Design, Synthesis, Molecular Modeling and Anti-Hyperglycemic Evaluation of Quinazoline-Sulfonylurea Hybrids as Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARγ) and Sulfonylurea Receptor (SUR) Agonists

Abstract

New quinazoline-sulfonylurea hybrids were prepared and examined for their in vivo anti-hyperglycemic activities in STZ-induced hyperglycemic rats using glibenclamide as a reference drug. Compounds VI-6-a, V, IV-4, VI-4-c, IV-6, VI-2-a, IV-1, and IV-2 were more potent than the reference glibenclamide. They induced significant reduction in the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats: 78.2, 73.9, 71.4, 67.3, 62, 60.7, 58.4, and 55.9%, respectively, while the reference glibenclamide had 55.4%. Compounds IV-1, VI-2-a, IV-2, V, and IV-6 showed more prolonged antidiabetic activity than glibenclamide. Moreover, molecular docking and pharmacokinetic studies were performed to examine binding modes of the prepared compounds against peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). The highest active compounds exhibited good binding affinity with high free energy of binding against PPARγ. In silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and toxicity (ADMET) studies were performed to investigate pharmacokinetics and safety of the synthesized compounds. They showed considerable human intestinal absorption with low toxicity profile.