Preparation of New Spiropyrazole,Pyrazole and Hydantoin Derivatives and Investigation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities.

In this study, the synthesis of new spiropyrazoles, pyrazole and hydantoin heterocycles is reported by three component reactions of parabanic acids, hydrazine derivatives, and phenacyl bromides in the presence of triphenylphosphine as a nucleophile and triethylamine as a base in good to high yields (69–91 %). Evaluation of the synthesized compounds revealed a good to excellent antioxidant activities (37.6–96.2 %) using DPPH inhibitory potency. Among these compounds, hydantoin derivatives displayed higher antioxidant activities (93.7–96.2 %) comparing with spiropyrazoles and pyrazoles. The obtained results showed that Cl and Br substituents on the phenyl ring increased antioxidant activities of the related heterocycles. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were examined against two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. Among the synthesized heterocycles, 2-[1,3-dimethyl-2,5-dioxo-4-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)imidazolidin-4-yl]hydrazine-1-carbothioamide exhibited the excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Diastereoselective Sonochemical Synthesis of Spirocyclopropaneoxindoles and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities

An efficient diastereoselective synthesis of spirocyclopropaneoxindoles is reported using three‐component reactions of various phenacylidenetriphenylphosphorane, isatins and phenacyl bromide under ultrasonic irradiation. The structures of synthesized spirocyclopropaneoxindoles were characterized by their spectral data. The antioxidant activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Among the products, those with NH group in their structure exhibited higher antioxidant activities than other derivatives. Also, in vitro cytotoxicity of compounds 4b , 4e , 4j , 4k were examined against heLa cancer cell lines using MTT assay. The results revealed that compound 4j with chlorine substituent on phenyl group displayed higher cytotoxicity activity (IC₅₀=4.50±0.30 μg/mL) after 48 h.     

Indole and its alkyl‐substituted derivatives protect erythrocyte and DNA against radical‐induced oxidation

The antioxidant properties of 1,2,3,4‐tetra‐hydrocarbazole, 6‐methoxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydrocar‐bazole (MTC), 2,3‐dimethylindole, 5‐methoxy‐2,3‐dimethylindole, and indole were investigated in the case of hemolysis of human erythrocytes and oxidative damage of DNA induced by 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH), respectively. The aim of this work was to explore the influence of methoxy, methyl, and cyclohexyl substituents on the antioxidant activities of indole derivatives. These indole derivatives were able to protect erythrocytes and DNA in a concentration‐dependent manner. The alkyl‐substituted indole can protect erythrocytes and DNA against AAPH‐induced oxidation. Especially, the structural features of cyclohexyl and methoxy substituents made MTC the best antioxidant among the indole derivatives used herein. Finally, the interaction between these indole derivatives and 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) radical cation and 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, respectively, provided direct evidence for these indole derivatives to scavenge radicals and emphasized the importance of electron‐donating groups for the free radical–scavenging activity of indole derivatives. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 23:273–279, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20289     

Synthesis and radical-scavenging activity of C-methylated fisetin analogues

The radical-scavenging reaction of fisetin, a natural antioxidant found in strawberries, is known to proceed via hydrogen transfer to produce a fisetin radical intermediate. Thus, introduction of an electron-donating group into the fisetin molecule is expected to stabilize the radical, leading to enhanced radical-scavenging activity. In this study, fisetin derivatives in which methyl substituents were introduced at the ortho positions relative to the catechol hydroxyl groups were synthesized and their radical scavenging activities were evaluated and compared with that of the parent fisetin molecule. Among the methyl derivatives, 5′-methyl fisetin, in which the inherent planar structure of fisetin was retained, exhibited the strongest radical scavenging activity. Introduction of methyl substituents may be effective for the enhancement of various biological activities of antioxidants, particularly radical-scavenging activity.     

Structure‐Activity Relationships and Potent Cytotoxic Activities of Terphenyllin Derivatives from a Small Compound Library

A small library of 120 compounds was established with seventy new alkylated derivatives of the natural product terphenyllin, together with 45 previous reported derivatives and four natural p‐terphenyl analogs. The 70 new derivatives were semi‐synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activities against four cancer cell lines. Interestingly, 2′,4′′‐diethoxyterphenyllin, 2′,4,4′′‐triisopropoxyterphenyllin, and 2′,4′′‐bis(cyclopentyloxy)terphenyllin showed potent activities with IC₅₀ values in a range from 0.13 to 5.51 μM, which were similar to those of the positive control, adriamycin. The preliminary structure–activity relationships indicated that the introduction of alkyl substituents including ethyl, allyl, propargyl, isopropyl, bromopropyl, isopentenyl, cyclopropylmethyl, and cyclopentylmethyl are important for improving the cytotoxicity.     

Cytotoxic and Apoptosis‐Inducing Activities of Steviol and Isosteviol Derivatives against Human Cancer Cell Lines

Seventeen steviol derivatives, i.e., 2 – 18 , and 19 isosteviol derivatives, i.e., 19 – 37 , were prepared from a diterpenoid glycoside, stevioside ( 1 ). Upon evaluation of the cytotoxic activities of these compounds against leukemia (HL60), lung (A549), stomach (AZ521), and breast (SK‐BR‐3) cancer cell lines, nine steviol derivatives, i.e., 5 – 9 and 11 – 14 , and five isosteviol derivatives, i.e., 28 – 32 , exhibited activities with single‐digit micromolar IC₅₀ values against one or more cell lines. All of these active compounds possess C(19)‐O‐acyl group, and among which, ent‐kaur‐16‐ene‐13,19‐diol 19‐O‐4′,4′,4′‐trifluorocrotonate ( 14 ) exhibited potent cytotoxicities against four cell lines with IC₅₀ values in the range of 1.2–4.1 μM . Compound 14 induced typical apoptotic cell death in HL60 cells upon evaluation of the apoptosis‐inducing activity by flow‐cytometric analysis. These results suggested that acylation of the 19‐OH group of kaurane‐ and beyerane‐type diterpenoids might be useful for enhancement of their cytotoxicities with apoptosis‐inducing activity.     

Synthesis and Antioxidant Activity of New Norcantharidin Analogs

New norcantharidin analogs were designed and obtained as compounds with biological activity. As a starting material, exo‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid anhydride was used. Three groups of compounds: dicarboximides, triazoles and thiazolidines were obtained in multistep reactions. The ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectra were used to confirm the structures of all obtained products and they were in agreement with the proposed structure of substances. All derivatives were screened for their antioxidant activity. The most promising group was dicarboximides ( 1 – 4 , 6 ). Derivatives 2–4 displayed antioxidant activity with EC₅₀=7.75–10.89 μg/ml, which may be comparable to strong antioxidant Trolox (EC₅₀=6.13 μg/ml). Excellent activity with EC₅₀=10.75 μg/ml also presented norcantharidin analog with 1,2,4‐triazole system ( 12 ).     

New Acetophenone Derivatives from Acronychia oligophlebia and Their Anti‐inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities

Seven new acetophenone derivatives (acroliones A – G, 1  –  7 ) and three known ones ( 8  –  10 ) were isolated from the leaves of Acronychia oligophlebia. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, HR‐ESI‐MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR), X‐ray diffraction and comparison with literature data. The anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities of all isolates were evaluated.     

Biphenyl Derivatives from the Aerial Parts of Oenanthe javanica and Their COX‐2 Inhibitory Activities

Four new biphenyl derivatives ( 1 – 4 ), along with six known biphenyl derivatives ( 5 – 10 ) were isolated and elucidated by their detailed analyses of spectroscopic data and references from the aerial parts of Oenanthe javanica for the first time. Compounds ( 1 – 10 ) were assayed for their activities about the inhibition of COX‐2 enzyme in vitro for the first time. Compounds 1 , 2 , 4 , and 6 showed inhibitory activities against COX‐2 with IC₅₀ values ranging from 22.18±0.29 to 108.54±0.42 μm .     

Synthesis and investigation of the conversion reactions of pyrimidine‐thiones with nucleophilic reagent and evaluation of their acetylcholinesterase,carbonic anhydrase inhibition,and antioxidant activities

The conversion reactions of pyrimidine‐thiones with nucleophilic reagent were studied during this scientific research. For this purpose, new compounds were synthesized by the interaction between 1,2‐epoxy propane, 1,2‐epoxy butane, and 4‐chlor‐1‐butanol and pyrimidine‐thiones. These pyrimidine‐thiones derivatives ( A–K ) showed good inhibitory action against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) isoforms I and II. AChE inhibition was in the range of 93.1 ± 33.7–467.5 ± 126.9 nM. The hCA I and II were effectively inhibited by these compounds, with K_i values in the range of 4.3 ± 1.1–9.1 ± 2.7 nM for hCA I and 4.2 ± 1.1–14.1 ± 4.4 nM for hCA II. On the other hand, acetazolamide clinically used as CA inhibitor showed K_i value of 13.9 ± 5.1 nM against hCA I and 18.1 ± 8.5 nM against hCA II. The antioxidant activity of the pyrimidine‐thiones derivatives ( A–K ) was investigated by using different in vitro antioxidant assays, including Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ reducing, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH^?) radical scavenging, and Fe²⁺ chelating activities.     

Synthesis and Spectral Characterization of Asymmetric Azines Containing a Coumarin Moiety: The Discovery of New Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Agents

Nine unsymmetrical azines containing a coumarin moiety were prepared by the reaction of the hydrazone of 4‐hydroxy‐3‐acetylcoumarin with differently substituted aromatic aldehydes. The azines were fully spectrally characterized, including a complete assignment of ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR resonances, and were assessed for their acute toxicities in the Artemia salina model. Their free radical scavenging activities were tested in the DPPH assay, and in vitro antimicrobial activities were determined against seven bacterial and two fungal strains. The azines containing a p‐hydroxyphenyl group were shown to be the most effective antimicrobial agents, and in the case of resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii, the activity was comparable to that of chloramphenicol. The derivative having a 3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenyl group exhibited pronounced antioxidant power reacting rapidly and in 1 : 1 mol ratio with the DPPH radical.     

Antioxidant and Pro‐Oxidant Evaluation of a Potentilla alba L. Rhizome Extract

Using spectrophotometric methods, a H₂O‐soluble Potentilla alba L. rhizome extract was evaluated phytochemically, i.e., the total phenol, flavonoid, flavonol, flavanone, and proanthocyanidin contents were determined, and its antioxidant and pro‐oxidant properties, i.e., the Fe^III reductive and the Fe^II chelating properties, the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH^.), N,N‐dimethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (DMPD^.+), and superoxide anion radical (O$\rm{{_{2}^{{^\cdot} -}}}$ )‐scavenging activities, the capacity to inhibit hydroxyl radical (HO^.)‐mediated deoxy‐D ‐ribose and phospholipid degradation, and the interaction with the Cu‐catalyzed HO^.‐mediated DNA degradation, were determined. The extract was found to contain a range of phenolic compounds recognized to possess strong antioxidant‐like properties. Moreover, the extract demonstrated dose‐dependent activities in all the antioxidant assays with the exception of the DNA‐degradation assay, where the components within the extract interfered with the assay components at concentrations ≥1.00 mg/ml. Potentilla species are known for their curative properties, with aerial/subterranean parts being prescribed for numerous indications. The data presented here suggests, though does not conclude, that the rhizomes contain compounds possessing a range of antioxidant‐related properties, which may underpin the therapeutic, viz., anti‐inflammatory and adaptogenic effects, ascribed to species of this genus.     

In vitro cytotoxic and in vivo antitumoral activities of some aminomethyl derivatives of 2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thiones—Evaluation of their acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase enzymes inhibition profiles

The 1,2,4‐triazole and its derivatives were reported to exhibit various pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, analgesic, anti‐inflammatory, antitumoural, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties. In this study, a series of triazole compounds (M1‐M10) were evaluated for some biological activities. In vitro qualifications of these compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and human carbonic anhydrase enzyme activities were performed. Also, their antitumoral activities in human colon cancer (HT29) cell line cultures were examined. In addition, colon cancer experimentation was induced in rats by an in vivo method, and the in vivo anticancer effects of triazole derivatives were investigated. Also, the effects of these derivatives in levels of antioxidant vitamin A, vitamin E, and MDA were studied in rat liver and blood samples. Most of the compounds were found to exhibit significant antioxidant and antitumoral activities. All the compounds had cytotoxic activities on HT29 cell lines with their IC₅₀ values lower than 10 µM concentrations. The low IC ₅₀ values of the compounds are M1 (3.88 µM), M2 (2.18 µM), M3 (4.2 µM), M4 (2.58 µM), M5 (2.88 µM), M6 (2.37 µM), M7 (3.49 µM), M8 (4.01 µM), M9 (8.90 µM), and M10 (3.12 µM).     

Enantioselective synthesis and antioxidant activity of 3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐glyceric acid—Basic monomeric moiety of a biologically active polyether from Symphytum asperum and S. caucasicum

The racemic and enantioselective synthesis of a novel glyceric acid derivative, namely, 2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐propionic acid as well as the antioxidant activities is described. The virtually pure enantiomers, (+)‐(2R,3S)‐2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐propionic acid and (?)‐(2S,3R)‐2,3‐dihydroxy‐3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐propionic acid were synthesized for the first time via Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation of trans‐caffeic acid derivatives using the enantiocomplementary catalysts, (DHQD)₂‐PHAL and (DHQ)₂‐PHAL. The determination of enantiomeric purity of the novel chiral glyceric acid derivatives was performed by high‐performance liquid chromatographic techniques on the stage of their alkylated precursors. The novel glyceric acid derivatives show strong antioxidant activity against hypochlorite and N,N‐diphenyl‐N‐picryl‐hydrazyl free radical. Their antioxidant activity is about 40‐fold higher than that of the corresponding natural polyether and three‐fold higher of trans‐caffeic acid itself. Chirality, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Chemical Constituents of the Seed Cake of Camellia oleifera and Their Antioxidant and Antimelanogenic Activities

There is a growing interest in the exploitation of agricultural byproducts. This study explored the potential beneficial health effects from the main biowaste, tea seed pomace of Camellia oleifera Abel (Theaceae), produced when tea seed is processed. Eighteen compounds were isolated from the 70% EtOH extract of the seed cake of C. oleifera. Their structures were determined by ESI‐MS, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR together with literature data. All fractions and compounds were evaluated for the antioxidant and melanogenesis inhibitory activities. As the result, AcOEt fraction has the best in vitro antioxidant and antimelanogenesis activities, compounds 7 – 12 and 15 showed remarkable antioxidant activity, compounds 4 , 6 , 8 , and 15 – 17 exhibited superior inhibitory activities against melanogenesis. Furthermore, tyrosinase inhibitory activity assay suggested that compound 8 could suppress melanogenesis by inhibiting the expression of tyrosinase.     

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 of Schiff Bases and Secondary Amines with Indane Skeleton; Evaluation of Their Antioxidant,Antibiotic, and Antifungal Activities

In this study, Schiff bases were synthesized by utilizing the reaction of 4- and 5-aminoindane with substituted benzaldehydes. After the reduction of isolated Schiff bases with NaBH₄, the corresponding secondary amine derivatives were obtained. The structures of all synthesized molecules were confirmed by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FT-IR, and ESI-MS. Antioxidant activities of all synthesized molecules were investigated by DPPH method, and IC₅₀ values were calculated. In addition, antibacterial activities of targets were investigated by the well diffusion method, and then MIC99 values were calculated. While only four of the sixteen synthesized molecules showed a high level of antioxidant activity, all of the molecules exhibited biological activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to varying degrees. In addition, all the synthesized molecules showed high antifungal activity. In antioxidant capacity studies, the IC₅₀ values of 2-(((2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)amino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol ( 4 d ) and 2-(((2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-4-yl)amino)methyl)-6-methoxyphenol ( 7 d ) were determined to be 18.1 μg and 35.1 μg, respectively, and these values are much stronger than BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) used as positive controls. The fact that targets have the same core structure with different substituents has revealed a good structure-activity relationship.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of New (1,3‐Thiazolo[5,4‐b]pyridin‐2‐yl)benzenediols and Their Antiproliferative Activities against Human Cancer Cell Lines

A one‐pot synthesis of new 4‐(1,3‐thiazolo[5,4‐b]pyridin‐2‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐diols has been described. The compounds were prepared by the reaction of sulfinylbis[(2,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)methanethione] derivatives, with various substituents in the aryl rings, with 2‐chloropyridin‐3‐amines. Their structures were deduced from IR and, ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, and elemental analyses. The antiproliferative properties of some of the products against human cancer cell lines were comparable to those of cisplatin. Structure? activity analysis showed that the presence of hydrophobic substituents in both heterocyclic fused and phenyl rings of the compounds improves their biological effects. Further, an additional OH group in the resorcinol moiety reduced the antiproliferative activity.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Study of Novel 1‐Benzylated Water‐Soluble Isatin‐3‐hydrazones

A high‐yield synthesis of some novel isatin‐3‐acylhydrazones on the base of 5‐ethylisatin derivatives and Girard's reagent T is described. Antimicrobial activity preliminary SAR study of both 1‐benzylated isatins and water‐soluble hydrazones was established. The most active against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus are ammonium salts bearing 3,4‐dichloro‐ or 4‐CF₃ substituents in benzyl fragment.     

Comparison of Phytochemical Composition and Biological Activities of Rubus ulmifolius Extracts Originating from Four Regions of Tunisia

In the current study, the phenolic composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts from Rubus ulmifolius Schott leaves harvested in four localities (Sejnen, Tabarka, Faija and Ain drahem) in Tunisia were investigated for the first time. Great differences were found for the chemical composition, total phenol contents and biological activities among the evaluated extracts. HPLC analysis of methanolic extracts showed that the dominant compounds were kaempferol 3‐O‐rutinoside and naringenine. In addition, significant correlations were observed between antioxidant activities and phenolic contents. In fact, leaves collected from Sejnen presented higher total phenol content (53.32 mg GAE/g DW) and antioxidant activities (IC₅₀ = 39.40 mg/l) than the others samples. All extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity against six used bacteria with the inhibition zones diameters and minimal inhibitory concentration values were in the range of 8 – 16 mm and 6.25 – 25 mg/ml, respectively. The highest antimicrobial activities were recorded in Sejnen extract against Gram‐positive bacteria.