http://csmres.co.uk/cs.public.upd/article-downloads/Synthetic-therapeutic-peptides-science-and-market.pdf

Synthetic therapeutic peptides: science and market.

Methods: This was a 12-week, double-blind, placebocontrolled, parallel-group trial with a 3-week single-blind washout. Outpatients at 23 centers in the United States were randomized to receive placebo, 5 mg of donepezil hydrochloride, or 10 mg of donepezil hydrochloride (5 mg/d during week 1 then 10 mg/d thereafter) administered once daily at bedtime. Primary efficacy was measured using the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale‐Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog) and Clinician’s Interview˛Based Impression of Change including caregiver information (CIBIC plus). Results: A total of 468 patients entered the study, more than 97% of whom were included in the intention-totreat (end point) analyses. The use of donepezil produced statistically significant improvements in ADAS-cog, CIBIC plus, and Mini-Mental State Examination scores, relative to placebo. The mean drug-placebo differences, at end point, for the groups receiving 5 mg/d and 10 mg/d of donepezil hydrochloride were, respectively, 2.5 and 3.1 units for ADAS-cog (P,.001); 0.3 and 0.4 units for CIBIC plus (P#.008); and 1.0 and 1.3 units for Mini-Mental State Examination (P#.004). On the CIBIC plus scale, 32% and 38% of patients, respectively, treated with 5 mg/d and 10 mg/d of donepezil hydrochloride demonstrated clinical improvement (a score of 1, 2, or 3) compared with placebo (18%). The mean (± SEM) donepezil plasma concentrations at study end point were 25.9 ± 0.7 ng/mL and 50.6 ± 1.9 ng/mL in the groups receiving dosages of 5 mg/d and 10 mg/d, respectively. Corresponding mean (± SEM) percentages of inhibition of red blood cell acetylcholinesterase activity were 63.9% ± 0.9% and 74.7% ± 1.2% for these 2 dosages, respectively. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between plasma concentrations of donepezil and acetylcholinesterase inhibition; the EC50 (50% effect) was obtained at a concentration of 15.6 ng/mL. A plateau of inhibition (80%-90%) was reached at plasma donepezil concentrations higher than 50 ng/mL. The correlations between plasma drug concentrations and both ADAS-cog (P,.001) and CIBIC plus (P = .006) were also statistically significant, as were the correlations between red blood cell acetylcholinesterase inhibition and change in ADAScog (P,.001) and CIBIC plus (P = .005). The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events with both dosages of donepezil (68%˛78%) was comparable with that observed with placebo (69%). The use of 10 mg/d of donepezil hydrochloride was associated with transient mild nausea, insomnia, and diarrhea. There were no treatmentemergent clinically significant changes in vital signs or clinical laboratory test results. More important, the use of donepezil was not associated with the hepatotoxic effects observed with acridine-based cholinesterase inhibitors. Conclusion: Donepezil hydrochloride (5 and 10 mg) administered once daily is a well-tolerated and efficacious agent for treating the symptoms of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer disease. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158:1021-1031

/pdf/donepezil-improves-cognition-and-global-function-in-1na4ihyzns.pdf

Donepezil Improves Cognition and Global Function in Alzheimer Disease A 15-Week, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

The classic view of estrogen actions in the brain was confined to regulation of ovulation and reproductive behavior in the female of all mammalian species studied, including humans. Burgeoning evidence now documents profound effects of estrogens on learning, memory, and mood as well as neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes. Most data derive from studies in females, but there is mounting recognition that estrogens play important roles in the male brain, where they can be generated from circulating testosterone by local aromatase enzymes or synthesized de novo by neurons and glia. Estrogen-based therapy therefore holds considerable promise for brain disorders that affect both men and women. However, as investigations are beginning to consider the role of estrogens in the male brain more carefully, it emerges that they have different, even opposite, effects as well as similar effects in male and female brains. This review focuses on these differences, including sex dimorphisms in the ability of estradiol to influence synaptic plasticity, neurotransmission, neurodegeneration, and cognition, which, we argue, are due in a large part to sex differences in the organization of the underlying circuitry. There are notable sex differences in the incidence and manifestations of virtually all central nervous system disorders, including neurodegenerative disease (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's), drug abuse, anxiety, and depression. Understanding the cellular and molecular basis of sex differences in brain physiology and responses to estrogen and estrogen mimics is, therefore, vitally important for understanding the nature and origins of sex-specific pathological conditions and for designing novel hormone-based therapeutic agents that will have optimal effectiveness in men or women.

Estrogen Actions in the Brain and the Basis for Differential Action in Men and Women: A Case for Sex-Specific Medicines

The present invention provides compositions and methods for silencing gene expression by delivering nucleic acid-lipid particles comprising a siRNA molecule to a cell.

Lipid encapsulated interfering RNA

Lectin-mediated drug targeting: history and applications

Compounds represented by the general formula (I), salts thereof, and hydrates of both: (I) wherein T is a single bond, optionally substituted C1-4 alkylene, or the like; the symbols ˙˙˙˙˙˙ are each a single bond or a double bond; A is a single bond, a divalent group derived from a 5- to 14-membered heterocycle which may be substituted, or the like; Y is a single bond or the like; Z is methylene or the like; G is phenylene optionally fused with a 5- or 6-membered ring which may have a heteroatom, or the like; Ra and Rb are each independently hydrogen or the like; W is a single bond or the like; R’ represents one to four independent hydrogen atoms or the like; and R” represents one to four independent hydrogen atoms or the like.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators

A series of 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoylamino)ethyl]piperidine derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activity. Substituting the benzamide with a bulky moiety in the para position led to a substantial increase in activity. Introduction of an akyl or phenyl group at the nitrogen atom of benzamide dramatically enhanced the activity. The basic quality of the nitrogen atom of piperidine appears to play an important role in the increased activity, since the N-benzoylpiperidine derivative was almost inactive. We found that 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-[4'-(benzylsulfonyl) benzoyl]-N-methylamino]ethyl]piperidine hydrochloride (21) (IC50 = 0.56 nM) is one of the most potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Compound 21 showed an affinity 18,000 times greater for AChE than for BuChE. At a dose of 3 mg/kg, 21 produced a marked and significant increase in acetylcholine (ACh) content in the cerebral vortex and hippocampus of rats. Compound 21 was chosen for advanced development as an antidementia agent.

Novel piperidine derivatives. Synthesis and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoylamino)ethyl]piperidine derivatives.

Following the discovery of a new series of 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoyl-N-methylamino)ethyl]piperidine (2) derivatives with a potent anti-acetylcholinesterase (anti-AChE) activity, we extended the structure-activity relationships (SAR) to rigid analogues (4) and 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoyl-N-phenylamino)ethyl]piperidine derivatives (3). Introduction of a phenyl group on the nitrogen atom of the amide moieties resulted in enhanced activity. The rigid analogue containing isoindolone (9) was found to exhibit potent anti-AChE activity comparable to that of 2. Furthermore, replacement of the isoindolone with other heterobicyclic ring systems was examined. Among the compounds prepared in these series, 1-benzyl-4-[2-[4-(benzoylamino)phthalimido]ethyl]piperidine hydrochloride (19) (IC50 = 1.2 nM) is one of the most potent inhibitors of AChE. Compound 19 showed a definite selectivity to AChE over the BuChE (about 34700-fold) and, at dosages of 10-50 mg/kg, exerted a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on AChE in rat brain.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: 1-benzyl-4-(2-phthalimidoethyl)piperidine, and related derivatives

The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (I);(see formula I) [wherein T represents a single bond, a C1-C4 alkylene group which may have a substituent and the like;(see formula I-1) formula (I-1) represents a single bond or a double bond; A represents a single bond, a bivalent 5- to 14-membered heterocyclic group which may have a substituent and the like; Y represents a single bond and the like; Z represents a methylene group and the like; ring G represents a phenylene group and the like which may condense with a 5- to 6-membered ring and may have a heteroatom; R a and R b are the same as or different from each other and represent a hydrogen atom and the like; W represents a single bond and the like; R' represents 1 to 4 independent hydrogen atoms and the like; and R" represents 1 to 4 independent hydrogen atoms and the like] or a salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof.

Selective estrogen receptor modulator

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method to determine (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu (NT-2) with neurotensin (NT) activity in rat plasma was developed and a pharmacokinetic study was performed in rats. Quantitative analysis with high reproducibility was achieved for NT-2 over the concentration range of 1.14-500 ng/ml. (Me)Arg-Lys-Pro-Trp-tert-Leu-Leu-OEt (NT-1) was rapidly hydrolyzed to NT-2 in rat plasma at 37 degrees C. This degradation of NT-1 was observed as a pseudo first-order reaction, and the pseudo first-order rate constant was calculated to be 7.26 min-1 (t1/2 = 0.095 min). The pharmacokinetic profiles of NT-2 after intravenous administration of NT-1 at doses of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg were compatible with that of NT-2 after intravenous administration of NT-2 at 0.5 mg/kg. Range of the half-life of the terminal phase (t1/2 beta) of NT-2 was 0.36-0.53 h. The absolute bioavailabilities after oral administrations of NT-1 and NT-2 at a dose of 20 mg/kg were 0.61 +/- 0.17 (mean +/- S.E.) and 0.19 +/- 0.08%, respectively. It was found that NT-1 was more suitable for oral administration than NT-2.

Atsushi Sasaki

Papers

Selective estrogen receptor modulators

Novel piperidine derivatives. Synthesis and anti-acetylcholinesterase activity of 1-benzyl-4-[2-(N-benzoylamino)ethyl]piperidine derivatives.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: 1-benzyl-4-(2-phthalimidoethyl)piperidine, and related derivatives

Selective estrogen receptor modulator

Pharmacokinetics of novel hexapeptides with neurotensin activity in rats.