阅读说明：本技术 四氢小檗红碱在制备心脏保护药物中的用途 (Application of tetrahydroberberrubine in preparing heart protection medicine ) 是由 张勇 杨宝峰 刘鑫 韩维娜 林园 王磊 于 2021-09-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及四氢小檗红碱在制备心脏保护药物中的用途。四氢小檗红碱的药效实验显示其能够显著改善压力负荷诱导的心脏功能障碍,具有明显的心脏保护作用；同时还能够显著抑制心肌细胞肥大和间质纤维化,阻止心脏重塑进程,防止其进入心力衰竭阶段。此外,四氢小檗红碱类化合物的生物利用度高,毒性低,稳定易于生产、运输、储存与服用,是具有广阔应用前景的心脏保护药物。(The invention relates to application of tetrahydroberberrubine in preparing a heart protection medicament. Pharmacodynamic experiments of the tetrahydroberberrubine show that the tetrahydroberberrubine can obviously improve the cardiac dysfunction induced by pressure load and has obvious cardioprotective effect; meanwhile, the composition can also obviously inhibit cardiac muscle cell hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis, prevent the cardiac remodeling process and prevent the cardiac muscle cell hypertrophy and the interstitial fibrosis from entering the heart failure stage. In addition, the tetrahydroberberrubine compound has high bioavailability, low toxicity, stability, easy production, transportation, storage and taking, and wide application prospect.)

1. The application of tetrahydroberberine compounds of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, solvates and polymorphs thereof in preparing cardioprotective medicines:

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

X₁、X₂independently selected from-O-, -NH-;

R₁、R₂independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C3-10 cycloalkyl, -COR, -COOR, -CONRR', -S (O)_nR、-P(O)(OM)₂-C6-14 aryl, - (5-14) membered heteroaryl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-14) membered heteroaryl, or R₁And R₂Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-；

R, R' is independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C3-10 cycloalkyl, -C6-14 aryl, - (5-14) membered heteroaryl, - (5-10) membered heterocyclyl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-14) membered heteroaryl;

m is selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl C6-10 aryl, ammonium group, metal ion;

n is selected from 1 or 2;

R₃、R₄independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, or R₃And R₄Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-；

The above alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl groups, alone or as part of any one of the groups, may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl.

2. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that R is₁Selected from hydrogen, -COR, -COOR, -CONRR', -S (O)_nR、-P(O)(OM)₂(ii) a R, R' is selected from the group consisting of-C1-4 alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl, pyridyl, said alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl are optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl; m is selected from hydrogen, -C1-4 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, N (R)_a)₄ ⁺A metal ion, R_aSelected from-C1-4 alkyl.

3. Use according to claim 1, characterized in that R is₂Selected from the group consisting of-C1-4 alkyl, -C3-7 cycloalkyl, -C6-10 aryl, -a- (5-6) -membered heteroaryl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-6) -membered heteroaryl, the above alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alone or as part of any group, optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl; preferably, said R is₂Selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl, pyridyl, the methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl, pyridyl described above being optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl.

4. The use according to claim 1, wherein the tetrahydroberberberberrubine compound of formula I is selected from tetrahydroberberberrubine.

5. The use according to claim 1, wherein the cardioprotection is the treatment, alleviation or amelioration of heart failure, myocardial infarction, myocardial fibrosis, myocardial hypertrophy, and/or age-induced deterioration of the function of heart aging.

6. The use according to claim 5, wherein the heart failure comprises stress-stress and cardiac ischemia-induced heart failure.

7. The use according to claim 1, wherein the medicament is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the tetrahydroberberberberrubine compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate, polymorph thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

8. The use according to claim 1, wherein the medicament is a carrier-modified medicament; the carrier is one or more of microspheres, liposomes, microemulsions, high molecular surfactants, nanoparticles and implants.

9. A combination drug for cardioprotection comprising the tetrahydroberberberrubine class compound of formula I as defined in any one of claims 1 to 4 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate, polymorph thereof and other drugs having a cardioprotection effect.

10. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the other drug is selected from one or more of diuretic drugs, vasodilator drugs, neuro-endocrine system regulating drugs.

Technical Field

The invention belongs to the field of biological medicines, and relates to application of tetrahydroberberrubine in preparing a medicine for protecting heart, in particular treating heart failure.

Background

Heart Failure (HF) is one of the leading causes of death in a variety of cardiac diseases, and belongs to a complex syndrome that is common in the clinic. Heart failure has a high incidence rate, and the five-year survival rate after diagnosis is similar to that of patients with malignant tumors. The high mortality rate directly reflects the defects of modern treatment, and needs to develop a new heart failure treatment drug aiming at early heart diseases to improve the survival quality of patients. Not only is this a serious challenge facing the whole society, but it is also a hot spot for life science research today.

The occurrence of heart failure is related to hemodynamics abnormality, neuroendocrine hormone disorder, myocardial damage, ventricular remodeling and the like, and a complex pathophysiology mechanism exists. The aim of clinical treatment of heart failure is not only to relieve clinical symptoms, but also to control and delay the progress of myocardial remodeling and reduce the hospitalization rate and mortality rate of patients with heart failure. Studies have shown that one of the major causes of cardiac dysfunction is poor tissue remodeling and interstitial fibrosis, which is caused by a variety of pathological insults including hypertension and myocardial infarction, where the degree of interstitial fibrosis can predict the progression of a diseased heart. On one hand, interstitial fibrosis can damage electrophysiological activity between myocardial cells and influence myocardial contractility; on the other hand, interstitial fibrosis also increases ventricular stiffness and impairs diastolic function.

At present, the treatment principle of heart failure still comprises the application of positive inotropic drugs to enhance the contractility of cardiac muscle, the application of diuretic drugs to relieve water-sodium retention, the application of cardiac preload, the application of vasodilator drugs to reduce cardiac afterload, the inhibition of over-activation of the neuro-endocrine system and the inhibition of cardiac remodeling. Wherein the neuro-endocrine system regulating drugs include renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, beta-blockers and aldosterone receptor antagonists. The medicine needs to be taken from a small dose, takes effect slowly, is easy to cause the deterioration of the disease condition after stopping taking the medicine, and is often taken for life. Therefore, the discovery of a new safe and effective anti-heart failure drug is of great significance.

Tetrahydroberrubine (THBru) is berberine derivative synthesized by semi-chemical synthesis method, and has molecular formula of C₁₉H₁₉NO₄The structural formula is as follows:

at present, the pharmacological action research of the THBru is few, and only the research shows that the THBru can generate a strong anxiolytic effect through a 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor, and the THBru has a good treatment effect in the acute lung injury of mice, which suggests that the THBru can be a potential treatment medicine for treating the acute lung injury or sepsis. In recent years, a great deal of research is carried out on the pharmacological mechanism of the berberine, and the berberine is found to have remarkable anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and can be used for preventing and treating myocardial hypertrophy and heart failure induced by pressure load, improving the heart function, stopping the cardiac remodeling process and preventing the cardiac remodeling process from entering the heart failure stage (such as CN106822117A and CN 109364070A). However, the absolute bioavailability of berberine is as low as 0.68%, the absolute bioavailability of berberine hydrochloride is 2.29%, and the water solubility is extremely low, so that the wide application of berberine hydrochloride in clinic is limited. In research, the applicant finds that the tetrahydroberberberrubine has high bioavailability, can remarkably inhibit cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure and myocardial fibrosis induced by pressure load, and can be clinically applied as a heart protection medicament, so that the invention is provided.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a new application of tetrahydroberberberrubine compounds, namely the tetrahydroberberberrubine compounds are used as active ingredients for improving cardiac function and preventing cardiac remodeling and are applied to drugs for protecting the heart clinically.

In order to achieve the purpose, the invention provides the following technical scheme:

the invention provides a tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I or the application of pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate and polymorphism thereof in preparing cardioprotective drugs:

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

X₁、X₂independently selected from-O-, -NH-;

R₁、R₂independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C3-10 cycloalkyl, -COR, -COOR, -CONRR', -S (O)_nR、-P(O)(OM)₂-C6-14 aryl, - (5-14) membered heteroaryl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-14) membered heteroaryl, or R₁And R₂Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-；

R, R' is independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C3-10 cycloalkyl, -C6-14 aryl, - (5-14) membered heteroaryl, - (5-10) membered heterocyclyl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-14) membered heteroaryl;

m is selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl C6-10 aryl, ammonium group, metal ion;

n is selected from 1 or 2;

R₃、R₄independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, or R₃And R₄Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-；

The above alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl groups, alone or as part of any one of the groups, may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition and a combination drug for cardioprotection, which comprises the tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, solvates, polymorphs thereof.

Compared with the prior art, the invention has the following advantages:

1. the heart protection effect is remarkable: pharmacodynamic experiments of the tetrahydroberberrubine show that the tetrahydroberberrubine can obviously improve the cardiac dysfunction induced by pressure load and has obvious cardioprotective effect; meanwhile, the tetrahydroberrubine can also obviously inhibit cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis, prevent the cardiac remodeling process and prevent the cardiac myocyte hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis from entering the heart failure stage. Therefore, the tetrahydroberberrubine can obviously improve the cardiac function, and compared with the berberine, the tetrahydroberberrubine has obviously better effect of improving the cardiac function than the berberine with the same dosage; compared with clinical captopril, the captopril has similar cardiac function improving effect and can be used as a safe and effective heart protection medicament.

2. The safety is good: the tetrahydroberrubine has large tolerance amount and no obvious toxic or side effect.

3. The medicine is simple and convenient to take, and is easy to be absorbed by human or animals when orally taken.

4. The tetrahydroberberrubine is a berberine derivative synthesized by a semi-chemical synthesis method, raw materials are easy to obtain, and the tetrahydroberberrubine and the derivative thereof are easy to prepare; the Chinese medicinal composition has strong medicinal properties, low price and high cost performance, and is easily accepted by patients.

5. The tetrahydroberberrubine has stable chemical properties, and is convenient for transportation and storage, sealing, and placing in a cool and dry place.

In a word, the tetrahydroberberberrubine compound has excellent heart protection effect, low toxicity and high economy, and is expected to be developed into a new generation of heart protection drugs.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the effect of each drug on the cardiac function of TAC mice after 12 weeks of continuous administration;

FIG. 2 is a graph of the effect of each drug on cardiac hypertrophy after 12 weeks of continuous administration;

FIG. 3 is a graph of the effect of each drug on the histopathological morphological changes of the heart after 12 weeks of continuous administration;

FIG. 4 is a graph of the effect of each drug on myocardial cell hypertrophy after 12 weeks of continuous administration;

figure 5 is a graph of the effect of each drug on interstitial fibrosis after 12 weeks of continuous administration.

Detailed Description

As used herein, the term "treating" and other similar synonyms include alleviating, or ameliorating a symptom of a disease or disorder, preventing other symptoms, ameliorating or preventing the underlying metabolic cause of the symptom, inhibiting the disease or disorder, e.g., arresting the development of the disease or disorder, alleviating the disease or disorder, ameliorating the disease or disorder, alleviating a symptom of the disease or disorder, or discontinuing a symptom of the disease or disorder, and further, the term includes prophylactic purposes. The term also includes obtaining a therapeutic effect and/or a prophylactic effect. The therapeutic effect refers to curing or ameliorating the underlying disease being treated. In addition, a cure or amelioration of one or more physiological symptoms associated with the underlying disease is also a therapeutic effect, e.g., an improvement in the condition of the patient is observed, although the patient may still be affected by the underlying disease. For prophylactic effect, the composition can be administered to a patient at risk of developing a particular disease, or to a patient presenting with one or more physiological symptoms of the disease, even if a diagnosis of the disease has not yet been made.

As used herein, the term "effective amount" refers to an amount of at least one agent or compound sufficient to alleviate to some extent one or more of the symptoms of the disease or condition being treated upon administration. The result may be a reduction and/or alleviation of signs, symptoms, or causes, or any other desired change in a biological system. For example, an "effective amount" for treatment is the amount of a composition comprising a compound disclosed herein that is clinically necessary to provide a significant remission effect of the condition. An effective amount suitable in any individual case can be determined using techniques such as a dose escalation assay.

As used herein, the term "acceptable" means having no long-term deleterious effect on the general health of the subject being treated.

As used herein, the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" refers to a substance (e.g., carrier or adjuvant) that does not affect the biological activity or properties of the compounds of the present application, and is relatively non-toxic, i.e., the substance can be administered to an individual without causing an adverse biological response or interacting in an adverse manner with any of the components included in the composition.

Herein, the term "halogen" denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

In the present context, the term "alkyl" denotes a straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon group preferably containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, the carbon atoms of the alkyl group being preferably 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, and the like.

In this context, the term "cycloalkyl" denotes a cyclic saturated hydrocarbon group preferably containing 3 to 12 carbon atoms, the carbon atoms of the cycloalkyl group being preferably 3 to 10, more preferably 3 to 8. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and the like.

As used herein, the term "aryl" refers to carbocyclic aryl groups preferably containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 14, more preferably 6 to 10 carbon atoms, which may be monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic. Examples of aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, or anthracenyl and the like.

As used herein, the term "heteroaryl" refers to a heterocyclic aryl group preferably having 5 to 14 ring atoms and containing at least 1 heteroatom selected from O, N and S, optionally 1 to 3 additional heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S. The number of ring atoms of the heteroaryl group is preferably 5 to 10, more preferably 5 to 6. The attachment site of the heteroaryl group to other groups may be located on any heteroatom or carbon atom of the ring in order to form a stable structure. Examples of heteroaryl groups include pyrrolyl, thienyl, furyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrazinyl, pyranyl, indolyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, benzofuryl, benzothienyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl, purinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinolizinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, and the like.

In this context, the term "heterocyclyl" denotes a saturated or partially unsaturated heterocyclic group preferably having 5 to 14 ring atoms and containing at least 1 heteroatom selected from O, N and S, optionally 1 to 3 further heteroatoms independently selected from O, N and S. The number of ring atoms of the heterocyclic group is preferably 5 to 10, more preferably 5 to 7. The attachment site of the heterocyclyl group to other groups may be at any heteroatom or carbon atom of the ring in order to form a stable structure. Examples of heterocyclyl groups include pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, imidazolinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dioxolanyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, dioxanyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, dithianyl, trithianyl, homopiperidinyl, homopiperazinyl, and the like.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate, polymorph thereof for use in the preparation of a cardioprotective medicament:

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

X₁、X₂independently selected from-O-, -NH-;

R₁、R₂independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C3-10 cycloalkyl, -COR, -COOR, -CONRR', -S (O)_nR、-P(O)(OM)₂-C6-14 aryl, - (5-14) membered heteroaryl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-14) membered heteroaryl, or R₁And R₂Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-；

R, R' is independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C3-10 cycloalkyl, -C6-14 aryl, - (5-14) membered heteroaryl, - (5-10) membered heterocyclyl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-14) membered heteroaryl;

m is selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, -C6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl C6-10 aryl, ammonium group, metal ion;

n is selected from 1 or 2;

R₃、R₄independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-6 alkyl, or R₃And R₄Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-；

The above alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl groups, alone or as part of any one of the groups, may optionally be substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl.

In a preferred embodiment, R₁Selected from hydrogen, -COR, -COOR, -CONRR', -S (O)_nR、-P(O)(OM)₂。

Preferably, R, R' is selected from the group consisting of-C1-4 alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl, pyridyl, said alkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl being optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl.

Preferably, M is selected from hydrogen, -C1-4 alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, N (R)_a)₄ ⁺A metal ion, R_aSelected from-C1-4 alkyl.

In a preferred embodiment, R₂Selected from the group consisting of-C1-4 alkyl, -C3-7 cycloalkyl, -C6-10 aryl, -a- (5-6) -membered heteroaryl, -C1-2 alkylC 6-10 aryl, -C1-2 alkyl- (5-6) -membered heteroaryl, the above alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alone or as part of any group, optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl.

Preferably, R₂Selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl, and pyridyl, said methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, phenyl, naphthyl, benzyl, phenethyl, and pyridyl being optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, cyano, and pyridylNitro, amino, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 haloalkyl, -O-C1-4 alkyl, -O-C1-4 haloalkyl, -NH-C1-4 alkyl, -COO-C1-4 alkyl or-CO-C1-4 alkyl.

In a preferred embodiment, R₃、R₄Independently selected from hydrogen, -C1-4 alkyl.

In a preferred embodiment, R₃And R₄Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-。

In a preferred embodiment, the tetrahydroberberberrubine-like compound of formula I is selected from tetrahydroberberrubine.

In a preferred embodiment, R₁And R₂Together form-CH₂-、-CH₂CH₂-。

The tetrahydroberberine compounds of the formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, solvates and polymorphs thereof comprise tetrahydroberberine and derivatives obtained by salt modification, esterification and amidation modification, aminomethylation modification, etherification modification, ring opening and cyclization modification of the tetrahydroberberine, and the derivatives are structurally similar to the tetrahydroberberine, have specific pharmacological actions similar to the tetrahydroberberine and belong to the protection scope of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the tetrahydroberberberrubine compounds of formula I of the present invention include stereoisomers thereof. When the compounds according to the invention have at least 1 chiral center, they may accordingly be present in enantiomeric form. When the compounds have 2 or more chiral centers, they may accordingly exist in diastereomeric forms. It is to be understood that all such isomers and mixtures thereof are included within the scope of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment, the tetrahydroberberberrubine compounds of formula I of the present invention include polymorphs, solvates thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the tetrahydroberberberrubine compounds of formula I of the present invention include pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. For use in medicine, salts of the compounds of the present invention are considered to be non-toxic "pharmaceutically acceptable salts". However, other salts may be useful in the preparation of the compounds according to the invention, or in the preparation of their pharmaceutically acceptable. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the present invention include acid addition salts of the free base compounds with conventional acids, including inorganic and organic acids, such as: hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, stearic acid, 2-dichloroacetic acid, acylated amino acids, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, L-aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, (+) -camphoric acid, camphorsulfonic acid, (+) - (1S) -camphor-10-sulfonic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclohexanesulfonic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1, 2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonic acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid, D-gluconic acid, D-glucuronic acid, L-glutamic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclohexanesulfonic acid, dodecylsulfuric acid, ethane-1, 2-disulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof, α -oxo-glutaric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, (+) -L-lactic acid, (±) -DL-lactic acid, lactobionic acid, (-) -L-malic acid, (±) -DL-mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, naphthalene-1, 5-disulfonic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid, oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, L-pyroglutamic acid, salicylic acid, 4-amino-salicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, undecylenic acid, and the like; representative pharmaceutically acceptable salts include the following: acetate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, bisulfate, bitartrate, bromide, camphorsulfonate, carbonate, citrate, hydrochloride, dihydrochloride, ethanesulfonate, glucoheptonate, gluconate, hydrobromide, lactate, lactobionate, malate, maleate, mandelate, methanesulfonate, naphthalenesulfonate, nitrate, oleate, palmitate, phosphate/diphosphate, salicylate, stearate, sulfate, succinate, tartrate, and tosylate, and the like.

Furthermore, when the compounds of the present invention carry an acid moiety, suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may include alkali metal salts such as, for example, sodium or potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts, such as calcium or magnesium salts; and salts with suitable organic ligands, such as quaternary ammonium salts.

The invention establishes a pressure load induced heart failure mouse model by aortic coarctation (TAC), and researches and compares the influence of tetrahydroberrubine, berberine and captopril on the heart function and heart remodeling of the TAC mouse model. The results show that: the tetrahydroberberrubine can improve cardiac function, remarkably inhibit cardiac remodeling process of myocardial cell hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis, and has better effect than berberine. Therefore, the invention provides the application of the tetrahydroberberrubine in preparing the heart protection medicament.

The cardiac function in the present invention is a systolic function and a diastolic function, and includes Ejection Fraction (EF), left ventricular short axis Shortening (FS), left ventricular weight (LV mass), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LV vol, d), and left ventricular end-diastolic inner diameter (LVID, d).

Cardiac remodeling as described in the present invention includes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and myocardial interstitial fibrosis.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cardioprotection described in the present invention is the treatment, alleviation or amelioration of heart failure, myocardial infarction, myocardial fibrosis, cardiac hypertrophy, and/or age-induced deterioration of the function of heart aging. The heart failure includes in particular stress-stress and heart ischemia-induced heart failure.

Therefore, preferably, the present invention provides the use of the tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate, polymorph for the preparation of a medicament for treating, alleviating or improving heart failure.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for cardioprotection, comprising a tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate, polymorph thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient. Further preferably, the pharmaceutical composition is a compound preparation containing the tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, solvates, polymorphs thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents or excipients.

The particular carrier, diluent or excipient employed will depend upon the mode and purpose for which the compounds of the present invention are to be employed. Suitable carriers, diluents or excipients include: carbohydrates, water soluble or swellable polymers, hydrophilic or hydrophobic materials, waxes, gelatin, oils, solvents, water, and the like. Examples of the carrier, diluent or excipient include water, starch, lactose, dextrose, fructose, sucrose, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, mannitol, polyvinyl alcohol, rubber, gelatin, alginate, calcium silicate, calcium phosphate, cellulose, sugar water, methyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, alkyl p-hydroxystearate, talc, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, glycerin, sesame oil, olive oil, soybean oil and the like.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may also contain one or more binders, disintegrants, suspending agents, stabilizers, isotonicity agents, surfactants, wetting agents, lubricants, buffers, solubilizers, emulsifiers, suspending agents, preservatives, antioxidants, opacifiers, glidants, colorants, sweeteners, flavoring agents, and other known additives.

In a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention is a drug modified with a carrier. Preferably, the carrier is one or more of advanced dosage forms such as microspheres, liposomes, microemulsions, high molecular surfactants, nanoparticles, implants and the like. When the active ingredient is modified by the carrier, the active ingredient can be easily absorbed and the oral bioavailability can be improved.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be prepared by combining the tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I of the present invention or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, stereoisomers, solvates, polymorphs thereof with suitable carriers, diluents or excipients, and can be formulated into solid, semi-solid, liquid or gaseous formulations, such as tablets, pills, capsules, powders, granules, ointments, suspensions, solutions, injections, inhalants, gels, aerosols, and the like.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may contain 0.01 to 99 wt% of the active ingredient, preferably, 0.01 to 50 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 10 wt%, more preferably 0.5 to 5 wt%, most preferably 1 to 2 wt% of the active ingredient.

In the present invention, the daily dosage of the active ingredient may vary widely, and may be, for example, 0.01 to 1000mg per adult per day. The effective amount of the drug is typically provided at a dosage level of about 0.01mg/kg to about 300mg/kg of body weight per day. Preferably, when the medicament is for use in a mammal, particularly a human, the range is from about 0.1 to about 50mg/kg body weight per day, more preferably, from about 0.5 to about 10mg/kg body weight per day, most preferably, from about 1.0 to about 3.0mg/kg body weight per day. The desired dosage to be administered can be readily determined by one skilled in the art and will vary with the particular compound used, the mode of administration, the specification of the formulation, the mode of administration and the advancement of the disease condition. In addition, factors related to the particular patient being treated may lead to the need to adjust the dosage, including patient age, weight, diet and time of administration. The pharmaceutical composition may be administered in a single daily dose, or the total dose may be administered in divided doses 2, 3 or 4 times daily, 1 time weekly, 1 time biweekly, 1 time monthly.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a combination drug for cardioprotection, comprising the tetrahydroberberberrubine compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer, solvate, polymorph thereof, and other drugs having an effect on cardioprotection.

Preferably, the other drugs include one or more of diuretic drugs, vasodilator drugs, neuro-endocrine system regulating drugs, and the like. The neuro-endocrine system-modulating drug includes one or more of a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor, a beta receptor blocker and an aldosterone receptor antagonist.

Hereinafter, preferred examples of the invention will be described in detail. The examples are given for the purpose of better understanding the inventive content and are not intended to be limiting. Insubstantial modifications and adaptations of the embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure remain within the scope of the invention.

Example 1 intragastric administration of Tetrahydroberberberrubine (THBru) mice LD₅₀Measurement of

1. The experimental method comprises the following steps:

determination of LD of tetrahydroberberberrubine (THBru) mouse by gavage administration by Bils method₅₀. The specific method comprises the following steps: taking 30 Kunming mice, each half of male and female, weighing 18-22 g, fasting the mice for 16h without water supply before the experiment, randomly dividing the mice into 6 groups, feeding 5 mice in each group, dividing the mice into cages from high to low according to the dosage, weighing, registering, and marking the mice with ear marks. The maximum concentration of the drug to be administered, namely 100g kg, is the concentrated solution which can be just passed through by the gastric lavage needle of No. 8 mouse^-1At a dose ratio of 5, 0.032 g/kg^-1，0.16g·kg^-1，0.8g·kg^-1，4g·kg^-1，20g·kg^-1，100g·kg^-1The mice were administered by gavage. Immediately after administration, animals were observed for toxic effects including physical signs, behavioral activity, mental status, appetite, stool and urine, color, skin tone, respiration, and presence or absence of foreign body secretions in the nose, eyes, mouth, genitals, etc. Clinical signs and mortality were observed 4 times per hour on the day of dosing for 4 hours. The mice were then normally housed, observed 1 time per day, and sacrificed on day 14. The condition of the mouse is carefully recorded during the observation period, dead mice are subjected to autopsy, and the pathological histology examination that the heart, the liver, the spleen, the lung, the kidney and other important organs have diseases and have pathological changes is observed.

2. The experimental results are as follows:

the application is 0.032g kg^-1，0.16g·kg^-1，0.8g·kg^-1，4g·kg^-1，20g·kg^-1，100g·kg^-1Intragastric administration of mice for tetrahydroberberberrubine (THBru) LD₅₀Preliminary experiments, results are shown in table 1:

table 1:

as can be seen from table 1: two weeks after dosing, all mice survived healthily. The maximum dose of 100g/kg is converted into the human body dose of about 8.1g/kg (calculated according to the weight of an adult, the ratio of the adult dose to the mouse dose is 0.081: 1; refer to 'equivalent dose conversion between animals and human bodies in pharmacological tests', Huang-Taohan et al, Chinese clinical pharmacology and therapeutics, No. 9 of 2004, No. 9, No. 1069 and 1072, published 2004, No. 09 and 31), which indicates that the tetrahydroberberrubine is safe and nontoxic or has little toxicity to human bodies within the dose range of 8.1 g/kg.

Example 2 Tetrahydroberberberrubine (THBru) improves cardiac function in mice

1. Experimental methods

30 male kunming mice of 8 months of age were randomly divided into six groups: sham surgery group, TAC model group, TAC + tetrahydroberberrubine Low dose group (TAC + THBru 10 mg-kg)^-1) TAC + tetrahydroberberrubine high dose group (TAC + THBru 20 mg-kg)^-1) TAC + berberine group (TAC + BBR 20 mg-kg)^-1) TAC + Captopril group (TAC + Captopril 10 mg. kg)^-1) 5 per group.

Aortic Constriction (TAC) a concrete method for establishing a pressure load induced heart failure mouse model: weighing before operation, injecting tribromoethanol (Avertin) into abdominal cavity according to mouse weight (0.2g/kg) for anesthesia, and fixing the mouse on an operation plate in a supine position after anesthesia reaction such as corneal reflex disappearance, muscle strength decline, flaccid paralysis and the like. The mouse is intubated with an air tube through the oral cavity and then connected with a breathing machine. Setting parameters of the breathing machine: the respiratory rate is 105-110 times/min, and the tidal volume is 2-3 ml/min. The depilatory cream removed the hair from the second and third ribs and was sterilized with alcohol cotton. The skin is cut along the left edge of the sternum, the subcutaneous tissue is separated layer by layer, the second rib is cut along the second rib on the left side of the sternum, and the ascending aorta is peeled away and exposed. Between the first and second branches of the convex side branch of aorta, 6-0 silk thread is passed through the aortic arch, and a special smooth 28G fine needle is placed in parallel with the aortic arch, and tied together, and then the fine needle is carefully drawn out to cause the ascending aorta to be circlewise constricted and then sutured layer by layer. Postoperative analgesia, heat preservation, and close observation of mouse state. The Sham group was the TAC group with the ascending aorta exposed by contemporaneous thoracotomy, but without constriction.

Carbotpol is prepared into 2mg/mL suspension with 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose, tetrahydroberrubine is prepared into 2 and 4mg/mL suspension with 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and berberine is prepared into 4mg/mL suspension with 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The low and high dose tetrahydroberberberrubine components are respectively 10 and 20 mg/kg^-1Dosing, gavage mice with 2 and 4mg/mL tetrahydroberrubine suspensions; captopril in a dose of 10mg/kg^-1Dose, gavage mice with 2mg/mL captopril suspension; the berberine is 20 mg/kg^-1The dose is 0.5mL/100g of berberine suspension 4 mg/mL. The TAC + tetrahydroberberrubine/berberine/captopril group is administered once daily for 12 weeks starting one week after the operation; the contemporary TAC model group and Sham group were intragastrically administered with 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose in water at the same volume. The effect of THBru on the systolic and diastolic function of mice was evaluated using cardiac ultrasound to examine the ejection fraction (EF%), the short axis shortening rate (FS%), the left ventricular weight (LV mass), the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LV vol, d), and the left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVID, d) of the mice.

2. Results of the experiment

After 12 weeks of continuous gavage, six groups of mice showed echocardiography and EF, FS, LV mass, LVvol, d and LVID, d values as shown in fig. 1, as can be seen in fig. 1: TAC mice showed a significant decrease in EF and FS (P) after 12 weeks of continuous dosing<0.001), heart failure, systolic dysfunction; LV mass, LVvol, d (. about.P)<0.001) and LVID, d are significantly elevated (. about.P)<0.01), diastolic dysfunction is indicated. Compared with the TAC model group, the EF and FS values of the berberine and low-dose tetrahydroberberberrubine group are higher, which indicates that the compensatory myocardial hypertrophy state is still maintained (^###P<0.001,^##P<0.01); high dose tetrahydroberberrubine and positive drug cardThe Toeplide has similar effect, EF and FS are both restored to normal values, which shows that the cardiac contractile function is obviously improved (^###P<0.001,^##P<0.01); LV mass, LV vol, d and LVID, d were significantly reduced, showing significant improvement in diastolic function (C) ((C))^###P<0.001,^##P<0.01). As can be seen, compared with berberine, tetrahydroberberrubine has better effect of improving cardiac function than berberine with the same dosage (^&&&P<0.001,^&&P<0.01,^&P<0.05), which shows that the tetrahydroberberberrubine can obviously inhibit the heart failure induced by pressure load and improve the systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and the action effect of the tetrahydroberberrubine is better than that of the berberine.

Example 3 inhibition of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by Tetrahydroberberrubine (THBru)

1. Experimental methods

The experimental animals and groups were the same as in example 2. Cardiac histopathological morphological changes were assessed using HE staining.

The specific method for staining paraffin tissue sections by HE comprises the following steps: removing paraffin from paraffin tissue section with xylene before staining, washing with distilled water for 1 min, and staining with hematoxylin for 3-5 min; washing blue with tap water for 30 minutes; eosin is dyed for 1 minute, and then the obtained product is sequentially put into 80%, 95% and absolute ethyl alcohol for 1 minute respectively; finally, placing the mixture into dimethylbenzene for 2 minutes, airing the mixture, and sealing the mixture by neutral gum. The size of the heart cross section and the thickness of the ventricle wall are observed by taking a picture through a microscope.

2. Results of the experiment

The overall heart size of the mice is shown in figure 2. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the heart of the TAC group mice became large as a whole after 12 weeks of continuous administration. Compared with the TAC model group, the high and low dose tetrahydroberberberrubine group has reduced heart size, and has significant effect with high dose tetrahydroberberrubine. Compared with the positive medicine captopril, the high-dose tetrahydroberberrubine and captopril have similar effect of inhibiting cardiac hypertrophy. Compared with berberine, the tetrahydroberberberrubine has better effect of inhibiting cardiac hypertrophy than berberine with the same dosage, which shows that the tetrahydroberberrubine can obviously inhibit cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure load, and the effect of the tetrahydroberberrubine is better than that of the berberine.

The heart cross section staining results of the mice are shown in FIG. 3, and it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the TAC group mice showed significant ventricular wall thinning and cardiac chamber enlargement after 12 weeks of continuous administration. Compared with the TAC model group, the high and low dose tetrahydroberberrubine group has no ventricular wall thinning and cardiac cavity enlargement, and has obvious effect by using the high dose tetrahydroberberrubine. Compared with the positive medicine captopril, the high-dose tetrahydroberberrubine and captopril have similar effects of inhibiting ventricular wall thinning and cardiac cavity enlargement. Compared with berberine, the tetrahydroberberrubine has better effect of inhibiting the wall thinning and the enlargement of the heart cavity of the heart chamber than berberine with the same dose, which shows that the tetrahydroberrubine can obviously inhibit the wall thinning and the enlargement of the heart cavity of the heart chamber induced by pressure load, and the effect of the tetrahydroberrubine is better than that of the berberine.

The heart HE staining 20X results are shown in FIG. 4, and it can be seen from FIG. 4 that the TAC group mice showed marked cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, irregular cardiomyocyte nucleus shape, and disorganization after 12 weeks of continuous administration. Compared with a TAC model group, the high-dose and low-dose tetrahydroberberberrubine groups can inhibit myocardial cell hypertrophy, myocardial cell nuclei are regular in shape and orderly arranged, and the effect is obvious when the high-dose tetrahydroberberberrubine is used. Compared with the positive medicine captopril, the high-dose tetrahydroberberrubine and captopril have similar effects of inhibiting myocardial cell hypertrophy. Compared with berberine, the tetrahydroberberberrubine has better effect of inhibiting myocardial cell hypertrophy than berberine with the same dose, which shows that the tetrahydroberberrubine can obviously inhibit myocardial cell hypertrophy induced by pressure load, and the effect of the tetrahydroberberrubine is better than that of the berberine.

Example 4 Tetrahydroberberrubine (THBru) inhibits myocardial interstitial fibrosis

1. Experimental methods

The experimental animals and groups were the same as in example 2. Myocardial interstitial fibrosis and collagen deposition were assessed using Masson staining.

The specific method for Masson staining of paraffin tissue sections comprises the following steps: removing paraffin from paraffin tissue sections by using dimethylbenzene before dyeing, dyeing for 6 minutes by using prepared Weigert iron hematoxylin dyeing liquid, then differentiating for 5 to 15 seconds by using acid ethyl differentiation liquid, and washing by using clear water; returning blue for 4 minutes by Masson bluing liquid and washing by clear water; washing with distilled water for 1 min, and dyeing with ponceau fuchsin dyeing solution for 6 min; simultaneously, according to the proportion of distilled water: preparing weak acid working solution according to the weak acid solution ratio of 2:1, and cleaning for 1 minute by using the weak acid working solution; washing with phosphomolybdic acid solution for 90 seconds, and then washing with weak acid working solution for 1 minute; directly placing the glass slide into aniline blue staining solution for staining for 30 seconds, and cleaning for 1 minute by using weak acid working solution again; then sequentially putting the mixture into 80 percent, 95 percent and absolute ethyl alcohol for 1 minute respectively; finally, placing the mixture into dimethylbenzene for 2 minutes, airing the mixture, and sealing the mixture by neutral gum. The degree of fibrosis of the heart cross section is observed by taking a picture through a microscope.

2. Results of the experiment

The results of cardiac Masson staining are shown in fig. 5, and it can be seen from fig. 5 that TAC group mice showed significant collagen deposition and fibrosis after 12 weeks of continuous administration. Compared with a TAC model group, the high-dose and low-dose tetrahydroberberberrubine groups have reduced collagen deposition and fibrosis degrees, and have obvious effect by using high-dose tetrahydroberberberrubine. Compared with the positive medicine captopril, the high-dose tetrahydroberberrubine and captopril have similar effects of inhibiting collagen deposition and fibrosis. Compared with berberine, the tetrahydroberberrubine has better collagen deposition inhibition and fibrosis than berberine with the same dosage, which shows that the tetrahydroberrubine can obviously inhibit myocardial interstitial fibrosis, and the effect of the tetrahydroberrubine is better than that of the berberine.

Finally, it is noted that the above-mentioned preferred embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that, although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.