treated M. tuberculosis cells demonstrated significantly higher numbers of dimples near the poles or septum, which may serve as the mechanism of cell death for this bactericidal scaffold. Using the optimized formulation, an expanded-spectrum indoleamide, compound 2, showed significantly improved pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and in vivo efficacy in mouse infection models. In a comparative study, compound 2 showed superior efficacy over compound 3 (NITD-304) in a high-dose aerosol mouse infection model. Since indoleamides are equally active on drug-resistant M. tuberculosis , these findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of this novel scaffold for the treatment of both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant tuberculosis., (Copyright © 2019 Lun et al.)

Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM) causing serious infections especially among cystic fibrosis patients. Extremely limited therapeutic options against M. abscessus and a rise in infections with this mycobacterium require novel chemotherapies and a better understanding of how the bacterium causes infection. Different from most RGM, M. abscessus can survive inside macrophages and persist for long durations in infected tissues. We recently delineated differences in the infective programs followed by smooth (S) and rough (R) variants of M. abscessus . Unexpectedly, we found that the S variant behaves like pathogenic slow growing mycobacteria, through maintaining a block on the phagosome maturation process and by inducing phagosome-cytosol communications. On the other hand, R variant infection triggers autophagy and apoptosis, reminiscent of the way that macrophages control RGM. However, the R variant has an exquisite capacity to form extracellular cords, allowing these bacteria to rapidly divide and evade phagocytosis. Therefore, new chemotherapeutic interventions against M. abscessus need to efficiently deal with both the reservoir of intracellular bacilli and the extracellular cords. In this context, we recently identified two chemical entities that were very effective against both M. abscessus populations. Although being structurally unrelated these two chemotypes inhibit the activity of the essential mycolic acid transporter, MmpL3. In this Perspective, we aimed to highlight recent insights into how M. abscessus interacts with phagocytic cells and how the inhibition of mycolic acid transport in this pathogenic RGM could be an efficient means to control both intracellular and extracellular populations of the bacterium.

Mycobacterium abscessus is a fast-growing, multidrug-resistant organism that has emerged as a clinically significant pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The intrinsic resistance of M. abscessus to most commonly available antibiotics seriously restricts chemotherapeutic options. Herein, we report the potent activity of a series of indolecarboxamides against M. abscessus. The lead compounds, 6 and 12, exhibited strong activity in vitro against a wide panel of M. abscessus isolates and in infected macrophages. High resistance levels to the indolecarboxamides appear to be associated with an A309P mutation in the mycolic acid transporter MmpL3. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that while de novo mycolic acid synthesis remained unaffected, the indolecarboxamides strongly inhibited the transport of trehalose monomycolate, resulting in the loss of trehalose dimycolate production and abrogating mycolylation of arabinogalactan. Our data introduce a hereto unexploited chemical structure class active against M. abscessus infections with promising translational development possibilities for the treatment of CF patients.

We previously reported the cyclopropylpyridine and isoxazolylpyridine ether scaffolds to be versatile building blocks for creating potent α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) partial agonists with excellent selectivity over the α3β4 subtype. In our continued efforts to develop therapeutic nicotinic ligands, seven novel hybrid compounds were rationally designed, synthesized, and evaluated in [ 3 H]epibatidine binding competition studies. Incorporation of a cyclopropane- or isoxazole-containing side chain onto the 5-position of 1-(pyridin-3-yl)-1,4-diazepane or 2-(pyridin-3-yl)-2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane led to highly potent and selective α4β2* nAChR partial agonists with K i values of 0.5-51.4 nM for α4β2 and negligible affinities for α3β4 and α7. Moreover, compounds 21, 25, and 30 maintained the functional profiles (EC 50 and IC 50 values of 15-50 nM) of the parent azetidine-containing compounds 3 and 4 in the 86 Rb + ion flux assays. In vivo efficacy of the most promising compound 21 was confirmed in the mouse SmartCube ® platform and classical forced swim tests, supporting the potential use of α4β2 partial agonists for treatment of depression., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Our team had previously identified certain indolecarboxamides that represented a new chemical scaffold that showed promising anti-TB activity at both an in vitro and in vivo level. Based on mutational analysis using bacteria found resistant to one of these indolecarboxamides, we identified the trehalose monomycolate transporter MmpL3 as the likely target of these compounds. In the present work, we now further elaborate on the SAR of these compounds, which has led in turn to the identification of a new analog, 4,6-difluoro-N-((1R,2R,3R,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-yl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (26), that shows excellent activity against drug-sensitive (MIC = 0.012 μM; SI ≥ 16000), multidrug-resistant (MDR), and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, has superior ADMET properties, and shows excellent activity in the TB aerosol lung infection model. Compound 26 is also shown to work in synergy with rifampin. Because of these properties, we believe that indolecarboxamide 26 is a possible candidate for advancement to human clinical trials.

We report the synthesis and biological characterization of novel derivatives of 3-[(1-methyl-2(S)-pyrrolidinyl)methoxy]-5-cyclopropylpyridine (4a-f and 5) as potent and highly selective α4β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) full or partial agonists. A systematic structure-activity study was carried out on the previously described compound 3b, particularly concerning its (2-methoxyethyl)cyclopropyl side-chain, in an effort to improve its metabolic stability while maintaining receptor selectivity. Compound 4d exhibited very similar subnanomolar binding affinity for α4β2- and α4β2*-nAChRs compared to 3b, and it showed excellent potency in activating high-sensitivity (HS) α4β2-nAChRs with an EC50 value of 8.2 nM. Testing of 4d in the SmartCube assay revealed that the compound has a combined antidepressant plus antipsychotic signature. In the forced swim test at a dose of 30 mg/kg given intraperitoneally, 4d was found to be as efficacious as sertraline, thus providing evidence of the potential use of the compound as an antidepressant. Additional promise for use of 4d in humans comes from pharmacokinetic studies in mice indicating brain penetration, and additional assays show compound stability in the presence of human microsomes and hepatocytes. Thus, 4d has a very favorable preclinical drug profile.

The discovery of a new series of compounds that are potent, selective 5-HT2C receptor agonists is described herein as we continue our efforts to optimize the 2-phenylcyclopropylmethylamine scaffold. Modifications focused on the alkoxyl substituent present on the aromatic ring led to the identification of improved ligands with better potency at the 5-HT2C receptor and excellent selectivity against the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors. ADMET studies coupled with a behavioral test using the amphetamine-induced hyperactivity model identified four compounds possessing drug-like profiles and having antipsychotic properties. Compound (+)-16b, which displayed an EC50 of 4.2 nM at 5-HT2C, no activity at 5-HT2B, and an 89-fold selectivity against 5-HT2A, is one of the most potent and selective 5-HT2C agonists reported to date. The likely binding mode of this series of compounds to the 5-HT2C receptor was also investigated in a modeling study, using optimized models incorporating the structures of β2-adrenergic receptor and 5-HT2B receptor.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of enantiopure 5-cyclopropane-bearing pyridyldiazabicyclo[3.3.0]octanes that display low nanomolar binding affinities and act as functional agonists at α4β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that incorporation of a cyclopropane-containing side chain at the 5-position of the pyridine ring provides ligands with improved subtype selectivity for nAChR β2 subunit-containing nAChR subtypes (β2*-nAChRs) over β4*-nAChRs compared to the parent compound 4. Compound 15 exhibited subnanomolar binding affinity for α4β2- and α4β2*-nAChRs with negligible interaction. Functional assays confirm selectivity for α4β2-nAChRs. Furthermore, using the SmartCube assay system, this ligand showed antidepressant, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic features, while mouse forced-swim assay further confirm the antidepressant-like property of 15.

A 3-pyridyl ether scaffold bearing a cyclopropane-containing side chain was recently identified in our efforts to create novel antidepressants that act as partial agonists at α4β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In this study, a systematic structure-activity relationship investigation was carried out on both the azetidine moiety present in compound 3 and its right-hand side chain, thereby discovering a variety of novel nicotinic ligands that retain bioactivity and feature improved chemical stability. The most promising compounds, 24, 26, and 30, demonstrated comparable or enhanced pharmacological profiles compared to the parent compound 4, and the N-methylpyrrolidine analogue 26 also exhibited robust antidepressant-like efficacy in the mouse forced swim test. The favorable ADMET profile and chemical stability of 26 further indicate this compound to be a promising lead as a drug candidate warranting further advancement down the drug discovery pipeline.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with approximately one-third of the world's population infected with latent TB. This is further aggravated by HIV coinfection and the emergence of multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant (MDR and XDR, respectively) TB; hence the quest for highly effective antitubercular drugs with novel modes of action is imperative. We report herein the discovery of an indole-2-carboxamide analogue, 3, as a highly potent antitubercular agent, and the subsequent chemical modifications aimed at establishing a preliminary body of structure-activity relationships (SARs). These efforts led to the identification of three molecules (12-14) possessing an exceptional activity in the low nanomolar range against actively replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis , with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values lower than those of the most prominent antitubercular agents currently in use. These compounds were also devoid of apparent toxicity to Vero cells. Importantly, compound 12 was found to be active against the tested XDR-TB strains and orally active in the serum inhibition titration assay.

Responsible for nearly two million deaths each year, the infectious disease tuberculosis remains a serious global health challenge. The emergence of multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis confounds control efforts, and new drugs with novel molecular targets are desperately needed. Here we describe lead compounds, the indoleamides, with potent activity against both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis by targeting the mycolic acid transporter MmpL3. We identify a single mutation in mmpL3, which confers high resistance to the indoleamide class while remaining susceptible to currently used first- and second-line tuberculosis drugs, indicating a lack of cross-resistance. Importantly, an indoleamide derivative exhibits dose-dependent antimycobacterial activity when orally administered to M. tuberculosis-infected mice. The bioavailability of the indoleamides, combined with their ability to kill tubercle bacilli, indicates great potential for translational developments of this structure class for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

A series of polycyclic 'cage' derivatives of N-geranyl-1,2 diamines were synthesized and screened for their anti-mycobacterial activity against H(37)Rv, multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains of tuberculosis. By substituting the adamantyl skeleton of SQ109 with trishomocubanyl (9), oxa-pentacycloundecyl (14, 16), pentacycloundecyl, PCU, (10, 15) and azapentacycloundecyl (22, 23), the effect of other polycyclic "cage" skeletons could be investigated. Compound 9 (trishomocubanyl moiety) proved to be the most active (MICs: 0.5-2 μg/mL) while PCU hydroxyl derivatives (15 and 23), oxa-pentacycloundecyl and azapentacycloundecyl derivatives displayed similar activity to SQ109 (MICs: 0.5-4 μg/mL) against all three strains of TB used in this study., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The synthesis and NMR elucidation of Ala-Val-Pro-Ile and five novel peptide-based derivatives are reported. These peptides mimic the natural second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) protein. Purification was achieved using preparative HPLC and the NMR elucidation of all compounds is reported for the first time. A series of overlapping signals were observed in the 1D NMR spectra thus making assignment a difficult task to undertake. The use of 2D NMR techniques with the inclusion of efficient adiabatic symmetrized ROESY proved to be an effective tool in overcoming these difficulties., (Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

In the title compound, C(12)H(18)ClNO, which was synthesized as part of a study into potential anti-tuberculosis agents, the adamantine skeleton displays shorter than normal C-C bond lengths ranging between 1.5293 (18) and 1.5366 (15) Å. The structure also displays inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding, which forms an infinite chain in the a-axis direction.

The structure of the title compound, C(13)H(14)O(2), a penta-cyclo-undecane cage derivative, exhibits unusual Csp(3)-Csp(3) single-bond lengths ranging from 1.505 (3) to 1.607 (2) Å and strained bond angles as small as 88.7 (1)° and as large as 121.0 (2)°. In this meso compound, an inter-nal non-crystallographic mirror plane exists, bis-ecting the mol-ecule. In the crystal, weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into an infinite spiral about a twofold screw axis along the [100] direction.

The synthesis and NMR elucidation of two novel pentacycloundecane (PCU)-based peptides are reported. The PCU cage amino acids were synthesised as racemates and the incorporation of the cage amino acid with (S)-natural amino acids produced diastereomeric peptides. The diastereomeric 'cage' peptides were separated using preparative HPLC and the NMR elucidation of these PCU containing peptides are reported for the first time. The (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra showed series of overlapping signals of the cage skeleton and that of the peptide, making it extremely difficult to resolve the structure using one-dimensional NMR techniques only. The use of two-dimensional NMR techniques proved to be a highly effective tool in overcoming this problem., (Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

As part of an ongoing project to develop highly potent anti-tuberculosis therapeutics, six SQ109 derivatives were synthesized and screened in vitro for their anti-tuberculosis activity against the ATCC strain H37Rv and the extensively drug-resistant clinical strain XDR 173. Compound 16 with an extended alkene chain was the most active against both strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis within a MIC range of 0.5-0.25 microM. Compound 12 and SQ109 were potent within a MIC range of 1-0.5 microM, whilst compound 18 displayed an activity within the MIC range of 0.5-2 microM against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The synthesis and complete NMR elucidation of eight novel pentacycloundecane (PCU) derivatives are reported. These compounds are precursors in the synthesis of PCU-based anti-tuberculosis (TB) agents and potential human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors. Two-dimensional (2D) NMR techniques were used to assign the NMR spectra for these compounds. Substitution of the cage molecule at (C-8/11) further complicates the assignment, since some of the substituted alkyl chain groups overlap with the cage proton signals. The side chain heteroatoms also introduce a rare through-space deshielding effect to some of the carbon atoms of the cage skeleton. Ring strain in the rigid cage skeleton appears to induce drastic electronic changes in some parts of the cage framework. This observation is more dramatic for the C-4 methylene group of the cage diols and the cage ethers., (Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

As part of an ongoing effort to develop highly potent anti-tuberculosis agents, fourteen pentacyclo-undecane (PCU) tetra-amine compounds were synthesized and screened for their in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity against two TB strains, H37Rv and XDR 194 [an extensively drug-resistant strain of tuberculosis]. Using the broth macrodilution method, nitrofuranylamide based compounds (6a and 6b) showed almost similar activities against the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis when compared with the control drug, ethambutol. N-Geranyl piperazine PCU (8a) and trans-trans farnesyl piperazine PCU (8b) were 3.2 and 3.7 times more potent than commercially available ethambutol. Both isoprenyl PCU tetra-amine derivatives and N-decyl piperazine PCU (9a) were highly active against the XDR 194 strain of tuberculosis with MICs in the range of 0.63-3.02 microM. Cytotoxicities (IC(50)) of isoprenyl based compounds (8a, 8b) and compound 9a were tested on a mammalian cell line [MDBK (Madin Darby bovine kidney epithelium)] with values of 30, 24 and 25 microM respectively.

The synthesis and NMR elucidation of five novel penta-cycloundecane amine derivatives are reported. These compounds are potential antituberculosis agents. The (1)H and (13)C spectra showed major overlapping of methine signals of the cage skeleton making it extremely difficult to elucidate these compounds. The overlapping occurs as a result of the additions made to the carbonyl carbon (C-8/C-11) of the cage. The two-dimensional NMR technique proved to be a useful tool in overcoming this problem. All compounds reported are meso compounds thereby not only simplifying the NMR structure elucidation, but also making it indeed possible., (2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The title adamantane derivative, C(12)H(21)NO·0.5H(2)O, was synthesized as part of an investigation into the biological activities of cage amino-alcohol compounds as potential anti-tuberculosis agents. The structure displays inter-molecular O-H⋯N, N-H⋯O, O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding and a layered packing structure with distinct hydro-philic and hydro-phobic regions. The water molecule lies on a twofold rotation axis.

The title adamantane derivative, C(19)H(25)NO(2), was synthesized as part of a study into potential anti-tuberculosis agents. The adamantane skeleton displays shorter than normal C-C bond lengths ranging between 1.5230 (15) and 1.5329 (16) Å. The structure displays O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding and an inter-digitated layered packing structure with distinct hydro-philic and hydro-phobic regions.