Highly water-soluble matrix metalloproteinases inhibitors and their effects in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model Original Research Article

A new series of succinate-based dual inhibitors against matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tumor necrosis factor α converting enzyme (TACE) possessing highly-water solubility was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for enzyme inhibition. Incorporating of acidic or basic functional groups at the P2′ position afforded sufficient water solubility without significant loss of inhibitory potencies. Compound 18e, which had a guanidino group at the P2′ position as the basic functional group, exhibited broad inhibition against target enzymes for a relatively long period in rat plasma (β t1/2; 2.0 h) after sc administration when compared with compounds possessing acidic functional groups (18a and 18b). Consequently, the representative compound 18e together with compound 18b, Marimastat and Trocade were evaluated in the rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model, a model of chronic cartilage destruction. It is concluded that the newly synthesized highly water-soluble compound 18e showed significant activity in suppressing hindpaw swelling and the bone destruction with a minimal administration period (days 3–7).