110406-97-8

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are membrane proteins encoded by four genes (HCN1-4) and widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system and in the heart. HCN channels are involved in several physiological functions, including the generation of rhythmic activity, and are considered important drug targets if compounds with isoform selectivity are developed. At present, however, few compounds are known, which are able to discriminate among HCN channel isoforms. The inclusion of the three-methylene chain of zatebradine into a cyclohexane ring gave a compound (3a) showing a 5-fold preference for HCN4 channels, and ability to selectively modulate Ih in different tissues. Compound 3a has been tested for its ability to reduce Ih and to interact with other ion channels in the heart and the central nervous system. Its preference for HCN4 channels makes this compound useful to elucidate the contribution of this isoform in the physiological and pathological processes involving hyperpolarization-activated current.

The intermolecular asymmetric radical oxidative C(sp3)?C(sp) cross-coupling of C(sp3)?H bonds with readily available terminal alkynes is a promising method to forge chiral C(sp3)?C(sp) bonds because of the high atom and step economy, but remains underexplored. Here, we report a copper-catalyzed asymmetric C(sp3)?C(sp) cross-coupling of (hetero)benzylic and (cyclic)allylic C?H bonds with terminal alkynes that occurs with high to excellent enantioselectivity. Critical to the success is the rational design of chiral oxazoline-derived N,N,P(O)-ligands that not only tolerate the strong oxidative conditions which are requisite for intermolecular hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) processes but also induce the challenging enantiocontrol. Direct access to a range of synthetically useful chiral benzylic alkynes and 1,4-enynes, high site-selectivity among similar C(sp3)?H bonds, and facile synthesis of enantioenriched medicinally relevant compounds make this approach very attractive.

With the aim of evaluating the pharmacophore potential of the side chain of α-asarone (1) regarding its high hypolipidemic activity, the series of derivatives 7a-7e, and 11-13 were evaluated pharmacologically. For the hydrocarbon compounds 7a-7e, with a variable-size side chain, significant decreases in serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and significant increases in HDL-cholesterol levels were observed in mice. The small-size side-chain derivatives were even more active than 1 in reducing cholesterol. The results suggested that the length and saturated character of the side chain seem to be a key feature in improving hypolipidemic activity of α-asarone (1) analogs.