Development of terphenyl-2-methyloxazol-5(4H)-one derivatives as selective reversible MAGL inhibitors

Abstract

Monoacylglycerol lipase is a serine hydrolase that plays a major role in the degradation of the endocannabinoid neurotransmitter 2-arachidonoylglycerol. A wide number of MAGL inhibitors are reported in literature; however, many of them are characterised by an irreversible mechanism of action and this behavior determines an unwanted chronic MAGL inactivation, which acquires a functional antagonism of the endocannabinoid system. The possible use of reversible MAGL inhibitors has only recently been explored, due to the lack of known compounds possessing efficient reversible inhibitory activities. In this work, we report a new series of terphenyl-2-methyloxazol-5(4H)-one derivatives characterised by a reversible MAGL-inhibition mechanism. Among them, compound 20b showed to be a potent MAGL reversible inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 348 nM) with a good MAGL/FAAH selectivity. Furthermore, this compound showed antiproliferative activities against two different cancer cell lines that overexpress MAGL.

Keywords:

• Monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors
• endocannabinoids
• docking
• molecular dynamic simulations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the University of Pisa for its funding on this research through the project no. PRA_2017_51.