N-benzylimidazole carboxamides as potent, orally active stearoylCoA desaturase-1 inhibitors

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2011 Mar 15;21(6):1621-5. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2011.01.113. Epub 2011 Jan 31.

Abstract

A potent, small molecule inhibitor with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile to allow for sustained SCD inhibition in vivo was identified. Starting from a low MW acyl guanidine (5a), identified with a RapidFire High-Throughput Mass Spectrometry (RF-MS) assay, iterative library design was used to rapidly probe the amide and tail regions of the molecule. Singleton synthesis was used to probe core changes. Biological evaluation of a SCD inhibitor (5b) included in vitro potency at SCD-1 and in vivo modulation of the plasma desaturation index (DI) in rats on a low essential fatty acid (LEFA) diet. In addition to dose-dependent decrease in DI, effects on rodent ocular tissue were noted. Therefore, in rat, these SCD inhibitors only recapitulate a portion of phenotype exhibited by the SCD-1 knockout mouse.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Imidazoles / administration & dosage
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Imidazoles
  • 1-benzylimidazole
  • Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase