Novel potent 2,5-pyrrolidinedione peptidomimetics as aminopeptidase N inhibitors. Design, synthesis and activity evaluation.

A series of novel aminopeptidase N inhibitors with 2,5-pyrrolidinedione scaffold were chemically synthesized. Their preliminary biological activities in enzyme kinetics and cell assay in vitro and anti-metastasis profile in vivo were also evaluated. The results indicated that all the compounds displayed potent inhibitory activity against aminopeptidase N. Compound 8f inhibited aminopeptidase N activity with IC(50) value of 1.0μM and displayed better activity profile in vivo than that of bestatin.