An imidazopyridine is a nitrogen containing
heterocycle
A heterocyclic compound or ring structure is a cyclic compound that has atoms of at least two different chemical element, elements as members of its ring(s). Heterocyclic chemistry is the branch of organic chemistry dealing with the synthesis ...
that is also a class of
drugs
A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalat ...
that contain this same chemical substructure. In general, they are
GABAA receptor agonists
An agonist is a chemical that activates a Receptor (biochemistry), receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are Cell (biology), cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an ...
, however recently
proton pump inhibitors
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of medications that cause a profound and prolonged reduction of stomach acid production. They do so by irreversibly inhibiting the stomach's H+/K+ ATPase proton pump.
They are the most potent inhibitors ...
,
aromatase inhibitor
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in men, and gynecomastia in men. They may also be used off-label to reduce estrogen conversion when supplementing testosterone exog ...
s,
NSAID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are members of a therapeutic drug class which reduces pain, decreases inflammation, decreases fever, and prevents blood clots. Side effects depend on the specific drug, its dose and duration of ...
s and other classes of drugs in this class have been developed as well. Despite usually being similar to them in effect, they are not chemically related to benzodiazepines. As such, GABA
A-agonizing imidazopyridines,
pyrazolopyrimidine
Pyrazolopyrimidines are a series of isomeric heterocyclic chemical compounds with the molecular formula C6H5N3. They form the central core of a variety of more complex chemical compounds including some pharmaceuticals and pesticides.
Pharmaceu ...
s, and
cyclopyrrones are sometimes grouped together and referred to as "
nonbenzodiazepine
Nonbenzodiazepines (), sometimes referred to colloquially as Z-drugs (as many of their names begin with the letter "z"), are a class of psychoactive drugs that are very benzodiazepine-like in nature. They are used in the treatment of sleep proble ...
s." Imidazopyridines include:
Sedatives
Anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics (
GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators):
* Imidazo
,2-ayridines:
**
Alpidem
Alpidem (Ananxyl) is an anxiolytic drug from the imidazopyridine family, related to the more well known sleeping medication zolpidem. Unlike zolpidem however, alpidem does not produce sedative effects at normal doses, and is instead used specifi ...
(original brand name Ananxyl)—an
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxi ...
that was withdrawn from the market worldwide in 1995 due to
hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity (from ''hepatic toxicity'') implies chemical-driven liver damage. Drug-induced liver injury is a cause of acute and chronic liver disease caused specifically by medications and the most common reason for a drug to be withdrawn fro ...
.
**
DS-1—a
GABAA receptor positive
allosteric modulator
In pharmacology and biochemistry, allosteric modulators are a group of substances that bind to a Receptor (biochemistry), receptor to change that receptor's response to stimulus. Some of them, like benzodiazepines, are drugs. The site that an allos ...
selective for the
α4 β3 δ subtype, which is not targeted by other GABAergics such as
benzodiazepine
Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), sometimes called "benzos", are a class of depressant drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. They are prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders, ...
s or other
nonbenzodiazepine
Nonbenzodiazepines (), sometimes referred to colloquially as Z-drugs (as many of their names begin with the letter "z"), are a class of psychoactive drugs that are very benzodiazepine-like in nature. They are used in the treatment of sleep proble ...
s.
**
Necopidem—an anxiolytic. It has not found clinical use.
**
Saripidem—a
sedative
A sedative or tranquilliser is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement. They are CNS depressants and interact with brain activity causing its deceleration. Various kinds of sedatives can be distinguished, but t ...
and
anxiolytic
An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxi ...
. It is not used clinically.
**
TP-003
TP-003 is an anxiolytic drug with a novel chemical structure, which is used in scientific research. It has similar effects to benzodiazepine drugs, but is structurally distinct and so is classed as a nonbenzodiazepine anxiolytic. It is a positive ...
—a subtype-selective
partial agonist
In pharmacology, partial agonists are drugs that bind to and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist. They may also be considered ligands which display both agonistic and antagonistic e ...
at
GABAA receptors, binding to GABA
A receptor complexes bearing either
α2,
α3 or
α5 subunits, but only showing significant efficacy at α
3.
**
Zolpidem
Zolpidem, sold under the brand name Ambien, among others, is a medication primarily used for the short-term treatment of sleeping problems. Guidelines recommend that it be used only after cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and behaviora ...
(original brand name Ambien)—a widely used
hypnotic
Hypnotic (from Greek ''Hypnos'', sleep), or soporific drugs, commonly known as sleeping pills, are a class of (and umbrella term for) psychoactive drugs whose primary function is to induce sleep (or surgical anesthesiaWhen used in anesthesia ...
. Generic versions are widely available.
* Imidazo
,5-cyridines:
**
Bamaluzole—a
GABAA receptor-agonizing
anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsants (also known as antiepileptic drugs or recently as antiseizure drugs) are a diverse group of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of b ...
that was never marketed.
Antipsychotic
Antipsychotic
Antipsychotics, also known as neuroleptics, are a class of Psychiatric medication, psychotropic medication primarily used to manage psychosis (including delusions, hallucinations, paranoia or disordered thought), principally in schizophrenia but ...
s:
* Imidazo
,2-ayridines:
**
Mosapramine
Mosapramine (Cremin) is an atypical antipsychotic used in Japan for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is a potent dopamine antagonist with high affinity to the D2, D3, and D4 receptors, and with moderate affinity for the 5-HT2 receptors.
S ...
(brand name クレミン, Cremin)—an
atypical antipsychotic
The atypical antipsychotics (AAP), also known as second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) and serotonin–dopamine antagonists (SDAs), are a group of antipsychotic drugs (antipsychotic drugs in general are also known as major tranquilizers and ne ...
used in Japan.
Gastrointestinal
Drugs used for
peptic ulcer disease (PUD),
GERD Gerd or GERD may refer to:
* Gerd (given name), a list of people with the given name or nickname
* Gerd (moon), a moon of Saturn
* Gerd Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease, a chronic symptom of mucosal damage ...
and
gastroprokinetic agents (motility stimulants):
* Imidazo
,2-ayridines:
**
CJ-033466—an experimental gastroprokinetic acting as a selective
5-HT4 serotonin receptor partial agonist.
**
Zolimidine—a gastroprotective agent.
**
Linaprazan
Linaprazan is an experimental drug for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Unlike the proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) which are typically used to treat GERD, linaprazan is a potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB). Linapr ...
—a
potassium-competitive acid blocker Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) block the gastric hydrogen potassium ATPase (H+/K+ ATPase) and inhibit gastric acid secretion. These drugs have emerged as the treatment of choice for acid-related diseases, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GE ...
which demonstrated similar efficacy as
esomeprazole
Esomeprazole, sold under the brand name Nexium among others, is a medication which reduces stomach acid. It is used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome. Effectiveness is similar to ...
in healing and controlling symptoms of GERD patients with erosive esophagitis.
**
SCH28080—the prototypical potassium-competitive acid blocker which has not found clinical use because of liver toxicity in animal trials and elevated liver enzyme activity in the serum of human volunteers.
* Imidazo
,5-byridines:
**
Tenatoprazole
Tenatoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor drug candidate that was undergoing clinical testing as a potential treatment for reflux oesophagitis and peptic ulcer as far back as 2003. The compound was invented by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma and was lice ...
—it blocks the gastric
proton pump
A proton pump is an integral membrane protein pump that builds up a proton gradient across a biological membrane
A biological membrane, biomembrane or cell membrane is a selectively permeable membrane that separates the interior of a cell f ...
leading to decline of
gastric acid
Gastric acid, gastric juice, or stomach acid is a digestive fluid formed within the stomach lining. With a pH between 1 and 3, gastric acid plays a key role in digestion of proteins by activating digestive enzymes, which together break down the ...
production.
Anti-inflammatories
NSAID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are members of a therapeutic drug class which reduces pain, decreases inflammation, decreases fever, and prevents blood clots. Side effects depend on the specific drug, its dose and duration of ...
s,
analgesics
An analgesic drug, also called simply an analgesic (American English), analgaesic (British English), pain reliever, or painkiller, is any member of the group of drugs used to achieve relief from pain (that is, analgesia or pain management). It i ...
and
antimigraine
Antimigraine drugs are medications intended to reduce the effects or intensity of migraine headache. They include drugs for the treatment of acute migraine symptoms as well as drugs for the prevention of migraine attacks.
Treatment of acute sy ...
drugs:
* Imidazo
,2-ayridines:
**
Miroprofen—a derivative of
propionic acid
Propionic acid (, from the Greek words πρῶτος : ''prōtos'', meaning "first", and πίων : ''píōn'', meaning "fat"; also known as propanoic acid) is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3CH2CO2H. It is a liq ...
.
* Imidazo
,5-byridines:
**
Telcagepant
Telcagepant (INN) (code name MK-0974) is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist which was an investigational drug for the acute treatment and prevention of migraine, developed by Merck & Co.
In the acute treatment of migraine, ...
—a
calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist which was in clinical trials as a remedy for
migraine
Migraine (, ) is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches. Typically, the associated headache affects one side of the head, is pulsating in nature, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and could last from a few hou ...
. Its development was terminated.
Cardiovascular
Drugs acting on the
cardiovascular system
The blood circulatory system is a system of organs that includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood which is circulated throughout the entire body of a human or other vertebrate. It includes the cardiovascular system, or vascular system, tha ...
:
* Imidazo
,2-ayridines:
**
Olprinone (loprinone)—a
cardiac stimulant A cardiac stimulant is a substance which acts as a stimulant of the heart – e.g., via positive chronotropic or inotropic
An inotrope is an agent that alters the force or energy of muscular contractions. Negatively inotropic agents weaken the fo ...
.
Bone
Drugs for treatment of
bone disease
Bone disease refers to the medical conditions which affect the bone.
Terminology
A bone disease is also called an "osteopathy", but because the term osteopathy is often used to refer to an alternative health-care philosophy, use of the term can ...
s:
* Imidazo
,2-ayridines:
**
Minodronic acid (brand names Bonoteo, Recalbon)—a third-generation
bisphosphonate
Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that prevent the loss of bone density, used to treat osteoporosis and similar diseases. They are the most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat osteoporosis. They are called bisphosphonates because they ...
used for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Antineoplastic
Antineoplastic agents:
* Imidazo
,5-ayridines:
**
Fadrozole (brand name Afema)—an
aromatase
Aromatase (), also called estrogen synthetase or estrogen synthase, is an enzyme responsible for a key step in the biosynthesis of estrogens. It is CYP19A1, a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily, which are monooxygenases that catalyze many ...
inhibitor.
* Imidazo
,5-cyridines:
**
3-Deazaneplanocin A—an
''S''-adenosyl-L-homocysteine synthesis inhibitor and
histone methyltransferase
Histone methyltransferases (HMT) are histone-modifying enzymes (e.g., histone-lysine N-methyltransferases and histone-arginine N-methyltransferases), that catalyze the transfer of one, two, or three methyl groups to lysine and arginine residues of ...
EZH2
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase enzyme ( EC 2.1.1.43) encoded by gene, that participates in histone methylation and, ultimately, transcriptional repression. EZH2 catalyzes the addition of methyl groups ...
inhibitor.
Antiviral
Directly-acting
antiviral agents:
* Imidazo
,2-ayridines:
**
Tegobuvir (GS-9190) - an
allosteric, non-
nucleoside
Nucleosides are glycosylamines that can be thought of as nucleotides without a phosphate group. A nucleoside consists simply of a nucleobase (also termed a nitrogenous base) and a five-carbon sugar (ribose or 2'-deoxyribose) whereas a nucleotide ...
hepatitis C virus
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small (55–65 nm in size), enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family ''Flaviviridae''. The hepatitis C virus is the cause of hepatitis C and some cancers such as liver cancer ( hepato ...
NS5B
Nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) is a viral protein found in the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, having the key function of replicating HCV's viral RNA by using the viral positive RNA strand as a template to catalyze ...
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) or RNA replicase is an enzyme that catalyzes the replication of RNA from an RNA template. Specifically, it catalyzes synthesis of the RNA strand complementary to a given RNA template. This is in contrast to t ...
inhibitor targeting the thumb II allosteric site.
DAergic
*
PIP3EA 85446-91-3 D4 agonist supported to have penile erectant properties.
References
External links
*{{Commonscatinline, Imidazopyridines
Chemical classes of psychoactive drugs