Novel Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors with Dual-Tail Core Sulfonamide Show Potent and Lasting Effects for Glaucoma Therapy

J Med Chem. 2024 Feb 22;67(4):3066-3089. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02254. Epub 2024 Jan 24.

Abstract

Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss worldwide, is characterized by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a well-established risk factor across all its forms. We present the design and synthesis of 39 novel carbonic anhydrase inhibitors by a dual-tailed approach, strategically crafted to interact with distinct hydrophobic and hydrophilic pockets of CA active sites. The series was investigated against the CA isoforms implicated in glaucoma (hCA II, hCA IV, and hCA XII), and the X-ray crystal structures of compounds 25a, 25f, and 26a with CA II, along with 14b in complex with a hCA XII mimic, were determined. Selected compounds (14a, 25a, and 26a) underwent evaluation for their ability to reduce IOP in rabbits with ocular hypertension. Derivative 26a showed significant potency and sustained IOP-lowering effects, surpassing the efficacy of the drugs dorzolamide and bimatoprost. This positions compound 26a as a promising candidate for the development of a novel anti-glaucoma medication.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Carbonic Anhydrases* / metabolism
  • Glaucoma* / drug therapy
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Rabbits
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfanilamide
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Carbonic Anhydrases
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
  • Sulfonamides
  • Protein Isoforms
  • Sulfanilamide
  • Carbonic Anhydrase IX