Pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives as a novel class of selective aldose reductase inhibitors exhibiting antioxidant activity

2-Phenyl-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives bearing a phenol or a catechol moiety in position 2 were tested as aldose reductase (ALR2) inhibitors and exhibited activity levels in the micromolar/submicromolar range. Introduction of a hydroxy group in position 6 or 9 gave an enhancement of the inhibitory potency (compare 18, 19, 28, and 29 vs 13 and 14). Lengthening of the 2-side chain to benzyl determined a general reduction in activity. The lack or the methylation of the phenol or catechol hydroxyls gave inactive (1012, 21, 22, 25-27) or scarcely active (15, 17, 20) compounds, thus demonstrating that the phenol or catechol hydroxyls are involved in the enzyme pharmacophoric recognition. Moreover, all the pyridopyrimidinones displayed significant antioxidant properties, with the best activity shown by the catechol derivatives. The theoretical binding mode of the most active compounds obtained by docking simulations into the ALR2 crystal structure was fully consistent with the structure-activity relationships in the pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one series.