Multidrug-resistant cancer cell susceptibility to cytotoxic quassinoids, and cancer chemopreventive effects of quassinoids and canthin alkaloids

Twenty-three quassinoids (1-23), which were isolated previously from Simaroubaceous plants, were evaluated for cytotoxicity against three multidrug-resistant cancer cell lines, KB-VIN, KB-7d, and KB-CPT. Nine compounds (2-7 and 9-11) showed significant cytotoxicity in all three cell lines. Compounds 1, 12-14, 17, and 20 demonstrated significant activity against the KB-7d and KB-CPT cell lines, and compounds 18, 19, and 23 revealed notable activity only against KB-7d cells. Structure-activity relationships were drawn based on these data. In addition, six quassinoid derivatives (24-29) and four canthin alkaloids (30-33), which were isolated from Brucea antidysenterica, were examined for their inhibitory effects on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) induced Epstein-Barr virus early antigen (EBV-EA) activation as cancer chemopreventive agents. All of these compounds demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against EBV-EA activation.     

Synthesis, anticancer, and cytotoxic activities of some mononuclear Ru(II) compounds

The synthesis and characterization of ruthenium compounds (Ru1-Ru12) of the type [Ru(S)(2)(K)], (where S=1,10-phenanthroline/2,2'-bipyridine and K=itsz, MeO-btsz, 4-Cl-btsz, 2-Cl-btsz, 2-F-btsz, hfc and itsz=isatin-3-thiosemicarbazone, MeO-btsz=1-(4'-methoxy-benzyl)-thiosemicarbazone, hfc=2-{[3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenylimino]methyl}phenol, 4-Cl-btsz=1-(4'-chlorobenzyl)-thiosemicarbazone, 2-Cl-btsz=1-(2'-chloro benzyl)-thiosemicarbazone, 2-F-btsz=1-(2'-fluorobenzyl)-thiosemicarbazone) are described. These ligands form bidentate octahedral ruthenium compounds. The title compounds were subjected to in vivo anticancer activity against a transplantable murine tumor cell line Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) and in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell line Molt 4/C8, CEM and murine tumor cell line L1210. Ruthenium compounds (Ru1-Ru12) showed promising biological activity especially in decreasing tumor volume and viable ascites cell counts. Treatment with these compounds prolonged the life span of mice bearing EAC tumor by 10-43%. In vitro evaluation of these ruthenium compounds revealed cytotoxic activity from 0.24 to 27 microM against Molt 4/C8, 0.27 to 48 microM against CEM, and 0.94 to 248 microM against L1210. Their ligands alone failed to show cytotoxic activity at the concentrations tested (68-405 microM).     

Synthesis of 3-(1-alkyl/aminoalkyl-3-vinyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-(quinolin-4-yl)-propan-1-ones and their 2-methylene derivatives as potential spermicidal and microbicidal agents

A series of twenty two derivatives of 3-(1-alkyl/aminoalkyl-3-vinyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-(quinolin-4-yl)-propan-1-one and their 2-methylene derivatives were synthesized from naturally abundant cinchonine (I). Tartarate salts of these compounds were prepared and evaluated for spermicidal activity. The most active compounds (24, 27, 34, 36, and 38) showing potent spermicidal activity were further evaluated against different strains of Trichomonas vaginalis, for antimicrobial activity, in HeLa cell lines for cytotoxicity and against Lactobacillus jensenii for eco-safety. The tartarate of 3-(1-pentyl-3-vinyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1-(quinolin-4-yl)-propan-1-one (27) was found to be more active than N-9 in spermicidal activity.     

Highly selective antibacterial activity of novel alkyl quinolone alkaloids from a Chinese herbal medicine, Gosyuyu (Wu-Chu-Yu), against Helicobacter pylori in vitro

To elucidate the antibacterial activity of Gosyuyu, the crude extract from the fruit of Evodia rutaecarpa, a Chinese herbal medicine, has been fractionated chromatographically, and each fraction was assayed for antibacterial activity against Helicobacterpylori (H. pylori) in vitro. As the result, a single spot having marked antibacterial activity against H. pylori was obtained and the chemical structure was analyzed. The isolated compound was revealed to be a novel alkyl quinolone alkaloid based on the solubility, IR spectra, NMR analysis and mass spectrometric data after purification by TLC of silica. We compared the antimicrobial activity of this compound with that of other antimicrobial agents and examined susceptibility of various intestinal pathogens. As the result, the new quinolone compounds obtained from Gosyuyu extracts were found to be a mixture of two quinolone alkaloids, 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-8-tridecenyl]-4-(1H)-quinolone and 1-methyl-2-[(Z)-7-tridecenyl]-4-(1H)-quinolone (MW: 339), reported previously. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds against reference strains and clinically isolated H. pylori strains were less than 0.05 microg/ml, which was similar to the MIC of amoxicillin and clarithromycin that are used worldwide for the eradication of H. pylori, clinically. Furthermore, it was noted that the antimicrobial activity of these compounds was highly selective against H. pylori and almost non-active against other intestinal pathogens. The above results showed that these alkyl methyl quinolone (AM quinolones) alkaloids were useful for the eradication of H. pylori without affecting other intestinal flora.     

生姜中6个姜辣素类成分的抗菌活性研究

为了探究生姜化学成分的抗菌活性及初步构效关系,采用色谱法从生姜中分离得到6个姜辣素类化合物,采用波谱法对这6个成分进行鉴定,分别为5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-decen-3-one(1)、5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-dodecen-3-one(2)、5-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-tetradecane-3-one(3)、[6]-姜酚(4)、[8]-姜酚(5)和[10]-姜酚(6)。采用抗菌纸片扩散法测定6个化合物对15株病原菌株的抗菌活性。结果表明化合物1和4抗菌活性最好,而6对所有菌株均无活性。初步构效关系分析表明:烯醇型化合物对革兰氏阳性菌的抗菌活性优于姜酚型化合物;而姜酚型化合物对革兰氏阴性菌的抗菌活性优于烯醇型化合物。此外,姜辣素类成分脂肪链的长度增加,可能导致抗菌活性降低。     

Cytotoxicity, cell cycle arrest, antioxidant activity and interaction of dibenzoxanthenes derivatives with DNA

In this study, we report the DNA interaction and cytotoxicity of four dibenzoxanthene compounds 1-4. The binding behaviors of these compounds to calf thymus DNA were studied by absorption titration, viscosity measurements. The DNA binding constants of compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 5.05×10(4), 2.13×10(3), 5.10×10(4), and 3.03×10(3) M(-1), respectively. The lipophilicity of the compounds was determined by the shake flask method. The cytotoxicity of these compounds has been assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. These compounds exhibit high activity against BEL-7402, Hela, MG-63, and SKBR-3 cells. The cell cycle arrest was analyzed by flow cytometry. These compounds inhibit S phase of BEL-7402 and SKBR-3 cells. The experiments on antioxidant activity show that these compounds exhibit good antioxidant activity against hydroxyl radical ((?)OH).     

源于植物内生无花果拟盘多毛孢真菌的新色原酮类次生代谢产物研究

从植物内生真菌无花果拟盘多毛孢菌株(Pestalotiopsis fici;AS3.9138=W106-1)的放大发酵粗提物中分离得到4个异戊二烯基取代的色原酮类新结构次生代谢产物pestaloficiolsM-P(1-4),并应用质谱和核磁共振技术确定了上述化合物的结构。生物活性测试结果表明化合物2能够抑制HIV-1病毒在C8166细胞中的复制;化合物3和4对宫颈癌细胞(HeLa)具有细胞毒活性;另外,化合物3对烟曲霉Aspergillus fumigatus也具有较强的抑制活性。     

Biomimetic synthesis, antimicrobial, antileishmanial and antimalarial activities of euglobals and their analogues

In the present communication, naturally occurring phloroglucinol-monoterpene adducts, euglobals G1-G4 (3b/a and 4a/b) and 16 new analogues (13a/b-18a/b and 19-22) were synthesized by biomimetic approach. These synthetic compounds differ from natural euglobals in the nature of monoterpene and acyl functionality. All of these compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal, antileishmanial and antimalarial activities. Analogue 17b possessed good antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, while analogues 19-22 possessed potent antifungal activity against Candida glabrata with IC50s ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 microg/mL. Euglobals along with all synthesized analogues exhibited antileishmanial activity. Amongst these, euglobal G2 (3a), G3 (4a) and analogues 13a and 14a showed potent antileishmanial activity with IC50s ranging from 2.8 to 3.9 microg/mL. Analogue 16a possessed antimalarial activity against chloroquine sensitive D6 clone of Plasmodium falciparum. None of the compounds showed toxicity against mammalian kidney fibroblasts (vero cells) upto the concentration of 4.76 microg/ml.     

Synthesis and bioassay evaluation of 1-(4-substitutedideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)ureas

A variety of novel 1-(4-substitutedideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl-3-(2,6-difluorobenzoyl)ureas were designed and synthesized by the reaction of 4-substitutedideneaminooxymethyl aniline with 2,6-difluorobenzoyl isocyanates in good yields. The title compounds were soluble in most organic solvents, which should make them easier to use. The preliminary bioassay showed that some of the title compounds show excellent insecticidal activity against Mythimna separata at the dosage of 25 mg kg(-1) and moderate insecticidal activity against Nephotettix cincticeps at the dosage of 500 mg kg(-1). Toxicity assays indicated that these title compounds cause in M. separata and N. cincticeps such symptoms of toxicity as discolouration, and weight loss, and cessation of feeding and lethal. One title compound exhibited acaricidal activity against Tetranychus urticae.     

Antimalarial activity of ferrocenyl chalcones

A series of ferrocenyl chalcones were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antimalarial activity against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The most active compounds were 1-(3-pyridyl)-3-ferrocenyl-2-propen-1-one (6) and 1-ferrocenyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propen-1-one (28) with IC(50) of 4.5 and 5.1 microM, respectively. Differences in activity were not readily explained by the size and lipophilicity characteristics of these compounds.     

Synthesis of N6-substituted 9-[3-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine derivatives as possible antiviral agents

A number of N6-substituted 9-[3-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine derivatives having hydroxymethyl at C-1' position were prepared from the appropriate 6-chloroadenine derivative. The syntheses of the corresponding prodrugs of these compounds are also reported. These compounds showed poor activity against HCV in replicon assay.     

Antibacterials and modulators of bacterial resistance from the immature cones of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

As part of an on-going project to characterize compounds from immature conifer cones with antibacterial or modulatory activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Staphylococcus aureus, eight compounds were isolated from the cones of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. The active compounds were mainly diterpenes, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 4 to 128 microg/ml against MDR effluxing S. aureus strains and two epidemic methicillin-resistant (EMRSA) clinical isolates. The compounds extracted were the diterpenes ferruginol, pisiferol and its epimer 5-epipisiferol, formosanoxide, trans-communic acid and torulosal, the sesquiterpene oplopanonyl acetate and the germacrane 4beta-hydroxygermacra-1(10)-5-diene. Some of these compounds also exhibited modulatory activity in potentiating antibiotic activity against effluxing strains and ferruginol, used at a sub-inhibitory concentration, resulted in an 80-fold potentiation of oxacillin activity against strain EMRSA-15. An efflux inhibition assay using an S. aureus strain possessing the MDR NorA efflux pump resulted in 40% inhibition of ethidium bromide efflux at 10 microM ferruginol (2.86 microg/ml). We report the (1)H and (13)C NMR data for the cis A/B ring junction epimer of pisiferol which we have named 5-epipisiferol. We also unambiguously assign all (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances for trans-communic acid.     

N/C-4 substituted azetidin-2-ones: synthesis and preliminary evaluation as new class of antimicrobial agents

A series of 3-chloro-4-(3-methoxy-4-acetyloxyphenyl)-1-[3-oxo-3-(phenylamino)propanamido] azetidin-2-ones 3a-g and 3-chloro-4-[2-hydroxy-5-(nitro substituted phenylazo)phenyl]-1-phenylazetidin-2-ones 6a-h were synthesized using appropriate synthetic route. Structures of all the synthesized compounds were established on the basis of elemental analysis and spectroscopic data. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was screened against several microbes. Several of these molecules showed potent antimicrobial activity against Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and significant structure-activity relationship (SAR) trends.     

Triterpenoid saponins from Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge and their inhibitory activity on human cancer cell lines

Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge is widely used as healthy food material and folk medicine in China. Phytochemical investigation on its seeds oil leavings has led to the isolation and identification of seven new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins named sorbifoliasides A-F (1-6) and bunkankasaponin F (7), along with five known ones (8-12). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic analysis and chemical derivatization. Among the isolated compounds, 16-oxo-3, 28-O-bidesmosidic triterpenoid saponins (2, 3, 5) were isolated from this plant for the first time. The cytotoxicity of all compounds against the ten selected human cancer cell lines was assayed. Compounds 7 and 9 showed significant activity against all the ten cancer cell lines (IC(50) <10μM), while compounds 8, 10 and 11 exhibited moderate activity against most of these cancer cell lines.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel fluorinated 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides

A series of 5-(trifluoroethoxymethyl)-2',3'-dideoxyuridines and 5-[bis(trifluoroethoxy)-methyl]-2',3'-dideoxyuridines have been prepared and screened for antiviral activity. The conformations of these compounds are discussed on the bases of NOE studies and the MO calculations. Modelling and NOE studies suggest both syn- and anti conformations for these 5-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxymethyl)- and 5-[bis(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)-methyl]- derivatives. The NOE parameters are also suggested to be more attributable to the nature of the fluorine atom than to structural or conformational changes. Compounds 17, 26 and 30 showed some activity in anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2 assays, but the compounds were devoid of activity against HSV and human rhinovirus. The compounds tested exhibited low cytotoxicity and were inactive against a bank of cancer cells in vitro.     

Synthesis of new 1-alkyl-, 1-benzyl-, and 1-aryloxyethyl-substituted 4,5-dichloroimidazoles and their antimicrobial,protistocidal, and fungistatic properties

Previously unknown 1-alkyl-, 1-benzyl-, and 1-aryloxyethylderivatives of dichloroimidazoles and products of their structural transformation were synthesized from 4,5-dichloroimidazole or 2-methyl-4,5- dichloroimidazole using alkyl, benzyl or aryloxyethyl halides. These N-substituted compounds were shown to have a weak antibacterial activity against some pathogenic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). At the same time, some of the obtained compounds demonstrated a significant protistocidal activity against Colpoda steinii, which can exceed in strength the activity of clinically used veterinary drug Baycox. Moreover, these compounds showed a pronounced fungistatic effect.     

Synthesis of some thiazolyl aminobenzothiazole derivatives as potential antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic agents

A series of 4-(6-substituted-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)amino-2-(4-substitutedphenyl)- amino-1,3-thiazoles, 9-24 have been synthesised from 2-chloro-N-(6-substituted-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)acetamides, 5-8. The structures of these compounds have been elucidated by spectral (IR, (1)H NMR, Mass) and elemental (C, H, N) analysis data. All the newly synthesised compounds (9-24) were screened for their antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic activities. Almost all of these compounds showed moderate to good antimicrobial activity against two gram negative bacteria (E. coli, P. aeruginosa), two gram positive bacteria (S. aureus, B. subtilis), pathogenic fungal strains (C. albicans, A. niger) and good anthelmintic activity against earthworm species (P. corethruses). Compounds 18 and 20 exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal activities, while compound 22 displayed the most significant anthelmintic activity.     

Amide derivatives with pyrazole carboxylic acids of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole 2-sulfonamide as new carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: synthesis and investigation of inhibitory effects

Pyrazole carboxylic acid amides of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide were synthesized from 4-benzoyl-1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonyl chloride and 4-benzoyl-1-(3-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonyl chloride. Carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (hCA-I and hCA-II) were purified from human erythrocyte cells by the affinity chromatography method. The inhibitory effects of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide 1, acetazolamide 2 and new synthesized amides on these isozymes have been studied in vitro. The I(50) concentrations (the concentration of inhibitor producing a 50% inhibition of CA activity) against hydratase activity ranged from 1.2 to 2.2 nM for hCA-I and from 0.4 to 2 nM for hCA-II. The I(50) values against esterase activity ranged from 1.4 to 8 nM for hCA-I and from 1.3 to 6 nM for hCA-II. The K(i) values were observed between 8.2 x 10(- 5) to 6.2 x 10(- 4) M for hCA-I and between 2.9 x 10(- 4) to 8.2 x 10(- 4) M for hCA-II. The comparison of new synthesized amides to 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide 1, acetazolamide 2 indicated that the new synthesized compounds (18-23) inhibit CA activity more potently than the parent compounds.