Synthesis, biosimulation and pharmacological evaluation of benzimidazole derivatives with antihypertensive multitarget effect

In this study, we synthesized a series of seven benzimidazole derivatives incorporating the structural acidic framework of angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT₁R) antagonists (ARA-II) employing a three-step reaction sequence. The chemical structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectral data. Through biosimulation, compounds 1–7 were identified as computational safe hits, thus, best candidates underwent ex vivo testing against two distinct mechanisms implicated in hypertension: antagonism of the Ang II type 1 receptor and the blockade of calcium channel. Molecular docking studies helped to understand at the molecular level the dual vasorelaxant effects with the recognition sites of the AT₁R and the L-type calcium channel. In an in vivo spontaneously hypertensive rat model (SHR), intraperitoneally administration of compound 1 at 20 mg/kg resulted in a 25 % reduction in systolic blood pressure, demonstrating both ex vivo vasorelaxant action and in vivo antihypertensive multitarget efficacy. ©2024 Elsevier.