From Celecoxib to a Novel Class of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors: Trisubstituted Pyrazolines as Novel Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors with Extremely High Potency and Phosphodiesterase Isozyme Selectivity

A ligand-based approach involving systematic modifications of a trisubstituted pyrazoline scaffold derived from the COX2 inhibitor, celecoxib, was used to develop novel PDE5 inhibitors. Novel pyrazolines were identified with potent PDE5 inhibitory activity lacking COX2 inhibitory activity. Compound d12 was the most potent with an IC50 of 1 nM, which was three times more potent than sildenafil and more selective with a selectivity index of >10,000-fold against all other PDE isozymes. Sildenafil inhibited the full-length and catalytic fragment of PDE5, while compound d12 only inhibited the full-length enzyme, suggesting a mechanism of enzyme inhibition distinct from sildenafil. The PDE5 inhibitory activity of compound d12 was confirmed in cells using a cGMP biosensor assay. Oral administration of compound d12 achieved plasma levels >1000-fold higher than IC50 values and showed no discernable toxicity after repeated dosing. These results reveal a novel strategy to inhibit PDE5 with unprecedented potency and isozyme selectivity.