Mapping Chromone-3-Phenylcarboxamide Pharmacophore: Quid Est Veritas?

J Med Chem. 2021 Aug 12;64(15):11169-11182. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00510. Epub 2021 Jul 16.

Abstract

Chromone-3-phenylcarboxamides (Crom-1 and Crom-2) were identified as potent, selective, and reversible inhibitors of human monoamine oxidase B (hMAO-B). Since they exhibit some absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME)-toxicity liabilities, new derivatives were synthesized to map the chemical structural features that compose the pharmacophore, a process vital for lead optimization. Structure-activity relationship data, supported by molecular docking studies, provided a rationale for the contribution of the heterocycle's rigidity, the carbonyl group, and the benzopyran heteroatom for hMAO-B inhibitory activity. From the study, N-(3-chlorophenyl)-4H-thiochromone-3-carboxamide (31) (hMAO-B IC50 = 1.52 ± 0.15 nM) emerged as a reversible tight binding inhibitor with an improved pharmacological profile. In in vitro ADME-toxicity studies, compound 31 showed a safe cytotoxicity profile in Caco-2, SH-SY5Y, HUVEC, HEK-293, and MCF-7 cells, did not present cardiotoxic effects, and did not affect P-gp transport activity. Compound 31 also protected SH-SY5Y cells from iron(III)-induced damage. Collectively, these studies highlighted compound 31 as the first-in-class and a suitable candidate for in vivo preclinical investigation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Chromones / chemical synthesis
  • Chromones / chemistry
  • Chromones / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism*
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Chromones
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
  • Monoamine Oxidase