Evaluation of anticancer effects of newly synthesized dihydropyridine derivatives in comparison to verapamil and doxorubicin on T47D parental and resistant cell lines in vitro

Failure of current anticancer drugs mandates screening for new compounds of synthetic or biological origin to be used in cancer therapy. Multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main obstacles in the chemotherapy of cancer. Efflux of cytotoxic agents mediated by P-glycoprotein (P-gp or MDR1) is believed to be an important mechanism of multidrug resistance. Therefore, we decided to investigate the antiproliferative effects of seven newly synthesized 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives in comparison to verapamil (VP) and doxorubicin (DOX) on human breast cancer T47D cells and its MDR1 overexpressed and moderately resistant cells (RS cells) using MTT cytotoxicity assay. We also examined the effects of these compounds on cytotoxicity of DOX in these two cell types. The cytotoxicity assays using MTT showed that most of the tested new DHP derivatives and VP at 10 μM concentration had varying levels of toxicity on both T47D and RS cells. The toxicity was mostly in the range of 10–25%. However, the cytotoxicity of these DHP derivatives, similar to VP, was significantly less than DOX when comparing IC₅₀ values. Furthermore, these compounds in general had relatively more cytotoxicity on T47D vs RS cells at 10-μM concentration. Among new DHPs, compounds 7a (3,5-dibenzoyl-4-(2-methylthiazol-4-yl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethylpyridine) and 7d (3,5-diacetyl-4-[2-(2-chlorophenyl)thiazol-4-yl)]-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethylpyridine) showed noticeable potentiation of DOX cytotoxicity (reduction of DOX IC₅₀) compared to DOX alone in both cells, particularly in RS cells. This effect was similar to that of VP, a known prototype of MDR1 reversal agent. In other words, compounds 7a and 7d resensitized RS cells to DOX or reversed their resistance. Results indicate that compound 7d exerts highest effect on RS cells. Therefore, these two newly synthesized DHP derivatives, compounds 7a and 7d, are promising as potential new MDR1 reversal agents and should be further studied on other highly resistant cells due to MDR1 overexpression and with further molecular investigation.     

Design and synthesis of 1,3-diarylurea derivatives as selective cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors

A group of 1,3-diarylurea derivatives, possessing a methylsulfonyl pharmacophore at the para-position of the N-1 phenyl ring, in conjunction with a N-3 substituted-phenyl ring (4-F, 4-Cl, 4-Me, 4-OMe), were designed and synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 isozyme inhibition structure-activity studies identified 1-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl) urea (4e) as a potent COX-2 inhibitor (IC(50)=0.11 microM) with a high COX-2 selectivity index (SI=203.6) comparable to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-2 IC(50)=0.06 microM; COX-2 SI=405). The structure-activity data acquired indicate that the urea moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold to design new acyclic 1,3-diarylurea derivatives with selective COX-2 inhibitory activity.     

Solid phase combinatorial synthesis of benzothiazoles and evaluation of topoisomerase II inhibitory activity

To investigate one possible mechanism of action of the cytotoxic activity of benzothiazoles, we synthesized 2-(substituted-phenyl)benzothiazoles and evaluated their ability to inhibit topoisomerase II activities. Solid phase combinatorial method using trityl resin was employed and benzothiazole derivatives with various substitution on 2'-, 3'-, or 4'-position of phenyl group were obtained in ca. 30 mg scale (7-96% yield). Most of the compounds synthesized exhibited topoisomerase II inhibitory activity at 100 microM. 2-(3-Amino-4-methylphenyl)benzothiazole showed high activity (IC(50) = 71.7 microM), comparable to etoposide (IC(50) = 78.4 microM).     

Derivatives of 1,4-dihydropyridines as modulators of ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation and high-amplitude swelling of mitochondria, caused by ascorbate, sodium linoleate and sodium pyrophosphate

A group of 26 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-disubstituted and 2,6-dimethyl-3,4, 5-trisubstituted-1,4-dihydropyridines (1,4-H(2)Py=1,4-DHPs) and five related pyridines were studied as inhibitors of rat liver mitochondrial swelling and O(2) uptake by ascorbic acid-dependent lipid peroxidation (LP) and as modulators of mitochondrial swelling induced by Na(+)-linoleate or Na(+)-pyrophosphate. 1,4-DHPs studied include 4-unsubstituted and 4-methyl- and 4-phenyl-substituted 3, 5-dialkoxycarbonylderivatives of 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-DHP with variations in alkoxy chain length and composition, 4-unsubstituted and 4-methyl-, 4-aryl- and 4-pyridyl-substituted 3, 5-dianilidocarbonylderivatives, and a structurally related group of 3,5-dipyridylamidocarbonylderivatives. Many 1,4-DHPs possess marked antioxidant (AO) and membrane stabilizing activity, expressed as the mitochondrial swelling (deltaA(520)/t) and/or O(2) uptake rate decrease (V(0)/V) as well as prolongation of the induction period (tau/tau(0)) of mitochondrial swelling and/or O(2) uptake at ascorbic acid-dependent LP of rat liver mitochondria. 4-Unsubstituted 3,5-dialkoxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-DHPs, as well as 4-unsubstituted or those possessing lipophylic 4-aryl- groups 3, 5-diamido-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-DHPs, reveal marked AO and membrane stabilizing properties. Oxidized (heteroaromatized) derivatives have minimal activity. Perhaps 1,4-DHPs preferably act as antioxidants on stages of initiation and prolongation of LP chain reactions at low concentrations: IC(50) (when V(0)/V or tau/tau(0)=2) are 0.1 microM to 100 microM. At 100 microM 3,5-di-p-hydroxyphenoxycarbonyl- and 3, 5-di-p-tolyloxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-DHPs, as well as 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethylpyridine (oxidized form of Hantzsch ester) and 3,5-diamyloxycarbonyl-2,6-dimethylpyridine, alter the mitochondrial swelling rate in the presence of natural protonophore Na(+)-linoleate (0.063 mM and 0.125 mM). 3,5-Di-n-butyloxycarbonyl-2, 6-dimethyl-1,4-DHP at 100 microM completely stops mitochondrial swelling in the presence of 0.8 mM Na(+)-pyrophosphate. In the presence of many of the 1,4-DHPs, the lipid peroxidation process was inhibited. However, the swelling process could be prolonged, promoted, accelerated or inhibited-depending on 1,4-DHPs structure, concentration, the type of initiators of the swelling process and the medium composition.     

A sugar ester and an iridoid glycoside from Scrophularia ningpoensis

From cytotoxic extracts of the roots of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. (Scrophulariaceae) a new sugar ester, ningposide D (3-O-acetyl-2-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl-alpha(beta)-L-rhamnopyranose) (1) and a new iridoid glycoside, scrophuloside B4 (6-O-(2'-O-acetyl-3'-O-cinnamoyl-4'-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl) catalpol) (2) along with known compounds: oleanonic acid (3), ursolonic acid (4), cinnamic acid (5), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzoic acid (6), 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furfural (7) and beta-sitosterol (8) were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectral data (1, 2D NMR, EI, HRESI-MS and MS/MS). Oleanonic acid (3) and ursolonic acid (4) were found to be cytotoxic against a series of human cancer cell lines with IC50=4.6, 15.5 microM on MCF7; 4.2, 14.5 microM on K562; 14.8, 44.4 microM on Bowes; 24.9, 43.6 microM on T24S; 61.3, 151.5 microM on A549, respectively. Beta-sitosterol (8) inhibited Bowes cells growth at IC50=36.5 microM. Scrophuloside B4 (2) showed activity on K562 and Bowes cells at IC50=44.6, 90.2 microM, respectively.     

Natural and non-natural prenylated chalcones: synthesis, cytotoxicity and anti-oxidative activity

A general strategy for the synthesis of 3'-prenylated chalcones was established and a series of prenylated hydroxychalcones, including the hop (Humulus lupulus L.) secondary metabolites xanthohumol (1), desmethylxanthohumol (2), xanthogalenol (3), and 4-methylxanthohumol (4) were synthesized. The influence of the A-ring hydroxylation pattern on the cytotoxic activity of the prenylated chalcones was investigated in a HeLa cell line and revealed that non-natural prenylated chalcones, like 2',3,4',5-tetrahydroxy-6'-methoxy-3'-prenylchalcone (9, IC(50) 3.2+/-0.4microM) as well as the phase 1 metabolite of xanthohumol (1), 3-hydroxyxanthohumol (8, IC(50) 2.5+/-0.5microM), were more active in comparison to 1 (IC(50) 9.4+/-1.4microM). A comparison of the cytotoxic activity of xanthohumol (1) and 3-hydroxyxanthohumol (8) with the non-prenylated analogs helichrysetin (12, IC(50) 5.2+/-0.8) and 3-hydroxyhelichrysetin (13, IC(50) 14.8+/-2.1) showed that the prenyl side chain at C-3' has an influence on the cytotoxicity against HeLa cells only for the dihydroxylated derivative. This offers interesting synthetic possibilities for the development of more potent compounds. The ORAC activity of the synthesized compounds was also investigated and revealed the highest activity for compounds 12, 4'-methylxanthohumol (4), and desmethylxanthohumol (2), with 4.4+/-0.6, 3.8+/-0.4, and 3.8+/-0.5 Trolox equivalents, respectively.     

Benzofuran- and furan-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanols: synthesis and inhibition of P450 aromatase

A series of benzofuran-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives were prepared using an efficient 1-step procedure in good yields. In addition furan-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives were also prepared to determine the effect of the benzene ring in benzofuran with respect to inhibitory activity. The pyridylmethanol derivatives were all evaluated in vitro for inhibitory activity against aromatase (P450(AROM), CYP19), using human placental microsomes. The benzofuran-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives showed good to moderate activity (IC50 = 1.3-25.1 microM), which was either better than or comparable with aminoglutethimide (IC50 = 18.5 microM) but lower than arimidex (IC50 = 0.6 microM), with the 4-methoxyphenyl substituted derivative displaying optimum activity. Molecular modelling of the benzofuran-2-yl-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivative suggested activity to reside with the (S)-enantiomer. The furan-2-yl-(phenyl)-3-pyridylmethanol derivatives were devoid of activity indicating the essential role of the benzene ring of the benzofuran component for enzyme binding.     

Synthesis and characterization of dual function vanadyl, gallium and indium curcumin complexes for medicinal applications

Novel bis[4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl]-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (curcumin) complexes with the formula, ML(3), where M is Ga(III) or In(III), or of the formula, ML(2) where M is [VO](2+), have been synthesized and characterized by mass spectrometry, infrared and absorption spectroscopies, and elemental analysis. A new ligand, bis[4-acetyl-3-hydroxyphenyl]-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (diacetylbisdemethoxycurcumin, DABC) was similarly characterized; an X-ray structure analysis was performed. Vanadyl complexes tested in an acute i.p. testing protocol in STZ-diabetic rats showed a lack of insulin enhancing potential. Vanadyl complexes were, however, more cytotoxic than were the ligands alone in standard MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]ate, -2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity testing, using mouse lymphoma cells. With the exception of DABC, that was not different from VO(DABC)(2), the complexes were not significantly different from one another, with IC(50) values in the 5-10 microM range. Gallium and indium curcumin complexes had IC(50) values in the same 5-10 microM range; whereas Ga(DAC)(3) and In(DAC)(3) (where DAC=diacetylcurcumin) were much less cytotoxic (IC(50)=20-30 microM). Antioxidant capacity was decreased in VO(DAC)(2), Ga(DAC)(3), and In(DAC)(3), compared to vanadyl, gallium and indium curcumin, corroborating the importance of curcumin's free phenolic OH groups for scavenging oxidants, and correlated with reduced cytotoxic potential.     

Synthetic lanostane-type triterpenoids as inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II

DNA topoisomerase (Topo) II is one of the target enzymes for chemotherapeutic drug development. Lanostane-type triterpenoids with various functional groups (-Cl, -Br, -OMe, -CHO, -CN, -COOH, and -COOMe) at C-2 were synthesized from 3-oxolanost-9(11)-en-24S,25-diol (9) isolated from Pinus luchuensis and their inhibitory effects on Topo II activity and cytotoxic activities against A549 cells were examined. All the derivatives showed Topo II inhibitory effects with IC50 values ranging from 1.86 to 149.97 microM and cytotoxic activities with ED50 values ranging from 3.96 to 38.15 microM.     

Tomoeones A-H, cytotoxic phloroglucinol derivatives from Hypericum ascyron

Phloroglucinol derivatives tomoeones A-H (1-8) and three known compounds were isolated from leaves of Hypericum ascyron. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic analyses. They are all acylphloroglucinol derivatives possessing a spiro skeleton with geminal isoprenyl groups and a monoterpene moiety, and they are stereoisomers to each other at C-4 and C-13. They appear to be a class of phloroglucinol derivatives. Cytotoxicities of the isolated phloroglucinol derivatives against human tumor cell lines, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cell lines, were evaluated. Tomoeone F (6) demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against KB cells with an IC50 value of 6.2 microM. Compound 6 was also cytotoxic against MDR cancer cell lines (KB-C2 and K562/Adr), which was more potent than doxorubicin.     

Polyhydroxylated pyrrolidine and piperidine alkaloids from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (Campanulaceae)

Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (Campanulaceae) yielded two new alkaloids, the 6-C-butyl derivative of 2R,5R-bis(hydroxymethyl)-3R,4R-dihydroxypyrrolidine (DMDP) and alpha-1-C-ethyl-fagomine, together with the known alkaloids 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol, 1-deoxynojirimycin, and 1-deoxymannojirimycin. 6-C-Butyl-DMDP showed inhibitory activity toward almond beta-glucosidase (IC50 = 68 microM), whereas alpha-1-C-ethyl-fagomine inhibited bovine liver beta-galactosidase (IC50 = 29 microM).     

N-Acyl-1,2,3,4a,5,10b-hexahydro-[1]benzopyrano-[3,4-b][1,4]oxazine-9-carbonitriles as bladder-selective potassium channel openers

Optically active N-acyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,10b-hexahydro-[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b][1,4]oxazine-9-carbonitriles 2-22 were synthesized as rigid analogues of cromakalim. The (4aR, 10bR)-N-benzoyl derivative (-)-11 was identified as a bladder-selective KCO (IC50, bladder = 8.2 microM, C50, portal vein = 34.5 microM). Among the analogues of 11 with substitution on the benzoyl moiety, the 3-methyl analogue (-)-14 showed highly potent and selective activity at portal vein (IC50, bladder = 279 microM, IC50, portal vein = 0.54 microM). The 4-bromo analogue (-)-19 (IC50, bladder = 2.0 microM, IC50, portal vein = 8.1 microM) and the 4-hydroxy analogue (-)-21 (IC50, bladder = 3.8 microM, IC50, portal vein = 75 microM) showed enhanced activity at the bladder, while maintaining unprecedented bladder selectivity in vitro. The N-benzenesulfonyl analogue (-)-22, a bioisoster of (-)-11, showed similar activity at the bladder with enhanced selectivity (IC50, bladder = 11.6 microM, IC50, portal vein = 120 microM).     

Synthetic tyrosyl gallate derivatives as potent melanin formation inhibitors

Three tyrosyl gallate derivatives (1-3) with variable hydroxyl substituent at the aromatic ring of tyrosol were synthesized and evaluated as potent inhibitors on tyrosinase activity and melanin formation in melan-a cells. Among three tyrosyl gallate derivatives, 4-hydroxyphenethyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenote (1) (IC(50)=4.93 microM), 3-hydroxyphenethyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenote (2) (IC(50)=15.21 microM), and 2-hydroxyphenethyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenote (3) (IC(50)=14.50 microM) exhibited significant inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity. Compound 1 was the most active compound, though it did not show the inhibitory effect on melanin formation in melan-a cells. However, compounds 2 (IC(50)=8.94 microM) and 3 (IC(50)=13.67 microM) significantly suppressed the cellular melanin formation without cytotoxicity. This study shows that the position of hydroxyl substituent at the aromatic ring of tyrosol plays an important role in the intracellular regulation of melanin formation in cell-based assay system.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of N-acetyl-2-(or 3-)carboxymethylbenzenesulfonamides as cyclooxygenase isozyme inhibitors

A group of N-acetyl-2-(or 3-)carboxymethylbenzenesulfonamides, possessing either a F or a substituted-phenyl ring substituent (4-F, 2,4-F2, 4-SO2Me, 4-OCHMe2) attached to its C-4 or C-6 position, was prepared using a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling reaction for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Although N-acetyl-3-carboxymethyl-6-fluorobenzenesulfonamide [14, COX-1 IC50 = 2.26 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 0.012 microM; COX-2 selectivity index (SI) = 188] and N-acetyl-3-carboxymethyl-6-(4-isopropoxyphenyl)benzenesulfonamide (20c, COX-1 IC50 >100 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 0.15 microM; COX-2 SI >667) exhibited potent in vitro COX-2 inhibitory activity and high COX-2 selectivity, both compounds were inactive anti-inflammatory agents in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay. In contrast, the less potent and less selective COX-2 inhibitors N-acetyl-2-carboxymethyl-4-fluorobenzenesulfonamide (12, COX-1 IC50 = 4.25 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 0.978 microM; COX-2 SI = 4.3), N-acetyl-2-carboxymethyl-4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)benzenesulfonamide (17c, COX-1 IC50 = 1.02 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 1.00 microM; COX-2 SI = 1.02), and N-acetyl-3-carboxymethyl-6-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)benzenesulfonamide (20e, COX-1 IC50 = 0.109 microM; COX-2 IC50 = 1.14 microM; COX-2 SI = 0.095) exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory activity where a 75 mg/kg oral dose reduced inflammation 26%, 14%, and 20%, respectively, at 3 h postdrug administration relative to the reference drug aspirin where a 50 mg/kg oral dose reduced inflammation by 25% at 3 h postdrug administration.     

Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridines containing a diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate nitric oxide donor moiety to study calcium channel antagonist structure-activity relationships and nitric oxide release

A group of racemic 3-isopropyl 5-[(2-piperazin-1-yl)ethyl] 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyridyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates (12a-c), 3-isopropyl 5-{2-[4-nitrosopiperazinyl]ethyl} 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyridyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates (14a-c) and 3-isopropyl 5-{2-[(O(2)-acetoxymethyldiazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate)(N,N-dialkylamino or 4-piperazin-1-yl)]ethyl} 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(pyridyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylates (22-30) were prepared using modified Hantzsch reactions. This group of compounds (12a-c, 14a-c, and 22-30) exhibited less potent calcium channel antagonist activity (IC(50)=0.11 to 3.35muM range) than the reference drug nifedipine (IC(50)=0.01 microM). The point of attachment of the isomeric C-4 substituent was a determinant of calcium channel antagonist activity providing the potency profile 2-pyridyl3-pyridyl4-pyridyl. The N-nitrosopiperazinyl compounds (14a-c) did not release nitric oxide. The prodrugs 22-30 that have a C-5 2-[(O(2)-acetoxymethyldiazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate)(N,N-dialkylamino or 4-piperazin-1-yl)]ethyl ester substituent, upon incubation with guinea pig serum, undergo consecutive cleavage of the O(2)-acetoxymethyl moiety to give a nitric oxide donor diazenium-1-ium-1,2-diolate species that subsequently releases nitric oxide. The extent of nitric oxide released from the diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate group is dependent upon the nature of the amino functionality attached directly to the diazen-1-ium N-1 position where the nitric oxide release profile is 1,4-piperazinyl>N-Et>N-(n-Bu)>N-Me upon exposure to guinea pig serum esterase(s). The results from this study suggest this class of hybrid calcium channel antagonist/nitric oxide donor prodrugs should release the vasodilator nitric oxide in vivo, preferentially in the vascular endothelium, to enhance the smooth muscle calcium channel antagonist effect to produce a combined synergistic antihypertensive effect.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins possessing a 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl pharmacophore: dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases

A new class of regioisomeric acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins possessing a 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl (DTBHP) 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pharmacophore that is vicinal to a para-methanesulfonylphenyl cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) pharmacophore were designed for evaluation as selective COX-2 and/or 5-LOX inhibitors. The target compounds were synthesized via a highly stereoselective McMurry olefination cross-coupling reaction. This key synthetic step afforded a (Z):(E) olefinic mixture with a predominance for the (Z)-olefin stereoisomer. Structure-activity studies for the (Z)-1-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-1-phenylalk-1-ene regioisomers showed that COX-1 inhibition decreased, COX-2 inhibition increased, and the COX-2 selectivity index (SI) increased as the chain length of the alkyl substituent attached to the olefinic double bond was increased (Et-->n-butyl-->n-heptyl). In this group of compounds, inhibition of both 5-LOX and 15-LOX was dependent upon the length of the alkyl substituent with the hex-1-ene compound 9c having a n-butyl substituent exhibiting potent inhibition of both 5-LOX (IC50=0.3 microM) and 15-LOX (IC50=0.8 microM) relative to the inactive (IC50>10 microM) Et and n-heptyl analogs. Compound 9c is of particular interest since it also exhibits a dual inhibitory activity against the COX (COX-1 IC50=3.0 microM, and COX-2 IC50=0.36 microM, COX-2 SI=8.3) isozymes. A comparison of the relative inhibitory activities of the two groups of regioisomers investigated shows that the regioisomers in which the alkyl substituent is attached to the same olefinic carbon atom (C-2) as the para-methanesulfonylphenyl moiety generally exhibit a greater potency with respect to COX-2 inhibition. The 4-hydroxy substituent in the 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl moiety is essential for COX and LOX inhibition since 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-acetoxyphenyl derivatives were inactive inhibitors. These structure-activity data indicate acyclic triaryl (Z)-olefins constitute a suitable template for the design of dual COX-2/LOX inhibitors.     

4-Alkoxy-2,6-diaminopyrimidine derivatives: inhibitors of cyclin dependent kinases 1 and 2

The cyclin dependent kinase (cdk) inhibitor NU6027, 4-cyclohexylmethoxy-5-nitroso-pyrimidine-2,6-diamine (IC(50) vs cdk1/cyclinB1=2.9+/-0.1 microM and IC(50) vs cdk2/cyclinA3=2.2+/-0.6 microM), was used as the basis for the design of a series of 4-alkoxy-2,6-diamino-5-nitrosopyrimidine derivatives. The synthesis and evaluation of 21 compounds as potential inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 1 and 2 is described and the structure-activity relationships relating to NU6027 have been probed. Simple alkoxy- or cycloalkoxy-groups at the O(4)-position were tolerated, with the 4-(2-methylbutoxy)-derivative (IC(50) vs cdk1/cyclinB1=12+/-2 microM and cdk2/cyclinA3=13+/-4 microM) retaining significant activity. Substitutions at the N(6) position were not tolerated. Replacement of the 5-nitroso substituent with ketone, oxime and semicarbazone groups essentially abolished activity. However, the derivative bearing an isosteric 5-formyl group, 2,6-diamino-4-cyclohexylmethoxy-pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde, showed modest activity (IC(50) vs cdk1/cyclinB1=35+/-3 microM and cdk2/cyclinA3=43+/-3 microM). The X-ray crystal structure of the 5-formyl compound bound to cdk2 has been determined to 2.3A resolution. The intramolecular H-bond deduced from the structure with NU6027 bound to cdk2 is not evident in the structure with the corresponding formyl compound. Thus the parent compound, 4-cyclohexylmethoxy-5-nitrosopyrimidine-2,6-diamine (NU6027), remains the optimal basis for future structure-activity studies for cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in this series.     

Antiprotozoal and cytotoxic naphthalene derivatives from Diospyros assimilis

Chemical investigation of the roots of Diospyros assimilis had led to the isolation and characterization of six naphthalene derivatives, two 2-naphthaldehyes, namely 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-2-naphthaldehyde 1, 4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-naphthaldehye 2, its related isomer 5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-2-naphthaldehyde 3 and three commonly occurring naphthoquinones, diospyrin 4, 8'-hydroxyisodiospyrin 5 and the simple monomer, plumbagin 6. Their chemical structures were established by detailed NMR investigations including 1H and 13C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY experiments. In addition, the naphthalene derivatives 1-5 were evaluated for their in vitro antiprotozoal activity against protozoan parasites belonging to the genera Trypanosoma, Leishmania and Plasmodium. Among the tested compounds, naphthaldehyde 1 showed moderate inhibition of the growth of the parasites, T. brucei, T. cruzi, L. donovani with IC50 values of 19.82, 12.28 and 38.78 microM and displayed cytotoxicity towards rat skeletal myoblasts (L-6 cells) with IC50 of 174.94 microM, while 2 and 3 were found to be comparatively less active to 1. The dimeric quinones 4 and 5 exhibited good activity against T. brucei and L. donovani with IC50 of 1.12 and 8.82 microM and 12.94 and 16.66 microM respectively.     

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory evaluation of 4-anilinofuro[2,3-b]quinoline and 4-phenoxyfuro[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives. Part 3

Mast cells, neutrophils and macrophages are important inflammatory cells that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. To explore a novel anti-inflammatory agent, we have synthesized certain 4-anilinofuro[2,3-b]quinoline and 4-phenoxyfuro[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives and evaluated their anti-inflammatory activities by reaction of 3,4-dichlorofuro[2,3-b]quinoline with appropriate Ar-NH(2) or Ar-OH. Compounds 6a and 15 were proved to be more potent than the reference inhibitor, mepacrine for the inhibition of rat peritoneal mast cell degranulation with IC(50) values of 6.5 and 16.4 microM, respectively. Compounds 2b, 6a, 10, and 15 also showed potent inhibitory activity (IC(50)=7.2-29.4 microM) for the secretion of lysosomal enzyme and beta-glucuronidase from neutrophils. These results also indicated that oxime derivatives are more potent than the respective ketone precursors (6a> or =2a; 7a> or =3), and the substituent such as Me at the oxime decreased inhibitory activity (6a> or =6b; 7a> or =7b). Among these derivatives, compound 6a showed the most potent activity with IC(50) values of 6.5-11.6 microM for the inhibition of mast cell degranulation and neutrophil degranulation.