Design, synthesis, and evaluation of carboxyl-modified oseltamivir derivatives with improved lipophilicity as neuraminidase inhibitors

Abstract

In this study, a series of carboxyl-modified oseltamivir analogs with improved lipophilicity were designed and synthesized, and their inhibitory activities against neuraminidase from influenza A virus H5N1 subtype were evaluated. The results demonstrated that compound 5m exhibited potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 1.30 ± 0.23 μM), and it targeted the recently discovered 430-cavity. Compound 5m (LogD = −0.12) is more lipophilic than oseltamivir carboxylate (LogD = −1.69) at pH 7.4, which is potentially propitious to improved membrane permeability and oral drug absorption. Meanwhile, 5m showed high stability in human liver microsomes. The findings of this study can be valuable in identifying neuraminidase inhibitors with optimal lipophilicity and in the exploration of 430-cavity.