Fragment-Based Discovery of Azocyclic Alkyl Naphthalenesulfonamides as Keap1-Nrf2 Inhibitors for Acute Lung Injury Treatment

J Med Chem. 2023 Jun 22;66(12):8267-8280. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00686. Epub 2023 May 31.

Abstract

Blocking the Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-related protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway is a promising strategy to alleviate acute lung injury (ALI). A naphthalensulfonamide NXPZ-2, targeting Keap1-Nrf2 interaction to release Nrf2, was confirmed to exhibit significant anti-inflammatory activities, however, accompanying nonideal solubility and PK profiles. To further improve the properties, twenty-nine novel naphthalenesulfonamide derivatives were designed by a fragment-based strategy. Among them, compound 10u with a (R)-azetidine group displayed the highest PPI inhibitory activity (KD2 = 0.22 μM). The hydrochloric acid form of 10u exhibited a 9-fold improvement on water solubility (S = 484 μg/mL, pH = 7.0) compared to NXPZ-2 (S = 55 μg/mL, pH = 7.0). It could significantly reduce LPS-induced lung oxidative damages and inflammations in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, a satisfactory pharmacokinetic property was revealed. In conclusion, the novel azetidine-containing naphthalenesulfonamide represents a promising drug candidate for Keap1-targeting ALI treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury* / drug therapy
  • Epichlorohydrin
  • Humans
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 / metabolism
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / metabolism

Substances

  • naphthalenesulfonamide
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Epichlorohydrin