(Pyrrolidin-2-on-l-yl) acetamides as enhancers of learning and memory and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same

Abstract: (Pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamides of general formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl, R₁ is hydrogen, R₂ is selected from the group consisting of: 2-aminoethyl, 2-(N,N-diisopropyl) aminoethyl, 3-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) propyl, 2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-d1-yl) acetyl] aminoethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, (glycerophosphorylethanolamino) carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl chloride, (prolinol-1-yl) carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl), and 3-pyridylcarbamide; or R₁ and R₂, taken together, are such as to form a cycle of formula wherein R₃ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl substituted with halogens or halogen-substituted lower (C₁-C₄) alkyls and 4-morpholinocarbonylmethyl are potent enhancers of learning and memory. Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise from about 100 to 500 mg of one of the compound of formula (I).

Description: The present invention relates to (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamides of general formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl and R₁ is selected from the group consisting of: 2-aminoethyl, 2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetyl] aminoethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, (glycerophosphorylethanolamino) carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl chloride, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl, and 3-pyridylcarbamide. The compounds (I) are potent enhancers of learning and memory. The present invention also relates to orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions for enhancing learning and memory, comprising a novel compound of formula (I) as active ingredient. Known compounds at present available on the market that from the structural and pharmacological viewpoint are close to the compounds of general formula (I) are piracetam (cfr. e.g. Curr. Dev. Psychopharmacol. 3 , 22, 1976) and oxiracetam (cfr. e.g. Il farmaco. Ed. Sc. 39 /1, 16. 1984). As illustrated hereinbelow, the compounds of the present invention are more potent than these known compounds. Other similar pyrrolidinone derivatives having nootropic activity are disclosed in EP-A-0255149. US-A-4,145,347, US-A-4,372,960 and J. Med. Chem. 1984, 27 , 684-691 disclose N-(substituted-aminoalkyl)-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamides, such as e.g. Pramiracetam, as cognition activators, memory enhancing and amnesia reversing agents. Finally, EP-A-089900 and Chem. Abs. 1983, 98 , 89386z disclose N-[(2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinyl)acetyl] piperazines useful for treating cerebrovascular disturbances in the elderly and as nootropic agents. The compounds of formula (I) are prepared via a process illustrated in the following synthesis scheme. Pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl acetic acid (II), optionally 4-hydroxy substituted, is converted into the activated compound (III) (X=activating group) with a halogenating agent such as thionyl chloride or oxalyl chloride, or a condensating agent such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), carbonyldiimidazole (CDI), 2-ethoxy-1-ethoxy-carbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) or is activated as a short-chain alkyl ester. The activated compound (III) is reacted with a stoichiometric or excess amount of amine (IV) in a solvent-free phase or dissolved in an inert solvent such as acetonitrile or methylene chloride, or - if EEDQ is used as activating agent - in acetonitrile-water. The raw reaction product is purified by silica gel chromatography with CH₂Cl₂-MeOH, CHCl₃-MetOH or AcOEt-MeOH gradient. The following examples illustrate the preparation of some compounds of formula (I). EXAMPLE 1 : Preparation of (R,S)-N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetamide (ST 630). Ethylendiamine (8 g, 0.13 moles) was added to (R,S)-(4-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) ethyl acetate (2.4 g. 0.013 moles) (prepared as described in IT 1075280) and the mixture kept under stirring for 20 hours at room temperature. The excess amount of ethylendiamine was then evaporated under vacuum. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel using CHCl₃-MeOH as eluant, ratio 8:2. Yiled: 42% M.P. = 99-101°C TLC: silica gel: eluant; CHCl₃/MeOH/NH₄OH/H₂O 55:35:5:5 R.F. = 0.25 Elementary analysis (C₈H₁₅N₃O₃) Calculated (%) C 47.7 H 7.5 N 20.3 Found (%) C. 47.3 H 7.5 N 20.8 ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): EXAMPLE 2 : Preparation of N-(2-aminoethyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetamide (ST 645). Ethylendiamine (5.73 g, 0.095 moles) was added to (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) methyl acetate (5 g, 0.0318 moles) and the mixture was kept under stirring for 20 hours at room temperature. The raw reaction mixture was chromatographed on silica gel using CH₂Cl₂-MeOH as eluant, ratio 8:2. Yield: 65% TLC: silica gel; eluant: CH₂Cl₂-MeOH 8:2 R.F.: 0.1 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): HPLC µ Bondapack®-NH₂ L=300 mm inner diam. (i.d.)=3.9 mm size=10µ Eluant: CH₃CN-KH₂PO₄ 0.05 M (65:35) Flow rate: 1 ml/min Retention Time=6.89 min. EXAMPLE 3 : Preparation of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetamide (ST 644). Ethanolamine (1.943 g, 0.0318 moles) was added to (pyrrolidin-2-one-yl) methyl acetate (5 g, 0.0318 moles) and the mixture was kept under stirring for 20 hours at room temperature. The raw reaction mixture was chromatographed on silica gel using EtoAc-MeOH as eluant, ratio 8:2. Yield: 70% M.P.: 52-54°C TLC silica gel; eluant: EtOAc/MeOH 8:2 R.F.: 0.2 Elementary analysis: (C₈H₁₄N₂O₃) Calculated (%) C 51.6 H 7.58 N 15.04 Found (%) C 50.82 H 7.63 N 14.9 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): HPLC µBondapack®-NH₂ L=300 mm i.d.: 3.9 mm size= 10 µ Eluant: CH₃CN-KH₂PO₄ 0.05 M (65:35) Flow rate: 1 ml/min; Retention Time: 3.67 min. EXAMPLE 4 : Preparation of (R,S)-N-[2-(4-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetyl], N'[2-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetyl] ethylendiamine (ST 636) DCC (1.031 g, 0.005 moles) was added to (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetic acid (0.715 g, 0.005 moles) in 50 ml of acetonitrile and kept under stirring for one hour at room temperature. ST 630 (1.006 g, 0.005 moles) was then added and the mixture kept under stirring for 20 hours and filtered. The dried filtrate was chromatographed on silica gel using AtOAc-MeOH as eluant, ratio 6:4. Yield: 70% M.P.: 147-148°C TLC: silica gel; eluant: EtOAc-MeOH 6:4 R.F.: 0.3 Elementary analysis (C₁₄H₂₂N₄O₅) Calculated (%) C 51.5 H 6.8 N 17.1 Found (%) C 51.3 H 6.9 N 16.7 ¹H NMR (DMSO-D₆): HPLC µBondapack®-NH₂ L= 300 mm i.d. = 3.9 mm size 10 µ Eluant CH₃CN-KH₂PO₄ 0.05 M (65:35) Flow rate: 1 ml/min Retention Time: 9.17 min EXAMPLE 5 : Preparation of N-nicotinoyl,N'-[pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetyl] hydrazine (ST 631). CDI (4.1 g, 0.025 moles) was added to (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetic acid (3 g, 0.021 moles) in 75 ml of CH₂Cl₂ and the mixture was kept under stirring for one hour at room temperature. Nicotinoylhydrazide (2.9 g, 0.021 moles) was added to the mixture and the solution kept under stirring for 20 hours at room temperature. The raw product obtained by evaporation of the solvent was chromatographed on silica gel using EtOAc-MeOH as eluant, ratio 9:1. The product thus obtained was crystallized from ethyl ether. Yield: 30% M.P.: 137-139°C TLC: eluant: EtOH-MeOH 7:3 R.F.: 0.25 Elementary analysis (C₁₂H₁₄N₄O₃) Calculated (%) C 54.91 H 5.32 N 21.37 Found (%) C 55.01 H 5.33 N 20.77 ¹H NMR (D₂O): HPLC µBondapack®-NH₂ L= 300 mm i.d.= 3.9 MM size = 10 µ Eluant: CH₃CN-KH₂PO₄ 0.05 M (65:35) Flow rate: 1 ml/min. Retention Time: 3.9 min. EXAMPLE 6 : Preparation of (R,S)-N-(1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyiso propyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetamide (ST 650). EEDQ (18.54 g. 0.075 moles) and H₂O up to complete solubilization of the mixture were added to 7.21 g (0.05 moles) of (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetic acid in 150 ml of CH₃CN under stirring. After 30 min (R,S)-aminocarnitine dihydrochloride (9.8 g, 0.042 moles) (prepared as described in J. Biol. Chem. 269, 14748, 1985) and triethylamine (8.59 g, 0.084 moles) were added and the solution kept under stirring for 60 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated and the residue chromatographed on silica gel using EtOAc-MeOH as eluant, ratio 1:1. The product thus obtained was percolated on weak basic resin AMBERLIST® A21 using methanol as eluant. The methanol was then evaporated and the product dissolved in H₂O was treated with activated carbon, filtered and lyophilized. Yield: 30% M.P.: 168-179°C (with gas production) TLC:silica gel, eluant CHCl₃-MeOH-NH₄OH-H₂O 55:35:5:5 R.F.: 0.3 ¹H NMR(DMSO-D₆): HPLC µBondapack®-NH₂ L= 300mm i.d.= 3.9 mm size= 10 µ Eluant: CH₃CN-KH₂PO₄ 0.5 M (65:35) Flow rate: 1 ml/min Retention time: 13.27 EXAMPLE 7 : Preparation of L- -N-(glycerophophorylethanolaminocarbonylmethyl) 2-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetamide (ST 625). A solution of EEDQ (1.879 g, 7.59 µmoles) and N-[2-pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetyl glycine (0.505 g, 2.53 moles) in THF (11 ml), H₂O (5.5 ml) and DMF (2 ml) was added to a solution of GFE (1.269 g, 4.43 µmoles) in H₂O (5.5 ml) and NEt₃ (0.553 g, 5.46 µmoles) under stirring at room temperature. The solution was kept for 60 hours at room temperature, extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (1 X 10 ml) and the aqueous phase evaporated under vacuum. The residue was chromatographed on a column (silica flash) using EtOH-H₂O as eluant, ratio 9:1. The resulting product was taken up with H₂O and percolated on strong acid resin DOWEX®50W. By evaporating to dryness the acid fractions, 705 g of product were obtained. Yield: 70% ¹H NMR (D₂O): The product was characterized as calcium salt, obtained by dissolving 1 mmole ST 625 in H₂O and treating it with CaCO₃ (0.05 mmoles). The solution was evaporated under vacuum, the residue taken up several times with anhydrous EtOH and dried on P₂O₅ at 0.01 mmHg. M.P. : 187- 190°C (with dec.) Elementary analysis (C₂₆H₄₆N₆O₁₈P₂Ca) Calculated (%) C 37.5 H 5.5 N 10.1 Found (%) C 37.9 H 5.6 N 9.8 HPLC µBodapack®-NH₂ L= 300 mm i.d. = 3.9 mm size 10 µ Eluant: CH₃CN-KH₂PO₄ 0.05 M (65:35) Flow rate: 0.1 ml/min Retention time: 8.11 min EXAMPLE 8 : Preparation of (R)-N-(1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl)-2-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetamide chloride (ST 635). CDI (2.675 g. 0.0165 moles) was added to a suspension of N-[2 (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetyl]glycine (3.007 g, 0.015 moles) in THF (30 ml) in nitrogen atmosphere and under stirring at room temperature. After 30 min, carnitine benzylesther perchlorate (2.642 g. 0.0075 moles) in THF (30 ml) was added and the reaction mixture kept at room temperature for 24 hours. The THF was decanted and the residue taken up 4 times with 25 ml THF that was removed every time by decantation. The residue taken up with MeOH was percolated on weak basic resin A21, eluting with MeOH. The product obtained by evaporation of the MeOH was taken up with EtOH and precipitated with ether. 10% Pd/C (0.464 g, 0.44 moles) was added to 2.062 g (4.4 mmoles) of the precipitate dissolved H₂O. The mixture was hydrogenated at room temperature and pressure. After 6 hours, the Pd/C was filtered off and the filtrate evaporated to dyness was purified with preparative HPLC (Prepak® column C₁₈; eluant H₂O-CH₃CN; 65:35). Yield: 63% ¹H NMR (D₂O): HPLC µBondapack-NH₂ L= 300mm i.d.= 3.9 mm size = 10 µ Eluant CH₃CN-KH₂PO₄ 0.05 (65:35) Flow rate: 1 ml/min Retention time: 12.14 min The activity of the compounds of the invention was assessed in several pharmacological tests. Some of these tests wherein piracetam and oxiracetam were used as reference standards are illustrated hereinbelow. (A) Assessment of the antiamnesic activity. In order to assess the antiamnesic activity the passive avoidance test in mice was used. Amnesia was brought about by administration of scopolamine (cfr. Bammer, Pharmacological investigations of neurotransmitter involvement in passive avoidance responding: a Review and some new results. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. , 6 (3) 247-296, 1982); or by electroconvulsive shock (ECS) (cfr. Banfi et al., A screening method for substances potentially active on learning and memory. J. Pharmacol. Methods Vol: 8(4) 255-263, 1982 and Butler et al., Amnesia-reversal activity of a series of N[(disubstituted-amino)alkyl]-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidinacetamides, including Pramiracetam. J. Med. Chem. , 27 , N. 5,684-691, 1984). Male albino CD1 mice (Charles River - Germany) fed on a normal diet, were used for the ECS-induced amnesia test. Male CD1 mice (Charles River - Italy) were used for the scopolamine-induced amnesia test. The compounds were administered i.p.; doses equimolar to 100, 10 and 1 mg oxiracetam kg⁻¹ were used. The water-soluble compounds were dissolved in saline; the insoluble ones were dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide and then diluted in 2% Tween®80, ratio 1:4. The apparatus for passive avoidance conditioning was a black plastic chamber (42X42 em, height 40 cm) provided with a floor constructed of metal rods that could be electrified. From the front wall extended a white runway, 30 cm long and 10 cm wide provided with side walls 12 cm high, which led into the box through a guillotine door. The runway was lightened by a 60 W lamp (cfr. Ader et al., Retention of passive avoidance response as a function of the intensity and duration of electrick shock. Psychon. Sci .; 26 (3), 125-127, 1972). The animals, 30 minutes following treatment, were placed on the runway. After one minute of adaptation, the door was raised and the time employed by the animal to enter the darkened box with all four feet, was recorded. Upon entry, the guillotine door was lowered and 5 seconds thereafter the rods were electrified, 0.24 mA for 2 seconds. The mouse was then removed from the chamber and immediately administered an electroshock delivered through spring clips attached to the ears (square wave, intensity 20 mA, amplitude 0.6 msec, duration 0.5 s, frequency 50 Hz). Alternatively, in the scopolamine-induced amnesia test, the animals were administered the compounds under examination and scopolamine (1.0 mg/kg s.c.) 30 and 15 minutes, respectively , before they were placed on the runway. The test then continued as previously described. In both tests, retention was assessed 24 hours later by placing the animal on the runway and again evaluating the latency in entering the chamber, using an end-point of 300 s (cfr. Bammer, loc cit.). The results of each compound under examination were expressed as percentage of amnesia reversal in order to make comparisons across the tested compounds. As described in Butler et al. (loc. cit.), two groups of control animals were used on each experiment: (1) a ceiling control group (no ECS or scopolamine plus placebo injection), to ensure that the training was successful and that untreated animals remembered the task; and (2) a base-line control group (ECS or scopolamine plus placebo), to ensure that ECS produced amnesia for the task in untreated animals. Typically, in this retention test 70-100% of the animals of the ceiling control group would remember the response and exhibit a latency to enter the darkened chamber higher that 250 s. Consequently, an animal was regarded as being under amnesia whenever its latency to enter the darkened chamber during the retention test was less than 50% of the average time of the animals of the ceiling control group. To assess amnesia reversal (AR), the equation employed was as follows: If the base-line control group had more than 30% of the animals remembering the task, the data for the entire day was discarded. If there was not a separation between base-line and ceiling control groups of at leat 40% correct retention, the data for the entire experiment was similarly discarded. The data obtained are illustrated in the table. In particular at the dose of 100 mg/kg ST 635, ST 645 and ST 630 have activity comparable with that of Piracetam and Oxiracetam. At lower doses, i.e. 10 mg Kg⁻¹, Oxiracetam and Piracetam are substantially inactive, whereas ST 630 exhibits 72% of amnesia reversal. ST 625 exhibits 43% of amnesia reversal, and ST 650 34%. (B) Behavioural profile. The behavioural profile was assessed in Swiss albino male mice weighing 22-24 g, using the Irwin test (IRWIN S., Drug screening and evaluative procedures. 136 , 123-128, 1962). The animals had been caged under normal conditions and kept fasting for the last 18 hours. Following administration of the compounds, the behaviour of the animals was monitored for 6 hours. Water solutions of the compounds ST 625, ST 630, ST 635, ST 645 and ST 650 were administered. The animlas of the control groups were administered water (10 ml/kg i.p.). ST 625, ST 630, ST 635, ST 645 and ST 650 did not alter, at the tested doses, the behavioural profile. (C) Analgesic activity. The analgesic activity was assessed in Albino Swiss mice weighing 22-24 g, utilizing the hot plate test (57°C). The animals, kept under normal caging conditions and kept fasting for 18 hours, were placed on the hot plate for 30, 60 and 120 minutes following the administration of 100, 25, 6 and 1.5 mg/10 ml/kg of each compound under examination. The analgesic activity was assessed by measuring the increase (in seconds) of the time the animals continued to stay on the hot plate. None of the tested compound was shown to possess analgesic activity. The compounds of the present invention can be formulated into orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions. Suitable excipients and compositions for tablets and vials are illustrated in the afore-said Canadian patent 1,100,515. Pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise between about 100 and about 500 mg of active ingredient.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, FR, GB, LI, LU, NL, SE (Pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamides of general formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl and R₁ is selected from the group consisting of: 2-aminoethyl, 2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetyl]aminoethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, (glycerophosphorylethanolamino)carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonyl methyl chloride, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl, and 3-pyridylcarbamide. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is OH and R₁ is 2-aminoethyl. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is H and R₁ is 2-aminoethyl. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is OH and R₁ is 2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetyl]aminoethyl. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is H and R₁ is 2-hydroxyethyl. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is H and R₁ is (glycerophosphorylethanolamino)carbonylmethyl. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is H and R₁ is 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl chloride. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is H and R₁ is 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl. The compound of claim 1, wherein R is H and R₁ is 3-pyridylcarbamide. An orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical composition for enhancing learning and memory which comprises as active ingredient a (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamide of general formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl and R₁ is selected from the group consisting of: 2-aminoethyl, 2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetyl] aminoethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, (glycerophosphorylethanolamino) carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl chloride, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl, and 3-pyridylcarbamide. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 10 in unit dosage form, comprising from about 100 to about 500 mg of a compound of general formula (I). Claims for the following Contracting States : ES, GR A process for producing (pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamides of general formula (I) wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl and R₁ is selected from the group consisting of: 2-aminoethyl, 2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) acetyl] aminoethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, (glycerophosphorylethanolamino) carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl chloride, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl, and 3-pyridylcarbamide according to the following reaction scheme Which comprises: (1) converting pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl acetic acid (II) into an activated compound (III) wherein X is the activating group, by reacting (II) with (a) a halogenating agent selected from the group consisting of thionyl chloride and oxalyl chloride; or (b) a condensing agent selected from the group consisting of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) and 2-ethoxy-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ); or (c) a lower alkyl esterifying agent; and (2) reacting the activated compound (III) with an amine (IV) of general formula NH₂R₁ wherein R₁ has the above-identified meaning, thus obtaining the compound (I).

Inventors: GHIRARDI ORLANDO, GIANNESSI FABIO, MISITI DOMENICO, SCOLASTICO CARLO, TINTI MARIA ORNELLA, GHIRARDI, ORLANDO, GIANNESSI, FABIO, MISITI, DOMENICO, SCOLASTICO, CARLO, TINTI, MARIA ORNELLA
Applicants: SIGMA TAU IND FARMACEUTI, SIGMA-TAU INDUSTRIE FARMACEUTICHE RIUNITE S.P.A.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C07D207
IPC codes: C07D207, A61P25, A61K31, C07F9, C07D401