Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 5-alkyl-2-arylthio-6-((3,4-dihydroquinolin-1(2H)-yl)methyl)pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones as potent non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors

A series of novel S-DABO analogues of 5-alkyl-2-arylthio-6-((3,4-dihydroquinolin-1(2H)-yl)methyl)pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). Among them, the most potent HIV-1 inhibitors were compounds 6c1,6c6, and 6b1 (EC(50)=0.24 ± 0.05, 0.38 ± 0.13, 0.39 ± 0.05 μM, respectively), which possess improved or similar HIV-1 inhibitory activity compared with nevirapine (NVP) (EC(50)=0.21 μM) and delavirdine (DLV) (EC(50)=0.32 μM). None of these compounds were active against HIV-2 replication. Furthermore, enzyme inhibitory assays were performed with selected derivatives against HIV-1 wtRT, confirming that the main target of these compounds is the HIV-1 RT and these new S-DABOs are acting as NNRTIs. The preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) of these new congeners is discussed briefly and rationalized by docking studies.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and 3D-QSAR studies of 3-keto salicylic acid chalcones and related amides as novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

HIV-1 integrase is one of the three most important enzymes required for viral replication and is therefore an attractive target for anti retroviral therapy. We herein report the design and synthesis of 3-keto salicylic acid chalcone derivatives as novel HIV-1 integrase inhibitors. The most active compound, 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-[3-(2,3,6-trichlorophenyl)acryloyl]benzoic acid (25) was selectively active against integrase strand transfer, with an IC(50) of 3.7 μM. While most of the compounds exhibited strand transfer selectivity, a few were nonselective, such as 5-bromo-3-[3-(4-bromophenyl)acryloyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (15), which was active against both 3'-processing and strand transfer with IC(50) values of 11±4 and 5±2 μM, respectively. The compounds also inhibited HIV replication with potencies comparable with their integrase inhibitory potencies. Thus, 5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-[3-(2,3,6-trichlorophenyl)acryloyl]benzoic acid (25) and 5-bromo-3-[3-(4-bromophenyl)acryloyl]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid (15) inhibited HIV-1 replication with EC(50) values of 7.3 and 8.7 μM, respectively. A PHASE pharmacophore hypothesis was developed and validated by 3D-QSAR, which gave a predictive r(2) of 0.57 for an external test set of ten compounds. Phamacophore derived molecular alignments were used for CoMFA and CoMSIA 3D-QSAR modeling. CoMSIA afforded the best model with q(2) and r(2) values of 0.54 and 0.94, respectively. This model predicted all the ten compounds of the test set within 0.56 log units of the actual pIC(50) values; and can be used to guide the rational design of more potent novel 3-keto salicylic acid integrase inhibitors.     

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-substituted 2,5-dimethyl-N-(3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl)pyrroles as novel potential HIV-1 gp41 inhibitors

Based on the structure of HIV-1 gp41 binding site for small-molecule inhibitors, optimization of lead 2 resulted in the discovery of a new series of 2,5-dimethyl-3-(5-(N-phenylrhodaninyl)methylene)-N-(3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl)pyrrole compounds with improved anti-HIV-1 activity. The most active compounds 13a and 13j exhibited significant potency against gp41 6-HB formation with IC(50) values of 4.4 and 4.6 μM and against HIV-1 replication in the MT-2 cells with EC(50) values of 3.2 and 2.2 μM, respectively, thus providing a new starting point to develop highly potent small-molecule HIV fusion inhibitors targeting gp41.     

Synthesis of new sulfonamides as lipoxygenase inhibitors

The present study describes a convenient method for the synthesis of new lipoxygenase inhibitors, 4-(toluene-4-sulfonylamino)-benzoic acids from p-amino benzoic acid. Reaction of p-amino benzoic acid with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride provided thirteen N- and O-alkylation products 4a-4m in moderate to good yields. Lipoxygenase inhibition of newly formed sulfonamide derivatives was investigated and some of these compounds 4m, 4g, 4e, 4f and 4j showed good lipoxygenase inhibitory activities with IC(50) values ranged between 15.8 ± 0.57 and 91.7 ± 0.61 μmol whilst all other compounds exhibited mild anti-lipoxygenase activities with IC(50) values ranged between 139.2 ± 0.75 and 232.1 ± 0.78 μmol. N-alkylated products were more active against the enzyme than O-alkylated or both N- and O-alkylated ones. All synthesized sulfonamides were recrystallized in chloroform to give these title compounds which were characterized using FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques.     

D-ring-opened phragmalin-type limonoids from Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina

Five new D-ring-opened phragmalin-type limonoids, tabulalins A-E (1-5, resp.), were isolated from the stem bark of Chukrasia tabularis var. velutina. In the structures of these new isolates, the D-ring (C(16)/C(17) δ-lactone ring) of phragmalins was cleaved, and rare C(16)/C(30) δ-lactone ring in 1-3 or C(16)/C(8) γ-lactone ring in 4 and 5 were formed. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated based on extensive 1D- and 2D-spectroscopic analyses (HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY) and HR-ESI-MS. The major compounds, 2, 3, and 5, were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a macrophage (RAW264.7) cell line with IC(50) values of 15.3±0.6, 13.0±0.5, and 17.1±0.7 μM, respectively.     

Synthesis and anti-influenza activity of aminoalkyl rupestonates

A series of aminoalkyl rupestonates were designed and synthesized by reacting rupestonic acid with 1,ω-dibromoalkanes, followed by amination. All of the new compounds were bioassayed in vitro to determine their activities against influenza A (H3N2, H1N1) and B viruses. The results showed that compounds 5a-5g, which each contain a 1H-1,2,4-triazolyl moiety, were found to be the most potent set of compounds. Compound 5g was demonstrated to possess the highest inhibitory activity against influenza H3N2 and H1N1, with IC(50) values of 0.97 and 0.42 μM, respectively. Our results also indicated that compounds 2g, 3g, 4g and 5g, which contain ten-CH(2)-unit spacers between the rupestonic acid and amino functional groups, were the most potent inhibitors of influenza H1N1 among the synthesized compounds. Unfortunately, most of the synthesized compounds did not show an obvious activity against influenza B; the only exceptions were compounds 5d and 5f, which had IC(50) values of 17.3 and 3.2 μM, respectively. Compounds 4g and 5g were potent inhibitors of influenza H1N1, and they might be potentially developed as new lead anti-influenza virus compounds. Further studies of the mechanism of action are underway.     

6-Nitrobenzimidazole derivatives: potential phosphodiesterase inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationship

6-Nitrobenzimidazole derivatives (1-30) synthesized and their phosphodiesterase inhibitory activities determined. Out of thirty tested compounds, ten showed a varying degrees of phosphodiesterase inhibition with IC(50) values between 1.5±0.043 and 294.0±16.7 μM. Compounds 30 (IC(50)=1.5±0.043 μM), 1 (IC(50)=2.4±0.049 μM), 11 (IC(50)=5.7±0.113 μM), 13 (IC(50)=6.4±0.148 μM), 14 (IC(50)=10.5±0.51 μM), 9 (IC(50)=11.49±0.08 μM), 3 (IC(50)=63.1±1.48 μM), 10 (IC(50)=120.0±4.47 μM), and 6 (IC(50)=153.2±5.6 μM) showed excellent phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity, much superior to the standard EDTA (IC(50)=274±0.007 μM), and thus are potential molecules for the development of a new class of phosphodiesterase inhibitors. A structure-activity relationship is evaluated. All compounds are characterized by spectroscopic parameters.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of HQCAs with aryl or benzyl substituents on N-1 position as potential HIV-1 integrase inhibitors

A series of new 5-hydroxylquinolone-3-carboxylic acids (HQCAs) with various aryl or benzyl substituents on N-1 position were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-HIV activity in C8166 cell culture. Most of the target compounds displayed activity against wide-type HIV-1 in the low micromolar range in infected C8166 cells. The most active compound 5 g exhibited activity against wild-type HIV-1 and HIV-1 mutant virus A17 with an EC(50) value of 3.17 and 17.88 μM, respectively. The biological results and the docking study revealed that the substitution pattern on N-1 position of the quinolone core might contribute to physicochemical properties of HQCAs and resulted in great influence on their antiviral potency.     

Nitrogen-containing polyhydroxylated aromatics as HIV-1 integrase inhibitors: synthesis, structure-activity relationship analysis, and biological activity

Four series of forty-five nitrogen-containing polyhydroxylated aromatics based on caffeic acid phenethyl ester were designed and synthesized as HIV-1 integrase (IN) inhibitors. Most of these compounds inhibited IN catalytic activities in low micromolar range. Among these new analogues, compounds 9e and 9f were the most potent IN inhibitors with IC(50) value of 0.7 μM against strand transfer reaction. Their key structure-activity relationships were also discussed.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (±)-benzhydrol derivatives as potent non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors

A series of (±)-benzhydrol derivatives featuring the essential sulfonamide group at the para position on the C-ring were synthesized and evaluated for the potential anti-HIV activity in C8166 cells. Most of these analogues demonstrated low concentration inhibitory activity with EC(50) values less than 1 μM against the wild-type HIV-1. In particular, compound 7h was identified as the highest active inhibitor of wild-type HIV-1 with an EC(50) value of 0.12 μM and selectivity index value of 312.73. Furthermore, some of them also exhibited moderate activity against the double mutant strain A(17) (K103N+Y181C) with EC(50) values lower than 5 μM. In addition, the binding modes with RT and the preliminary structure-activity relationships of these derivatives were also explored for further chemical modifications.     

Activity of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues against human immunodeficiency virus in monocyte/macrophages and peripheral blood lymphocytes

A number of acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues, including 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)adenine (PMEA) and its 2,6-diaminopurine derivative PMEDAP, (R,S)-9-(3-fluoro-2-phosphonylmethoxypropyl)adenine [(R,S)-FPMPA] and its 2,6-diaminopurine derivative (R,S)-FPMPDAP were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on HIV-1 replication in two natural human cell systems, i.e. peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and freshly prepared monocyte/macrophages (M/M). All compounds were potent inhibitors of HIV-1 replication in PBL [50% effective concentration (EC50): 0.94-3.9 microM] and M/M (EC50: 0.022-0.95 microM). In particular, (R,S)-FPMPA and (R,S)-FPMPDAP showed a greater antiviral selectivity than PMEA and PMEDAP due to the virtual lack of toxicity of the former compounds in these cell systems. Also, the antiviral selectivity of the acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues was much higher in M/M than in the human T-cell lines MT-4, ATH8 and CEM.     

Discovery and modification of sulfur-containing heterocyclic pyrazoline derivatives as potential novel class of β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase III (FabH) inhibitors

A series of sulfur-containing heterocyclic pyrazoline derivatives (C1-C18; D1-D9) have been synthesized and purified (all are new except one) to be screened for FabH inhibitory activity. Compound C14 showed the most potent biological activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (MIC values: 1.56-3.13 μg/mL), being comparable with the positive control, while D6 performed the best in the thiazolidinone series (MIC values: 3.13-6.25 μg/mL). They also demonstrated strong broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Compounds C14 and D6 exhibited the most potent E. coli FabH inhibitory activity with IC(50) of 4.6 and 8.4 μM, respectively, comparable with the positive control DDCP (IC(50)=2.8 μM). Docking simulation was performed to position compound C14 and D6 into the E. coli FabH structure active site to determine the probable binding model. The structurally modification of previous compounds and the attempt in innovative target have brought a positive progress.     

Synthesis, structural elucidation, DNA-PK inhibition, homology modelling and anti-platelet activity of morpholino-substituted-1,3-naphth-oxazines

A number of new angular 2-morpholino-(substituted)-naphth-1,3-oxazines (compound 10b), linear 2-morpholino-(substituted)-naphth-1,3-oxazines (compounds 13b-c), linear 6, 7 and 9-O-substituted-2-morpholino-(substituted)-naphth-1,3-oxazines (compounds 17-22, 24, and 25) and angular compounds 14-16 and 23 were synthesised. The O-substituent was pyridin-2yl-methyl (15, 18, and 21) pyridin-3yl-methyl (16, 19, and 22) and 4-methylpipreazin-1-yl-ethoxy (23-25). Twelve compounds were tested for their inhibitory effect on collagen induced platelet aggregation and it was found that the most active compounds were compounds 19 and 22 with IC(50)=55±4 and 85±4 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the compounds were also assayed for their ability to inhibit DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) activity. The most active compounds were 18 IC(50)=0.091 μM, 24 IC(50)=0.191 μM, and 22 IC(50)=0.331 μM. Homology modelling was used to build a 3D model of DNA-PK based on the X-ray structure of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks). Docking of synthesised compounds within the binding pocket and structure-activity relationships (SAR) analyses of the poses were performed and results agreed well with observed activity.     

Effective cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitors isolated from tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)

Two effective cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibitors were isolated from tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus. Their structures were spectroscopically identified as 2E,4E-undeca-2,4-diene-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide (1) and 2E,4E-undeca-2,4-diene-8,10-diynoic acid piperidide (2). Both compounds had dose-dependent inhibitory effects on CYP3A4 activity with IC50 values of 10.0 ± 1.3 μM for compound 1 and 3.3 ± 0.2 μM for compound 2, and exhibited mechanism-based inhibition. This is the first reported isolation of effective CYP inhibitors from tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) purchased from a Japanese market.     

A newly isolated Streptomyces sp. CS392 producing three antimicrobial compounds

With the aim of isolating new microbes capable of producing strong antimicrobial substances, strain CS392 was screened from 700 soil isolates preserved in our laboratory. The strain was related to genus Streptomyces based on various characteristics. Three highly active antimicrobial compounds, C1, C2 and C3, produced by the strain were purified by solvent extraction followed by silica gel column chromatography. These compounds were highly active against various Gram-positive resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Among three, C3 was the most active against MRSA and VRSA with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 μg/ml while C2 and C3 had MIC values of 4 μg/ml for the strains. In case of Bacillus subtilis ATCC6633, C1 and C3 were more effective with MIC values of 0.5 μg/ml than C2 with MIC of 2 μg/ml. Those antibiotics were variably active (MIC of 4-32 μg/ml) against Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Mycobacterium smegmatis ATCC 9341 and VRE.     

Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives based on Vanillic acid as potential immunosuppressive agents

In present study, a series of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives have been designed, synthesized and purified. All of these compounds are reported for the first time, the chemical structures of these compounds were confirmed by means of (1)H NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analyses. Besides, we evaluated their immunosuppressive activity. Most of these synthesized compounds were proved to have potent immunosuppressive activity and low toxicity. Among them, the bioassay results demonstrated that compounds 5c, 5n, 5p, 5o, 6f and 6g exhibited immunosuppressive activities with IC(50) concentration range from 1.25μM to 7.60 μM against the T cells, and the IC(50) of positive control (csa) is 2.12 μM. Moreover, all the title compounds were assayed for PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibition using the ELISA assay. We examined the compounds with potent inhibitory activities against IL-1, IL-6 and IL-10 released in ConA-simulated mouse lymph node cells. The results showed compounds 5o and 6f displayed the most potential biological activity against T cells (IC(50)=1.25 μM and 4.75 μM for T cells). The preliminary mechanism of compound 5o inhibition effects was also detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The results of apoptosis and ELISA assay demonstrated that the immunosuppressive activity of compounds 5o and 6f against T cells may be mediated by the inhibition of PI3Kγ/AKT signaling pathway. Molecular docking was performed to position compounds 5o and 6f into PI3Kγ binding site in order to indicate the potential target.     

Identification of major cell types in paraffin sections of bovine tissues

Background

Feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV-1) is a common cause of respiratory and ocular disease in cats. Especially in young kittens that have not yet reached the age of vaccination, but already lost maternal immunity, severe disease may occur. Therefore, there is a need for an effective antiviral treatment. In the present study, the efficacy of six antiviral drugs, i.e. acyclovir, ganciclovir, cidofovir, foscarnet, adefovir and 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl)-2, 6-diaminopurine (PMEDAP), against FHV-1 was compared in Crandell-Rees feline kidney (CRFK) cells using reduction in plaque number and plaque size as parameters.

Results

The capacity to reduce the number of plaques was most pronounced for ganciclovir, PMEDAP and cidofovir. IC_{50 (NUMBER)} values were 3.2 μg/ml (12.5 μM), 4.8 μg/ml (14.3 μM) and 6 μg/ml (21.5 μM), respectively. Adefovir and foscarnet were intermediately efficient with an IC_{50 (NUMBER)} of 20 μg/ml (73.2 μM) and 27 μg/ml (140.6 μM), respectively. Acyclovir was least efficient (IC_{50 (NUMBER)} of 56 μg/ml or 248.7 μM). All antiviral drugs were able to significantly reduce plaque size when compared with the untreated control. As observed for the reduction in plaque number, ganciclovir, PMEDAP and cidofovir were most potent in reducing plaque size. IC_{50 (SIZE)} values were 0.4 μg/ml (1.7 μM), 0.9 μg/ml (2.7 μM) and 0.2 μg/ml (0.7 μM), respectively. Adefovir and foscarnet were intermediately potent, with an IC_{50 (SIZE)} of 4 μg/ml (14.6 μM) and 7 μg/ml (36.4 μM), respectively. Acyclovir was least potent (IC_{50 (SIZE)} of 15 μg/ml or 66.6 μM). The results demonstrate that the IC_{50 (SIZE)} values were notably lower than the IC_{50 (NUMBER)} values. The most remarkable effect was observed for cidofovir and ganciclovir. None of the products were toxic for CRFK cells at antiviral concentrations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, measuring reduction in plaque number and plaque size are two valuable and complementary means of assessing the efficacy of an antiviral drug. By using these parameters for six selected antiviral drugs, we found that ganciclovir, PMEDAP, and cidofovir are the most potent inhibitors of FHV-1 replication in CRFK cells. Therefore, they may be valuable candidates for the treatment of FHV-1 infection in cats.     

Synthesis, characterization, antiamoebic activity and cytotoxicity of new pyrazolo[3, 4-d]pyrimidine-6-one derivatives

A new series of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-6-one derivatives (2a-2j) were prepared by using the Biginelli multicomponent cyclocondensation of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one (1a), different aromatic aldehydes, and urea with a catalytic amount of HCl at reflux temperature. These compounds were characterized by IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and Mass spectral data. In vitro antiamoebic activity was performed against HM1:IMSS strain of Entamoeba histolytica. The results showed that the compounds 2b, 2i, and 2j with IC(50) values of 0.37 μM, 0.04 μM, and 0.06 μM, respectively, exhibited better antiamoebic activity than the standard drug metronidazole (IC(50)?=?1.33 μM). The toxicological studies of these compounds on human breast cancer MCF-7 cell line showed that the compounds 2b, 2i, and 2j exhibited >80% viability at the concentration range of 1.56-50 μM.     

Structural features and in vitro antiviral activities of sulfated polysaccharides from Sphacelaria indica

Many viruses display affinity for cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans with biological relevance to virus entry. This raises the possibility of the application of sulfated polysaccharides in antiviral therapy. In this study, we have analyzed xylogalactofucan- and alginic acid-containing fractions from Sphacelaria indica, a marine alga. The xylogalactofucan that has apparent molecular mass of 26±5 kDa and negative specific rotation [α](D)(32) -71° (c 0.2, H(2)O) contains, inter alia, (1→3)-linked L-fucopyranosyl and D-galactopyranosyl residues. The algin (molecular mass: 21±5kDa) contains 41% guluronic and 59% mannuronic acid residues. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of these macromolecules and their chemically sulfated derivatives against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were in the range of 0.6-10 μg ml(-1) and they lacked cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 200 μg ml(-1). The antiviral activity was dependent on the sulfate contents of the polysaccharides. The results support the feasibility of inhibiting HSV infection by direct interaction of polysaccharides with viral particles.     

Synthesis, QSAR and anti-HIV activity of new 5-benzylthio-1,3,4-oxadiazoles derived from α-amino acids

2-(1-[(4-Chloro/methylphenylsulfonylamino)alkyl]-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1,3,4-oxadiazoles (4a-e) were synthesized, in four steps, via the sulfonyl derivatives of l-amino acids (l-alanine, l-methionine and l-phenylalanine) 1a-e, the esters 2a-e, the hydrazides 3a-e and finally the cyclization to 4a-e. Alkylation of 4a-e with 1.0 mole eq. of substituted benzyl halides furnished S-benzyl derivatives 5a-t, while 1.1 mole eq. yielded major 5a-t and minor amount of 6a-d. Alternatively, treatment of 4a-e with 2.0 mole eq. of substituted benzyl halides furnished 6a-d only. The structures of 5b and 5l were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis. Compounds 5a-t and 6a-d showed no selective inhibition against HIV-1 and HIV-2 replication in MT-4 cells. However, 5f and 5j-5q exhibited some inhibitory activity against both types with EC(50) values (>11.50 - >13.00 μg/mL). These results suggest that the structural modifications of these compounds might lead to the development of new antiviral agents. The quantum structure-activity relationship of these novel structural congeners is discussed.