Pharmaceutical compositions containing quinazoline derivatives for treating as serotonin receptor antagonist

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing one or more quinazoline compounds as an active ingredient, which has antagonistic activity against serotonin 5-HT3A and is effective for the prevention and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including emesis, nausea, alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, compulsive neurosis, anxiety, seizure, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, psychosis, schizophrenia, suicidal tendency, sleep disorder, appetite disorder and migraine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims, under 35 U.S.C. §119(a), the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0084322 filed Aug. 22, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing one or more quinazoline derivatives as an active ingredient, which has antagonistic activity against serotonin 5-HT3A and is effective for the prevention and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including emesis, nausea, alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, compulsive neurosis, anxiety, seizure, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, psychosis, schizophrenia, suicidal tendency, sleep disorder, appetite disorder and migraine.

2. Description of the Background

Serotonin is known to play an important role in psychiatric disorders (e.g., depression, aggression, seizure, compulsive neurosis, psychosis, schizophrenia, suicidal tendency), degenerative nerve disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, anorexia, polyphagia, insomnia, alcoholism-related disorders, cerebral vascular accidents, migraine, and various other pathologic conditions [Meltzer,Neuropsychopharmacology,21:106S-115S (1999); Barnes & Sharp.Neuropsychopharmacology,38:1083-1152 (1999): Glennon,Neurosci. Biobehavioral Rev.,14:35(1990)]. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) receptors are present in human and animals, and play an important role in physiological and behavioral functions. Until now, about 15 genetically different 5-HT receptor subtypes have been cloned. Each subtype exhibits unique distribution and shows various preference and relationships for different ligands.

A serotonin 5-HT3receptor is a ligand-gated ionotropic receptor which allows the passage of cations [Maricq et al,Science,1991, 254, 432-437]. The 5-HT3receptor is mainly found in the human CNS [Morales, M et al,J. Neurosci.,2002, 22, 6732-6741]. The 5-HT3A receptor subtype was first cloned in 1991 by Maricq et al [Maricq et al,Science,1991, 254, 432-437], and is found in the peripheral and limbic areas of the brain, including cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and so forth [Tecott et al,Pro. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1993, 90, 1430-1434].

The 5-HT3receptor exists either as 5-HT3A homomer or 5-HT3A and 5-HT3B heteromer. Both have the 5-HT3A subtype and it is known that their function is mostly provided by 5-HT3A. According to physiological studies on the 5-HT3A receptor, ondansetron, granisetron, tropisetron, and the like are effective and selective antagonists of the receptor [Gaster et al,Med. Res. Rev.1997, 17, 163-214]. Clinical researches on these compounds show that they provide excellent effect for the treatment or amelioration of emesis, nausea, etc., during the cancer chemotherapy. Further, the 5-HT3A receptor is associated with alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, cognitive performance, psychological anxiety, pain, and the like [Silverston et al,Exp. Opi. Ther. Patents1996, 6, 471-481].

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of the present invention have discovered that the disclosed quinazoline derivatives described herein exhibit pharmacological antagonistic activity against serotonin 5-HT3A, and these compounds and compositions containing the same provide superior preventive and therapeutic effects in related CNS diseases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In one aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of CNS diseases related to the serotonin 5-HT3A receptor, which contains one or more quinazoline-based compounds or derivatives represented by the following Formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as active ingredient:

wherein

R2is a heterocyclic group selected from morpholine, pyrrolidine and piperidine,

wherein the phenyl or benzyl of R1are optionally substituted by a substituent selected from halogen, C1-C6alkyl and C1-C6alkoxy, and

n is an integer from 1 to 6.

More preferably,

n is an integer from 1 to 6.

Advantageous Effects

With superior antagonistic activity against serotonin 5-HT3A, the quinazoline derivatives of the present invention represented by the Formula (1) are effective for the prevention and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases.

Accordingly, the quinazoline derivatives of the present invention represented by Formula (1) are useful in a pharmaceutical composition or a health food composition for the prevention and treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, including emesis, nausea, alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, compulsive neurosis, anxiety, seizure, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, psychosis, schizophrenia, suicidal tendency, sleep disorder, appetite disorder and migraine.

The quinazoline derivatives represented by Formula (1) can be prepared by a variety of preparation methods [Korean Patent Application No. 2006-0065975]. The present invention is characterized not by the derivatives or the preparation methods thereof, but by their superior inhibition effect against the 5-HT3A receptor.

The quinazoline derivatives represented by Formula (1) may be used in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. Preferably, the salt may be an acid adduct salt formed from a pharmaceutically acceptable free acid. The quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1 may be prepared into a pharmaceutically acceptable acid adduct salt by the method commonly used in the related art. The free acid may be an organic or inorganic acid. Examples of the inorganic acid include hydrochloric acid, bromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like. Examples of the organic acid include citric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, formic acid, propionic acid, oxalic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, benzoic acid, gluconic acid, methanesulfonic acid, glycolic acid, succinic acid, 4-toluenesulfonic acid, galacturonic acid, embonic acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and the like.

When the composition of the present invention is used as medicine, the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be mixed with a vehicle commonly used in the pharmaceutical field and prepared into common preparation forms, for example, oral administration formulations such as tablet, capsule, troche, liquid, suspension, and the like; injection formulations such as solution or suspension for injection, dry powder for injection which can be used immediately by dissolving in distilled water for injection, and the like; or various other formulations including ointment. The pharmaceutical formulations prepared by using a commonly used vehicle may be administered orally or parenterally, for example, intravenously, subcutaneously, intra-abdominally or locally. The dose of the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1 according to the present invention may vary depending on the patient's age, physical conditions, and the like. In general, for an adult, 10 to 500 mg, preferably 50 to 300 mg, is administered per day. Depending on the decision of a pharmacist or a doctor, it may be administered several times, preferably once to 6 times, a day.

As used herein, health food refers to a food prepared into capsule, powder, suspension, and the like by adding the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1. It is intended to provide specific good effects on health, but, differently from medicines, it is made from food and is without adverse reactions, which may occur during long-term taking of medicines.

Specifically, the food may be confectionery, processed foods, dairy products, drinks, or the like, and may be in any form, without particular limitation. For example, the health food may be in the form of solid, semisolid, gel, liquid, powder, and the like.

For clinical purposes, the composition comprising the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1 as active ingredient may be administered orally or parenterally. The composition may be in the form of general medicines, quasi-drugs, health foods, and the like.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the same.

The quinazoline derivatives of the present invention may be known methods. Screening of activity was carried out in order to confirm the use of the compounds for treatment of new diseases.

EXAMPLES

The following examples illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the same.

Dimethyl 2-aminoterephthalate (3.54 g, 16.9 mmol) was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane. After adding triethylamine (5.8 mL, 42.3 mmol) and 1-chloro-4-isonatomethylbenzene (2.9 mL, 22.0 mmol), stirring was carried out at 90° C. under reflux for 3-4 days. After the reaction was completed, the produced solid was filtered with ether to obtain 2.38 g (41%) of 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazoline-7-carboxylic acid methyl ester.

Thus obtained ester (2.54 g, 7.4 mmol) was dissolved in 10% NaOH/1,4-dioxane (¼, w/w) at room temperature and stirred for 1 hour. After the reaction was completed, white solid produced by acidification with strong hydrochloric acid was filtered to obtain 2.22 g (91%) of 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazoline-7-carboxylic acid.

Thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.272 mol) was dissolved in SOCl2(4 mL) and stirred at 85° C. for 2 hours under reflux. The resultant compound was concentrated under reduced pressure. After maintaining at vacuum status for about 8 hours, the compound was dissolved in purified CH2Cl2(4 mL) and 2-pyrrolidine-1-yl-ethylamine (76 mL, 0.598 mmol) was slowly added dropwise at 0° C. Then, stirring was carried out at room temperature for 2 hours. After concentration under reduced pressure, the concentrate was filtered through silica gel chromatography (CH2Cl2:MeOH=10:1) to obtain 69 mg (59%) of the target compound.

From thus obtained ester (4.08 g, 13.0 mmol), 3.41 g (88%) of 3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (99 mg, 0.329 mmol), 45 mg (34%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (70 mL, 0.495 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (3.56 g, 10.91 mmol), 3.40 g (99%) of 3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (100 mg, 0.320 mmol), 45 mg (33%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (82 mL, 0.576 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (3.12 g, 9.5 mmol), 2.84 g (98%) of 3-(2-fluoro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (99 mg, 0.315 mmol), 35 mg (53%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (67 mL, 0.472 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (3.10 g, 9.4 mmol), 2.67 g (90%) of 3-(3-fluoro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (99 mg, 0.315 mmol), 35 mg (26%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (67 mL, 0.472 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (3.22 g, 9.8 mmol), 3.05 g (97%) of 3-(4-fluoro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (99 mg, 0.315 mmol), 60 mg (45%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (67 mL, 0.472 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (4.0 g, 11.84 mmol), 2.9 mg (75%) of 3-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

Thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.276 mmol) was dissolved in methylene chloride and stirred at room temperature after adding oxalyl chloride (0.5 ml) and 2 drops of dimethylformamide. Thus produced acyl chloride was concentrated under reduced pressure. After maintaining at vacuum status for about 8 hours, the compound was dissolved in purified methylene chloride (4 mL) and 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (78 μL, 0.552 mmol) was slowly added dropwise at 0° C. Then, stirring was carried out at room temperature for 2 hours. After concentration under reduced pressure, the concentrate was filtered through silica gel chromatography (CH2Cl2:MeOH=20:1) to obtain 21 mg (18%) of the target compound.

From thus obtained ester (1.6 g, 4.7 mmol), 1.2 g (79%) of 3-(3-methoxybenzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.276 mmol), 55 mg (46%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 7, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (78 μL, 0.552 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (3.6 g, 10.4 mmol), 2.9 g (86%) of 3-(4-methoxybenzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.276 mmol), 83 mg (70%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 7, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (78 μL, 0.552 mmol).

Dimethyl 2-aminoterephthalate (3.0 g, 14.34 mmol) and triphosgene (5.1 g, 17.22 mmol) were dissolved in toluene. Stirring was carried out at 110° C. for 6 hours under reflux to obtain 2-isocyanato-terephthalic acid dimethyl ester. After evaporating solvent, the compound was dissolved in 1,4-dioxane and triethylamine in vacuum state. After adding cyclohexylamine (2.5 mL, 21.5 mmol), stirring was carried out at 90° C. for 60 hours under reflux. After the reaction was completed, the produced solid was filtered with ether to obtain 1.75 g (37%) of 2-(3-cyclohexyl-ureido)-terephthalic acid dimethyl ester having a urea structure.

Thus obtained ester (1.51 g, 5.23 mmol) was dissolved in 10% NaOH/MeOH (⅓, w/w) and stirred at 70° C. for 3 hours. The progress and completion of the reaction were confirmed by TLC (CH2Cl2:MeOH=3:1). After the reaction was completed, white solid produced by acidification with strong hydrochloric acid was filtered to obtain 0.80 g (53%) of 3-cyclohexyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid.

From thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.312 mmol), 25 mg (20%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 7, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (53 mL, 0.374 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (0.70 g, 2.38 mmol), 0.41 g (70%) of 2,4-dioxo-3-propyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 10.

From thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.362 mmol), 30 mg (23%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (73 mL, 0.434 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (0.78 g, 2.93 mmol), 0.64 g (98%) of 3-methyl-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 10.

From thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.362 mmol), 70 mg (52%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (70 mL, 0.490 mmol).

From thus obtained ester (2.0 g, 5.7 mmol), 1.9 g (99%) of 3-(2-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-quinazoline-7-carboxylic acid was obtained in the same manner of Example 1.

From thus obtained acid (90 mg, 0.272 mmol), 72 mg (60%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 2-piperidine-1-yl-ethylamine (77 μL, 0.544 mmol).

15 mg (12%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxoquinazoline-7-carboxylic acid (90 mg, 0.272 mol) obtained in Example 1 and 2-(2-methyl-piperidine-1-yl)-ethylamine (77 mL, 0.544 mmol).

30 mg (25%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxoquinazoline-7-carboxylic acid (90 mg, 0.272 mol) obtained in Example 1 and 3-morpholine-4-yl-propylamine (87 mL, 0.598 mmol).

65 mg (52%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxoquinazoline-7-carboxylic acid (90 mg, 0.272 mol) obtained in Example 1 and 3-(2-methyl-piperidine-1-yl)-propylamine (103 mL, 0.598 mmol).

55 mg (42%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxoquinazoline-7-carboxylic acid (90 mg, 0.272 mmol) obtained in Example 1 and 3-(2-ethyl-piperidine-1-yl)-propylamine (101 mL, 0.598 mmol).

55 mg (45%) of the target compound was obtained in the same manner of Example 1, using 3-(4-chloro-benzyl)-2,4-dioxoquinazoline-7-carboxylic acid (90 mg, 0.272 mol) obtained in Example 1 and 3-piperidine-1-yl-propylamine (85 mL, 0.598 mmol).

TEST EXAMPLES

Test Example 1

Assay for 5-HT3A Receptor

Antagonistic activity of the quinazoline derivatives represented by Formula 1 against the 5-HT3A receptor was identified.

Although the results for only some of the quinazoline derivatives represented by Formula 1 listed in Table 1 are given, other compounds represented by Formula 1 are believed to exhibit identical or similar antagonistic activity against the 5-HT3A receptor.

Xenopus laevis(African clawed frog) was anesthetized with ice and follicular oocytes were taken out after incising the lateral abdominal region. The follicular oocytes were washed with Ca2+-free OR2 solution (82.5 mM NaCl, 2 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl2, 5 mM HEPES buffer, 2.5 mM sodium pyruvate, penicillin 100 units/mL and streptomycin 100 μg/mL). Then, after addition of 2 mg/mL collagenase to the solution followed by about 2 hours of gentle shaking, only the oocytes of stages V and VI which have lost their follicles were selected. These oocytes were washed several times with ND96 media (pH 7.5 solution containing 96 mM NaCl, 2 mM KCl, 1 mM MgCl2, 1.8 mM CaCl2, 5 mM HEPES, 0.5 mM theophylline and 50 μg/mL gentamycin) and cultured in an incubator of 16 to 18° C. The medium was exchanged every day, and all the experiments were performed within 2 to 6 days after the isolation of the oocytes.

2) Recording of 5-HT3A Receptor Channel Activity

The oocytes were placed in a small 0.5 mL Plexiglas net chamber and superfused in a solution (ND96 medium) containing the test compound or not. Microelectrodes were filled with 3 M KCl and resistance was adjusted to about 0.2 to 0.7 MΩ. Most of the electrophysiological experiments were carried out while holding the oocytes such that the holding potential was maintained at −100 mV for a duration of 2000 seconds. During the current-voltage experiments, the voltage was increased from −100 mV to +60 mV, by 10 mV. During the time course experiments, Na+current was induced by evoking from −100 mV to −10 mV for 20 ms. Two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings were carried out using an oocyte clamp (OC-725C, Warner Instrument) connected to Digidata 1200B [Choi, S., Jung, S. Y., Lee, J. H., Sala, F., Criado, M., Mulet, J., Valor, L. M., Sala, S., Engel, A. G. and Nah, S. Y. (2002)Eur. J. Pharmacol.442, 37-45].

cRNAs of 5-HT3A receptors existing in the nervous system (3-5 ng/oocyte, each) were injected into the oocytes. Oocyte injection was carried out using Nanoject Automatic Oocyte Injector (Drummond Scientific, Broomall, Pa.), 40 to 50 nL at once. Oocyte volume was assumed to be approximately 1 μL.

E. coliwas transformed with the plasmids having the 5-HT3A receptor channels existing in the nervous system. Then, cDNAs having 5-HT3A receptors were prepared using Miniprep kit (Promega). After linearization using restriction enzymes, cRNAs for 5-HT3A receptor channels were prepared using in vitro transmission kit (Promega or Ambion).

50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), maximum inhibition value (Vmax) and Hill coefficient (nH) of the quinazoline derivative prepared in the present invention for the serotonin 5-HT3A receptor were calculated. The result is given in the following Table 1. Concentrations of the compounds were 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10 and 100 μM, or 0.003, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 μM, depending on their efficiency. IC50, Vmaxand Hill coefficient for each compound were obtained from concentration-response curves.

As seen in Table 1, theXenopus laevisoocytes treated with the compounds of the present invention were confirmed to inhibit the inward current (I5-HT) induced by 5-HT (1 μM), when measured by the two-electrode voltage clamp assay technique.

Test Example 2

Toxicity Test

In order to identify toxicity of the quinazoline derivatives represented by Formula 1 according to the present invention, 1 to 20 mg of the compounds were intra-abdominally administered to 24 mice. Behaviors of the mice were monitored for 24 hours and survival was observed 24 hours later.

As a result, the quinazoline derivatives of the present examples had no toxicity problem at all. Of the six mice to which 20 mg was administered, three survived and the other three were sacrificed. In contrast, all the mice survived when the administration dose was less than 20 mg. No statistically significant change was observed in behavior monitoring between the mice to which the compounds were administered and not. Based on the experiment result, the toxic dose of the quinazoline derivatives at which approximately half of the mice survive (TD50) can be calculated at 20 mg (1 mg/g).

Test Example 3

Preparation of Tablet

Tablets for oral administration were prepared by wet granulation and dry granulation using the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1 according to the present invention as active ingredient.

Test Example 4

Preparation of Ointment

Ointments were prepared using the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1 according to the present invention as active ingredient.

Test Example 5

Preparation of Injection

Injections were prepared using the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1 according to the present invention as active ingredient.

Test Example 6

Preparation of Drink

Drink compositions were prepared by dissolving 500 mg of the quinazoline derivative represented by Formula 1 according to the present invention in adequate amount of water, vitamin C, as supplementary ingredient, adding adequate amount of citric acid, sodium citrate and oligosaccharide, as favor enhancer, and adding adequate amount of sodium benzoate, as preservative, and further adding water to make 100 mL. As occasion demands, taurine, myoinositol, folic acid, pantothenic acid, etc. may be added alone or in combination.