Synthesis,biological evaluation,and molecular modelling of new naphthalene-chalcone derivatives as potential anticancer agents on MCF-7 breast cancer cells by targeting tubulin colchicine binding site

Abstract

A series of naphthalene-chalcone derivatives (3a–3t) were prepared and evaluated as tubulin polymerisation inhibitor for the treatment of breast cancer. All compounds were evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cell line. The most of compounds displayed potent antiproliferative activity. Among them, compound 3a displayed the most potent antiproliferative activity with an IC₅₀ value of 1.42?±?0.15?µM, as compared to cisplatin (IC₅₀?=?15.24?±?1.27?µM). Additionally, the promising compound 3a demonstrated relatively lower cytotoxicity on normal cell line (HEK293) compared to tumour cell line. Furthermore, compound 3a was found to induce significant cell cycle arrest at the G₂/M phase and cell apoptosis. Compound 3a displayed potent tubulin polymerisation inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 8.4?µM, which was slightly more active than the reference compound colchicine (IC₅₀?=?10.6?µM). Molecular docking analysis suggested that 3a interact and bind at the colchicine binding site of the tubulin.     

Pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives with potential inhibitory effect against FMS kinase: in vitro biological studies

A series of eighteen pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine derivatives were tested for inhibitory effect against FMS kinase. Compounds 1e and 1r were the most potent among all the other tested analogues (IC₅₀?=?60?nM and 30?nM, respectively). They were 1.6 and 3.2 times, respectively, more potent than our lead compound, KIST101029 (IC₅₀?=?96?nM). Compound 1r was tested over a panel of 40 kinases including FMS, and exerted selectivity against FMS kinase. It was further tested against bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) and its IC₅₀ was 84?nM (2.32-fold more potent than KIST101029 (IC₅₀?=?195?nM)). Compound 1r was also tested for antiproliferative activity against a panel of six ovarian, two prostate, and five breast cancer cell lines, and its IC₅₀ values ranged from 0.15–1.78?µM. It possesses also the merit of selectivity towards cancer cells than normal fibroblasts.     

Design,synthesis and preliminary activity evaluation of novel 3-amino-2-hydroxyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid derivatives as aminopeptidase N/CD13 inhibitors

Aminopeptidase N (APN/CD13) over expressed on tumour cells, plays a critical role in tumour invasion, metastasis and tumour angiogenesis. In this article, we described the design, synthesis and preliminary activity studies of novel 3-amino-2-hydroxyl-3-phenylpropanoic acid derivatives as APN inhibitors. The in vitro enzymatic inhibitions on APN from porcine kidney showed that compound 7e had the most potent inhibitory activity against APN with the IC₅₀ value to 1.26?±?0.01 μM, which is better than that of bestatin (IC₅₀?=?2.55?±?0.11 μM). In addition, compound 7e also showed better inhibitory activity against APN on human ovary clear cell carcinoma cell ES-2 than bestatin with the IC₅₀ value to 30.19?±?1.02 μM versus 60.61?±?0.1 μM. Compound 7e could be used as the lead compound in the future for anti-cancer agent research.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-bromo-N-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)benzamide derivatives as novel FGFR1 inhibitors for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

A series of 4-bromo-N-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)benzamide derivatives were designed and synthesised as novel fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) inhibitors. We found that one of the most promising compounds, C9, inhibited five non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines with FGFR1 amplification, including NCI-H520, NCI-H1581, NCI-H226, NCI-H460 and NCI-H1703. Moreover, the IC₅₀ values for the compound C9 were 1.36?±?0.27?µM, 1.25?±?0. 23?µM, 2.31?±?0.41?µM, 2.14?±?0.36?µM and 1.85?±?0.32?µM, respectively. The compound C9 arrested the cell cycle at the G2 phase in NSCLC cell lines. The compound C9 also induced cellular apoptosis and inhibited the phosphorylation of FGFR1, PLCγ1 and ERK in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, molecular docking experiments showed that compound C9 binds to FGFR1 to form six hydrogen bonds. Taken together, our data suggested that the compound C9 represented a promising lead compound-targeting FGFR1.     

Discovery of novel 4(1H)-quinolone derivatives as potential antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing agents

A series of novel 4(1H)-quinolone derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity in vitro. The results showed that these compounds exhibited more potent antiproliferative effect against a panel of human tumor cell lines than the lead compound 7-chloro-4(1H)-quinolone 1. Compound 7e was found to be the most potent antiproliferative agent and to exhibit selective cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cell lines with IC₅₀ value lower than 1.0 μM. Annexin V/FITC-PI assay showed that compound 7e induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells with a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting analysis indicated that compound 7e induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase by p53-depedent pathway.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 2, 3-didithiocarbamate substituted naphthoquinones as inhibitors of pyruvate kinase M2 isoform

The M2 isoform of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a potential antitumor therapeutic target. In this study, we designed and synthesised a series of 2, 3-didithiocarbamate substituted naphthoquinones as PKM2 inhibitors based on the lead compound 3k that we previously reported. Among them, compound 3f (IC₅₀?=?1.05?±?0.17 µM) and 3h (IC₅₀?=?0.96?±?0.18 µM) exhibited potent inhibition of PKM2, and their inhibitory activities are superior to compound 3k (IC₅₀?=?2.95?±?0.53 µM) and the known PKM2 inhibitor shikonin (IC₅₀?=?8.82?±?2.62 µM). In addition, we evaluated in vitro antiproliferative effects of target compounds using MTS assay. Most target compounds exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values in nanomolar concentrations against HCT116, MCF7, Hela, H1299 and B16 cells. These small molecule PKM2 inhibitors not only provide candidate compounds for cancer therapy, but also offer a tool to probe the biological effects of PKM2 inhibition on cancer cells.     

Design and synthesis of novel oridonin analogues as potent anticancer agents

To identify anticancer agents with higher potency and lower toxicity, a series of oridonin derivatives with substituted benzene moieties at the C17 position were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their antiproliferative properties. Most of the derivatives exhibited antiproliferative effects against AGS, MGC803, Bel7402, HCT116, A549, and HeLa cells. Compound 2p (IC_50?=?1.05?µM) exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity against HCT116 cells; it was more potent than oridonin (IC₅₀?=?6.84?µM) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (IC_50?=?24.80?µM). The IC₅₀ value of 2p in L02 cells was 6.5-fold higher than that in HCT116 cells. Overall, it exhibited better selective antiproliferative activity and specificity than oridonin and 5-FU. Furthermore, compound 2p arrested HCT116 cells at the G2 phase of the cell cycle and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells to a greater extent than oridonin.     

A comparison of HMGB1 concentrations between cerebrospinal fluid and blood in patients with neurological disease

Aims: To determine whether a correlation exists between paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of a novel inflammatory biomarker, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), in different neurological conditions.

Methods: HMGB1 was measured in the serum and CSF of 46 neurological patients (18 idiopathic intracranial hypertension [IIH], 18 neurological infection/inflammation [NII] and 10 Rasmussen’s encephalitis [RE]).

Results: Mean serum (±?SD) HMGB1 levels were 1.43?±?0.54, 25.28?±?27.9 and 1.89?±?1.49?ng/ml for the patients with IIH, NII and RE, respectively. Corresponding mean (±?SD) CSF levels were 0.35?±?0.22, 4.48?±?6.56 and 2.24?±?2.35?ng/ml. Both CSF and serum HMGB1 was elevated in NII. Elevated CSF HMGB1 was demonstrated in RE. There was no direct correlation between CSF and serum levels of HMGB1.

Conclusion: Serum HMGB1 cannot be used as a surrogate measure for CSF levels. CSF HMGB1 was elevated in NII and RE, its role as a prognostic/stratification biomarker needs further study.     

Design,synthesis, and urease inhibition studies of some 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-triazoles derived from mandelic acid

Some new structural type inhibitors of urease, i.e. 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles (4a–e) and 4,5-disubstituted-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones (5a–e) were synthesized in two steps from mandelic acid hydrazides (2a–e) and aryl isothiocyantes. The hydrazides in turn were synthesized from mandelic acid via esterification. Compounds 4a–e and 5a–e were evaluated against jack bean urease. Compounds 4d, 5b, and 5d were found to be more potent, with IC₅₀ values of 16.1?±?0.12?µM, 18.9?±?0.188?µM, and 16.7?±?0.178?µM, respectively, when compared to the standard (thiourea; IC₅₀?=?21.0?±?0.011?µM). These compounds may be subjected to further investigations for the development of antiulcer drugs.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some thiazole derivatives as new cholinesterase inhibitors

In the present study, some thiazole derivatives were synthesized via the ring closure reaction of 1-[2-(2-oxobenzo[d]thiazol-3(2H)-yl)acetyl]thiosemicarbazide with various phenacyl bromides. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectral data and elemental analyses. Each derivative was evaluated for its ability to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) using a modification of Ellman’s spectrophotometric method. The compounds were also investigated for their cytotoxic properties using MTT assay. The most potent AChE inhibitor was found as compound 4e (IC₅₀?=?25.5?±?2.12 µg/mL) followed by compounds 4i (IC₅₀?=?38.50?±?2.12 µg/mL), 4c (IC₅₀?=?58.42?±?3.14 µg/mL) and 4g (IC₅₀?=?68?±?2.12 µg/mL) when compared with eserine (IC₅₀?=?0.025?±?0.01 µg/mL). Effective compounds on AChE exhibited weak inhibition on BuChE (IC₅₀ > 80 µg/mL). MTT assay indicated that the cytotoxic dose (IC₅₀?=?71.67?±?7.63 µg/mL) of compound 4e was higher than its effective dose.     

Synthesis and molecular docking studies of some 4-phthalimidobenzenesulfonamide derivatives as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors

A series of 4-phthalimidobenzenesulfonamide derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for the inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Structures of the title compounds were confirmed by spectral and elemental analyses. The cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity studies were carried out using Ellman’s colorimetric method. The biological activity results revealed that all of the title compounds (except for compound 8) displayed high selectivity against AChE. Among the tested compounds, compound 7 was found to be the most potent against AChE (IC₅₀=?1.35?±?0.08?μM), while compound 3 exhibited the highest inhibition against BuChE (IC₅₀=?13.41?±?0.62?μM). Molecular docking studies of the most active compound 7 in AChE showed that this compound can interact with both the catalytic active site (CAS) and the peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE.     

Synthesis of new isoxazoline derivatives from harmine and evaluation of their anti-Alzheimer,anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities

Abstract

In our study, a series of new harmine derivatives has been prepared by cycloaddition reaction using various arylnitrile oxides and evaluated in vitro against acetylcholinesterase and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes, MCF7 and HCT116 cancer cell lines. Some of these molecules have been shown to be potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase and MCF7 cell line. The greatest activity against acetylcholinesterase (IC₅₀?=?10.4?µM) was obtained for harmine 1 and cytotoxic activities (IC₅₀?=?0.2?µM) for compound 3a. Two derivatives 3e and 3f with the thiophene and furan systems, respectively, showed good activity against 5- lipoxygenase enzyme (IC₅₀?=?29.2 and 55.5?µM, respectively).     

New quinoxalinone inhibitors targeting secreted phospholipase A2 and α-glucosidase

Elevated blood glucose and increased activities of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) are strongly linked to coronary heart disease. In this report, our goal was to develop small heterocyclic compound that inhibit sPLA2. The title compounds were also tested against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. This array of enzymes was selected due to their implication in blood glucose regulation and diabetic cardiovascular complications. Therefore, two distinct series of quinoxalinone derivatives were synthesised; 3-[N′-(substituted-benzylidene)-hydrazino]-1H-quinoxalin-2-ones 3a–f and 1-(substituted-phenyl)-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-4-ones 4a–f. Four compounds showed promising enzyme inhibitory effect, compounds 3f and 4b–d potently inhibited the catalytic activities of all of the studied proinflammatory sPLA2. Compound 3e inhibited α-glucosidase (IC₅₀?=?9.99?±?0.18 µM); which is comparable to quercetin (IC₅₀?=?9.93?±?0.66 µM), a known inhibitor of this enzyme. Unfortunately, all compounds showed weak activity against α-amylase (IC₅₀?>?200 µM). Structure-based molecular modelling tools were utilised to rationalise the SAR compared to co-crystal structures with sPLA2-GX as well as α-glucosidase. This report introduces novel compounds with dual activities on biochemically unrelated enzymes mutually involved in diabetes and its complications.     

Novel 5,6-disubstituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as broad spectrum antiproliferative agents: Synthesis,cell based assays,kinase profile and molecular docking study

Two new series of 5-subtituted and 5,6-disubstituted pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine octamides (4a–o and 6a–g) and their corresponding free amines 5a–m and 7a–g have been synthesized and biologically evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against three human cancer cell lines. The 5,6-disubstituted octamides 6d–g as well as the amine derivative 7b have shown the best anticancer activity with single digit micromolar GI₅₀ values over the tested cancer cells, and low cytotoxic effects (GI₅₀?>?10.0?µM) against HFF-1 normal cell. A structure activity relationship (SAR) study has been established and disclosed that terminal octamide moiety at C2 as well as disubstitution with fluorobenzyl piperazines at C5 and C6 of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine are the key structural features prerequisite for best antiproliferative activity. Moreover, the most active member 6f was tested for its antiproliferative activity over a panel of 60 cancer cell lines at NCI, and exhibited distinct broad spectrum anticancer activity with submicromolar GI₅₀ and TGI values over multiple cancer cells. Kinase profile of compound 6f over 53 oncogenic kinases at 10?µM concentration showed its highly selective inhibitory activity towards FGFR4, Tie2 and TrkA kinases. The observed activity of 6f against TrkA (IC₅₀?=?2.25?µM), FGFR4 (IC₅₀?=?6.71?µM) and Tie2 (IC₅₀?=?6.84?µM) was explained by molecular docking study, which also proposed that 6f may be a type III kinase inhibitor, binding to an allosteric site rather than kinase hinge region. Overall, compound 6f may serve as a promising anticancer lead compound that could be further optimized for development of potent anticancer agents.     

Design,synthesis of novel pyranotriazolopyrimidines and evaluation of their anti-soybean lipoxygenase,anti-xanthine oxidase,and cytotoxic activities

The synthesis of 14-(aryl)-14H-naphto[2,1-b]pyrano[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine-2-yl) acetamidoximes 2a–e has been accomplished by reaction of 2-acetonitrile derivatives 1a–e with hydroxylamine. Cyclocondensation reaction of precursors 2a–e with some elctrophilic species such as ethylorthoformate, acetic anhydride, and methyl-acetoacetate provided the new oxadiazole derivatives 3a–e, 4a–e, and 5a–e, respectively. On the other hand, the reaction of precursors 2a–e with 2-chloropropanoyl chloride afforded the new acetimidamides 6a–e which evolve under reflux of toluene to the new oxadiazoles 7a–e. The synthetic compounds were screened for their anti-xanthine oxidase, anti-soybean lipoxygenase, and cytotoxic activities. Moderate to weak xanthine oxidase and soybean lipoxygenase inhibitions were obtained but significant cytotoxic activities were noted. The most cytotoxic activities were recorded mainly (i) 5a was the most active (IC_50?=_?4.0?μM) and selective against MCF-7 and (ii) 2a was cytotoxic against the four cell lines with selectivity for MCF-7 and OVCAR-3 (IC_50?=_?17 and 12?μM, respectively) while 2e is highly selective against OVCAR-3 (IC_50?=_?10?μM).     

Synthesis,carbonic anhydrase I and II inhibition studies of the 1,3,5-trisubstituted-pyrazolines

4-(3-(4-Substituted-phenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamides (9–16) were successfully synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS spectra. Carbonic anhydrase I and II inhibitory effects of the compounds were investigated. K_i values of the compounds were in the range of 316.7?±?9.6–533.1?±?187.8?nM towards hCA I and 412.5?±?115.4–624.6?±?168.2?nM towards hCA II isoenzymes. While K_i values of the reference compound Acetazolamide were 278.8?±?44.3?nM and 293.4?±?46.4?nM towards hCA I and hCA II izoenzymes, respectively. Compound 14 with bromine and compound 13 with fluorine substituents can be considered as the leader compounds of the series because of the lowest K_i values in series to make further detailed carbonic anhydrase inhibiton studies.     

Semi-synthesis and anti-tumor activity of novel 25-OCH3-PPD derivatives incorporating aromatic moiety

Previously we have reported that 25-OCH₃-PPD could suppress the reproduction of cancer cells and cause apoptosis without obvious toxicity. Herein, we aimed to enhance its bioactivity by introducing aromatic groups to its dammarane-type skeleton. These synthesized derivatives were tested for their inhibitory activities against five cancer cell lines. Of them, compounds 3a, 14a and 18a had the strongest antiproliferative activities against tumor cells (IC₅₀?<?15?µM, 5-fold to 10-fold increases than 25-OCH₃-PPD). Especially compound 14a displayed the most potent activity against DU145, MCF-7 and HepG2 cells (IC₅₀?=?6.7?±?0.8, 4.3?±?0.8 and 5.8?±?0.6?µM, respectively). Structure-activity relationships demonstrated that having aromatic ester at the C3 position could improve the bioactivity. The data provided new insights into exploring novel antiproliferative lead compounds.     

Synthesis,antibacterial and anticancer activity,and docking study of aminoguanidines containing an alkynyl moiety

Abstract

Two series of aminoguanidines containing an alkynyl moiety were designed, synthesised, and screened for antibacterial and anticancer activities. Generally, the series 3a–3j with a 1,2-diphenylethyne exhibited better antibacterial activity than the other series (6a–6k) holding 1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diyne moiety antibacterial activity. Most compounds in series 3a–3j showed potent growth inhibition against the tested bacterial strains, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range 0.25–8?µg/mL. Compound 3g demonstrated rapid and persistent bactericidal activity at 2?×?MIC. The resistance study revealed that resistance of the tested bacteria towards 3g is not easily developed. Molecular docking studies revealed that compounds 3g and 6e bind strongly to the LpxC and FabH enzymes. Moreover, excellent activity of selected compounds against the growth of cancer cell lines A549 and SGC7901 was also observed, with IC₅₀ values in the range 0.30–4.57?µg/mL. These findings indicate that compounds containing the aminoguanidine moiety are promising candidates for the development of new antibacterial and anticancer agents.     

Synthesis,antitumor screening and cell cycle analysis of novel benzothieno[3,2-b]pyran derivatives

Abstract

Three series of benzothiophene derivatives were designed and synthesized as cytotoxic agents. The compounds were subjected to in vitro antitumor screening at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD. The results of the single dose screening indicated that only the benzothieno[3,2-b]pyran series 3a–f exhibited potent and broad spectrum cytotoxic activity and was subjected to five dose cytotoxic screening. The most active compound in this study was 2-amino-6-bromo-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-4H-[1]benzothieno[3,2-b]pyran-3-carbonitrile (3e) with MG-MID GI₅₀, TGI, and LC₅₀ values of 0.11, 7.94 and 42.66?μM, respectively. Compound 3e exhibited broad spectrum anticancer activity against a panel of 59 cell lines. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of compound 3e cytotoxic activity, we examined its effect on cell cycle progression and its ability to induce apoptosis using human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HCT-116). The effect of compound 3e on the cell cycle progression indicated that exposure of HCT-116 cells to compound 3e for 24 and 48?h, induced a significant disruption in the cell cycle profile including time dependent decrease in cell population at G1 phase with concomitant increase in pre-G and G2/M cell population. Moreover, compound 3e induced time dependent increase in the percentage of early and late apoptotic and necrotic cell population. In conclusion, we were able to successfully design a new series of benzothieno[3,2-b]pyran derivatives with potent cytotoxic activity and their mechanism of cytotoxicity was examined.     

Synthesis of substituted biphenyl methylene indolinones as apoptosis inducers and tubulin polymerization inhibitors

A new series of biphenyl methylene indolinones has been designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines like DU-145 (prostate cancer cell line), 4T1 (mouse breast cancer cell line), MDA-MB-231 (human breast cancer cell line), BT-549 (human breast cancer cell line), T24 (human urinary bladder carcinoma cell line), and HeLa (cervical cancer cell line). Among the series, compound 10e showed potent in vitro cytotoxic activity against HeLa and DU-145 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ value of 1.74 ± 0.69 µM and 1.68 ± 1.06 µM respectively. To understand the underlying mechanism of most potent cytotoxic compound 10e, various mechanistic studies were carried out on DU-145 cell lines. Cell cycle analysis results revealed that these conjugates affect both G0/G1 and G2/M phase of the cycle, tubulin binding assay resulted that compound 10e interrupting microtubule network formation by inhibiting tubulin polymerization with IC₅₀ value of 4.96 ± 0.05 μM. Moreover, molecular docking of 10e on colchicine binding site of the tubulin explains the interaction of 10e with tubulin. Clonogenic assay indicated inhibition of colony formation by compound 10e in a dose dependent manner. In addition, morphological changes were clearly observed by AO/EB and DAPI staining studies. Moreover, ROS detection using DCFDA, JC-1, and annexin V-FITC assays demonstrated the significant apoptosis induction by 10e.