Novel N-methylsulfonamide and retro-N-methylsulfonamide derivatives as 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17β-HSD2) inhibitors with good ADME-related physicochemical parameters

• Novel N-methylsulfonamide derivatives were designed and synthesized.
• Structure–property relationships of the synthesized compounds were analyzed.
• Compound 10f exhibited an inhibitory activity in the nanomolar range.
• Selectivity toward 17β-HSD1 catalyzing the reverse reaction was moderate.
• pKa of the phenolic hydroxyl group was identified as a determinant parameter for potency.

Under physiological conditions healthy bones are maintained by a well tightened balance between osteoclast (OCs) and osteoblast (OBs) activity. Disruption of this balance leads to osteoporosis characterized by decline in bone function and skeletal rigidity. Inhibition of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17β-HSD2) could help maintaining the appropriate bone mass density by increasing the level of estradiol and testosterone in bone. Herein, we described the synthesis, the physicochemical properties and the biological evaluation of novel N-methylsulfonamide and retro-N-methylsulfonamide derivatives as 17β-HSD2 inhibitors showing high potency (compound 10f, IC50 = 23 nM), with a good selectivity toward 17β-HSD1 (the isoenzyme responsible of the reverse reaction), and a likely good in vitro ADME profile. It was also shown that the acidity of the phenolic hydroxy correlates with the inhibitory potency, suggesting pKa as a predictive parameter for the activity of this class of inhibitors.

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