Design and synthesis of potent and selective aldose reductase inhibitors based on pyridylthiadiazine scaffold

A series of pyrido[2,3-e]-[1,2,4]-thiadiazine 1,1-dioxide acetic acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for their inhibitory activity against aldose reductase (ALR2). These derivatives were found to be potent aldose reductase inhibitors with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.038 μM to 11.29 μM. Most but not all of them showed a strong ALR2 inhibition activity and significant selectivity, which were further supported by docking studies. Of these inhibitors, compound 7d exhibited highest inhibition activity. Structure-activity relationship studies indicate the requirement of N2-benzyl group with electron-withdrawing substituents and N4-acetic acid group in the pyridothiadiazine scaffold.