Dibasic biphenyl H3 receptor antagonists: Steric tolerance for a lipophilic side chain

Within a series of histamine H3-antagonists characterized by a biphenyl core and two basic groups, we identified (S)-1-{[4′-((2-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl}piperidine as a lead scaffold to introduce an additional lipophilic chain at the benzylic carbon close to the pyrrolidine ring. A series of derivatives was synthesized and tested for their binding affinity at human and rat histamine H3 receptors, and for their antagonist potency. For compounds with two chiral centers, the synthetic procedure provided mixtures of diastereomeric couples, which were separated by flash chromatography. Combination of experimental NMR data and molecular dynamics simulation allowed the assignment of absolute stereochemistry, based on characteristic differences detected within each diastereomeric couple. The additional lipophilic group was tolerated by the receptor, supporting the hypothesis that the two regions described within the H3 receptor binding site can be simultaneously occupied by antagonists. Diastereoisomers with opposite chirality at the benzylic carbon showed limited or no stereoselectivity at both human and rat receptors.

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► New dibasic non-imidazole H3-antagonists carrying a lipophilic chain were prepared.
► Best results were achieved with a (S)-methylpyrrolidine basic group.
► Docking of compounds 23 and 24 provided new insights on antagonist accommodation.
► NMR experiments and MD simulations allowed to assign the benzylic carbon configuration.