Characterization of tunable piperidine and piperazine carbamates as inhibitors of endocannabinoid hydrolases

J Med Chem. 2010 Feb 25;53(4):1830-42. doi: 10.1021/jm9016976.

Abstract

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are two enzymes from the serine hydrolase superfamily that degrade the endocannabinoids 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide, respectively. We have recently discovered that MAGL and FAAH are both inhibited by carbamates bearing an N-piperidine/piperazine group. Piperidine/piperazine carbamates show excellent in vivo activity, raising brain endocannabinoid levels and producing CB1-dependent behavioral effects in mice, suggesting that they represent a promising class of inhibitors for studying the endogenous functions of MAGL and FAAH. Herein, we disclose a full account of the syntheses, structure-activity relationships, and inhibitory activities of piperidine/piperazine carbamates against members of the serine hydrolase family. These scaffolds can be tuned for MAGL-selective or dual MAGL-FAAH inhibition by the attachment of an appropriately substituted bisarylcarbinol or aryloxybenzyl moiety, respectively, on the piperidine/piperazine ring. Modifications to the piperidine/piperazine ring ablated inhibitory activity, suggesting a strict requirement for a six-membered ring to maintain potency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amidohydrolases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / enzymology
  • Carbamates / chemical synthesis*
  • Carbamates / chemistry
  • Carbamates / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mice
  • Monoacylglycerol Lipases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Piperazines / chemical synthesis*
  • Piperazines / chemistry
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Piperidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Piperidines / chemistry
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Carbamates
  • Piperazines
  • Piperidines
  • Monoacylglycerol Lipases
  • Amidohydrolases
  • fatty-acid amide hydrolase