Synthesis and evaluation of 5-aminimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside derivatives as anti-fatigue agents

Abstract

Fatigue has a negative influence on daily life and work, and serious or chronic fatigue can even cause health problems. Studies have shown that 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) can exert anti-fatigue effects by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In this study, six AICAR derivatives with substitution at the hydroxyl sites of the ribose moiety were synthesized and evaluated as anti-fatigue agents. All of the derivatives were demonstrated to effectively resist fatigue in animal models. The mice treated with the optimal compound ZHM-01 showed an 8.6-fold greater exhaustion distance in the running wheel test and a 5.1-fold greater exhaustion time in the weight-loaded swimming test than those of the blank control group. ZHM-01 treatment also reduced lactic acid (LA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) accumulation during exercise. In addition, ZHM-01 administration enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK but did not excite the central nervous system. Moreover, ZHM-01 showed good biological safety in a 21-day toxicity evaluation. This study provides a new reference for the development of treatments for fatigue-related health problems.

Keywords

• AICAR
• Derivative
• Fatigue
• AMPK