Calcium carbonate vaterite particles for drug delivery: Advances and challenges.

The recent successful application of lipid-based nanoparticles as delivery vehicles in COVID-19 vaccines demonstrated the superior potential of nanoparticle-based technology for targeted drug delivery in biomedicine. Among novel, rapidly advancing delivery platforms, the inorganic nano/microparticles gradually reach new heights and attract well-deserved attention among scientists and clinicians. Calcium carbonate in its vaterite form is used as a biocompatible carrier for a progressively increasing number of biomedical applications.

Discovery of 6-Oxo-4-phenyl-hexanoic acid derivatives as RORγt inverse agonists showing favorable ADME profile.

The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor gamma t (RORγt), which is a promising therapeutic target for immune diseases, is a major transcription factor of genes related to psoriasis pathogenesis, such as interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22, and IL-23R. Inspired by the co-crystal structure of RORγt, a 6-oxo-4-phenyl-hexanoic acid derivative 6a was designed, synthesized, and identified as a ligand of RORγt. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies in 6a, which focus on the improvement of its membrane permeability profile by introducing chlorine atoms, led to finding 12a, which has a potent RORγt inhibitory activity and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile.

In Vitro Bioeffects of Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Microcapsules Post-Loaded with Water-Soluble Cationic Photosensitizer.

Microencapsulation and targeted delivery of cytotoxic and antibacterial agents of photodynamic therapy (PDT) improve the treatment outcomes for infectious diseases and cancer. In many cases, the loss of activity, poor encapsulation efficiency, and inadequate drug dosing hamper the success of this strategy. Therefore, the development of novel and reliable microencapsulated drug formulations granting high efficacy is of paramount importance.

Discovery of [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-]pyridine Derivatives as Potent and Orally Bioavailable RORγt Inverse Agonists.

The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt), a promising therapeutic target, is a major transcription factor of genes related to psoriasis pathogenesis such as interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22, and IL-23R. On the basis of the X-ray cocrystal structure of RORγt with , an analogue of the known piperazine RORγt inverse agonist , triazolopyridine derivatives of were designed and synthesized, and analogue was found to be a potent RORγt inverse agonist. Structure-activity relationship studies on , focusing on the treatment of its metabolically unstable cyclopentyl ring and the central piperazine core, led to a novel analogue, namely, 6-methyl--(7-methyl-8-(((2,4)-2-methyl-1-(4,4,4-trifluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)butanoyl)piperidin-4-yl)oxy)[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-]pyridin-6-yl)nicotinamide (), which exhibited strong RORγt inhibitory activity and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile.

Heat-driven size reduction of biodegradable polyelectrolyte multilayer hollow capsules assembled on CaCO template.

Aiming to explore elevated temperatures as a tool for miniaturization of biodegradable polymer multilayer capsules, assembled on spherical vaterite micron- and submicron-sized particles, we subject the shells composed of dextran sulfate (DS) and poly-L-arginine (Parg) to a heat treatment. Changes of the capsule size are studied at various temperatures and ionic strengths of the continuous phase. Unlike some synthetic polymer multilayer shells (their response to heat treatment depends on the number of layers and their arrangement), the biodegradable Parg/DS capsules exhibit size reduction and profound compaction regardless of their initial size, number of polymer layers and polymer layer sequence.

Influence of Heat Treatment on Loading of Polymeric Multilayer Microcapsules with Rhodamine B.

Layer-by-layer assembled polymeric multilayer capsules (PMC) of micrometer sizes are permeable for molecules below 1 KDa; therefore, the efficacy of such capsules in the delivery of low molecular weight water soluble bioactive compounds and drugs is frequently challenged. Thermally induced contraction of hollow PMC is explored here to enhance their loading efficacy with model compound, fluorescent rhodamine B (RhB). Four bilayered capsules obtained of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/polystyrene sulfonate ([PDADMAC/PSS] ) or poly-l-arginine/dextran sulfate ([PARG/DS] ) on sacrificial CaCO spherical microparticles are postloaded with RhB at ambient or elevated temperatures.

Heterocyclic core analogs of a direct thrombin inhibitor.

Thrombin is a serine protease that plays a key role in blood clotting. Pyrrolidine 1 is a potent thrombin inhibitor discovered at Merck several years ago. Seven analogs (2-8) of 1 in which the pyrrolidine core was replaced with various heterocycles were prepared and evaluated for activity against thrombin, clotting factors VIIa, IXa, Xa, and XIIa, and trypsin.

Azetidine-based inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV).

The structure-activity relationships of azetidine-based DPP IV inhibitors will be discussed in detail in the following review. The azetidine-based DPP IV inhibitors can be divided into three main subtypes, the 2-cyanoazetidines, 3-fluoroazetidines and 2-ketoazetidines. These subtypes have been explored and structure-activity relationships have been established by several groups.

DPP IV inhibitor blocks mescaline-induced scratching and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) is a ubiquitous membrane-bound enzyme that cleaves the two N-terminal amino acids from peptides with a proline or alanine residue in the second position from the amino end. Potential substrates for DPP IV include several neuropeptides, suggesting a role for DPP IV in neurological processes. We have developed a potent DPP IV inhibitor (IC50 = 30 nM), 1-(2-amino-3-methyl-butyryl)-azetidine-2-carbonitrile (AMAC), which has shown efficacy in two established models of psychosis: mescaline-induced scratching and amphetamine-induced hyperactivity.

Ketopyrrolidines and ketoazetidines as potent dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibitors.

In this paper, the synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of two classes of electrophile-based dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) inhibitors, the ketopyrrolidines and ketoazetidines, is discussed. The SAR of these series demonstrate that the 2-thiazole, 2-benzothiazole, and 2-pyridylketones are optimal S1' binding groups for potency against DPP IV. In addition, both cyclohexyl glycine (CHG) and octahydroindole carboxylate (OIC) serve as the most potent S2 binding groups within each series.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of non-peptidic cyclophilin ligands.

Peptidylprolyl isomerase cyclophilins play critical roles in a variety of biological processes. Recent findings that cyclophilins are present at high levels in the CNS and that cyclosporin A may possess neuroprotective/neurotrophic effects have prompted us to search for nonimmunosuppressant small molecule cyclophilin ligands. To this end, we report the lead identification through "virtual screening" and the synthesis of our first series of non-peptidic cyclophilin ligands, along with the preliminary biological results.

Lewis Acid-Catalyzed Additions of (Benzotriazol-1-yl)diethoxymethane to Enol Ethers and Enamides. New Syntheses of beta-Alkoxyalkanal and beta-Aminoalkanal Acetals.

Addition of (benzotriazol-1-yl)diethoxymethane 11 to various acyclic and cyclic enol ethers and enamides produces the corresponding adducts, which were reacted with either NaAlH(4) or Grignard reagents to afford acyclic acetal-ethers (18a-f), cyclic alpha-(substituted)-beta-acetals (19a-c), amino-acetals (24a,b), and 1,3-amino-ethers (25), all known but previously difficult-to-access classes of compounds.

Novel Syntheses of N-Pivot Lariat Diaza-Crown Ethers from 4,13-Bis(benzotriazolylmethyl)-4,13-diaza-1,7,10,16-tetraoxacyclooctadecane.

4,13-Bis(benzotriazolylmethyl)-4,13-diaza-1,7,10,16-tetraoxacyclooctadecane (6) was synthesized as a versatile intermediate in the preparation of bis(lariats) of diaza-18-crown-6. N,N'-Bis(umbelliferon-8-ylmethyl) derivative 8, bis(lariats) with terminal unsaturated groups (11c,e), ester functionalities (11d), N,N'-di-beta-aralkyl derivatives (11a,b), and gamma-oxy-substituted (13, 14) and gamma-amino-substituted (17-19) propylene-side-armed derivatives were thus prepared in moderate to excellent yields. The X-ray structure of bis(lariat) 6 and stability constants for several of the complexes of bis(lariats), derivatives of 6, with metal cations are discussed.

Synthesis of New N-Pivot Lariat Crown Ethers Containing a Propylene Linkage in the Side Arm.

A series of new 15- and 18-membered N-pivot lariat aza-crown ethers having a propylene linkage in the side arm was prepared starting from functionalized diethanolamines and functionalized lariat aza-crown ethers containing the easily modified benzotriazole moiety. Addition reactions of such derivatives to electron-rich vinyl ethers or vinylamides followed by displacement of the benzotriazolyl group in the addition products by hydrogen (by reduction with LiAlH(4)) gives a variety of N-(3-oxo-3-substituted)- and N-(3-aza-3-substituted)propylene side-armed derivatives of aza-crown ethers. Stability constants for the complexes of several synthesized lariats with metal cations are discussed.