Highly enantioselective synthesis of α-azido-β-hydroxy methyl ketones catalyzed by a cooperative proline-guanidinium salt system.

The combined activity of (S)-proline and an achiral tetraphenylborate TBD-derived guanidinium salt permits the aldol reaction between azidoacetone and aromatic, or heteroaromatic aldehydes. The α-azido-β-hydroxy methyl ketones obtained as products can be isolated in good yield, with high diastereo- and enantioselectivity.

A nitrophenyl-based prodrug type for colorectal targeting of prednisolone, budesonide and celecoxib.

Celecoxib is a COX-2 inhibitor drug that can be used to reduce the risk of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. A limitation to the use of both drug types is that they undergo absorption from the intestinal tract with serious side effects.

Structure requirements for anaerobe processing of azo compounds: implications for prodrug design.

This Letter generalizes the metabolism of the azo class of compounds by Clostridium perfringens, an anaerobe found in the human colon. A recently reported 5-aminosalicylic acid-based prednisolone prodrug was shown to release the drug when incubated with the bacteria, while the para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) based analogue did not. Instead, it showed a new HPLC peak with a relatively close retention time to the parent which was identified by LCMS as the partially reduced hydrazine product.

Azo-reductase activated budesodine prodrugs for colon targeting.

Budesodine is a synthetic glurocorticoid that undergoes substantial first pass metabolism, limiting systemic exposure. Its use in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease would benefit from a targeting strategy that could lead to a local topical effect, improving safety and increasing anti-inflammatory efficacy. A two-step prodrug strategy involving azoreduction/cyclization that we developed previously for prednisolone is here applied with some variations to budesonide.

A double prodrug system for colon targeting of benzenesulfonamide COX-2 inhibitors.

The design, synthesis and delivery potential of a new type of benzenesulfonamide cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor prodrug is investigated using celecoxib. The approach involves a double prodrug that is activated first by azoreductases and then by cyclization triggering drug release. We studied the intramolecular aminolysis of the acylsulfonamide.

Investigation into drug release from colon-specific azoreductase-activated steroid prodrugs using in-vitro models.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate drug release from a double steroid prodrug, OPN501, which incorporates a phenylpropionate linker, and its phenylacetate analogue. The prodrugs, which were designed to deliver prednisolone to the colon for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, are based on a novel design that requires sequential azoreductase activity and cyclization of an amino ester to trigger drug release. We sought to explain the divergent effects of the two compounds in anti-inflammatory models and to justify the selection of OPN-501 for clinical development.

Design, synthesis, and pharmacological effects of a cyclization-activated steroid prodrug for colon targeting in inflammatory bowel disease.

Glucocorticoids are used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. A limitation to their use is that they undergo absorption from the GIT before reaching the colon causing severe systemic side effects. We report here on a novel prodrug approach to targeting corticosteroids to the colon.

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structures and biomimetic and anticancer activities of novel copper(II)benzoate complexes incorporating 2-(4'-thiazolyl)benzimidazole (thiabendazole), 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole and 1,10-phenanthroline as chelating nitrogen donor ligands.

Cu(BZA)(2)(EtOH)(0.5) (1) was generated by the reaction of copper(II) hydroxide with benzoic acid (BZAH). [Cu(TBZH)(2)(BZA)](BZA).