Lead modification via computational studies: Synthesis of pyrazole‐containing β‐amino carbonyls for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

This article describes studies on the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of pyrazole-containing β-amino carbonyl compounds (5a-5q) as DPP-4 inhibitors and anti-diabetic agents. In contrast, mannich reactions went smoothly with bismuth nitrate (Bi (NO3 )3 ) catalyst in the presence of ethanol and produced pyrazole-containing β-amino carbonyl compounds in good yield. Molecular docking studies of designed derivatives with DPP-4 enzyme (PDB: 2OLE), compounds 5d, 5h, 5j, and 5k showed excellent interaction. 3D QSAR and pharmacophoric model studies were also carried out. ADMET parameters, pharmacokinetic properties, and in vivo toxicity studies further confirmed that all the designed compounds were found to have good bioavailability and were less toxic. Further, these compounds were evaluated as enzyme-based in vitro DPP-4 inhibitory activity, and 5d, 5h, 5i, 5j, and 5k exhibited IC50 toward DPP-4 enzyme of 10.52, 10.41, 5.55, 4.16, and 7.5 nM, respectively. The most potent compound, 5j, was further selected for in vivo anti-diabetic activity using an STZ-induced diabetic mice model, and 5j showed a significant diabetic control effect.