Research Article Details
Article ID: | A06142 |
PMID: | 32991173 |
Source: | J Med Chem |
Title: | Discovery and Optimization of Non-bile Acid FXR Agonists as Preclinical Candidates for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. |
Abstract: | Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays a key role in bile acid homeostasis, inflammation, fibrosis, and metabolism of lipid and glucose and becomes a promising therapeutic target for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or other FXR-dependent diseases. The phase III trial results of obeticholic acid demonstrate that the FXR agonists emerge as a promising intervention in patients with NASH and fibrosis, but this bile acid-derived FXR agonist brings severe pruritus and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease for patients. Herein, we reported our efforts in the discovery of a series of non-bile acid FXR agonists, and 36 compounds were designed and synthesized based on the structure-based drug design and structural optimization strategies. Particularly, compound 42 is a highly potent and selective FXR agonist, along with good pharmacokinetic profiles, high liver distribution, and preferable in vivo efficacy, indicating that it is a potential candidate for the treatment of NASH or other FXR-dependent diseases. |
DOI: | 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01065 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S03 | Anti-fibrosis | fibrosis | Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB); CCR2/CCR5 antagonist; Thyroid receptor β agonist; PEGylated human FGF21 analogue; Monoclonal antibody to lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2); Galectin-3 inhibitor; FGF19 variant | Losartan; Cenicriviroc; VK-2809; MGL-3196; Pegbelfermin; Simtuzumab; GR-MD-02; NGM282 | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T17 | Farnesoid X-activated receptor | NR1H4 | agonist | Nuclear hormone receptor | Q96RI1 | NR1H4_HUMAN | Details |
T10 | Caspase-1 | CASP1 | inhibitor | Enzyme | P29466 | CASP1_HUMAN | Details |
T07 | Bile acid receptor | NR1H4 | agonist | Nuclear hormone receptor | Q96RI1 | NR1H4_HUMAN | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class |
---|
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D248 | Obeticholic Acid | Chemical drug | DB05990 | NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist | Enhance lipid metabolism | Approval rejected | Details |
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |