Synthesis of substituted 6-amino-4-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-[1,2]dithiolo[4,3-b]pyrrol-5-ones and their raising leukocyte count activities.

The design and synthesis of a series of substituted 6-amino-4-(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-[1,2]dithiolo[4,3-b]pyrrol-5-ones are described. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for raising leukocyte count activities in normal mice. Four compounds (8a, b, d, h) exhibited raising leukocyte count activities close or higher than positive control recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), and some (8e-g, k, p, r) had a moderate effect. Among them, the most potent compound 8a was evaluated for its antileukopenia activity in cyclophosphamide (CTX) treated mice. Interestingly, 8a exhibited significant antileukopenia activity as compared to rhG-CSF. The results suggest that this kind of compounds might be utilized for the development of new candidate for treatment of leukocytopenia.