Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Sigma‐1 (σ1) Receptor Ligands Based on Phenyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole Derivatives

In this study, a series of phenyl‐1,2,4‐oxadiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for anti‐allodynic activity. Structure–activity relationship studies identified 1‐{4‐[3‐(2,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,2,4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl]butyl}piperidine ( 39 ) with excellent affinity for the σ₁ receptor and selectivity for the σ₂ receptor, with poor activity to other central nervous system neurotransmitter receptors and transporters associated with pain. Compound 39 exhibited dose‐dependent efficacy in suppressing the formalin‐induced flinching and attenuating mechanical allodynia in chronic constriction injury‐induced neuropathic rats. These results suggest that compound 39 exerts potent antihyperalgesic activity and could be considered as a promising candidate for treating neuropathic pain.     

Synthesis and in Vitro Antimicrobial Activity Screening of New 3‐Acetyl‐2,5‐disubstituted‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoline Derivatives

Thirteen new 3‐acetyl‐2,5‐disubstituted‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoline derivatives were synthesized from corresponding hydrazide‐hydrazones of isonicotinic acid in the reaction with acetic anhydride. The obtained compounds were identified with the use of spectral methods (IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, MS). In vitro antimicrobial activity screening of synthesized compounds against a panel of bacteria and fungi revealed interesting antibacterial and antifungal activity of tested 1,3,4‐oxadiazoline derivatives, which is comparable to that of commonly used antimicrobial agents.     

Synthesis,Antimicrobial Activities,and Molecular Docking Studies of Dihydrotriazine Derivatives Bearing a Quinoline Moiety

In this article, three series of dihydrotriazine derivatives bearing a quinoline moiety ( 5a , 5b , 8a – 8c , and 9a – 9m ) have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated as antibacterial agents. Compounds 8a – 8c were found to be the most potent of all of the compounds tested with an MIC value of 1 μg/mL against several Gram‐positive (S. aureus 4220 and MRSA CCARM 3506) and Gram‐negative (E. coli 1924) strains of bacteria. In addition, 3‐[4‐amino‐6‐(phenethylamino)‐2,5‐dihydro‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐yl)‐6‐[(3‐chlorobenzyl)oxy]quinolin‐2‐ol ( 8a ) showed potent inhibitory activity (MIC=2 μg/mL) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2742, indicating that its antibacterial spectrum is similar to those of the positive controls gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin. Structure‐activity relationships (SAR) analyses and docking studies implicated the dihydrotriazine group in increasing the antimicrobial potency of the quinoline compounds. In vitro enzyme study implied that compound 8a also displayed DHFR inhibition.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Chiral 2‐Amino‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrothieno[2,3‐c]pyridine Derivatives

New N‐substituted‐2‐amino‐4,5,6,7‐tetrahydrothieno[2,3‐c]pyridine derivatives were synthesized employing a convenient one‐pot three‐component method and their structures were characterized by ¹H‐NMR and single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. All the synthesized compounds were in vitro screened for antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive (Sarcina lutea) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). In this work, we introduced a chiral residue on the tetrahydropyridine nitrogen, the hitherto the less investigated position on this pharmacophore in order to explore the effect. The antibacterial results showed that the synthesized compounds were active only against Gram‐positive bacteria and the (R)‐enantiomers displayed a greater antimicrobial potency than their (S)‐counterparts. The structure–activity relationship here investigated may provide some interesting clues for future development of tetrahydrothienopyridine derivatives with higher antimicrobial activity.     

UHPLC‐HRMS/MS Based Profiling of Algerian Lichens and Their Antimicrobial Activities

Lichens are complex symbiotic organisms able to produce a vast array of compounds. The Algerian lichen diversity has only prompted little interest even given the 1085 species listed. Herein, the chemodiversity of four Algerian lichens including Cladonia rangiformis, Ramalina farinaceae, R. fastigiata, and Roccella phycopsis was investigated. A dereplication strategy, using ultra high performance liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐HRMS/MS), was carried out for a comprehensive characterization of their substances including phenolics, depsides, depsidones, depsones, dibenzofurans, and aliphatic acids. Some known compounds were identified for the first time in some species. Additionally, the lichenic extracts were evaluated for their antifungal and antimicrobial activities on human pathogenic strains (Candida albicans, C. glabrata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli). Cyclohexane extracts were found particularly active against human pathogenic fungi with MIC₈₀ values ranging from 8 to 62.5 μg/mL, without cytotoxicity. This study highlights the therapeutic and prophylactic potential of lichenic extracts as antibacterial and antifungal agents.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Properties of Novel Phosphonium Salts Bearing 1,4‐Dihydroxyaryl Fragment

A versatile two‐step pathway to the synthesis of triaryl(2,5‐dihydroxy‐6‐methyl‐3‐(propan‐2‐yl)phenyl)‐ and triaryl(1,4‐dihydroxynaphthyl)phosphonium salts from triarylphosphonium trifluoroacetates was developed. The reaction proceeds under mild conditions (20 °C, CH₂Cl₂) with high yields (88–95 %). Some representatives of this series possess low hemolytic and high bactericidal activity against Gram‐positive bacteria.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidine Derivatives and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

A series of novel thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidines were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H, ¹³C‐NMR and mass techniques. Their antioxidant activities were investigated by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and the results showed that all the synthesized compounds exhibit good antioxidant activity. In addition, it was found that any substituent on the aromatic ring of the products plays an important role in their antioxidant activity. In vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 4a – 4j was investigated using MTT cell viability assay. Among these compounds, 6‐ethyl 2,3‐dimethyl 5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐7‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐5H‐[1,3]thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidine‐2,3,6‐tricarboxylate ( 4e ) bearing a chlorine substituent displayed the highest cytotoxic effect (IC₅₀=6.26±0.6 μm ) in comparison with doxorubicin (IC₅₀=0.68±0.1 μm ) as a standard after 72 h. Therefore, it is assumed that these compounds could be used as effective antioxidant and cytotoxic agents.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Water‐Soluble 2‐Aryl‐1‐Sulfonylpyrrolidine Derivatives as Bacterial Biofilm Formation Inhibitors

The approach to the novel 1‐[(2‐aminoethyl)sulfonyl]‐2‐arylpyrrolidines via unique intramolecular cyclization/aza‐Michael reactions of N‐(4,4‐diethoxybutyl)ethenesulfonamide have been developed, which benefits from high yields of target compounds, mild reaction conditions, usage of inexpensive and low‐toxic reagents, and allows for wide variability in both amine and aryl moieties. Biotesting with whole‐cell luminescent bacterial biosensors responding to DNA damage showed that all tested compounds are not genotoxic. Tested compounds differently affect the formation of biofilms by Vibrio aquamarinus DSM 26054. Some of the tested compounds were found to suppress the bacterial biofilms growth and thus are promising candidates for further studies.     

Synthesis and Biological Activity of New 4‐tert‐Butylcyclohexanone Derivatives

In the synthesis performed in this study, derivatives of 4‐tert‐butylcyclohexanone 1 were obtained using typical reactions of organic synthesis. The bioactivity of the selected compounds was evaluated. 1‐(Bromomethyl)‐8‐tert‐butyl‐2‐oxaspiro[4.5]decan‐3‐one ( 5 ) was characterized by attractant properties against larvae and a weak feeding deterrent activity against adults of Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer . This bromolactone was a moderate antifeedant towards Myzus persicae Sulzer . In addition, ethyl (4‐tert‐butylcyclohexylidene)acetate ( 2 ) and bromolactone 5 displayed antibacterial activity. The strongest bacteriostatic effect was observed against Gram‐positive strains: Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The bromolactone 5 also limited the growth of Escherichia coli strain.     

Synthesis of 9‐(Heteroarylmethylidene)amino Derivatives of Homocamptothecin with Biological Activities

Six 9‐(heteroarylmethylidene)amino derivatives, 2a – 2f , of homocamptothecin were synthesized for the first time by total synthesis in 22 steps and biologically evaluated as inhibitors of topoisomerase I. Moreover, the antitumor activities of 2a – 2f against three human tumor cell lines, i.e., A‐549, MDA‐MB‐435, and HCT‐116, were determined and the results showed that compound 2c was the most active homocamptothecin derivative against the A‐549 (IC₅₀=0.046 μM ) and HTC‐116 tumor cells (IC₅₀=3.67 μM ), with a ca. 50 times higher activity than the reference drug topotecan (TPT) against the lung cancer cell line A‐549.     

Synthesis of 5‐Fluorouridine Nucleolipid Derivatives and Their Cytostatic/Cytotoxic Activities on Human HT‐29 Colon Carcinoma Cells

One of the major drawbacks of chemotherapeutics is their insufficient penetration through cell membranes due to a high hydrophobicity. Thus, we have synthesized a series of selected nucleolipid derivatives of 5‐fluorouridine (5‐FUrd; 2a ), carrying lipophilic moieties at N(3) and/or in the 2′,3′‐O‐position (i.e., 3a – 7a and 3c ), and tested their cytostatic/cytotoxic activities using HT‐29 human colon carcinoma cells, in comparison with, e.g., 5‐FU ( 1 ) and 5‐FUrd ( 2a ). Incorporation and intracellular localization of the substances under test were performed after conjugation with the fluorochrome Atto 425. We showed that all 5′‐O‐labelled Atto 425 derivatives were incorporated by the human HT‐29 cells and accumulated in their cytoplasm. Moreover, after 24‐h treatment of HT‐29 human colon carcinoma cells, 1 or 2a (10, 20, 40, or 80 μM ) revealed a significant (14–23 or 33–45%, resp.) decrease of the viability in comparison with the (negative) control. Interestingly, derivatives 3a and 3c (40 and 80 μM ) led to a significant (77–95 or 89–96%, resp.) inhibition of survival of human HT29 cells, i.e., these two substances were ca. 63–72% or ca. 75%, respectively more effective than 5‐FU ( 1 ; positive control). Furthermore, derivative 5a showed a significant, i.e., 30 and 86%, inhibition of the survival at 40 and 80 μM , respectively in comparison with the (negative) control. Some synthesized 5‐FUrd derivatives turned out to be more effective than 5‐FU ( 1 ) or 5‐FUrd ( 2a ).     

Synthesis,Antimicrobial Activity and Molecular Docking Study of Novel α‐(Diphenylphosphoryl)‐ and α‐(Diphenylphosphorothioyl)cycloalkanone Oximes

A series of novel α‐(diphenylphosphoryl)‐ and α‐(diphenylphosphorothioyl)cycloalkanone oximes have been synthesized in search for novel bioactive molecules. Their structures were characterized by various spectroscopic methods including IR, NMR (¹H, ³¹P, ¹³C), mass spectrometry and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The newly synthesized phosphorus‐containing oximes were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis), Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium) and fungal strains (Candida albicans and Candida glabrata). The biological assays showed that all the studied compounds exhibited high antibacterial and antifungal activities at only 0.1–2.1 μg/mL. In silico molecular docking studies in FabH enzyme active site were performed in order to predict the possible interaction modes and binding energies of the drug candidates at the molecular level.     

Design,Synthesis and Biological Activity of (20S,21S)‐7‐Cyclohexyl‐21‐fluorocamptothecin Carbamates as Potential Antitumor Agents

(20S,21S)‐7‐Cyclohexyl‐21‐fluorocamptothecin was discovered by a fluorine drug design strategy with potent antitumor activity and increased metabolic stability. In continuous efforts to find novel antitumor agents derived from natural product camptothecin, 20‐carbamates of the active compound (20S,21S)‐7‐cyclohexyl‐21‐fluorocamptothecin have been designed and synthesized. Among them, one compound with the diethylamino group showed greater antiproliferative activity than the other 20‐carbamate derivatives. The following biological activity assays indicated that the above compound is a valuable lead compound with excellent Topo I inhibitory activity and solution stability.     

Novel Aminomethyl Derivatives of 4‐Methyl‐2‐prenylphenol: Synthesis and Antioxidant Properties

4‐Methyl‐2‐prenylphenol ( 1 ) was synthesized from para‐cresol and prenol, natural alcohol under the conditions of heterogeneous catalysis. A series of nine new aminomethyl derivatives with secondary and tertiary amino groups were obtained on the basis of compound 1 . A comparative evaluation of their antioxidant properties was carried out using in vitro models. It was established that Mannich base with octylaminomethyl group has radical‐scavenging activity, high Fe²⁺‐chelation ability as well as the ability to inhibit oxidative hemolysis of red blood cells.     

Synthesis and Activity Evaluation of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Inhibitors Based on 6‐(Pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indazole

Human nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common head and neck malignancy with high incidence in Southeast Asia and Southern China. It is necessary to develop safe, effective and inexpensive anticancer agents to improve the therapeutics of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A series of small molecular compounds based on 6‐(pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indazole were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activities against human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines SUNE1. Compounds 6b , 6c , 6e and 6l showed potent antiproliferative activities similar to positive control drug cisplatin in vitro with lower nephrotoxicity than it. N‐[4‐(1H‐Indazol‐6‐yl)pyrimidin‐2‐yl]benzene‐1,3‐diamine ( 6l ) was selected for further study. It was found that 6l induced mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis and G₂/M phase arrest in SUNE1 cells. Furthermore, compound 6l at 10 mg/kg can suppress the growth of an implanted SUNE1 xenograft with a TGI% (tumor growth inhibition) value of 50 % and did not cause serious side effects in BALB/c nude mice. This study suggests that 6‐(pyrimidin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indazole derivatives are a series of small molecule compounds with anti‐nasopharyngeal carcinoma activities.     

Synthesis of New Lathyrane Diterpenoid Derivatives from Euphorbia lathyris and Evaluation of Their Anti‐Inflammatory Activities

Euphorbia factor L₃, a lathyrane diterpenoid extracted from Euphorbia lathyris, was found to display good anti‐inflammatory activity with very low cytotoxicity. To find more potent anti‐inflammatory drugs, two series of Euphorbia factor L₃ derivatives with fatty and aromatic acids were designed and synthesized. Among them, lathyrane derivative 5n exhibited most potent inhibition on LPS‐induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells with no obvious cytotoxicity. To determine the key characteristics of Euphorbia factor L₃ derivatives that contribute to anti‐inflammatory activity, we conducted a structure‐activity relationship study of these compounds.     

Design,Synthesis, and Cytotoxic Activity of 3‐Aryl‐N‐hydroxy‐2‐(sulfonamido)propanamides in HepG2, HT‐1080, KB,and MCF‐7 Cells

A new series of (sulfonamido)propanamides ( 6a1 – 6a13 , 6b1 – 6b15 , 7c1 – 7c5 , 6d1 – 6d5 , 6e1 – 6e6 ) was designed and synthesized. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry. The target compounds were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), fibrosarcoma (HT‐1080), mouth epidermal carcinoma (KB), and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF‐7) cell lines with the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, with gemcitabine and mitomycin C as positive controls. Most of these compounds exhibit a more potent cytotoxic effect than the positive control group on various cancer cell lines and the most potent compound, 6a7 , shows the IC₅₀ values of 29.78±0.516 μm , 30.70±0.61 μm , and 64.89±3.09 μm in HepG2, HT‐1080, KB, and MCF‐7 cell lines, respectively. Thus, these compounds with potent cytotoxic activity have potential for development as new chemotherapy agents.     

Novel N‐Cycloalkylcarbonyl‐N′‐arylthioureas: Synthesis,Design, Antifungal Activity and Gene Toxicity

A synthesis method of novel N‐cycloalkylcarbonyl‐N′‐arylthioureas was developed. It consists of sequential addition of equimolecular amounts of ammonium isothiocyanate and substituted anilines to cycloalkylcarbonyl chlorides. The identity and purity of products were confirmed by LC/MS spectra, their structure by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H‐NMR spectra. Preliminary antimicrobial screening for standard microorganisms and molecular docking allowed to select several structures for antifungal and genetic toxicity studies. Conducted in vitro screening of 9 compounds for antifungal potential against 11 phytopathogenic fungi and three Phytophthora strains revealed that two N‐(arylcarbamothioyl) cyclopropanecarboxamides at a concentration of 50 μg/ml exhibited activities comparable to the standard antifungal agent ‘Cyproconazole’. Analysis of mutagenicity of novel thioureas using the Salmonella reverse mutagenicity assay (‘Ames Test’) showed a low gene‐toxicity profile.     

Enantioselective Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activities of Tetrahydro‐Β‐Carboline Diketopiperazines

A series of single isomers tetrahydro‐β‐carboline diketopiperazines were stereoselectively synthesized starting from l ‐tryptophan methyl ester hydrochloride and six aldehydes through a four‐step reaction including Pictet‐Spengler reaction, crystallization‐induced asymmetric transformations (CIAT), Schotten‐Baumann reaction, and intramolecular ester amidation. The chemical structures were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and elemental analysis, among which two compounds were determined by x‐ray single crystal diffraction. Moreover, antimicrobial activities of all the compounds were also tested. Chirality 25:656–662, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Design and Synthesis of Novel Cytotoxic Indole‐Thiosemicarbazone Derivatives: Biological Evaluation and Docking Study

In this work, two novel series of indole‐thiosemicarbazone derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against MCF‐7, A‐549, and Hep‐G2 cell lines in comparison to etoposide and colchicine as the reference drugs. Generally, the synthesized compounds showed better cytotoxicity towards A‐549 and Hep‐G2 than MCF‐7. Among them, (2E)‐2‐{[2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]methylidene}‐N‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide ( 8l ) was found to be the most potent compound against A‐549 and Hep‐G2, at least three times more potent than etoposide. The morphological analysis by the acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining test and flow cytometry analysis indicated that compound 8l induced apoptosis in A‐549 cells. Moreover, molecular docking methodology was exploited to elucidate the details of molecular interactions of the studied compounds with putative targets.