STABLE DERIVATIVES OF UBIQUINOLE, PROCESSES FOR THEIR PRODUCTION AND PHARMACEUTICAL USE THEREOF

Abstract: New stable derivatives of ubiquinole are described, having general formula (I), along with processes for their production and their pharmaceutical use, in particular in the treatment of intracellular oxidative stress and diseases involving oxidative stress of this kind.

Description: STABLE DERIVATIVES OF UBIQUINOLE, PROCESSES FOR THEIR PRODUCTION AND PHARMACEUTICAL USE THEREOF DESCRIPTION Tec mπal FIPIH The present invention relates to stable derivatives of ubiqumole, processes for their production and the pharmaceutical use thereof. Background Art Ubiquinone, (2,3 -dιmethoxy-5-methyl-6 - decaprenylbenzoqu one) or coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10 ) is a qu one of lipidic nature, an essential redox component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, where it acts as an electron shuttle, controlling the efficiency of oxidative phophorylation . Ubiquinone also exerts another important biological function, acting as an antioxidant for cell membranes, in harmony and in synergis with Vitamin E. Recent studies (Takahashi T., et al . , (1993) Lipids 28, 803-809; Aberg F., et al . , (1992) Arch- Biophys . 295, 230-234) have demonstrated that certain human and animal test tissues (liver, heart, kidney, pancreas, etc.) the levels of ubiquinone (CoQ 10 ) , especially in its reduced form, known as ubiqumole (CoQ 10 H 2 ) are higher than those of Vitamin E. The following reaction scheme shows the balance between the oxidised and reduced forms UBIQUINONE UBIQUINOLE (CθQ 10 ) (CoQ 10 H 2 ) (II) (III) Ubiquinone, especially in its reduced form ubiquinole, appears to have a higher effectiveness than Vitamin E in inhibiting lipidic peroxidation of membranes; this function of ubiquinone is explicated in a different site (the central level of the lipidic bi- layer) from that in which Vitamin E acts (close to the surface of the bi-layer) . Ubiquinole would appear to form in the tissues following the reduction of ubiquinone or the co-enzyme Q semiquinone (CoQ 10 H) by the enzymatic systems present in the membranes and generally indicated as quinone-reductases (NAD (P) H-dependent electron carriers) , which are theoretically inextinguishable in perfectly functional aerobic organisms. Aberg et al . (cited work) have determined the ubiquinole content as a percentage ratio of ubiquinone, in human tissues, as indicated in the following table. Tissue Content CoQ 10 H 2 μg/g tissue (%) heart 114.0 61 kidney 66.5 75 liver 54.9 95 muscle 39.7 65 pancreas 32.7 100 thyroid 24.7 70 spleen 24.6 85 brain 13.4 23 intestine 11.5 93 colon 10.7 87 testicle 10.5 85 lung 7.9 25 This study demonstrates that the reduced form ubiquinole almost always prevails over the oxidised form, to the extent that, in the pancreas, it is practically the only form present . The above has been demonstrated in the case of healthy aerobic organisms, that is to say when the ubiquinole prevails over the ubiquinone and when, as demonstrated in scientific literature (Ernster L., et al . (1993) The Clinical Invest. 71, 60-65; Frei B., et al . , (1990) Medical Sciences 87, 4879-4883; Hauska G. et al . , (1983) Biochim. Biophys . Acta 726, 97-133; Kroger A. et al . , (1973) European J. Biochem 24, 358-368) the quinone- reductases are practically inextinguishable. However, it has been found that in conditions of continuous (or high) intracellular oxidative stress, for example in diseases connected with ageing or in the case of acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) , the enzymatic electron carrier systems lose their ability to perform their biological reducing function properly, or entirely, and this causes a drop in the ubiquinole levels in tissues. Furthermore, in the case of the diseases mentioned above, the reduced endogenous synthesisof ubiquinone is another factor that causes a drop in the levels of ubiquinole in tissues. There was therefore a problem in the state of the art relating to how, in cases of intracellular oxidative stress, to restore the levels of ubiquinole in tissues to levels close to or equivalent to those found in a healthy organism. The proposed pharmacological solution consisted in the administration of ubiquinone of exogenous origin. However, this solution created a problem of low efficiency, as the quinone-reductases , that is to say the enzymes capable of reducing ubiquinone to ubiquinole, although theoretically inextinguishable in a healthy organism, become incapable of performing their function correctly in case of a sick organism, particularly in the presence of continuous or high intracellular oxidative stress. As a result of this, even administration of large amounts of ubiquinone were unable to give a consistent rise in the levels of ubiquinole present in tissues . On the other hand, direct administration of ubiquinole was not possible, due to the instability of the molecule, which decomposes into ubiquinone and semiquinone as soon as it is synthesised. Just the knowledge of the instability of the ubiquinole molecule has led one to assume up to now that the direct administration of ubiquinole was impracticable, a fact further confirmed by the absence in the state of the art of documents having as their object the administration of ubiquinole itself or in the form of derivatives . Disclosure of the Invention It has now surprisingly been found that the level of ubiquinole in tissues, that are in conditions of continuous or high oxidative stress, can be reintegrated to the level of healthy organisms by administering stable derivatives of ubiquinole that are transformed into ubiquinole within the organism. Object of the present invencion are therefore compounds of formula I in which R is a linear or branched alkyl group with a number of carbon atoms from 1 to 20, or an aryl group optionally substituted with alkyl with from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and X is absent or a CO group. Br f Description of Drawings Enclosed with the present description are five figures, in which: figure 1 represents the infrared spectrum of ubiquinole diacetate; figure 2 represents the infrared spectrum of ubiquinole dipropionate; figure 3 represents the infrared spectrum of ubiquinole dibutyrrhate ; figure 4 represents the infrared spectrum of ubiquinole dimethylether; and figure 5 represents the infrared spectrum of ubiquinole diethylether . Particularly preferred among the compounds of formula I in which X=CO, are the compounds in which R is linear C^Cg alkyl, in particular methyl, propyl and ethyl. Particularly preferred compounds are ubiquinole diacetate and dipropionate . Particularly preferred among the compounds of formula I in which X is absent, are the compounds in which R is linear C_-C 6 alkyl, in particular the compounds in which R is methyl, propyl and ethyl. Particularly preferred compounds are ubiquinole diethylether and dimethylether. The compounds of formula I can be prepared according to the following synthesis, which are therefore a further object of the present invention. Synthesis of the compounds of formula I in which X=CO can take place according to the synthetic scheme (a) by reacting the coenzyme Q 10 with an anhydride or according to the synthetic scheme (b) , in which in a first stage the coenzyme Q 10 is reacted with a reducing agent and in a second stage the ubiquinole obtained is reacted with an acylic chloride. The reaction schemes are as follows: a) CoQ 10 + (RCO) 2 0 -> compounds of formula I in which X=CO the reaction is carried out in an acid environment in the presence of metallic zinc and in an organic solvent; b_) CoQ 10 + NaBH 4 in organic solvent -> CoQ 10 H 2 b 2 ) CoQ 10 H 2 + RC0C1 in organic solvent -> compounds of formula I in which X=CO. Synthesis of the compounds of formula I in which X is absent. Synthesis of compounds of formula I in which X is absent can be done according to the synthetic scheme (c) , reacting the coenzyme Q 10 with a dialkylic sulphate or according to the synthetic scheme (d) in which in a first stage the coenzyme Q 10 is reduced to ubiquinole by effect of a reducing agent and in a second stage the ubiquinole obtained is reacted with an iodoalcane. The reaction schemes are as follows: c) CoQ 10 + (RO) 2 S0 2 -> compounds of formula I in which X is absent, the reaction is carried out in an organic solvent in a basic environment, preferably in a Lewis base . d λ ) CoQ 10 + NaBH 4 -> CoQ 10 H 2 d 2 ) CoQ 10 H 2 + IR -> compounds of formula I in which X is absent. In the preceding schemes NaBH 4 is preferably used as a Lewis base, as it also supplies the reducing activity in case of synthesis bl) and dl) , and IR indicates iodoalcane, R has the meaning indicated in formula I. For preference, the following reaction solvents are used: hexane, tetrahydrofuran, methanol. The compounds of formula I according to the invention can be used as active therapeutic agents with the aim of obtaining the necessary integration of ubiquinole in those cases in which a low level has been found in the tissues, as within the organism under the action of the esterases (in the case of compounds of formula I in which X=CO) or of microsomial enzymes (in the case of compounds of formula I in which X is absent) ubiquinole is freed respectively as a result of hydrolysis or of dealkylation of the compounds of formula I. It should be underlined that following the administration of active therapeutic agents containing compounds of formula I the bioavailability of ubiquinole increases, as hydrolysis of the compounds of formula I according to the present invention (which as said produces ubiquinole) does not take place due to the action of the quinone-reductases, which are notoriously low in level in all organisms suffering from oxidative cellular stress, but on the contrary takes place due to the action of the esterases or of the microsomial enzymes . A further object of the present invention are therefore active therapeutic agents comprising one or more compounds of formula I . The active therapeutic agents according to the present invention can be used in treatment of all the affections and diseases of the organism that involve or can be traced to continuous or high intracellular oxidative stress, such as for example that arising in cases of aged organisms or ones in which there is incorrect functioning of the biological reducing function in electron carrier systems. In particular the active therapeutic agents according to the present invention can also be used for treatment of AIDS, tuberculosis, leprosy. A further object of the present invention are pharmaceutical formulations containing a pharmacologically effective amount of one or more compounds of formula I in addition to other active principles, additives and/or pharmaceutically tolerable vehicles. Among the other active principles it is possible to mention Vitamin E acetate, selenium, methionin. In case of administration of ubiquinole derivatives, amounts of between 50 and 200 mg/die are preferred. The following is a pharmaceutical formulation in the form of a pill : Amount Percentage by weight Ubiquinole Q10 58.440 mg 14.610 % acetate Orange flavouring, 4.000 mg 1.000% powder Cellulose 60.000 mg 15.000 % Lactose 267.160 mg 66.790 % Colloidal silica 4.000 mg 1.000 % Sodium saccarinate 0. 00 mg 0.100 % Mg Stearate 6.000 mg 1.500 % Total 400.000 mg 100.00 % The following are examples oif production for compounds of formula I . Example 1 - Production of ubiquinole diacetate. In a 500 ml flask fitted with a serpentine condenser and a mixer, 10 g of oxidised ubiquinone are suspended in 30 ml of hexane; 30 ml of ultrapure acetic anhydride, 10 grams of powdered zinc and 2 grams of powder of anhydrous sodium acetate form are added. The mixture is heated slightly under stirring until the yellow-orange colour of the hexane-phase ubiquinone completely disappears; the mixture is then brought to the boiling point for 2-3 minutes. 25 ml of glacial acetic acid are added and the mixture is brought to boiling point to dissolve the product and part of the precipitated zinc acetate. The solution is decanted while hot from the zinc acetate and from the zinc, which are washed with acetic acid (10 ml) and hexane (50 ml) . The acetic-hexanic solutions are collected in another flask and distilled water (approximately 100 ml) is gradually added to hydrolyse the remaining acetic anhydride. When bubbling ceases, the hexane phase is separated off using a separator funnel, and washed 3 times with 20 ml of distilled water. The hexane is distilled off and, in the residue, very pure ubiquinole diacetate is obtained (percentage yield: 95%) . UB IQUINONE UBIQUINOLE ( CoQ 10 ) DIACETATE Example 2 - Preparation of ubiquinole dimethylether. Equip a four-necked 500 ml flask with a separator funnel, a mechanical mixer, a reflux condenser and a thermometer. There must also be a continuous flow of nitrogen into the flask through one neck, to prevent oxidation by atmospheric oxygen. (Alternatively, the apparatus can be protected against oxidation using a Bunsen valve applied to the reflux condenser) . The funnel is filled with 5 ml (6.7 g) of dimethyl sulphate, which are added to the mixture drop by drop over a period of approximately 30 minutes, under energetic stirring. Methylation is completed by reflux heating for approximately 2 hours, during which time 30-50 ml of hexane can be added through the separator funnel, which previously contained the dimethylsulphate . During heating, any dimethylsulphate that has not reacted will be destroyec The mixture is allowed to cool, acidified with diluted sulphuric acid and transferred to a separator funnel. The lower phase is eliminated and the hexane phase is washed twice with diluted sulphuric acid and then with water until acidity disappears. The hexane phase is dried on anhydrous sodium or magnesium sulphate and then the hexane is distilled (percentage yield: 85%) . UB IQUINONE UBIQUINOLE ( CθQ 10 ) DIMETHYLETHER 10 The following tables show, as a non-limiting example, some compounds of formula I that can be obtained using the various reaction schemes . The chemical and physical data relate to the product obtained; the UV 15 spectra have been recorded with the compounds dissolved in hexane; the infra-red spectrums of the ethers have been recorded on NaCl crystals, those of the esters on KBr pastilles. Table 1 (Products obtained according to scheme a) 0 Anhydride used Product obtained R in formula I Acetic anhydride Ubiquinole diacetate -CO-CH 3 Chemical/physical data: MW 949.4; UV spectrum (maximum absorption at 268.5 nm, minimum at 250.5 nm) the infrared spectrum is reported in figure 1. 5 Propionic anhydride Ubiquinole dipropionate -CO-CH 2 -CH 3 Chemical/physical data: MW 977.4; UV spectrum (maximum absorption at 268.5 nm, minimum at 250.5 nm) the infrared spectrum is reported in figure 2. 30 Butyric anhydride Ubiquinole dibutyrrate -CO- (CH 2 ) 2 -CH 3 Chemical/physical data: MW 1005.4; UV spectrum (maximum absorption at 268.5 nm, minimum at 250.5 nm) the infrared spectrum is reported in figure 3. 3.5 Similar results can be obtained using the synthesis scheme b. Table 2 (Products obtained according to scheme c) Al yiatinσ aσent Product obtained R in formula T Dimethylsulphate Ubiquinole dimethylether -CH 3 Chemical/physical data: MW 893.4; UV spectrum (maximum absorption at 274.5 nm, minimum at 236.5 nm) the infrared spectrum is reported in figure 4. Diethylsulphate Ubiquinole diethylether -CH 2 -CH 3 Chemical/physical data: MW 921.4; UV spectrum (maximum absorption at 274.5 nm, minimum at 236.5 nm) the infrared spectrum is reported in figure 5. Similar results can be obtained using the reaction scheme d. The present invention has been described in detail with reference to examples of preparation, but it will be understood that variations and modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the present industrial privilege.

Claims: C_LAIMS_ 1 . Compounds of formula I in which X is absent or a CO group, R is a linear or branched alkyl group with a number of carbon atoms of from 1 to 20 or an arylic group optionally substituted with a C_-C 3 alkylic substituent. 2. Compounds according to claim 1, in which X is CO. 3. Compounds according to claim 1, in which X is absent . . Compounds according to claim 2 , in which R is linear or branched alkyl with a number of carbon atoms of from 1 to 6. 5. Compounds according to claim 4 , in which R is methyl, ethyl or propyl. 6. A compound according to claim 5, ubiquinole diacetate. 7. A compound according to claim 5, ubiquinole dipropionate. 8. A compound according to claim 5, ubiquinole dibutyrrate. 9. A compound according to claim 3, in which R x is linear or branched alkyl with a number of carbon atoms f om 1 to 6. 10. A compound according to claim 9, in which R is methyl, ethyl or propyl. 11. A compound according to claim 10, ubiquinole dimethylether . 12. A compound according to claim 10, ubiquinole diethylether. 13. A process for the production of compounds as claimed in claim 2, in which the ubiquinone is reacted with an anhydride of formula (RC0) 2 0 in an organic solvent, in the presence of zinc and in an acid environment, R having the meaning indicated in claim 1. 14. A process for the production of compounds as claimed in claim 2, in which in a first stage the ubiquinone is reacted with a reducing agent in an organic solvent and in a second stage the ubiquinole obtained is reacted with an acid chloride of formula RCOCl, in which R has the meaning indicated in claim 1. 15. A process for the production of compounds as claimed in claim 3, in which the ubiquinone is reacted with a dialkylic or diarylic sulphate of formula (RO) 2 S0 2 in an organic solvent and in a basic environment for the presence of NaBH 4 , R having the meaning indicated in claim 1. 16. A process for the production of compounds as claimed in claim 3, in which in a first stage the ubiquinone is reacted with NaBH 4 in an organic solvent to obtain ubiquinole, which in a second stage is reacted with an iodoalkane of formula IR, in which R has the meaning indicated in claim 1. 17. An active therapeutic agent consisting of one or more compounds as defined in claim 1. 18. An active therapeutic agent consisting of one or more compounds as defined in claim 2. 19. An active therapeutic agent consisting of one or more compounds as defined in claim 3. 20. An active therapeutic agent as claimed in claims 17 to 19 for the treatment of intracellular oxidative stress . 21. An active therapeutic agent as claimed in claim 20, for the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy and AIDS. 22. Use of the compounds of formula I for the production of drugs that are effective in the treatment of intracellular oxidative stress. 23. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds of formula I, together with additives or pharmaceutically tolerable vehicles. 24. Pharmaceutical compositions according to claim 23, further containing one or more additional active principles.

Inventors: CARBONE SANTO, GUARNIERI DECIMO, PASSI SIRO, CARBONE, SANTO, GUARNIERI, DECIMO, PASSI, SIRO
Applicants: CARBONE SANTO, GUARNIERI DECIMO, IDI FARMACEUTICI SPA, PASSI SIRO, CARBONE, SANTO, GUARNIERI, DECIMO, IDI FARMACEUTICI S.P.A., PASSI, SIRO
Application year: 1997
Main classification: C07C69
IPC codes: C07C43, C07C69