Heterocyclic compounds and analogues thereof and their use as inhibitors of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Activated Protein kinase-2 (MAPKAP-k2), and also to a method for preventing or treating a disease or disorder that can be treated or prevented by modulating the activity of MAPKAP-K2 in a subject and to pharmaceutical compositions and kits that include these MAPKAP-K2 inhibitors.
Exploiting the SAR of the known pyrrole derivatives, a new class of mGluR1 antagonists was designed by replacement of the pyrrole core with an indole scaffold and consequent cyclization of the C-2 position into a tricyclic beta-carboline template. The appropriate exploration of the position C-6 with a combination of H-bond acceptor groups coupled with bulky/lipophilic moieties led to the discovery of a new series of mGluR1 antagonists. These compounds exhibited a non-competitive behavior, excellent pharmacokinetic properties, and good in vivo activity in animal models of acute and chronic pain, after oral administration. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.