Synthesis, biological properties, and molecular modeling investigations of novel 3,4-diarylpyrazolines as potent and selective CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonists

A series of novel 3,4-diarylpyrazolines was synthesized and evaluated in cannabinoid (hCB(1) and hCB(2)) receptor assays. The 3,4-diarylpyrazolines elicited potent in vitro CB, antagonistic activities and in general exhibited high CB1 vs CB2 receptor subtype selectivities. Some key representatives showed potent pharmacological in vivo activities after oral dosing in both a CB agonist-induced blood pressure model and a CB agonist-induced hypothermia model. Chiral separation of racemic 67, followed by crystallization and an X-ray diffraction study, elucidated the absolute configuration of the eutomer 80 (SLV319) at its C-4 position as 4S. Bioanalytical studies revealed a high CNS-plasma ratio for the development candidate 80. Molecular modeling studies showed a relatively close three-dimensional structural overlap between 80 and the known CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR141716A). Further analysis of the X-ray diffraction data of 80 revealed the presence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond that was confirmed by computational methods. Computational models and X-ray diffraction data indicated a different intramolecular hydrogen bonding pattern in the in vivo inactive compound 6. In addition, X-ray diffraction studies of 6 revealed a tighter intermolecular packing than 80, which also may contribute to its poorer absorption in vivo. Replacement of the amidine -NH2 moiety with a -NHCH3 group proved to be the key change for gaining oral biovailability in this series of compounds leading to the identification of 80.