Abstract:
This study was conducted to improve structural instability of a highly active DHODH inhibitor
A found in our group. Twelve prodrugs were synthesized by modifying the carboxyl group. The enzyme activity test of 12 prodrugs
A1−
A12 demonstrated that
A1−
A5 displayed weak inhibitory activity, and
A6−
A12 displayed no activity, which met the action mechanism of designed prodrug. The structural stability of
A1−
A12 in methanol and pH 2.0, 9.0 buffers were tested, and the results showed that
A12 could avoid intramolecular ring-formation in CH
3OH,
A1−
A8 were easily hydrolyzed under acidic conditions, and
A9−
A12 were inclined to hydrolyze under alkaline conditions. The cell proliferation inhibitory activity of 12 prodrugs were evaluated, in which compound
A12 displayed excellent activity (IC
50=0.63 μmol·L
−1) similar to brequinar. These results laid a good foundation for conducting further
vivo studies.