Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of non-secosteriodal vitamin D receptor ligand bearing double side chain for the treatment of chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a serious disease that characterized by the progressive replacement of functional pancreas tissue by fibrotic tissue. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays a critical role in the development of CP, since it inhibits excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Herein, a novel series of non-secosteriodal VDR ligands were designed and synthesized, and their VDR affinity and anti-fibrosis activity were evaluated. The identification of the potent compound 9c was found over structural optimization, which inhibited ECM deposition and fibrotic gene expression in the western blot and qPCR assays, respectively. Further investigation revealed that compound 9c inhibited pancreatic fibrosis in vivo without increase on serum calcium, which could cause hypercalcemia. These results provide novel insight in possible drug discovery for the treatment of CP using non-secosteroidal VDR modulators. [Display omitted] •A novel series of non-secosteriodal VDR ligands were designed and synthesized.•VDR affinity, transcriptional activity and in vitro anti-fibrosis activity were determined.•Compound 9c were found to significantly inhibit chronic pancreatitis in vivo, without serum calcium increase.