Design and Synthesis of Dual Galectin‐3 and EGFR Inhibitors Against Liver Fibrosis

Abstract Liver fibrosis, mainly arising from chronic viral or metabolic liver diseases, is a significant global health concern. There is currently only one FDA‐approved drug (Resmetirom) in the market to combat liver fibrosis. Both galectin‐3 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) play important roles in liver fibrosis, while galectin‐3 may interact with EGFR. Galectin‐3 inhibitors, typically lactose or galactose derivatives may inhibit liver fibrosis. We hypothesized that targeting both galectin‐3 and EGFR may have better effect against liver fibrosis. Here, EGFR inhibitor erlotinib was used in a series of designed galectin‐3 inhibitors after hybridization with the pharmacophore structure in reported galectin‐3 inhibitors to impede hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation by a typical method of click chemistry. Bioactivity test results showed that compound 29 suppressed TGF‐β‐induced upregulation of fibrotic markers (α‐SMA, fibronectin‐1, and collagen I). The preferred compound 29 displayed better binding to galectin‐3 (K D =52.29 μM) and EGFR protein (K D =3.31 μM) by SPR assay. Further docking studies were performed to clarify the possible binding mode of compound 29 with galectin‐3 and EGFR. Taken together, these results suggested that compound 29 could be a potential dual galectin‐3 and EGFR inhibitor as leading compound for anti‐liver fibrosis new drug development.