Synthesis, In Vitro Profiling, and In Vivo Evaluation of Benzohomoadamantane-Based Ureas for Visceral Pain: A New Indication for Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors
Sandra Codony, José Manuel Entrena, Carla Calvó‐Tusell, Beatrice Jora, Rafael González‐Cano, Sílvia Osuna, Rubén Corpas, Christophe Morisseau, Belén Pérez, Marta Barniol‐Xicota, Christian Griñán‐Ferré, Concepción Pérez, Marı́a Isabel Rodrı́guez-Franco, Antón L. Martínez, Marı́a Isabel Loza, Mercè Pallàs, Steven H. L. Verhelst, Coral Sanfeliu, Ferran Feixas, Bruce D. Hammock, José Brea, Enrique J. Cobos, Santiago Vázquez
Abstract
The soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) has been suggested as a pharmacological target for the treatment of several diseases, including pain-related disorders. Herein, we report further medicinal chemistry around new benzohomoadamantane-based sEH inhibitors (sEHI) in order to improve the drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics properties of a previous hit. After an extensive in vitro screening cascade, molecular modeling, and in vivo pharmacokinetics studies, two candidates were evaluated in vivo in a murine model of capsaicin-induced allodynia. The two compounds showed an anti-allodynic effect in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the most potent compound presented robust analgesic efficacy in the cyclophosphamide-induced murine model of cystitis, a well-established model of visceral pain. Overall, these results suggest painful bladder syndrome as a new possible indication for sEHI, opening a new range of applications for them in the visceral pain field.