A series of new κ opioid receptor (KOR) agonists were developed from the lead compound 4-dimethylamino-1-pentanoylpiperidine (3), a matrine-type alkaloid. Derivatives of 3 were synthesized with a variety of phenyl substituents and evaluated for their antinociceptive effects. Additionally, their selectivity for an opioid receptor was investigated for cis-4c and d, and trans-4g, all of which had high activity exerted through the KOR.Key words antinociceptive effect; kappa opioid receptor; piperidine; matrine; writhing test; mouse We previously reported that (+)-matrine (1) and (+)-allomatrine (2), a typical matrine type lupine alkaloid isolated from some Sophora plants (Leguminosae), have antinociceptive properties identical to those of pentazocine 1) (Fig. 1). The effects of (+)-matrine are mediated mainly through activation of κ opioid receptors (KOR) and partially through μ receptors (MOR), while the effects of (+)-allomatrine are mediated only through activation of KOR.2) Because the skeleton of the matrine type alkaloids differs from those of conventional KOR agonists, such as ethylketocyclazocine, 3) U-50488 4,5) and nalfurafine (TRK-820), 6) they have the potential to be derivatized into novel KOR agonists that may not induce side effects such as dysphoria and psychotomimetic actions 7,8) (Fig. 2). In fact, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) between the antinociceptive effects of these alkaloids and their structures is very interesting. During the development of new KOR agonists, compound 3 was identified as a lead compound by determining the essential structure required for the antinociceptive effects of (+)-matrine.9-11) When compound 3 was derivatized and tested, the antinociceptive effects of 4-dimethylamino-1-pentanoyl-3-phenylpiperidine (4a) were more potent than those of the lead compound 3. On the basis of the Topliss method, 12) we designed and synthesized phenyl derivatives of 4a in an effort to further improve the activity. Herein, we report the synthesis of the derivatives of 4a and their pharmacological effects.
SynthesisThe synthetic route to the intermediates, cis-and trans11a-e, is shown in Chart 1. Hydrazones 7a-e were prepared by condensation of commercially available 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl hydrazide 5 and the respective acetophenones 6a-e. Allylic alcohols 8a-e were obtained through the Shapiro reaction with acrolein.13) Oxidation of 8a-e with MnO 2 yielded the respective dienones, followed by cyclization via a double aza-Michael reaction with benzylamine using microwave irradiation to give piperidones 9a-e.13) Piperidones 9a-e were converted to oximes 10a-e and subsequently reduced with metal sodium in EtOH to yield the separable diastereomers cis-and trans-11a-d, the 3,4-cis (matrine type) and 3,4-trans configuration compounds (allomatrine type). The relative configuration of these diastereomers were assigned by comparison to literature data and using the coupling constants from the 1 H-NMR spectra. 14) Amine 11e, which has a chloro group on the para position of the be...