Synthesis of novel cognition enhancers with pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine core acting at γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptor.

Memory dysfunction associated with aging, neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders represents an increasing medical need. Advances in research exploring the biological mechanisms underlying learning and memory have opened new potential approaches for development of memory-enhancing therapies addressed to selective neuronal targets. In this work, we synthesized some derivatives with a pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine core to identify ligands on GABAA receptors subtype (benzodiazepine site on GABAA-receptor) endowed with the potential of enhancing cognition activity without the side effects usually associated with non-selective GABAA modulators.

Development of ligands at γ-aminobutyrric acid type A (GABAA) receptor subtype as new agents for pain relief.

The identification of compounds with selective anxiolytic-like effects, exerted through the benzodiazepine site on γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors, and that show pronounced antihyperalgesia in several pain models, has oriented research towards the development of new agents for the relief of pain. Starting from our previously reported ligands at the benzodiazepine site on GABA(A) receptors showing selective anxiolytic-like effects, we have designed new compounds with the aim of identifying those devoid of the typical side effects of the classical benzodiazepines. Our preliminary results indicate that compounds 4, 10(±) and 11 have a very promising antihyperalgesic profile in different animal pain models (peripheral mono-neuropathy, STZ-induced hyperalgesia).

New 3-, 8-disubstituted pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazines useful for studying the interaction with the HBp-3 area (hydrogen bond point area) in the benzodiazepine site on the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor.

The pharmacophoric model using ADLR procedure, based on pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine system, studied in our laboratory, allowed us to identify the essential interaction points (HBp-1, HBp-2, and Lp-1) and the important areas for affinity modulation (HBp-3 and Lp-2) for binding recognition at benzodiazepine (Bzs) site of GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-Rs). In this work ADLR method is used to rationalize the affinity data of 23 new compounds and to improve the knowledge on HBp-3 area, hydrogen bond area. Among these new compounds emerge the pyrrolo derivatives (18, 25, 28, 34, and 37) for their good affinity value (14.

New fluoro derivatives of the pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide system: evaluation of fluorine binding properties in the benzodiazepine site on γ-aminobutyrric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptor. Design, synthesis, biological, and molecular modeling investigation.

In the search for potent ligands at the benzodiazepine site on the GABA(A) receptor, new fluoro derivatives of the pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine system were synthesized to evaluate the importance of the introduction of a fluorine atom in this system. Biological and pharmacological studies indicate that the substitution at position 8 with a trifluoromethyl group confers pharmacological activity due to potential metabolic stability in comparison to inactive 8-methyl substituted analogues. In particular, the compound 3-(2-methoxybenzyloxycarbonyl)-8-trifluoromethylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide (21) emerges because of its selective anxiolytic profile without side effects.

Synthesis, in vivo evaluation, and molecular modeling studies of new pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide derivatives. Identification of a bifunctional hydrogen bond area related to the inverse agonism.

A new series of pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide 8-alkyloxy-/aryloxy-/arylalkyloxy and 8-aryl-/arylalkylderivatives variously substituted at the 3-position were synthesized and binding studies at the benzodiazepine site on GABA(A) receptor were carried out. The pharmacological profile was identified for compounds 10, 11, 16(+), 16(-), and 17 by considering six potential benzodiazepine actions: motor coordination, anticonvulsant action, spontaneous motility and explorative activity, potential anxiolytic-like effects, mouse learning and memory modulation, and finally, ethanol-potentiating action. Compound 17 stands out as the compound that improves mouse memory processes selectively, safely, and in a statistically significant manner.

Synthesis of new pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4] benzotriazines, pyrazolo[5,1-c]pyrido[4,3-e][1,2,4] triazines and their open analogues as cytotoxic agents in normoxic and hypoxic conditions.

The synthesis and antitumor activity in normoxic and hypoxic conditions of a series of pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine and its related analogues are reported. All compounds were tested on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HCT-8 and for compounds 15 and 20, which show to have selective cytotoxicity in hypoxic and in normoxic conditions respectively, ROS production, cell cycle, and DNA fragmentation were measured. This preliminary study encouraged us to consider 15 and 20 as interesting leads for further optimization.

Novel 3-aroylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxides 8-substituted, ligands at GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex: synthesis, pharmacological and molecular modeling studies.

The synthesis and binding studies of a series of 3-acylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxides 8-substituted are reported. High-affinity ligands at benzodiazepine site on GABA(A) receptor complex (GABA(A)/BzR complex) were obtained when the 3-aroyl substituent is represented by a five-member heteroaroyl ring (furoyl-, thenoyl-, and pyrroyl-). Moreover the type of heteroaroyl ring at position 3 influences the feature of the substituent at position 8 to obtain high-affinity ligands: a 'hydrogen-bond acceptor ring' at position 3 is synergic with an electron donor substituent at position 8, while a 'hydrogen-bond donor ring' is synergic with a withdrawing substituent.

Novel 3-iodo-8-ethoxypyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide as promising lead for design of alpha5-inverse agonist useful tools for therapy of mnemonic damage.

The synthesis and the binding study of new 3-iodiopyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4] benzotriazine 5-oxides 8-alkyloxy substituted are reported. The replacement at position 3 with an iodine atom, with respect to substituents capable to form a three centered hydrogen bond and/or to form pi-pi stacking interaction with receptor protein, gave high affinity ligands, independently of the 8-alkyloxy substituent. High-affinity ligands were studied in mice in vivo for their pharmacological effects, considering five potential benzodiazepine actions: anxiolytic-like effects, motor coordination, anticonvulsant action, mouse learning and memory impairment, and ethanol-potentiating action.

A novel selective GABA(A) alpha1 receptor agonist displaying sedative and anxiolytic-like properties in rodents.

In our pursuit to identify selective ligands for Bz/GABA(A) receptor subtypes, a novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative (4), the azaisostere of zolpidem, was synthesized and evaluated in vitro on bovine brain homogenate and on recombinant benzodiazepine receptors (alphaxbeta2/3gamma2, x = 1-3, 5) expressed in HEK293 cells. Compound 4 displayed affinity only for alpha1beta2gamma2 subtype (K(i) = 31 nM), and in an in-depth, in vivo study it revealed sedative and anxiolytic-like properties without any amnesic and myorelaxant effects in rodents.

Benzodiazepine receptor ligands. 8: synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new pyrazolo[5,1-c] [1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide 3- and 8-disubstituted: high affinity ligands endowed with inverse-agonist pharmacological efficacy.

The synthesis and the binding study of new 3-arylesters and 3-heteroarylpyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide 8-substituted are reported. The nature of these substituents (in terms of lipophilic and electronic features) seems to influence the binding affinity. High-affinity ligands were studied in mice in vivo for their pharmacological effects, considering six potential benzodiazepine actions: anxiolytic-like effects, muscle relaxant effects, motor coordination, anticonvulsant action, spontaneous motor activity, and ethanol-potentiating action.

Insight into 2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl acetamides as peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands: synthesis, biological evaluation and 3D-QSAR investigation.

The present paper reports the synthesis and binding studies of new 2-phenylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl acetamides as selective Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptor (PBR) ligands. The variability of substituents at the 3-position was investigated and a 3D-QSAR model was proposed to evaluate the effect of different substitutions on the acetamide moiety. In addition, a subset of the novel compounds showing high affinity for PBR was tested for their ability to modulate the steroid biosynthesis in C6 glioma cells.

Cytotoxic activity of 3-nitropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine derivatives: a new series of anti-proliferative agents.

We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of 3-nitropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine derivatives (compounds 1-4) bearing appropriate substitutions in positions 7 and/or 8. The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of these substitutions on the cytotoxic activity of four new compounds against established human cancer cell lines (i.e.

Synthesis and benzodiazepine receptor affinity of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives. 3. New 6-(3-thienyl) series as alpha 1 selective ligands.

New 3-aryl-6-(3-thienyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ones (2a-j) are synthesized and evaluated in vitro on Bz/GABA(A) receptors and on recombinant benzodiazepine receptors (alpha x beta 2/3 gamma 2; x = 1-3, 5) expressed in HEK293 cells. SAR studies on the new compounds are conducted and molecular modeling is accomplished to better investigate requirements leading to subtype selectivity. Some of the synthesized compounds are tested in vivo to explore their pharmacological effect as a consequence of their high alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 subtype selectivity observed in vitro.

Benzodiazepine receptor ligands. 7. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new 3-esters of the 8-chloropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide. 3-(2-Thienylmethoxycarbonyl) derivative: an anxioselective agent in rodents.

The synthesis and binding study of new 8-chloropyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]benzotriazine 5-oxide 3-ester compounds are reported. A pharmacological evaluation of the high-affinity ligands 1-4 belonging to the 3-heteroarylester series is made. The 3-(2-thienylmethoxycarbonyl) derivative 4 stands out from the other heteroarylesters and is found, using nine different behavioral methods, to be a functionally selective ligand in vivo: it shows anxiolytic-like activity in the conflict models (light-dark box and plus maze test) similarly to diazepam, without any sedative and amnesic properties or interference from alcohol.