Antihyperlipidemic properties of novel N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-substituted-1H- indole-2-carboxamides in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules16108292

In the search for new potential antihyperlipidemic agents, the present study focuses on the synthesis of novel N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-substituted-1H- indole-2-carboxamides (compounds 8-12, 15, 16, 18) and investigating their antihyperlipidemic activity using

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules16108292

Molecules 2011, 16, 8292-8304; doi:10.3390/molecules16108292
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Antihyperlipidemic Properties of Novel N-(Benzoylphenyl)-5-
substituted-1H-indole-2-carboxamides in Triton
WR-1339-Induced Hyperlipidemic Rats
Yusuf Al-Hiari 1,*, Ghassan Shattat 2, Tariq Al-Qirim 2, Waseem El-Huneidi 2,
Ghassan Abu Sheikha 2 and Suhair Hikmat 2
1
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman-11942, Jordan
2
Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah Private University, Amman-11733, Jordan
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: hiary@ju.edu.jo;
Tel.: +962-6-5355000 Ext. 23292; Fax: +962-6-5300250.
Received: 19 July 2011; in revised form: 5 September 2011 / Accepted: 22 September 2011 /
Published: 29 September 2011
Abstract: In the search for new potential antihyperlipidemic agents, the present
study focuses on the synthesis of novel N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-substituted-1H-indole-2-
carboxamides (compounds 8-12, 15, 16, 18) and investigating their antihyperlipidemic
activity using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats as an experimental model.
Hyperlipidemia was developed by intraperitoneal injection of Triton WR-1339 (250 mg/kg
body weight). The tested animals were divided into normal control (NCG), hyperlipidemic
(HG), compound 8, 9, 15, 16, 18- and bezafibrate treated groups. At a dose of 15 mg/kg
body weight, compounds 9, 16, 18 and bezafibrate (100 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.0001)
reduced elevated plasma triglycerides levels after 12 h compared to the hyperlipidemic
control group. However, only the group treated with compounds 9, 16 and 18 showed an
obviously significant (p < 0.001) reduction in plasma total cholesterol levels after 12 h
compared to the hyperlipidemic control group. Moreover, high density lipoprotein-
cholesterol levels were significantly (p < 0.0001) increased in all treated groups after 12 h
compared to the hyperlipidemic control group, except for compounds 8 and 15 which
revealed inactive. It is therefore reasonable to assume that compounds 9, 16 and 18 may
have potential in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Molecules 2011, 16
Keywords: Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats; N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-methoxy-
8293
1H-indole-2-carboxamide; N-(Benzoylphenyl)-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide; hypo-
lipidemic activity
1. Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in developed countries [1].
Hyperlipidemia is defined as elevation of one or more of the plasma lipids, including triglycerides,
cholesterol, cholesterol esters and phospholipids [2]. This pathological condition has been ranked as
one of the most important risk factors contributing to the occurrence and severity of cardiovascular
diseases [3,4]. Many clinical trials have demonstrated that increase in plasma total cholesterol (TC)
and triglycerides (TG) levels are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis [5,6].
In the early 1950s, it was noted that intravenous injection of certain nonionic detergents resulted in
milky serum that lasted up to 48 h [7]. This was shown later to be due to the inhibition of TG
hydrolysis by lipoprotein lipase (LPL) [8]. Since then, lipolysis inhibition has been used to determine
hepatic TG production rates, with Triton WR-1339 (also known as tyloxapol). Triton WR-1339-induced
hyperlipidemic rats are widely used as a model to screen for or to differentiate the mechanism of
action of potential hypolipidemic agents [9-11].
Fibrates and their derivatives are group of drugs, which have been widely used to treat
hyperlipoproteinemia, in particular cases with elevated TG. Bezafibrate is a member of this class
which is a commercially available drug [12]. The major pharmacological mechanism of fibrates,
including bezafibrate, is supposed to be an increased hydrolysis of TG by the induction of lipoprotein
lipase and reduction of apolipoprotein C-III synthesis [13]. In spite of extensive research and
development of numerous drugs, the anti-hyperlipidemic therapy is still underprivileged in term of
efficiency, safety and thorough knowledge of the exact mechanisms.
During the last decade, a lot of attention has been given to studies focused on the synthesis of
indole containing agents and their pharmacological activities. From these studies, which include our
previously published work, it was found that compounds containing the indole-2-carboxamodes have a
promising potential effects as lipid-lowering agents [14-20]. Previous work by our group revealed that
N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-fluoro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives (Figure 1) exhibited significant
hypolipidemic effects [19].
Figure 1. N-(Benzoylphenyl)-5-fluoro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives (A, B) with
significant hypolipidemic effects.
O
F
F
O
O
O
N
H
HN
N
H
HN
A
B

Molecules 2011, 16
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Given the importance in fighting hyperlipidemia, which is the prevalent risk of cardiovascular
diseases, the present study focuses on the synthesis (Schemes 1 and 2) and pharmacological evaluation
of novel N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-substituted-1H-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives from 5-methoxy- and
5-chloroindole carboxamides (compounds 8-12, 15, 16, 18). These compounds were then screened as
models for their lipid-lowering effect.
Scheme 1. Preparation of N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2-carboxamides 8-12
starting from 5-methoxyindole-2-carbonyl chloride (2).
H3CO
H3CO
i
COCl
COOH
N
H
N
H
2
1
ii
O
NH2
O
NH2
Cl
O
NH2
O
O
OH
O
NH2
NH2
H3C
7
3
6
5
4
O
Cl
O
H3CO
N
H
O
HN
O
NH
N
H
H3CO
O
N
H
NH
H3CO
HO
O
O
8
11
12
O
O
NH
O
N
H
NH
NH
H3CO
O
CH3
H3CO
9
10
i: SOCl2, DCM, 70 °C, 24hr, ii: NaOC2H5, CHCl3, 70–80 °C, 4–6 hrs.
Scheme 2. Preparation of N-(benzoylphenyl)-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamides 15, 16, 18
starting from 5-chloroindole-2-carbonyl chloride (14).
Cl
Cl
i
COCl
COOH
N
H
N
H
14
13
ii
O
NH2
O
O
NH2
3
NH2
4
17
Cl
O
HN
O
O
N
H
O
NH
NH
O
NH
NH
15
O
Cl
Cl
16
18
i: SOCl2, DCM, 70–80 °C, 20hr, ii: acetonitrile, toluene, 110–120 °C, 20–24 hrs.

Molecules 2011, 16
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2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemical Studies
In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the hypolipidemic activity of Novel N-(Benzoylphenyl)-
5-substituted-1H-indole-2-carboxamide derivatives, using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic
rats, which have been widely used as a model for screening the lipid lowering effect of synthesized and
naturally derived compounds [9,10,21-23].
5-Methoxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (1) was treated with thionyl chloride and dichloromethane. The
mixture was refluxed at 70 °C for one day, furnishing the 5-methoxyindole-2-acylchloride (2) as a
pure white solid and in high yield. The acid chloride was next refluxed with aminobenzophenones 3-7
in chloroform using excess sodium ethoxide as a catalyst (Scheme 1). The reaction was monitored by
thin layer chromatography (TLC) revealing many side products if the reaction time exceeded 10 hours.
It was found that heating the mixture at 70 °C for 4 to 6 hours gave low yields, but isolable fairly pure
compounds. Purification using column chromatography gave the final products 8-12 in moderate to
low amounts but high purity, aside from compound 12 all these compounds were successfully prepared
in acceptable yields upon chromatography separation. Although alternative procedures gave higher
yields of targets, our main interest was to collect sufficient amounts for pharmacological screening.
1H- NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, elemental and MS analysis were used in structural elucidation and confirmed
the proposed structures of the target compounds.
The preparation of the 5-chloroindole derivatives 15, 16 and 18 was started by preparing
5-chloroindole-2-carbonyl chloride (14), which was obtained from 5-chloroindole-2-carboxylic acid
(13) by acylation with thionyl chloride in DCM at 70–80 °C. Coupling of the acid chloride 14 with
the corresponding benzophenone amine derivatives 3, 4, 17 in the presence of acetonitrile and toluene
at 100–110 °C gave the target compounds (Scheme 2). The precipitated products were filtered and
recrystallized to afford pure target compounds in satisfactory yields.
2.2. Pharmacological Studies
2.2.1. Induction of Hyperlipidemia by Triton WR-1339
In this model, parenteral administration of Triton WR-1339 to adult rats could induce
hyperlipidemia. The peak plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reached at 20 h
followed by a decline to normal values [18-20,24]. In the current study, the same model showed a
similar pattern of lipid profile changes 12 h after Triton WR-1339 administration.
The plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C),
and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of all groups treated after 12 h are shown in
Table 1. Triton WR-1339 caused a significant increase in plasma TC, TG and LDL-C (p < 0.0001)
levels in the hyperlipidemic control group (HG), 12 h after Triton WR-1339 administration in
comparison with the normal control group (NCG).
In fact, the increase of plasma total cholesterol concentration in the HG was 113% after 12 h as
compared to the NCG. The triglyceride level in the HG was also increased by 1064% after 12 h. At the

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same time the LDL-C level in HG was elevated by 98% after 12 h as compared to the NCG, while a
significant decrease (39%, p < 0.0001) in the HDL-C was noticed 12 h after Triton WR-1339 injection.
Table 1. Effect of the novel compounds 8, 9, 15, 16, 18 and bezafibrate on plasma lipid
levels in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipemic rats after 12 h.
Lipid profile
NCG
HG
TC (mg/dl)
107 ± 0.76
228 ± 3.32 b
227 ± 3.53
112 ± 1.09 a
220 ± 4.63
109 ± 2.10 a
106 ± 0.99 a
221 ± 2.40
TG (mg/dl)
131 ± 1.52
1526 ± 8.06 b
1544 ± 3.38
85 ± 1.60 b
1566 ± 4.44
96 ± 0.70 b
103 ± 2.43 b
132 ± 0.64 b
HDL-C(mg/dl) LDL-C (mg/dl)
50.3 ± 0.40
30.6 ± 0.92 b
28.0 ± 0.73
59.2 ± 0.88 b
29.9 ± 0.33
61.0 ± 0.56 b
63.1 ± 0.31 b
48.5 ± 0.48 b
31.1 ± 0.47
61.6 ± 0.88 b
65.9 ± 0.50
23.5 ± 0.53 a
63.6 ± 0.42
24.9 ± 0.23 a
21.2 ± 0.31 a
60.9 ± 0.79
C8
C9
C15
C16
C18
BF
Values are expressed as means ± SD from eight animals in each group. HG, hyperlipidemic control
group; C8, compound 8 + 4% DMSO; C9, compound 9 + 4% DMSO; C15, compound 15 + 4%
DMSO; C16, compound 16 + 4% DMSO; C18, compound 18 + 4% DMSO; BF, bezafibrate + 4%
DMSO; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol;
LDL-C, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Compounds 8, 9, 15, 16, 18 and BF are compared with
HG. HG is compared with NCG. a p < 0.001, b p < 0.0001.
2.2.2. Effect of Compounds 8, 9, 15, 16, 18 and Bezafibrate on Rat Plasma Lipid Profile
The plasma TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels of bezafibrate (BF), and compound 8-, 9-, 15-, 16-
and 18-treated rats after 12 h are shown in Table 1. Importantly, the elevated plasma TG
levels produced by Triton WR-1339 administration were significantly (p < 0.0001) concealed by 91%,
94%, 93% and 93% in BF, compound 9-, 16- and 18-treated rats, respectively, with respect to
hyperlipidemic control (HG).
The HDL-C levels were significantly increased after 12 h by 93%, 99%, 106% and 58%
(p < 0.0001) in rats treated with compounds 9, 16, 18 and BF, respectively, compared to
hyperlipidemic control HG (Table 1).
Rats treated with compounds 9, 16 and 18 showed a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in plasma
total cholesterol levels after 12 h (Table 1). In fact, it was found that the total cholesterol level was
reduced by 51%, 52% and 54% after 12 h in compound 9-, 16- and 18-treated rats respectively,
compared to HG-treated rats. After 12 h of treatment, LDL-C levels were lowered by 62%, 60% and
66% (p < 0.001) in compound 9-, 16- and 18-treated rats, respectively, compared to the hyperlipidemic
control group, HG (Table 1). No significant differences in TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels were
observed in compound 8- and 15-treated rats compared to HG-treated rats.
Our results show that the hyperlipidemia induced by Triton WR-1339 was significantly suppressed
with compounds 9, 16, 18 and bezafibrate in comparison with the control group after 12 h, and it
was observed that the hypolipidemic effects of compounds 9, 16 and 18 were obviously higher for
triglycerides than for cholesterol. These results could be explained by understanding that the large
increase in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides after Triton WR-1339 administration resulted mostly
from an increase of the secretion of very low-density lipoprotein VLDL by the liver. In VLDL, the

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triglycerides proportion is several times greater than that of cholesterol and this is accompanied by a
strong reduction of VLDL and LDL catabolism [25]. This result suggests that the compounds are
partially able to restore the catabolism of lipoproteins.
In addition, a noticeable reduction in plasma total cholesterol was observed in the compound 9-, 16-
and 18-treated groups. This reduction was associated with a decrease of its LDL fraction, which is
considered as main coronary heart disease. This result suggests that the cholesterol-lowering activity of
these novel compounds can be a direct result of the enhancement of LDL catabolism through hepatic
receptor [23].
In addition, HDL-C levels were significantly increased with compounds 9, 16 and 18 after 12 h of
Triton WR-1339 administration, which may have a protective role against atherogenesis [26]. HDL
enhances the mobilization of triglycerides and cholesterol from plasma to liver where it is catabolised
and secreted in the form of bile acids [27].
It is important to point out that compounds 10, 11 and 12 were not biologically tested because they
are derivatives of compound 8 and 15 (2-aminobenzophenone) which showed no activity in this
model. Build up on previous data [19], it can be concluded that C-5 substitution on the indole system
has no significant effect on hypolipidemic activity. However, active hypolipidemic compounds which
involve N-(3-or 4-benzoylphenyl)-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (9, 16, 18) might imply that active hits
favor an extended structure.
In sum, compounds 9, 16, 18 were shown to improve the lipid profile in Triton-induced
hyperlipidemic rats. These findings are compatible with our previous published data, which confirm
that compounds possess indole-2-carboxamide nuclei have lipid lowering effects [11,18-20]. The
results are highly promising, but more studies are necessary to understand the exact mechanism of
action of these novel compounds as antihyperlipidemic agents and to clarify their structure-activity
relationships.
3. Experimental
3.1. General
Chemicals and reagents used were obtained from Aldrich Chemicals UK Ltd and Acros Ltd (UK).
Solvents and reagents were of general grade unless stated otherwise. Melting points were measured
using a Gallenkamp melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectra were
collected on a Varian Oxford NMR-300 MHz or Bruker Ultra shield 300 MHz spectrometer. The
samples were dissolved in DMSO-d6. Mass spectrometry was performed using a Bruker Apex-IV mass
spectrometer with an electrospray interface (ESI) (Bruker, Bremen, Germany). Infrared spectra were
recorded using a Shimadzu IR Affinity-1 spectrophotometer. The samples were dissolved in CHCl3
and analyzed as thin solid films using NaCl plates. Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was
carried out using pre-coated aluminum plates and visualized by UV light (λ = 254 and/or 360 nm).
Elemental analysis was performed using a EuroVector 2000 elemental analyzer (Milan, Italy).
5-Methoxyindole-2-carbonyl chloride (2). A mixture of 5-methoxy-indole-2-carboxylic acid (1, 0.5 g,
2.6 mmol) and thionyl chloride (5 mL) dissolved in dry dichloromethane (DCM, 30 mL). The reaction
mixture was stirred and refluxed for 24 h at 70 °C till the completion of the reaction. Solvent was

Molecules 2011, 16
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evaporated under vacuum, then chloroform was added twice and evaporated again to dryness in order
to remove the excess of thionyl chloride present and thus afford compound 2 as a white solid (0.49,
89%). The product was used for preparation of all amide derivatives.
N-(2-Benzoylphenyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (8). 5-Methoxyindole-2-carbonyl chloride
(2, 0.50 g, 2.4 mmol) was added to a solution of 2-aminobenzophenone (3, 0.94 g, 4.8 mmol) and
sodium ethoxide (NaOC2H5, 0.32 g, 4.7 mmol) in chloroform (25 mL). The mixture was refluxed for
6 h at 80 °C then the reaction mixture was filtered, and the solid recrystallized from CHCl3 to afford a
1
yellow solid (8, 0.65 g, 74%); m.p.: 230 °C; H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 11.66, 11.65 (2br s, 1H, NH,
rotamers), 10.99, 10.97 (2br s, 1 H, NH, rotamers), 7.89-7.84 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.7-7.72 (m, 2H,
Ar-H), 7.6-7.55 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.5-7.39 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.3-7.23 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.18 (m, 1H, Ar-H),
7.08 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 6.86-6.81 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 3.76, 3.73 (2br s, 3H, OCH3, rotamers); 13C-NMR
(DMSO-d6): δ = 196.05 (CO ketone), 159.83 (CONH), 154.28, 137.72, 137.18, 132.95, 132.61,
132.53, 131.65, 130.86, 130.61, 130.24, 128.64, 127.65, 124.36, 124.04, 115.69, 113.65, 104.20,
102.44, 55.70 (OCH3) ppm; IR (thin film): ν = 3449, 3291, 1667, 1628, 1582, 1535, 1450, 1261, 1219,
1157, 1030, 940, 845, 755 cm−1; MS (ESI, positive mode): m/z [M+H]+ 371.13968 (C23H19N2O3
requires 371.13957); Anal. Calcd for C23H18N2O3: C, 74.58; H, 4.90; N, 7.56. Found: C, 74.69; H,
4.79, N, 7.60.
N-(3-Benzoylphenyl)-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (9). 5-Methoxyindole-2-carbonyl chloride
(2, 0.40 g, 1.9 mmol) was added to a solution of 3-aminobenzophenone (4, 0.75 g, 3.8 mmol) and
sodium ethoxide (NaOC2H5, 0.26 g, 3.8 mmol) in chloroform (25 mL). The mixture was refluxed for
4 h at 80 °C. The organic layer was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue
was separated by column chromatography using chloroform/methanol (99:1) as eluent to afford
an off-white solid (9, 50 mg, 7%); m.p.: 200 °C; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 11.52 (br s, 1H, NH), 10.41
(br s, 1H, NH), 8.25 (br s, 1H, Ar-H), 8.18 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.79 (d,d, J = 8.4, 1.3 Hz,
Ar-H), 7.68-7.73 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.65-7.55 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.48 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.36 (d,d,
J = 8.3, 2.0 Hz, 2H, Ar-H), 7.15 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 6.89 (d,d, J = 8.9, 2.3 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 3.78
(s, 3H, OCH3); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 196.13 (CO ketone), 160.38 (CONH), 154.36, 139.70,
137.88, 137.55, 133.16, 132.72, 131.86, 130.11, 129.53, 129.05, 127.78, 125.05, 124.39, 121.54,
115.75, 113.72, 104.34, 102.58, 55.75 (OCH3) ppm; IR (thin film): ν = 3356, 3291, 2936, 1643, 1585,
1543, 1431, 1281, 1258, 1092, 1030, 890, 790, 740 cm−1; MS (ESI, positive mode): m/z [M+Na]+
393.12096 (C23H18N2NaO3 requires 393.12151); Anal. Calcd for C23H18N2O3: C, 74.58; H, 4.90; N,
7.56. Found: C, 74.62; H, 4.92, N, 7.60.
5-Methoxy-N-[2-(4-methylbenzoyl)phenyl]-1H-indole-2-carboxamide
(10).
5-Methoxyindole-2-
carbonyl chloride (2, 0.40 g, 1.9 mmol) was added to a solution of 2-amino-4'-methyl benzophenone
(5, 0.80 g, 3.8 mmol) and sodium ethoxide (NaOC2H5, 0.26 g, 3.8 mmol) in chloroform (30 mL). The
mixture was refluxed for 4 h at 80 °C. The organic layer was removed by evaporation under reduced
pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography using cyclohexane/ ethyl acetate
1
(8:2) to afford a yellow solid (10, 80 mg, 11%); m.p.: 210 °C; H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 11.62 (br s,
1H, NH), 10.85 (br s, 1H, NH), 7.91 (m, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.68-7.56 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.50-7.44

Molecules 2011, 16
8299
(m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.40-7.23 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.13 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 6.87 (d,d, J = 8.2, 2.4 Hz, 1H, Ar-H),
3.76 (s, 3H, OCH3), 2.37 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 196.08 (CO ketone), 159.85
(CONH), 154.33, 143.41, 137.35, 135.14, 132.67, 132.60, 131.67, 131.10, 130.47, 130.40, 130.29,
129.49, 129.25, 127.71, 124.28, 123.87, 115.73, 113.66, 103.79, 102.50, 55.71 (OCH3), 21.61 (CH3)
ppm; IR (thin film): ν = 3294, 2959, 1667, 1578, 1524, 1447, 1261, 1215, 1022, 930, 799, 752 cm−1;
MS (ESI, positive mode): m/z [M+Na]+ 407.13661 (C24H20N2NaO3 requires 407.13716); Anal. Calcd
for C24H20N2O3: C, 74.98; H, 5.24; N, 7.29. Found: C, 74.95; H, 5.20, N, 7.31.
N-[2-(Benzoyl-4-chlorophenyl)]-5-methoxy-1H-indole-2-carboxamide
(11).
5-Methoxyindole-2-
carbonyl chloride (2, 0.40 g, 1.9 mmol) was added to a solution of 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone (6,
0.88 g, 3.8 mmol) and sodium ethoxide (NaOC2H5, 0.26 g, 3.8 mmol) in chloroform (35 mL). The
mixture was refluxed for 4 h at 80 °C. The organic layer was removed by evaporation under reduced
pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate
(85:15) to afford a yellow solid (11, 60 mg, 8%); m.p.: 200 °C; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 11.56 (br s,
1H, NH), 10.69 (s, 1H, NH), 7.78-7.70 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.62-7.57 (m, 1H, Ar-H), 7.49 (d,d, J = 7.6,
7.1 Hz, 2H, Ar-H), 7.43 (d, J = 1.6 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.26 (d, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.09 (m, J = 1.9 Hz,
2H, Ar-H), 6.85 (d,d, J = 8.9, 2.4 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 3.76 (s, 3H, OCH3); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6):
δ = 195.60 (CO ketone), 159.87 (CONH), 154.31, 136.97, 135.62, 133.32, 132.66, 132.06, 131.20,
130.25, 129.80, 128.75, 128.60, 127.60, 126.29, 115.85, 113.66, 104.15, 102.45, 55.70 (OCH3) ppm;
IR (thin film): ν = 3298, 2924, 2851, 1659, 1628, 1578, 1531, 1508, 1458, 1288, 1246, 1219, 1035,
966, 840, 805, 755 cm−1; MS (ESI, positive mode): m/z [M+Na]+ 427.08199 (C23H17ClN2NaO3
requires 427.08254); Anal. Calcd for C23H17ClN2O3: C, 68.23; H, 4.23; N, 6.92. Found: C, 68.45; H, 4.32,
N, 6.90.
2-(2-{[(5-Methoxy-1H-indole-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}benzoyl)benzoic acid (12). 5-Methoxyindole-2-
carbonyl chloride (2, 0.50 g, 2.4 mmol) was added to a solution of 2-aminobenzophenone-2'-
carboxylic acid (7, 1.15 g) and NaOC2H5 (0.32 g, 4.8 mmol) in chloroform (25 mL). The mixture was
refluxed for 4 h at 80 °C. The organic layer was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and
the residue was purified by column chromatography using cyclohexane/ethyl acetate (75:25) to afford
a yellow-orange solid (12, 60 mg, 6%); m.p.: 240 °C. The low amount collected and its decomposition
precluded further analysis and biological screening.
5-Chloroindole-2-carbonyl chloride (14). A mixture of 5-chloroindole-2-carboxylic acid (13, 1 g,
5.11 mmol) and thionyl chloride (SOCl2) (3.6 mL) in dry DCM (20 mL) was added in a round
bottomed flask. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 20 h at 70–80 °C till the completion of the
reaction. Solvent was evaporated under vacuum, then DCM was added twice and evaporated again to
dryness in order to remove the excess of thionyl chloride present, and thus afford acid chloride 14
(0.95 g, 86%) as a yellow precipitate; Rf: 0.71 (cyclohexane/ethyl acetate, 7:3); m.p.= 209 °C;
1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 11.90 (s, 1H, NH-indole), 7.65 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.65 (d, J = 7.8 Hz,
1H, Ar-H), 7.47 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.26 (dd, J = 7.2, 7.8 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.16 (s, 1H, Ar-H),
7.07 (dd, J = 7.5, 7.2 Hz, 1H, Ar-H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 162.21 (CO), 137.89, 127.54, 127.20,

Molecules 2011, 16
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125.09 (CH-Ar), 122.51 (CH-Ar), 120.63 (CH-Ar), 113.05 (CH-Ar), 108.23 (CH-Ar) ppm; IR (thin
film): ν = 3368, 3294, 1679, 1645, 1592, 1547, 1284, 1215, 851, 790 cm−1.
N-[2-Benzoylphenyl]-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (15). 5-Chloroindole-2-carbonyl chloride
(14, 0.40 g, 1.86 mmol) was added to a solution of 2-aminobenzophenone (3, 1.50 g, 7.6 mmol) in a
mixture of acetonitrile (20 mL) and dry toluene (20 mL). The mixture was refluxed for 24 h at 110 °C,
then cooled. The organic layer was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue
was crystallized using chloroform/methanol to afford a yellow solid (15, 0.36 g, 52%); Rf: 0.51
(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate, 7:3); m.p.: 260 °C; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 11.94 (br s, 1H, NH), 10.88
(br s, 1H, NH), 7.85 (d, J = 7.92 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.75 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.71-7.57 (m, 3H, Ar-H),
13
7.50-7.36 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.41-7.24 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.23-7.13 (m, 2H, Ar-H); C-NMR (DMSO-d6):
δ = 196.32 (CO-ketone), 158.87 (CONH), 143.21, 138.23, 137.26, 135.11, 132.47, 131.41, 131.01,
130.37, 129.21, 127.38, 124.59, 124.42, 124.13, 121.31, 113.39, 104.16 ppm; IR (thin film): ν = cm−1;
3344, 2955, 1671, 1575, 1524, 1261, 1215, 1022, 930, 799; HRMS (ESI, negative mode): m/z
(M+ - H+) 373.07422 (C22H14ClN2O2) requires 373.07438; Anal. Calcd for C22H15ClN2O2: C, 70.50;
H, 4.03; N, 7.74. Found: C, 70.82; H, 4.11; N, 7.22.
N-[3-Benzoylphenyl]-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (16). 5-Chloroindole-2-carbonyl chloride
(14, 0.50 g, 2.34 mmol) was added to a solution of 3-aminobenzophenone (4, 1.25 g, 6.34 mmol) in
acetonitrile (15 mL) and dry toluene (20 mL). The mixture was refluxed for 24 h at 110 °C, then
cooled. The organic layer was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue was
crystallized using chloroform/methanol to afford a yellow crystals (16, 0.55 g, 63%); Rf: 0.37
(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate, 7:3); m.p.: 255 °C; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 12.01 (br s, 1H, NH), 10.54
(s, 1H, NH), 8.25 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 8.18 (d, J = 7.97 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.84-7.72 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.69 (d,
J = 7.20 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.65-7.53 (m, 3H, Ar-H), 7.50 (d, J = 4.75 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.46 (br s, 2H,
13
Ar-H), 7.24 (dd, J = 8.61, 8.61, 1.6 Hz, 1H, Ar-H); C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 196.07 (CO-ketone),
160.07 (CONH), 139.52, 137.90, 137.53, 135.75, 133.16 (CH-Ar), 133.10, 130.11 (CH-Ar), 129.58
(CH-Ar), 129.05 (CH-Ar), 128.48, 125.23 (CH-Ar), 124.93, 124.51(CH-Ar), 124.43 (CH-Ar), 121.62
(CH-Ar), 121.35 (CH-Ar), 114.48 (CH-Ar), 104.18 (CH-Ar) ppm; IR (thin film): ν = 3445, 2999,
1665, 1565, 910, 812 cm−1; HRMS (ESI, negative mode): m/z (M+ - H+) 373.07441 (C22H14ClN2O2)
requires 373.07438; Anal. Calcd for C22H15ClN2O2: C, 70.50; H, 4.03; N, 7.47. Found: C, 69.99;
H, 4.10; N, 7.19.
N-[4-Benzoylphenyl]-5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxamide (18). 5-Chloroindole-2-carbonyl chloride
(14, 0.51 g, 2.35 mmol) was added to a solution of 3-aminobenzophenone (17, 1.24 g, 6.33 mmol) in
acetonitrile (15 mL) and dry toluene (20 mL). The mixture was refluxed for 20 h at 110 °C, then
cooled. The organic layer was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure and the residue
was crystallized using chloroform/methanol to afford yellow crystals (18, 0.35 g, 39%); Rf: 0.38
(cyclohexane/ethyl acetate, 7:3); m.p.: 256 °C; 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 11.98 (br s, 1H, NH), 10.58
(s, 1H, NH), 8.20 (s, 1H, Ar-H), 8.18 (d, J = 8.12 Hz, 1H, Ar-H), 7.84-7.65 (m, 4H, Ar-H),
7.63-7.51 (m, 4H, Ar-H), 7.45 (m, 2H, Ar-H), 7.24 (m, 1H, Ar-H); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ = 195.45
(CO-ketone), 159.87 (CONH), 139.45, 137.88, 137.78, 135.55, 132.98, 133.15, 130.01, 129.48,

Molecules 2011, 16
8301
128.99, 128.58, 125.20, 124.97, 124.34, 124.44, 121.63, 121.34, 114.48, 104.18 ppm; IR (thin film):
ν = 3475, 2965, 1675, 1585, 1554, , 841 cm−1; HRMS (ESI, negative mode): m/z (M+ - H+) 373.07437
(C22H14ClN2O2) requires 373.07438; Anal. Calcd for C22H15ClN2O2: C, 70.50; H, 4.03; N, 7.47.
Found: C, 70.47; H, 4.12; N, 7.34.
3.2. Animals and Treatments
Sixty four adult male Wistar rats, weighing 180–250 g, bred in the animal care centre of Faculty of
Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University, Amman, Jordan, were provided ad libitum access only to tap
water throughout the experimental duration. Rats were maintained in a 12 h light-dark cycle under
constant humidity (55 ± 15%) and (22 ± 2 °C). All experiments were performed in accordance with the
Guidelines for Animal Welfare Committee of Al-Zaytoonah University.
3.3. Triton Model of Hyperlipidemia
Triton WR-1339 dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and administered intraperitoneally to the
rats at a dose of (250 mg/kg body weight) in order to induce hyperlipidemia [28,29].
3.4. Pharmacological Experimental Design
Overnight fasted rats were randomly divided into eight groups of eight animals each. The first
group, serving as normal control group (NCG) received an intraperitoneal administration of normal
saline; the second hyperlipidemic group (HG) received an intraperitoneal injection of Triton 4%
DMSO. In the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh groups, rats were intraperitoneally injected with
Triton, followed by an intragastric administration of (1 mL) of compounds 8, 9, 15, 16 and 18
(15 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in 4% DMSO. The last group (BF) was also intraperitoneally
injected with Triton and intragastrically treated with bezafibrate (100 mg/kg body weight) dissolved in
4% DMSO [30,31]. After 12 h of treatments, animals were anaesthetized with diethyl ether and blood
was collected. The blood samples were immediately centrifuged (3000 rpm for 10 min) and the plasma
was used for lipid analysis by an enzymatic method with an automatic analyzer (Model Erba XL-300,
Germany, Mannheim, Germany)
3.5. Statistical Analysis
Results were expressed as mean ± SD. Data obtained were analyzed using the Student’s t-test, and
differences with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express their sincere appreciation to the University of Jordan and Al-Zaytoonah
University of Jordan for financial support.

Molecules 2011, 16
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Sample Availability: Samples of the compounds are available from the authors.
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