The reversal of multidrug resistance by 22 molecules [8-aryl-8-hydroxy-5-R'-8H-[1,4]thiazino[3,4-c][1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-ones (1a-i) and 8-aryl-8-alkoxy-5-methyl-8H-[1,4]thiazino[3,4-c][1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-ones (2a-m)] related to myocardial-calcium-channel-modulator diltiazem was studied in multidrug resistant A2780/DX3 and their sensitive counterpart A2780 cells. MTT, cytofluorimetry assays, and fluorescence microscopy analyses were used to define activity and accumulation of doxorubicin with or without the diltiazem-like modulators. Of the 22 molecules, 1a, 2f, 2g, and 2m were able to overcome the established criteria for the selection in A2780/DX3 cells (IC(50) reduction > or = 25%), but only 2f, 2g, and 2m caused a significant increase of intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin. In conclusion, experiments lead to the identification of three diltiazem-like molecules able to increase the intracellular accumulation of doxorubicin by inhibiting the MDR1 function, thus potentiating its antiproliferative activity in multidrug resistant A2780/DX3 cells.

No abstract

No abstract

P2X7, a ligand-gated purinergic ion channel, has been at the center of intense efforts in the pharmaceutical industry in the last 15 years due to the growing appreciation of its role in inflammation. Since 2008-2009, increased focus on CNS available compounds has led to the publication of various patents on behalf of several pharmaceutical companies. This patent review aims at analyzing the recent patent literature (2008-2016) with a particular emphasis on those patents that are thought to deal with CNS penetrant compounds on the basis of their physicochemical features, the assays described in the patents and the uses these compounds are claimed for.

A number of quinolines and isoquinolines connected in various ways to a substituted benzimidazol-2-yl system were synthesized and evaluated as novel antagonists of adenosine receptors (ARs) by competition experiments using human A(1), A(2A), and A(3) ARs. The new compounds were designed based on derivatives of 2-(benzimidazol-2-yl)quinoxaline, previously reported as potent and selective antagonists of A(1) and A(3) ARs. Among these, 3-[4-(ethylthio)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]isoquinoline 4b exhibited the best combination of potency toward the A(1) AR (K(i) =1.4 nM) and selectivity against the A(2A) (K(i) >10 μM), A(2B) (K(i)>10 μM), and A(3) ARs (K(i)>1 μM). Functional experiments in circular smooth muscle preparations of isolated human colon showed that 4b behaves as a potent and selective antagonist of the A(1) AR in the neuromuscular compartment of this intestinal region. Biological and pharmacological data suggest that 4b is a suitable starting point for the development of novel agents endowed with stimulant properties on colonic activity.