A Potent Aldose Reductase Inhibitor, (2S,4S)-6-Fluoro-2‘,5‘-dioxospiro[chroman-4,4‘-imidazolidine]-2-carboxamide (Fidarestat):  Its Absolute Configuration and Interactions with the Aldose Reductase by X-ray Crystallography

The absolute configuration of the aldose reductase (AR) inhibitor, (+)-(2S,4S)-6-fluoro-2‘,5‘-dioxospiro[chroman-4,4‘-imidazolidine]-2-carboxamide (fidarestat), was established indirectly by single-crystal X-ray analysis of (+)-(2S,4S)-8-bromo-6-fluoro-2‘,5‘-dioxospiro[chroman-4,4‘-imidazolidine]-2-carboxylic acid (1). The crystal structure of human AR complexed with fidarestat was determined, and the specific inhibition activity was discussed on the basis of the three-dimensional interactions between them. The structure clarified that fidarestat was located in the active site by hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions and that the carbamoyl group of fidarestat was a very effective substituent for affinity to AR and for selectivity between AR and aldehyde reductase (AHR). Explanations for the differences between the observed activities of fidarestat and its stereoisomer 2 were suggested by computer modeling.