Compounds with growth hormone releasing properties

Abstract: There are disclosed novel synthetic peptides of the general formula (I) Compounds of formula (I) stimulate the release of growth hormone from the pituitary in humans and animals. A method for increasing the rate and extent of growth of animals to increase their milk and wool production or for the treatment of ailments, and the use of the compounds of formula (I) for the preparation of medicaments, are also disclosed.

Description: FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, a method of stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary, a method for increasing the rate and extent of growth of animals to increase their milk or wool production, or for the treatment of ailments, and to use of the compounds for the preparation of medicaments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Growth hormone is a hormone which stimulates growth of all tissues capable of growing. In addition, growth hormone is known to have a number of effects on metabolic processes, e.g., stimulation of protein synthesis and free fatty acid mobilization and to cause a switch in energy metabolism from carbohydrate to fatty acid metabolism. Deficiency in growth hormone can result in a number of severe medical disorders, e.g., dwarfism. Growth hormone is released from the pituitary. The release is under tight control of a number of hormones and neurotransmitters either directly or indirectly. Growth hormone release can be stimulated by growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) and inhibited by somatostatin. In both cases the hormones are released from the hypothalamus but their action is mediated primarily via specific receptors located in the pituitary. Other compounds which stimulate the release of growth hormone from the pituitary have also been described. For example arginine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa), glucagon, vasopressin, PACAP (pituitary adenylyl cyclase activating peptide), muscarinic receptor agonists and a synthetic hexapeptide, GHRP (growth hormone releasing peptide) release endogenous growth hormone either by a direct effect on the pituitary or by affecting the release of GHRH and/or somatostatin from the hypothalamus. In disorders or conditions where increased levels of growth hormone is desired, the protein nature of growth hormone makes anything but parenteral administration non-viable. Furthermore, other directly acting natural secretagogues, e.g., GHRH and PACAP, are longer polypeptides for which reason oral administration of them is not viable. The use of certain compounds for increasing the levels of growth hormone in mammals has previously been proposed, e.g. in EP 18 072, EP 83 864, WO 89/07110, WO 89/01711, WO 89/10933, WO 88/9780, WO 83/02272, WO 91/18016, WO 92/01711, WO 93/04081, WO 95/17422, WO 95/17423. WO 95/14666, WO 96/15148 and WO 96/10040. The composition of growth hormone releasing compounds is important for their growth hormone releasing potency as well as their bioavailability. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide novel compounds with growth hormone releasing properties. SUMMARY OF INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention relates to a compound of the general formula VII: wherein E is hydrogen, -O-(CH 2 ) l -R 10a , wherein R 10 , R 11 , R 12 , R 13 and R 14 independently are hydrogen, halogen, aryl, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy; R 10a is hydrogen, aryl or C 1-6 -alkyl; l is 0, 1, 2 or 3; A 1 is or wherein R 29 , R 30 , R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , R 34 , R 35 and R 36 are independently hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, amino, hydroxyl or aryl; R 33 and R 34 , R 33 and R 35 , or R 34 and R 35 may optionally form -(CH 2 ) i -Z-(CH 2 ) j -, wherein i and j independently are 1 or 2 and Z is -O-, -S- or a valence bond; n, m and q are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; o and p are independently 0 or 1; M is -CR 37 =CR 38 -, -O-, -S- or a valence bond; R 37 and R 38 are independently hydrogen, or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with aryl; D is hydrogen, -O-(CH 2 ) k -R 5a , wherein R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 9 independently are hydrogen, halogen, aryl, C 1-6 -alkyl or C 1-6 -alkoxy; R 5a is hydrogen, aryl or C 1-6 -alkyl; k is 0, 1, 2, or 3; G 1 is hydrogen, halogen, aryl, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, -CONR 39 R 40 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 SO 2 R 41 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 COR 40 , -(CH 2 ) e -OR 41 , -(CH 2 ) e -OCOR 40 , -CH(R 39 )R 40 , - CON 39 -NR 40 R 42 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 -CS-NR 40 R 42 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 -CO-NR 40 R 42 , wherein X 5 is -N(R 43 )-, -O- or -S-, X 6 is -C(R 44 )= or -N=, X 7 is -C(R 45 )= or -N=, X 8 is -C(R 46 )= or -N=, R 43 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, R 44 , R 45 and R 46 independently are hydrogen, -COOR 47 , -CONR 48 R 49 , -(CH 2 ) f NR 48 R 49 , - (CH 2 ) f OR 47 , -(CH 2 ) f R 47 or halogen; R 39 , R 40 , R 47 , R 48 and R 49 independently are hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, -N(R 50 )R 51 , hydroxyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, C 1-6 -alkoxycarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonyloxy or aryl, or R 40 is wherein -Q 2 < is -CH< or -N< , J 2 and T 2 are independently -CH 2 -, -CO-, -O-, -S-, -NR 52 - or a valence bond, where R 52 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl; x and y are independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R 41 is C 1-6 alkyl substituted with aryl; R 42 is C 1-6 alkyl; R 50 and R 51 are independently hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl; e and f are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; R 1 is hydrogen, or C 1-6 -alkyl; R 2 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl; a and b independently are 0, 1, 2 or 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment of the compound of formula VII, A 1 is (1E)-4-amino-4-methylpent-1-enyl, (2-amino-2-methylpropoxy)methyl, ((2S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl)methoxymethyl, 4-piperidinyl, or (1E)-4-((2R)-2-hydroxypropylamino)-4-methylbut-1-enyl. In a further embodiment of the compound of formula VII, D is (2-naphthyl), benzyloxy or biphenyl-4-yl. In another embodiment of the compound, E is phenyl, 2-thienyl or 2-(methylsulfonylamino)phenyl. In a still further embodiment of the invention, G 1 is hydrogen, methylcarbamoyl or ethylcarbamoyl. In further embodiments of the compounds, R 1 is methyl. In additional embodiments of the compounds, R 2 is methyl or hydrogen. In still further embodiments of the compounds, a is 1. In other embodiments of the compounds, b is 1. The compounds of formula VII comprise any optical isomers thereof, in the form of separated, pure or partially purified optical isomers or racemic mixtures thereof. Preferred compounds of the invention are: 1-((2R)-2-(N-((2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide: 1-((2R)-2-(N-(2-(((2S)-pyrrolidin-2yl)methoxy)acetyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide: 1-((2R)-2-(N-((2-amino-2-methylpropoxy)acetyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. It is believed that compounds of formula VII exhibit an improved resistance to proteolytic degradation by enzymes compared to that of the peptides suggested in the prior literature, due to the lack of natural peptide bonds. The increased resistance to proteolytic degradation combined with the reduced size of the compounds of the invention in comparison with known growth hormone releasing peptides is expected to improve their bioavailability compared to that of the peptides suggested in the prior literature. In the above structural formulas and throughout the present specification, the following terms have the indicated meanings: The C 1-6 -alkyl groups specified above are intended to include those alkyl groups of the designated length in either a linear or branched or cyclic configuration. Examples of linear alkyl are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, and hexyl. Examples of branched alkyl are isopropyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, and isohexyl. Examples of cyclic alkyl are C 3-6 -cycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cydopentyl and cyclohexyl. The C 1-6 -alkoxy groups specified above are intended to include those alkoxy groups of the designated length in either a linear or branched or cyclic configuration. Examples of linear alkyloxy are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentoxy, and hexoxy. Examples of branched alkoxy are isopropoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, isopentoxy, and isohexoxy. Examples of cyclic alkoxy are cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy and cyclohexyloxy. In the present context, the term "aryl" is intended to include aromatic rings, such as carbocyclic and heterocyclic aromatic rings selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl, 1-H-tetrazol-5-yl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyrimidinyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, thienyl, quinolinyl, pyrazinyl, or isothiazolyl, optionally substituted by one or more C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, halogen, amino or aryl. Aryl is preferably phenyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridyl, indolyl, quinolinyl or naphthyl optionally substituted with halogen, amino, hydroxy, C 1-6 -alkyl or C 1-6 -alkoxy. The term "halogen" is intended to indude Cl, F, Br and I. The compounds of the present invention may have one or more asymmetric centres and it is intended that stereoisomers, as separated, pure or partially purified stereoisomers or racemic mixtures thereof are included in the scope of the invention. The compounds of the present invention may optionally be in a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form such as the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts of compounds of formula VII which include those prepared by reacting the compound of formula VII with an inorganic or organic add such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, acetic, phosphoric, lactic, maleic, phthalic, citric, glutaric, gluconic, methanesulfonic, salicylic, succinic, tartaric, toluenesulfonic, trifluoracetic, sulfamic or fumaric add. The compounds of formula VII may be administered in pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt form or, where appropriate, as a alkall metal or alkaline earth metal or lower alkylammonium salt. Such salt forms are believed to exhibit approximately the same order of activity as the free base forms. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound of the general formula VII or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the present invention may be prepared by conventional techniques, e.g. as described in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences , 1985. The compositions may appear in conventional forms, for example capsules, tablets, aerosols, solutions, suspensions or topical applications. The pharmaceutical carrier or diluent employed may be a conventional solid or liquid carrier. Examples of solid carriers are lactose, terra alba, sucrose, cyclodextrin, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, stearic acid or lower alkyl ethers of cellulose. Examples of liquid carriers are syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, phospholipids, fatty acids, fatty acid amines, polyoxyethylene or water. Similarly, the carrier or diluent may include any sustained release material known in the art, such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate, alone or mixed with a wax. If a solid carrier is used for oral administration, the preparation may be tabletted, placed in a hard gelatin capsule in powder or pellet form or it can be in the form of a troche or lozenge. The amount of solid carrier will vary widely but will usually be from about 25 mg to about 1 g. If a liquid carrier is used, the preparation may be in the form of a syrup, emulsion, soft gelatin capsule or sterile injectable liquid such as an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspension or solution. A typical tablet which may be prepared by conventional tabletting techniques may contain: Core: Active compound (as free compound or salt thereof) 100mg Colloidal silicon dioxide (Aerosil) 1.5mg Cellulose, microcryst. (Avicel) 70mg Modified cellulose gum (Ac-Di-Sol) 7.5mg Magnesium stearate Coating: HPMC approx. 9mg Mywacett 9-40 T approx. 0.9mg For nasal administration, the preparation may contain a compound of formula VII dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier, in particular an aqueous carrier, for aerosol application. The carrier may contain additives such as solubilizing agents, e.g. propylene glycol, surfactants, absorption enhancers such as lecithin (phosphatidylcholine) or cyclodextrin, or preservatives such as parabenes. Generally, the compounds of the present invention are dispensed in unit dosage form comprising from 10 to 200 mg, such as 50-200 mg, of active ingredient together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier per unit dosage. The dosage of the compounds according to this invention is suitably 0.1-500 mg/day, e.g. from about 5 to about 50 mg, such as about 10 mg per dose, when administered to patients, e.g. humans, as a drug. It has been demonstrated that compounds of the general formula VII possess the ability to release endogenous growth hormone in vivo. The compounds may therefore be used in the treatment of conditions which require increased plasma growth hormone levels such as in growth hormone deficient humans or in elderly patients or livestock. Thus, in a particular aspect, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound of the general formula VII or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. In a still further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a compound of the general formula VII or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary. To those skilled in the art, it is well known that the current and potential uses of growth hormone in humans are varied and multitudinous. Thus, compounds of formula VII can be administered for purposes stimulating release of growth hormone from the pituitary and would then have similar effects or uses as growth hormone itself. The uses of growth hormone may be summarized as follows: stimulation of growth hormone release in the elderly; prevention of catabolic side effects of glucocorticoids, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, treatment of NIDDM, stimulation of the immune system, acceleration of wound healing, accelerating bone fracture repair, treatment of growth retardation, treating renal failure or insufficiency resulting from growth retardation, treatment of physiological short stature including growth hormone deficient children and short stature associated with chronic illness, treatment of obesity and growth retardation associated with obesity, treatment of anorexia, treating growth retardation associated with the Prader-Willi syndrome and Turner's syndrome; accelerating the recovery and reducing hospitalization of burn patients; treatment of intrauterine growth retardation, skeletal dysplasia, hypercortisolism and Cushing's syndrome; induction of pulsatile growth hormone release; replacement of growth hormone in stressed patients, treatment of osteochondrodysplasias, Noonan's syndrome, schizophrenia, depressions, Alzheimer's disease, delayed wound healing and psychosocial deprivation, treatment of pulmonary dysfunction and ventilator dependency, attenuation of protein catabolic responses after major surgery, reducing cachexia and protein loss due to chronic illness such as cancer or AIDS; treatment of hyperinsulinemia including nesidioblastosis, adjuvant treatment for ovulation induction; to stimulate thymic development and prevent the age-related decline of thymic function, treatment of immunosuppressed patients, improvement in muscle strength, mobility, maintenance of skin thickness, metabolic homeostasis, renal homeostasis in the frail elderly, stimulation of osteoblasts, bone remodelling and cartilage growth, stimulation of the immune system in companion animals and treatment of disorder of aging in companion animals, growth promoter in livestock and stimulation of wool growth in sheep. For the above indications the dosage will vary depending on the compound of formula VII employed, on the mode of administration and on the therapy desired. However, generally dosage levels between 0.0001 and 100 mg/kg body weight daily are administered to patients and animals to obtain effective release of endogenous growth hormone. Usually, dosage forms suitable for oral, nasal, pulmonary or transdermal administration comprise from about 0.0001 mg to about 100 mg, preferably from about 0.001 mg to about 50 mg of the compounds of formula I admixed with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Optionally, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention may comprise a compound of formula VII combined with one or more compounds exhibiting a different activity, e.g., an antibiotic or other pharmacologically active material. The route of administration may be any route which effectively transports the active compound to the appropriate or desired site of action, such as oral, nasal, pulmonary, transdermal or parenteral, the oral route being preferred. Apart from the pharmaceutical use of the compounds of formula VII, they may be useful in vitro tools for investigating the regulation of growth hormone release. Compounds of formula VII may also be useful in vivo tools for evaluating the growth hormone releasing capability of the pituitary. For example, serum samples taken before and after administration of these compounds to humans can be assayed for growth hormone. Comparison of the growth hormone in each serum sample would directly determine the ability of the patients pituitary to release growth hormone. Compounds of formula VII may be administered to commercially important animals, such as cows, sheep, pigs, goats, etc. to increase their rate and extent of growth, or to increase milk production. A further use of growth hormone secretagogue compounds of formula VII is in combination with other secretagogues such as GHRP (2 or 6), GHRH and its analogues, growth hormone and its analogues or somatomedins including IGF-1 and IGF-2. Pharmacological Methods Compounds of formula VII may be evaluated in vitro for their efficacy and potency to release growth hormone in rat pituitary primary cultures. The isolation of rat pituitary cells is a modification of O. Sartor et al., Endocrinology 116 , 1985, pp. 952-957. Male albino Sprague-Dawley rats (250 +/- 25 grams) were purchased from Møllegaard, Lille Skensved, Denmark. The rats were housed in group cages (four animals/cage) and placed in rooms with 12 hour light cyde. The room temperature varied from 19-24°C and the humidity from 30 - 60%. The rats were decapitated and the pituitaries dissected. The neurointermediate lobes were removed and the remaining tissue was immediately placed in ice-cold isolation buffer (Gey's medium (Gibco 041-04030) supplemented with 0.25% D-glucose, 2% non-essential amino acids (Gibco 043-01140) and 1% bovine serum albumine (BSA) (Sigma A-4503)). The tissue was cut into small pieces and transferred to isolation buffer supplemented with 3.8 mg/ml of trypsin (Worthington #3707 TRL-3) and 330 mg/ml of DNase (Sigma D-4527). This mixture was incubated at 70 rotations/min for 35 min at 37°C in a 95/5% atmosphere of O 2 /CO 2 . The tissue was then washed three times in the above buffer. Using a standard pasteur pipette, the tissue was then aspirated into single cells. After dispersion, cells were filtered through a nylon filter (160 mm) to remove undigested tissue. The cell suspension was washed 3 times with isolation buffer supplemented with trypsin inhibitor (0.75 mg/ml, Worthington #2829) and finally resuspended in culture medium; DMEM (Gibco 041-01965) supplemented with 25 mM HEPES (Sigma H-3375), 4 mM glutamine (Gibco 043-05030H), 0.075% sodium bicarbonate (Sigma S-8875), 0.1% non-essential amino acid, 2.5% fetal calf serum (FCS, Gibco 011-06290), 3% horse serum (Gibco 034-06050), 10% fresh rat serum, 1 nM T 3 (Sigma T-2752) and 40 mg/L dexamethasone (Sigma D-4902) pH 7.3, to a density of 2 x 10 5 cells/ml. The cells were seeded into microtiter plates (Nunc, Denmark), 200 ml/well, and cultured for 3 days at 37°C and 8% CO 2 . Compound testing After culturing, the cells were washed twice with stimulation buffer (Hanks Balanced Salt Solution (Gibco 041-04020) supplemented with 1% BSA (Sigma A-4503), 0.25% D-glucose (Sigma G-5250) and 25 mM HEPES (Sigma H-3375) pH 7.3) and preincubated for 1 hour at 37°C. The buffer was exchanged with 90 ml stimulation buffer (37°C). Ten ml test compound solution was added and the plates were incubated for 15 min at 37°C and 5% CO 2 . The medium was decanted and analyzed for GH content in an rGH SPA test system. All compounds were tested in doses ranging from 10 pM to 100 mM. A dose-response relation was construded using the Hill equation (Fig P. Biosoft). The efficacy (maximal GH released, E max ) was expressed in % of the E max of GHRP-6. The potency (EC 50 ) was determined as the concentration inducing half maximal stimulation of the GH release. Compounds of formula VII may be evaluated for their metabolic stability. Compounds are dissolved at a concentration of 1 mg/ml in water. 25 ml of this solution is added to 175 ml of the respective enzyme-solution (resulting in an enzyme:substrate ratio (w/w) of approximately 1:5). The solution is left at 37°C overnight. 10 ml of the various degradation solutions is analyzed against a corresponding zero-sample using flow injection electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) with selected ion monitoring of the molecular ion. If the signal has decreased more than 20% compared to the zero-sample, the remainder of the solution is analyzed by HPLC and mass spectrometry in order to identify the extent and site(s) of degradation precisely. EXAMPLES The process for preparing compounds of formula VII and preparations containing them is further illustrated in the following examples, which however, are not to be construed as limiting. The structures of the compounds are cortfirmed by either elemental analysis (MA) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or mass spectrometry (MS). NMR shifts (d) are given in parts per million (ppm) and only selected peaks are given. mp is melting point and is given in °C. Column chromatography was carried out using the technique described by W.C. Still et al, J. Org. Chem. 1978, 43, 2923-2925 on Merck silica gel 60 (Art 9385). Compounds used as starting materials are either known compounds or compounds which can readily be prepared by methods known per se. Abbrevations: TLC thin layer chromatography DMSO dimethylsulfoxide min minutes h hours HPLC-Analysis: Method A1. The RP-analysis was performed using UV detection at 214, 254, 276, and 301 nm on a 218TP54 4.6 mm x 250 mm 5m C-18 silica column (The Separations Group, Hesperia), which was eluted at 1 mL/min at 42°C. The column was equilibrated with 5% acetonitrile in a buffer consisting of 0.1 M ammonium sulfate, which was adjusted to pH 2.5 with 4M sulfuric acid. After injection the sample was eluted by a gradient of 5% to 60% acetonitrile in the same buffer during 50 min. Example 1 1-((2R)-2-(N-((2E)-5-Amino-5-methylhex-2-enoyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide-4-ethylsemicarbacarboxide N'-Benzylidenehydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester: To a solution of t-butyl carbazate (2.0 g, 15.1 mmol) in 99% ethanol (20 ml) was added benzaldehyde (1.6 g. 15.1 mmol) and the mixture was stirred for 30 min. Then the mixture was cooled to 0 °C and the precipitate was separated and washed with cold ethanol and dried in vacuo to give 2.7 g (81%) of N'-benzylidenehydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 1.5 (s, 9H) 7.35 (m, 3H) 7.65 (m, 2H) 7.85 (s, 1H) 8.0 (s, 1H) N'-Benzylhydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester: To a solution of N'-benzylidenehydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.7 g, 12.3 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (100 ml) was added 10% palladium on carbon (0.3 g) and the mixture was hydrogenated with 280 ml of hydrogen for 40 min at atmospheric pressure. The mixture was filtered through a plug of celite and the filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give 2.63 g of N'-benzylhydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 1.5 (s, 9H) 4.0 (s, 2H) 4.2 (b, 1H) 6.1 (b, 1H) 7.2-7.4 (m, 5H). 2-Benzyl-1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide: To a solution of N'-benzylhydrazinecarboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (2.5 g, 11.8 mmol) in 99% ethanol (40 ml) was added ethyl isocyanate (1.1 g, 15.2 mmol) and the mixture was stirred for 2 h. Then the mixture was concentrated in vacuo and chromatographed on silica (20 g) with petrol ether/ethyl acetate 3:2 to give 3.0 g of 2-benzyl-1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 1.1 (t, 3H) 1.45 (s, 9H) 3.3 (m, 2H) 3.9-5.0 (b, 2H) 5.35 (t, 1H) 5.9 (s, 1H) 7.2-7.4 (m, 5H). 13 C-NMR (CDCl 3 ): 15.0 (-CH 2 CH 3 ), 27.6 (-C( CH 3 ) 3 ) 34.9 (- CH 2 CH 3 ) 50.0 (- C (CH 3 ) 3 ) 81.7 (- CH 2 -C 6 H 5 ) 127.3-128.6 (-CH 2 - C 6 H 5 ) 135.9 (-CH 2 - C 6 H 5 ) 154.0 (-O CO N) 157.1 (-N CO N). 2-Benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide: A solution of of 2-benzyl-1-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide (2.8 g, 9.6 mmol) in 50% trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane (10 ml) was stirred for 10 min at room temperature. Then saturated sodium bicarbonate was added until pH > 7 and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2 x 10ml) and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained oil was chromatographed on silica (100 g) with ethyl acetate as eluent to give 1.7 g of 2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 1.15 (t, 3H) 3.3 (m, 2H)4.7 (s, 2H) 7.2-7.4 (m, 5H). 2-Benzyl-1-[(2R)-2-(N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide: To a solution of (2R)-2-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionic acid (2.6 g, 7.9 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 ml) was added 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (1.1 g, 8.0 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-dimethylaminopropyl carbodiimide hydrochloride (1.6 g, 8.6 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 30 min at room temperature. Then 2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide (1.3 g, 6.6 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (1.5 ml, 8.6 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 ml) were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2 x 50 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was chromatographed on silica (100 g) with petrol ether/ethyl acetate 1:1 to give 3.0 g (90%) of 2-benzyl-1-[(2R)-2-(N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 0.9 (t, 3H) 1.45 (s, 9H) 2.65 (s, 3H) 3.1 (m, 2H) 3.2 (m, 1H) 3.3 (dd, 2H) 4.4 (b, 2H) 4.9 (b, 1H) 5.2 (b, 1H) 6.9-7.8 (m. 12H). 2-Benzyl-1-[(2R)-2-N-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide: To a solution of of 2-benzyl-1-[(2R)-2-(N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide (2.9 g, 5.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) at 0 °C was added trifluoroacetic acid (5 ml) and the mixture was allowed to stir for 3 h at 0 °C. Then sodium bicarbonate was added until pH > 7 and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (3 x 25 ml) and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated to 2.0 g of 2-benzyl-1-[(2R)-2-N-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 0.9 (t, 3H) 2.1 (s, 3H) 3.0 (m, 2H) 3.3 (dd, 2H) 4.6 (t, 1H) 4.7 (dd, 2H) 7.1-7.8 (m, 12H) 8.3 (s, 1H). 2-Benzyl-1-((2R)-2-(N-((2E)-5-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-5-methylhex-2-enoyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-4-ethylsemicarbazide: To a solution of (2E)-5-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methylhex-2-enoic acid (0.5 g, 2.1 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 ml) were added 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (336 mg, 2.5 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (5.5 g, 2.9 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 30 min at room temperature. Then 2-benzyl-1-[(2R)-2-N-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide (0.5 g, 1.2 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.4 ml, 2.3 mmol) in dichloromethane (20 ml) were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2 x 20 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was chromatographed on silica (20 g) with petrol ether/ethyl acetate 1:1 to give 0.68 g of 2-benzyl-1-((2R)-2-(N-((2E)-5-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-5-methylhex-2-enoyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-4-ethylsemicarbazide. 1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 0.9 (t, 3H) 1.25 (s, 6H) 1.4 (s, 9H) 2.65 (d, 2H) 2.9 (s, 3H) 3.0 (m, 2H) 3.1 (m, 1H) 3.5 (m, 1H) 4.4 (s, 1H) 4.7 (b, 1H) 5.4 (b, 1H) 5.1 (b, 1H) 8.1 (d, 1H) 6.8 (m, 1H) 6.9-7.8 (m, 12H). To a solution of 2-benzyl-1-((2R)-2-(N-((2E)-5-(N-tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino-5-methylhex-2-enoyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-4-ethylsemicarbazide (0.66 g, 1.0 mmol) in dichloromethane (5 ml) was added trifluoroacetic acid (2.5 ml) at 0 °C and stirred for 2 h. Then sodium bicarbonate was added until pH > 7 and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2 x 10 ml) and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was dissolved in water (20 ml) and 1 N acetic acid (2 ml) and the mixture was lyophilized to 0.5 g of the acetate salt of the title compound. HPLC (A1): R t = 31.3 min LC-MS: 530.2 (M+H) + 1 H-NMR (DMSO) (selected peaks): d 0.9 (t, 3H) 1.1 (s, 6H) 2.7 (s, 3H) 6.25 (d, 1H) 6.6 (m, 1H) 7.2-7.9 (m, 12H). Example 2 1-((2R)-2-(N-(2-(((2S)-pyrrolidin-2yl)methoxy)acetyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethyl semicarbazide. (2S)-2-(((Carboxy)methoxy)methyl)pyrrolidin-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester: To a solution of N-t-butyloxycarbonyl-(S)-prolinol (5.0 g, 25 mmol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (500 ml) rhodium(II)acetate (180 mg) was added and the mixture was heated to 80 °C. Ethyldiazoacetate (3.9 ml, 37 mmol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (180 ml) was added over a period of 90 min and the mixture was heated at 80 °C for 3 hours. Then another portion of ethyl diazoacetate (1.3 ml, 12 mmol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (40 ml) was added and the mixture was refluxed for 6 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2 x 100 ml) and brine (100 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The crude product was chromatographed on silica (300 g) with petrol ether/ethyl acetate 4:1 as eluent to give 4.7 g of (2S)-2-(((ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy)methyl)pyrrolidin-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester. The obtained product was dissolved in 1 M lithium hydroxide in water/methanol 1:3 (50 ml) and stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo, water (20 mL) was added and washed with ether (20 mL). The aqueous phase was acidified to pH 4 with 1 M aqueous hydrogen chloride, extracted with ethyl acetate (2 x 100 ml) and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo to give 3.6 g of (2S)-2-(((carboxy)methoxy)methyl)-pyrrolidin-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester. 1H-NMR (COCl 3 ): d 1.45 (2, 9H) 1.90 (m, 4H) 3.55 (t, 2H) 3.60 (m, 3H) 4.10 (s, 2H) 10.6 (s, 1H). To a solution of (2S)-2-(((carboxy)methoxy)methyl)-pyrrolidin-1-carboxylic acid tert-butylester (0.97 g, 3.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) were added 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (0.51 g, 3.7 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0.79 g, 4.1 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 30 min at room temperature. Then 2-benzyl-1-[(2R)-2- methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide (0.75 g, 1.9 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.42 ml, 2.4 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2 x 20 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was chromatographed on silica (20 g) with petrol ether/ethyl acetate 1:1. The chromatographed product was dissolved in dichloromethane (10 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (2.5 ml) was added at 0 °C and stirred for 2 h. Then sodium bicarbonate was added until pH > 7 and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2 x 10 ml) and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was dissolved in water (20 ml) and 1 N acetic acid (2 ml) and the mixture was lyophilized to 0.88 g of the acetate salt of the title compound. HPLC (A1): R t = 31.1 LC-MS: 546.0 (M+H) + Example 3 1-((2R)-2-(N-((2-Amino-2-methylpropoxy)acetyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide (2-t-Butoxycarbonylamino-2-methylpropoxy)acetic acid: A solution of 2-t-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methylpropanol (5.0 g, 26.46 mmol) and rhodium(II)acetate (90 mg) in dichloroethane (500 ml) was heated to 80 °C. Then ethyl diazoacetate (4.0 g, 34.78 mmol) was added over a period of 1 h and the mixture was stirred at reflux for 3 h. Another portion of rhodium(II)acetate (90 mg) was added and the mixture was refluxed for another 5 h. The mixture was cooled overnight and saturated sodium bicarbonate (500 ml) was added, the layers were separated and the organic layer was washed twice with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2 x 200 ml) and dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was dissolved in 1 M lithium hydroxide in methanol/water 3:1 (200 ml) and stirred overnight. The solvent was removed in vacuo to a minimum, water (50 ml) was added (pH>9) and the mixture was washed with ether (100 ml). Then 1 M hydrochloric acid was added until pH<4 and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo to give 2.5 g of (2-t-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methylpropoxy) acetic add. H1-NMR (CDCl 3 ): d 1.3 (s, 6H) 1.45 (s, 9H) 3.5 (s, 2H) 4.15 (s, 2H) 9.9 (b, 1H). To a solution of (2-t-butoxycarbonylamino-2-methylpropoxy) acetic acid (0.93 g, 3.7 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) were added 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (0.51 g, 3.7 mmol) and 1-ethyl-3-dimethylaminopropylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (0.79 g, 4.1 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 30 min at room temperature. Then 2-benzyl-1-[(2R)-2-N-methylamino-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl]-4-ethylsemicarbazide (0.75 g, 1.9 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.42 ml, 2.4 mmol) in dichloromethane (15 ml) were added and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (2 x 20 ml), dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was chromatographed on silica (20 g) with petrol ether/ethyl acetate 1:1. The chromatographed product was dissolved in dichloromethane (10 ml) and trifluoroacetic acid (2.5 ml) was added at 0 °C and stirred for 2 h. Then sodium bicarbonate was added until pH > 7 and the aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane (2 x 10 ml)and the combined organic layers were dried (magnesium sulfate) and concentrated in vacuo. The obtained product was dissolved in water (20 ml) and 1 N acetic acid (2 ml) and the mixture was lyophilized to 0.98 g of the acetate salt of the title compound. HPLC (A1): R t = 31.0 LC-MS: 534.2 (M+H) +

Claims: A compound of the general formula VII wherein E is hydrogen, -O-(CH 2 ) l -R 10a , wherein R 10 , R 11 , R 12 , R 13 and R 14 independently are hydrogen, halogen, aryl, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy; R 10a is hydrogen, aryl or C 1-6 -alkyl; l is 0, 1, 2 or 3; A 1 is or wherein R 29 , R 30 , R 31 , R 32 , R 33 , R 34 , R 35 and R 36 are independently hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, amino, hydroxyl or aryl; R 33 and R 34 , R 33 and R 35 , or R 34 and R 35 may optionally form -(CH 2 ) i -Z-(CH 2 ) j -, wherein i and j independently are 1 or 2 and Z is -O-, -S- or a valence bond; n, m and q are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; o and p are independently 0 or 1; M is -CR 37 =CR 38 -, -O-, -S- or a valence bond; R 37 and R 38 are independently hydrogen, or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with aryl; D is hydrogen, -O-(CH 2 ) k -R 5a , wherein R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , R 8 and R 9 independently are hydrogen, halogen, aryl, C 1-6 -alkyl or C 1-6 -alkoxy; R 5a is hydrogen, aryl or C 1-6 -alkyl; k is 0, 1, 2, or 3; G 1 is hydrogen, halogen, aryl, C 1-6 -alkyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, -CONR 39 R 40 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 SO 2 R 41 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 COR 40 , -(CH 2 ) e -OR 41 , -(CH 2 ) e -OCOR 40 , -CH(R 39 )R 40 , - CON 39 -NR 40 R 42 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 -CS-NR 40 R 42 , -(CH 2 ) e -NR 39 -CO-NR 40 R 42 , wherein X 5 is -N(R 43 )-, -O- or -S-, X 6 is -C(R 44 )= or -N=, X 7 is -C(R 45 )= or -N=, X 8 is -C(R 46 )= or -N=, R 43 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with aryl, R 44 , R 45 and R 46 independently are hydrogen, -COOR 47 , -CONR 48 R 49 , -(CH 2 ) f NR 48 R 49 , -(CH 2 ) f OR 47 , -(CH 2 ) f R 47 or halogen; R 39 , R 40 , R 47 , R 48 and R 49 independently are hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl optionally substituted with halogen, -N(R 50 )R 51 , hydroxyl, C 1-6 -alkoxy, C 1-6 -alkoxycarbonyl, C 1-6 -alkylcarbonyloxy or aryl, or R 40 is wherein -Q 2 < is -CH< or -N< , J 2 and T 2 are independently -CH 2 -, -CO-, -O-, -S-, -NR 52 - or a valence bond, where R 52 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl; x and y are independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R 41 is C 1-6 alkyl substituted with aryl; R 42 is C 1-6 alkyl; R 50 and R 51 are independently hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl; e and f are independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; R 1 is hydrogen, or C 1-6 -alkyl; R 2 is hydrogen or C 1-6 -alkyl; a and b independently are 0, 1, 2 or 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A compound according to claim 1, wherein A 1 is (1E)-4-amino-4-methylpent-1-enyl, (2-amino-2-methylpropoxy)methyl, ((2S)-pyrrolidin-2-yl)methoxymethyl, 4-piperidinyl, or (1E)-4-((2R)-2-hydroxypropylamino)-4-methylbut-1-enyl. A compound according to claim 1 or 2, wherein D is (2-naphthyl), benzyloxy or biphenyl-4-yl. A compound according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein E is phenyl, 2-thienyl or 2-(methylsulfonylamino)phenyl. A compound according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein G 1 is hydrogen, methylcarbamoyl or ethylcarbamoyl. A compound according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein R 1 is methyl. A compound according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein R 2 is methyl or hydrogen. A compound according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein a is 1. A compound according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein b is 1. A compound according to claim 1, selected from the group consisting of: 1-((2R)-2-(N-((2E)-5-amino-5-methylhex-2-enoyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide, 1-((2R)-2-(N-(2-(((2S)-pyrrolidin-2yl)methoxy)acetyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide, and 1-((2R)-2-(N-((2-amino-2-methylpropoxy)acetyl)-N-methylamino)-3-(2-naphthyl)propionyl)-2-benzyl-4-ethylsemicarbazide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. A composition according to claim 11 in unit dosage form, comprising from 10 to 200 mg of said compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition for stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. A pharmaceutical composition for administration to animals to increase their rate and extent of growth, to increase their milk or wool production, or for the treatment of ailments, the composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 11-14 for oral, nasal, transdermal, pulmonary or parenteral administration. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for stimulating the release of growth hormone from the pituitary. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for administration to animals to increase their rate and extent of growth, to increase their milk or wool production, or for the treatment of ailments. Use of a compound according to any one of claims 1-10 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the preparation of a medicament for: stimulation of growth hormone release in the elderly; prevention of catabolic side effects of glucocorticoids; prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; treatment of NIDDM; stimulation of the immune system; acceleration of wound healing; acceleration of bone fracture repair; treatment of growth retardation; treatment of renal failure or insufficiency resulting from growth retardation; treatment of physiological short stature, including growth hormone deficient children and short stature associated with chronic illness; treatment of obesity and growth retardation associated with obesity; treatment of anorexia; treatment of growth retardation associated with the Prader-Willi syndrome and Turner's syndrome; accelerating the recovery of, and reducing hospitalization of, bum patients; treatment of intrauterine growth retardation, skeletal dysplasia, hypercortisolism or Cushing's syndrome; induction of pulsatile growth hormone release; replacement of growth hormone in stressed patients; treatment of osteochondrodysplasias, Noonan's syndrome, schizophrenia, depressions, Alzheimer's disease, delayed wound healing or psychosocial deprivation; treatment of pulmonary dysfunction and ventilator dependency; attenuation of protein catabolic responses after major surgery; reduction of cachexia and protein loss due to chronic illness such as cancer or AIDS; treatment of hyperinsulinemia, including nesidioblastosis; adjuvant treatment for ovulation induction; stimulation of thymic development and prevention of the age-related decline of thymic function; treatment of immunosuppressed patients; improving muscle strength, mobility, maintenance of skin thickness, metabolic homeostasis or renal homeostasis in the frail elderly; stimulation of osteoblasts; bone remodelling and cartilage growth; stimulation of the immune system in companion animals; treatment of disorder of aging in companion animals; growth promotion in livestock; or stimulation of wool growth in sheep.

Inventors: ANKERSEN MICHAEL, HANSEN THOMAS KRUSE, PESCHKE BERND, THOEGERSEN HENNING, ANKERSEN, MICHAEL, HANSEN, THOMAS KRUSE, PESCHKE, BERND, THOEGERSEN, HENNING, Thögersen, Henning
Applicants: NOVO NORDISK AS, NOVO NORDISK A/S
Application year: 1997
Main classification: C07C281
IPC codes: C07D241, C07D333, C07C311, C07C281, C07C237, C07D217, C07D207