Coumarin-based prodrugs 2. Synthesis and bioreversibility studies of an esterase-sensitive cyclic prodrug of dadle, an opioid peptide

A coumarin-based esterase-sensitive cyclic prodrug of an opioid peptide, DADLE, was prepared. The cyclic prodrug quickly released (t1/2 = 761 min) its original peptide, DADLE, upon esterase catalyzed hydrolysis. Such a system can be used for the preparation of cyclic prodrugs of other biologically active peptides aimed at improving their bioavailability.