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Bioisosteric modification of salvinorin A, a potent and selective kappa-opioid receptor agonist
D Jeremy Stewart1, Hesham Fahmy, Bryan L Roth
1Department of Pharmacognosy and National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677-1848, USA.
Abstract:
Salvinorin A ((2S,4aR,6aR,7R,9S,10aS, 10bR)-2H-naphtho[2,1-c]pyran-7-carboxylic acid, 9-(acetyloxy)-2-(3-furanyl)dodecahydro-6a,10b-dimethyl-4,10-dioxo methyl ester, 1, CAS 83729-01-5) has been shown to bind with high affinity and selectivity to the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) as an agonist. Bioisosteres of 1 were developed and biologically evaluated in binding and functional assays. The C-2 thioacetate isoster produced comparable activity to 1, but nitrogen substitution had a diminishing effect. Intermediates, which lack a beta-carbonyl at C-2, displayed moderate affinity. The derivatives were tested against all opioid subtypes and were selective towards KOR.
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