Heterocyclic substituted cantharidin and norcantharidin analogues--synthesis, protein phosphatase (1 and 2A) inhibition, and anti-cancer activity

Norcantharidin (3) is a potent PP1 (IC(50)=9.0+/-1.4 microM) and PP2A (IC(50)=3.0+/-0.4 microM) inhibitor with 3-fold PP2A selectivity and induces growth inhibition (GI(50) approximately 45 microM) across a range of human cancer cell lines including those of colorectal (HT29, SW480), breast (MCF-7), ovarian (A2780), lung (H460), skin (A431), prostate (DU145), neuroblastoma (BE2-C), and glioblastoma (SJ-G2) origin. Until now limited modifications to the parent compound have been tolerated. Surprisingly, simple heterocyclic half-acid norcantharidin analogues are more active than the original lead compound, with the morphilino-substituted (9) being a more potent (IC(50)=2.8+/-0.10 microM) and selective (4.6-fold) PP2A inhibitor with greater in vitro cytotoxicity (GI(50) approximately 9.6 microM) relative to norcantharidin. The analogous thiomorpholine-substituted (10) displays increased PP1 inhibition (IC(50)=3.2+/-0 microM) and reduced PP2A inhibition (IC(50)=5.1+/-0.41 microM), to norcantharidin. Synthesis of the analogous cantharidin analogue (19) with incorporation of the amine nitrogen into the heterocycle further increases PP1 (IC(50)=5.9+/-2.2 microM) and PP2A (IC(50)=0.79+/-0.1 microM) inhibition and cell cytotoxicity (GI(50) approximately 3.3 microM). These analogues represent the most potent cantharidin analogues thus reported.     

Cantharimides: a new class of modified cantharidin analogues inhibiting protein phosphatases 1 and 2A.

Cantharidin and its analogues have been of considerable interest as potent inhibitors of the serine/threonine protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A). However, limited modifications to the parent compounds is tolerated. As part of an on-going study we have developed a new series of cantharidin analogues, the cantharimides. Inhibition studies indicate that cantharimides possessing a D- or L-histidine, are more potent inhibitors of PP1 and PP2A (PP1 IC(50)=3.22+/-0.7 microM; PP2A IC(50)=0.81+/-0.1 microM and PP1 IC(50)=2.82+/-0.6 microM; PP2A IC(50)=1.35+/-0.3 microM, respectively) than norcantharidin (PP1 IC(50)=5.31+/-0.76 microM; PP2A IC(50)=2.9+/-1.04 microM) and essentially equipotent with cantharidin (PP1 IC(50)=3.6+/-0.42 microM; PP2A IC(50)=0.36+/-0.08 microM). Cantharimides with non-polar or acidic amino acid residues are only poor inhibitors of PP1 and PP2A.     

Modified norcantharidins; synthesis, protein phosphatases 1 and 2A inhibition, and anticancer activity

Fourteen modified norcantharidin analogues have been synthesised and screened for their ability to inhibit the serine/threonine protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. The most potent compounds found were 10 (PP1 IC(50)=13+/-5 microM; PP2A IC(50)=7+/-3 microM) and 16 (PP1 IC(50)=18+/-8 microM; PP2A IC(50)=3.2+/-0.4 microM). Overall, only analogues possessing at least one acidic residue at the former anhydride warhead displayed any PP1 or PP2A inhibitory action. The ability of these analogues to inhibit PP1 and PP2A correlates well with their observed anti-cancer activity against a panel of five cancer cell lines: A2780 (human ovarian carcinoma), G401 (human kidney carcinoma), HT29 (human colorectal carcinoma), H460 (human lung carcinoma) and L1210 (murine leukemia).     

The screening and characterization of 6-aminopurine-based xanthine oxidase inhibitors

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a key enzyme which can catalyze xanthine to uric acid causing hyperuricemia in humans. By using the fractionation technique and inhibitory activity assay, an active compound that prevents XO from reacting with xanthine was isolated from wheat leaf. It was identified by the Mass and NMR as 6-aminopurine (adenine). A structure-activity study based on 6-aminopurine was conducted. The inhibition of XO activity by 6-aminopurine (IC(50)=10.89+/-0.13 microM) and its analogues was compared with that by allopurinol (IC(50)=7.82+/-0.12 microM). Among these analogues, 2-chloro-6(methylamino)purine (IC(50)=10.19+/-0.10 microM) and 4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine (IC(50)=30.26+/-0.23 microM) were found to be potent inhibitors of XO. Kinetics study showed that 2-chloro-6(methylamino)purine is non-competitive, while 4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine is competitive against XO.     

Resveratrol analogues as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: synthesis and structure-activity relationship

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is found in grapes and various medical plants. Among cytotoxic, antifungal, antibacterial cardioprotective activity resveratrol also demonstrates non-selective cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition. In order to find more selective COX-2 inhibitors a series of methoxylated and hydroxylated resveratrol derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit both enzymes using in vitro inhibition assays for COX-1 and COX-2 by measuring PGE(2) production. Hydroxylated but not methoxylated resveratrol derivatives showed a high rate of inhibition. The most potent resveratrol compounds were 3,3',4',5-tetra-trans-hydroxystilbene (COX-1: IC(50)=4.713, COX-2: IC(50)=0.0113 microM, selectivity index=417.08) and 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexa-hydroxy-trans-stilbene (COX-1: IC(50)=0.748, COX-2: IC(50)=0.00104 microM, selectivity index=719.23). Their selectivity index was in part higher than celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor already established on the market (COX-1: IC(50)=19.026, COX-2: IC(50)=0.03482 microM, selectivity index=546.41). Effect of structural parameters on COX-2 inhibition was evaluated by quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis and a high correlation was found with the topological surface area TPSA (r=0.93). Docking studies on both COX-1 and COX-2 protein structures also revealed that hydroxylated but not methoxylated resveratrol analogues are able to bind to the previously identified binding sites of the enzymes. Hydroxylated resveratrol analogues therefore represent a novel class of highly selective COX-2 inhibitors and promising candidates for in vivo studies.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of N-acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamides: a novel class of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

N-Acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamide (11), and a group of analogues possessing an appropriately substituted-phenyl substituent (4-F, 2,4-F(2), 4-SO(2)Me, 4-OCHMe(2)) attached to its C-4, or C-5 position, were synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition studies showed that 11 is a more potent inhibitor (COX-1 IC(50)=0.06microM; COX-2 IC(50)=0.25microM) than aspirin (COX-1 IC(50)=0.35microM; COX-2 IC(50)=2.4microM), and like aspirin [COX-2 selectivity index (S.I.)=0.14], 11 is a nonselective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 S.I.=0.23). Regioisomers having a 2,4-difluorophenyl substituent attached to the C-4 (COX-2 IC(50)=0.087microM; COX-2 S.I. >1149), or C-5 (COX-2 IC(50)=0.77microM, SI>130), position of 11 exhibited the most potent and selective COX-2 inhibitory activity relative to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-1 IC(50)=33.1microM; COX-2 IC(50)=0.07microM; COX-2 S.I.=472). N-Acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamide (11, ED(50)=49 mg/kg), and its C-4 2,4-difluorophenyl derivative (ED(50)=91 mg/kg), exhibited superior antiinflammatory activity (oral dosing) in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay compared to aspirin (ED(50)=129 mg/kg). These latter compounds exhibited comparable analgesic activity to the reference drug diflunisal, and superior analgesic activity compared to aspirin, in a 4% NaCl-induced abdominal constriction assay. A molecular modeling (docking) study indicated that the SO(2)NHCOCH(3) substituent present in N-acetyl-2-carboxy-4-(2,4-fluorophenyl)benzenesulfonamide, like the acetoxy substituent in aspirin, is suitably positioned to acetylate the Ser(530) hydroxyl group in the COX-2 primary binding site. The results of this study indicate that the SO(2)NHCOCH(3) pharmacophore present in N-acetyl-2-carboxybenzenesulfonamides is a suitable bioisostere for the acetoxy (OCOMe) group in aspirin.     

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.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies on tryprostatin A, an inhibitor of breast cancer resistance protein

Tryprostatin A is an inhibitor of breast cancer resistance protein, consequently a series of structure-activity studies on the cell cycle inhibitory effects of tryprostatin A analogues as potential antitumor antimitotic agents have been carried out. These analogues were assayed for their growth inhibition properties and their ability to perturb the cell cycle in tsFT210 cells. SAR studies resulted in the identification of the essential structural features required for cytotoxic activity. The absolute configuration L-Tyr-L-pro in the diketopiperazine ring along with the presence of the 6-methoxy substituent on the indole moiety of 1 was shown to be essential for dual inhibition of topoisomerase II and tubulin polymerization. Biological evaluation also indicated the presence of the 2-isoprenyl moiety on the indole scaffold of 1 was essential for potent inhibition of cell proliferation. Substitution of the indole N(a)-H in 1 with various alkyl or aryl groups, incorporation of various L-amino acids into the diketopiperazine ring in place of L-proline, and substitution of the 6-methoxy group in 1 with other functionality provided active analogues. The nature of the substituents present on the indole N(a)-H or the indole C-2 position influenced the mechanism of action of these analogues. Analogues 68 (IC(50)=10 microM) and 67 (IC(50)=19 microM) were 7-fold and 3.5-fold more potent, respectively, than 1 (IC(50)=68 microM) in the inhibition of the growth of tsFT210 cells. Diastereomer-2 of tryprostatin B 8 was a potent inhibitor of the growth of three human carcinoma cell lines: H520 (IC(50)=11.9 microM), MCF-7 (IC(50)=17.0 microM) and PC-3 (IC(50)=11.1 microM) and was equipotent with etoposide, a clinically used anticancer agent. Isothiocyanate analogue 71 and 6-azido analogue 72 were as potent as 1 in the tsFT210 cell proliferation and may be useful tools in labeling BCRP.     

Polychlorobiphenylols are selective inhibitors of human phenol sulfotransferase 1A1 with 4-nitrophenol as a substrate

Polychlorobiphenylols (OH-PCBs) were reported as potent inhibitors of estrogen sulfotransferase, thyroid hormone and 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene sulfotransferases. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of selected OH-PCBs on SULT1A1 activity in human liver cytosol, measured with 4microM 4-nitrophenol, a concentration considered to be diagnostic for selectively detecting SULT1A1. All the OH-PCBs studied inhibited the sulfonation of 4-nitrophenol in human liver cytosol. Among the eighteen OH-PCBs studied, 3'-OH-CB3 (4-chlorobiphenyl-3'-ol) was the most potent inhibitor (IC(50): 0.73+/-0.15microM, mean+/-S.D., n=3). The least potent inhibitor studied was 6'-OH-CB35 (3,3',4-trichlorobiphenyl-6'-ol) with IC(50): 49.1+/-10.8microM. The IC(50) values of the other OH-PCBs studied ranged from 0.78 to 3.76microM. Some OH-PCBs with various inhibitory potencies with human liver cytosol were selected for study with recombinant human SULT1A1 and SULT1B1. These OH-PCBs showed more potent inhibition of 4-nitrophenol sulfonation with SULT1A1 than with human liver cytosol. The IC(50) values with human liver cytosol showed a perfect linear correlation with those found with SULT1A1 (r(2)=1), but not with SULT1B1 (r(2)=0.21). The results suggested that in these human samples SULT1A1 was predominantly responsible for the sulfonation of 4-nitrophenol, with very little or no contribution from SULT1B1. The kinetics of inhibition were studied with 4'-OH-CB165, which is similar in structure to OH-PCBs found in human blood. The 4'-OH-CB165 was a mixed noncompetitive-uncompetitive inhibitor (K(i)=1.80+/-0.2microM, K(ies)=0.16+/-0.02microM). Finally, it was demonstrated that the tested OH-PCBs were themselves only slowly sulfonated by human sulfotransferases in the presence of (35)S-PAPS, as measured by the production of (35)S-labeled metabolites. Although this series of 18 OH-PCBs was too small to draw conclusions about structure-potency relationships, this work demonstrated that several OH-PCBs were potent inhibitors of 4-nitrophenol sulfonation but poor substrates in human liver cytosol, and suggested that OH-PCBs may inhibit the sulfation rate of those xenobiotics sulfated by SULT1A1.     

Discovery of piperazinylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines as novel S4 binding elements for orally active factor Xa inhibitors

We have recently reported the discovery of orally active sulfonylalkylamide Factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors, as typified by compound 1 (FXa IC(50)=0.061 microM). Since the pyridylpiperidine moiety was not investigated in our previous study, we conducted detailed structure-activity relationship studies on this S4 binding element. This investigation led to the discovery of piperazinylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine 2b as a novel and potent FXa inhibitor (FXa IC(50)=0.021 microM). Further modification resulted in the discovery of 2-hydroxymethylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine 2e (FXa IC(50)=0.0090 microM), which was found to be a selective and orally bioavailable FXa inhibitor with reduced CYP3A4 inhibition.     

Cantharidin analogues: synthesis and evaluation of growth inhibition in a panel of selected tumour cell lines

Diels-Alder addition of furans (furan, furfuryl alcohol, and 3-bromofuran) to maelic anhydride yields three distinct 5,6-dehydronorcantharidins. Hydrogenation of (4,10-dioxatricyclo[5.2.1.0]decane-3,5-dione) (4a), in dry ethanol affords the monoester (7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic aid monoethyl ester) (6). Subsequent transesterification affords a series of monoesters (7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid monomethyl ester (7)), 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid monopropyl ester (8), (7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid monohexyl ester (9)) and differentially substituted diesters (7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid 2-ethyl ester 3-isopropyl ester) (10), and (7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid 2-ethyl ester 3-phenyl ester) (11). Analogues were firstly screened for their ability to inhibit protein phosphatases 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) as the lead compounds cantharidin (1) and norcantharidin (2) are known PP1 and PP2A inhibitors. Only analogues 4a, 6-8 displayed good PP1 and PP2A inhibition (PP1 IC(50)'s=2.0, 2.96, 4.71, and 4.82 microM, respectively; PP2A IC(50)'s=0.2, 0.45, 0.41, and 0.47 microM, respectively). All analogues were also screened for their anti-cancer potential against a panel of tumour cell lines, HL60, L1210, SW480, WiDr, HT29, HCT116, A2780, ADDP, and 143B, producing GI(50) values ranging from 6 microM to >1000 microM. Analogues possessing good PP1 and/or PP2A inhibition also returned moderate to good anti-cancer activity. Analogues with substituents directly attached to the intact bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane skeleton were poor to moderate anti-cancer agents. This correlates well with their lack of PP1 or PP2A activity. Analogues capable of undergoing a facile ring opening of the anhydride or with a single carboxylate were good PP1 and PP2A inhibitors, largely correlating to the observed anti-cancer activity in all cases, except 11. Analogue 11, whist neither a PP1 nor a PP2A inhibitor shows anti-cancer activity comparable to 1 and 2. We believe that intracellular esterases generate the corresponding dicarboxylate, which is a potent PP1 and PP2A inhibitor, and that it is this species which is responsible for the observed anti-cancer activity.     

Selective inhibition of beta-1,4- and alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferases: donor sugar-nucleotide based approach

A combined rational and library approach was used to identify bisphosphonates (IC50 = 20 microM) and galactose type 1-N-iminosugar (IC50=45 microM) as novel motifs for selective inhibition of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase (beta-1,4-GalT) and alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase (alpha-1,3-GalT), respectively. Our results demonstrate that, though these two galactosyltransferases both utilize the same donor sugar-nucleotide (UDP-Gal), the difference in their mechanisms can be utilized to design donor sugar or nucleotide analogues with inhibitory activities selective for only one of the galactosyltransferases. Investigation of beta-1,4-GalT inhibition using UDP-2-deoxy-2-fluorogalactose (UDP-2-F-Gal), UDP, and bisphosphonates, also led to the observation of metal dependent inhibition of beta-1,4-GalT. These observations and the novel inhibitor motifs identified in this study pave the way for the design and identification of even more potent and selective galactosyltransferase inhibitors.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as novel PI3 kinase p110alpha inhibitors

3-{1-[(4-Fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-pyrazol-3-yl}-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, 2a, was discovered in our chemical library as a novel p110alpha inhibitor with an IC(50) of 0.67microM, through screening in a scintillation proximity assay. Optimization of the substituents of 2a increased the p110alpha inhibitory activity by more than 300-fold (2g: IC(50)=0.0018microM). Further structural modification of 2g afforded thiazole derivative 12, which has potent p110alpha inhibitory activity (IC(50) of 0.0028microM) and is highly selective for p110alpha over other PI3K isoforms. Compound 12 also inhibited serum-induced cell proliferation of A375 and HeLa cells in vitro with IC(50) values of 0.14microM and 0.21microM, respectively, and suppressed tumor growth by 37% in a mouse HeLa xenograft model when dosed intraperitoneally at 25mg/kg. These results suggest that selective p110alpha inhibitors may have potential as cancer therapeutic agents.     

Optically active cantharidin analogues possessing selective inhibitory activity on Ser/Thr protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin): implications for the binding mode

Cantharidin is well known as a potent serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A) inhibitor, with less potent inhibitory activity for PP2B, which regulates T-cell proliferation. We synthesized and evaluated four optically pure stereoisomers of 1-substituted norcantharidin analogues. The absolute stereochemistry of each stereoisomer was determined based on X-ray crystal structure analysis. Remarkably, optically active cantharidin analogues having (1S)-configuration showed selective inhibition of PP2B, without inhibiting PP1 or PP2A.     

Structure-activity relationship of aza-steroids as PI-PLC inhibitors

A number of aza-steroids were synthesized as potent phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C (PI-PLC) inhibitors. The epimeric mixtures 22,25-diazacholesterol (8a) and 3beta-hydroxy-22,25-diazacholestane (8b) were among the most active of these inhibitors, with IC(50) values of 7.4 and 7.5 microM, respectively. The 20alpha epimer, 8a2 (IC(50)=0.64 microM), whose stereochemistry at C-20 coincides with that of cholesterol, was found 50 times more potent than the 20beta epimer, 8a1 (IC(50)=32.2 microM). In diaza-estrone derivatives, the 3-methoxy group on the aromatic A-ring of 23 exhibited moderate PI-PLC inhibitory activity (IC(50)=19.7 microM), while compound with a free hydroxyl group (21) was inactive. However, in diaza-pregnane derivatives, epimers with a 3-hydroxyl group (8a, IC(50)=7.4 microM) exhibited more potent PI-PLC inhibitory activity than their counterparts with 3-methoxyl group on the non-aromatic A-ring (26, IC(50)=17.4 microM). We have illustrated in our previous publication that 3-hydroxyl-6-aza steroids are potent PI-PLC inhibitors.(3) However, simultaneous presence of the 6-aza and 22,25-diaza moieties in one molecule as in 13, led to loss of activity. Epimeric mixture 8a showed selective growth inhibition effects in the NCI in vitro tumor cell screen with a mean GI(50) value (MG-MID) of 5.75 microM for 54 tumors.     

Structural requirement of chalcones for the inhibitory activity of interleukin-5

Novel chalcones were found as potent inhibitors of interleukin (IL)-5. 1-(2-Benzyloxy-6-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (2b, 78.8% inhibition at 50microM, IC(50)=25.3microM) was initially identified as a potent inhibitor of IL-5. This shows the compatible activity with budesonide or sophoricoside. To identify structural requirements, 26 chalcones were prepared and their inhibitory activities were tested against IL-5. Among them, compound 4-[(E)-3-(2-cyclohexylmethoxy-6-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl]benzenesulfonamide (2w, 99.5% inhibition at 50microM, IC(50)=1.8microM) shows the most potent activity. The important structural requirements of these chalcone analogs exhibiting the inhibitory activity against IL-5 were recognized as the following. (1) The hydrophobic group such as benzyloxy or cyclohexylmethoxy at 6-position of A ring is necessary. (2) The existence of phenolic hydroxyl at 6-position of A ring is critical. (3) Propenone unit as alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone is essential. (4) Electron withdrawing groups with hydrogen acceptor property at 4-position of B ring enhance the activity and quantitative structure-activity relationship of 2 regarding these substituents was determined.     

A new class of acyclic 2-alkyl-1,2-diaryl (E)-olefins as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors

A new class of (E)-2-alkyl-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-1-phenylethenes were designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygense-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. The target olefins were synthesized, via a Takeda olefination reaction, followed by oxidation of the respective thiomethyl olefinic intermediate. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition studies identified (E)-2-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-1-phenyloct-1-ene (8d) as a potent (IC(50)=0.77 microM) and selective (Selectivity Index>130) COX-2 inhibitor.     

Design and synthesis of 2,6-diprenyl-4-iodophenol TX-1952 with a novel and potent anti-peroxidative activity

The structure-based elucidation of 2,4,6-tri-substituted phenols for their antioxidative and anti-peroxidative effects has been investigated using TX-1952 (2,6-diprenyl-4-iodophenol), TX-1961, TX-1980, BTBP and BHT. In the inhibition of mitochondrial lipid peroxidation, the inhibitory activity of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-bromophenol (BTBP) (IC(50)=0.17 microM) was twice as high as that of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT) (IC(50)=0.31 microM). This result shows that the 4-halogen group increases inhibitory activity for mitochondrial lipid peroxidation. Besides, TX-1952 (IC(50)=0.60 microM) was the highest inhibitor among 2,6-diprenyl-4-halophenols, followed by TX-1961 (IC(50)=0.93 microM) and TX-1980 (IC(50)=1.2 microM). In 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging experiments, the activity of TX-1952 (IC(0.200)=53.1 microM) was lower than that of BHT (IC(0.200)=33.7 microM) and BTBP (IC(0.200)=16.0 microM), but TX-1952 and BHT showed the same HOMO energy (-8.991 eV). These results suggest that the two prenyl groups at ortho position hinder the phenolic hydrogen abstraction by DPPH radical. These findings demonstrated that TX-1952 was a novel and potent inhibitor for lipid peroxidation.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-ones possessing a methanesulfonamido or an azido pharmacophore as cyclooxygenase-1/-2 inhibitors

A group of (E)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives (chalcones) possessing a MeSO(2)NH, or N(3), COX-2 pharmacophore at the para-position of the C-1 phenyl ring were synthesized using a facile stereoselective Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 structure-activity relationships were determined by varying the substituents on the C-3 phenyl ring (4-H, 4-Me, 4-F, and 4-OMe). Among the 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-ones possessing a C-1 para-MeSO(2)NH COX-2 pharmacophore, (E)-1-(4-methanesulfonamidophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (7b) was identified as a selective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 IC(50)=1.0 microM; selectivity index >100) that was less potent than the reference drug rofecoxib (COX-2 IC(50)=0.50 microM; SI>200). The corresponding 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one analogue possessing a C-1 para-N(3) COX-2 pharmacophore, (E)-1-(4-azidophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (7f), exhibited potent and selective COX-2 inhibition (COX-1 IC(50)=22.2 microM; COX-2 IC(50)=0.3 microM; SI=60). A molecular modeling study where 7b and 7f were docked in the binding site of COX-2 showed that the p-MeSO(2)NH and N(3) substituents on the C-1 phenyl ring are oriented in the vicinity of the COX-2 secondary pocket (His90, Arg513, Phe518, and Val523). The structure-activity data acquired indicate that the propenone moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold to design new acyclic 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-ones with selective COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitory activity.