Design, Synthesis, and Activity Study of Water-Soluble, Rapid-Release Propofol Prodrugs
摘要:
In this work, a series of water-soluble propofol prodrugs were synthesized, and their propofol release rate and pharmacodynamic characteristics were measured. We found that inserting glycolic acid as a linker between propofol and the cyclic amino acid accelerated the release of propofol from prodrugs into the plasma while preserving its safety. In animal experiments, prodrugs (3e, 3g, and 3j) were significantly better than fospropofol (the only water-soluble propofol prodrug that has been used clinically) in terms of safety, onset, and duration time of anesthesia. Their molar dose, onset time, and anesthesia duration time were comparable to those of propofol, helping to maintain the clinical benefits of propofol. The experimental results showed the potential of such compounds as water-soluble prodrugs of propofol.
Propofol Analogues. Synthesis, Relationships between Structure and Affinity at GABAA Receptor in Rat Brain, and Differential Electrophysiological Profile at Recombinant Human GABAA Receptors
摘要:
A number of propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) congeners and derivatives were synthesized and their in vitro capability to affect GABA(A) receptors determined by the inhibition of the specific [S-35]-tert-butylbicyclophosphorothionate ([S-35]TBPS) binding to rat whole brain membranes. Introduction of halogen (Cl, Br, and I) and benzoyl substituents in the para position of the phenyl group resulted in ligands with higher potency at inhibiting [S-35]TBPS binding. A quantitative structure-affinity relationship (QSAR) study demonstrated that affinity is enhanced by increases in lipophilicity of the ligand whereas affinity is adversely affected by increases in size of the substituent para to the phenolic hydroxyl group. Consistent with the displacement of [S-35]TBPS and with the activation of GABA(A) receptors, we demonstrate that ligands displaying high affinity (i.e., 2-4, and 8) are able to increase GABA-stimulated chloride currents in oocytes expressing human GABA(A) receptors and to directly activate chloride currents in an electrophysiological assay. Among them, compound 4 showed a rather peculiar profile in the electrophysiological examination with cloned alpha(1) beta(2) gamma(2) GABA(A) receptors. Indeed, compared to propofol, it displayed a much greater efficacy at potentiating GABA-elicited chloride currents, but a much lower efficacy at producing a direct activation of the chloride channel in the absence of GABA. This behavior may give to compound 4 pharmacological properties that are more similar to anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drugs than to those of general anesthetics.