Synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of oleanolic acid derivatives

Twelve derivatives of oleanolic acid (1) have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activities against the growth of prostate PC3, breast MCF-7, lung A549, and gastric BGC-823 cancer cells by MTT assays. Within these series of derivatives, compound 17 exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against PC3 cell line (IC₅₀ = 0.39 μM) and compound 28 displayed the best activity against A549 cell line (IC₅₀ = 0.22 μM). SAR analysis indicates that H-donor substitution at C-3 position of oleanolic acid may be advantageous for improvement of cytotoxicity against PC3, A549 and MCF-7 cell lines.     

Synthesis and SAR study of novel sarsasapogenin derivatives as potent neuroprotective agents and NO production inhibitors

Sarsasapogenin, isolated from rhizomes of Anemarrhena asphodeloides, was found to be able to enhance memory. On the basis of the structure of Sarsasapogenin, a series of derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their neuroprotective activity in PC12 cells and NO production inhibitory activity in RAW264.7 cell lines. The preliminary structure-activity relationship of them indicated that introduction of carbamate groups at the 3-hydroxyl position of sarsasapogenin might improve neuroprotective activity. Some synthesized derivatives such as AA3, AA4, AA9 and AA13 exhibited both notably neuroprotective activity and NO production inhibitory activity.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-amino-, 3-alkoxy- and 3-aryloxy-6-(hetero)arylpyridazines as potent antitumor agents

Various 3-amino-, 3-aryloxy- and alkoxy-6-arylpyridazines have been synthesized by an electrochemical reductive cross-coupling between 3-amino-, 3-aryloxy- or 3-alkoxy-6-chloropyridazines and aryl or heteroaryl halides. In vitro antiproliferative activity of these products was evaluated against a representative panel of cancer cell lines (HuH7, CaCo-2, MDA-MB-231, HCT116, PC3, NCI-H727, HaCaT) and oncogenicity prevention of the more efficient derivatives was highlighted on human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB 468-Luc prior establishing their interaction with p44/42 and Akt-dependent signaling pathways.     

Synthesis,Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Activities,DNA Binding Features and Molecular Docking Study of Novel Enamine Derivatives

Novel enamine derivatives were synthesized from the reaction of lactone and chalcones and their antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against six cancer cell lines (e. g., HeLa, HT29, A549, MCF7, PC3 and Hep3B) and one normal cell lines (e. g., FL) were investigated along with their mode of interactions with CT‐DNA. Most of the enamine derivatives with IC₅₀ values of 86–168 μM demonstrated much stronger antiproliferative activity than the starting molecules against the cancer cells. While, among the enamine derivatives, four compounds displayed higher cytotoxic potency than the control drugs (5‐fluorouracil and cisplatin) against the Hep3B cell lines, these compounds did not exhibit any significant toxicity against normal cells, FL. The UV/VIS spectral data suggest that eight compounds cause hypochromism with a slight bathochromic shift (～6 nm), indicating that they bind to the DNA by way of an intercalative or minor groove binding mode. The binding constants of the compounds are in the range of 0.1×103 M^?1–2.3×104 M^?1. The antiproliferative activity of studied enamine derivatives could possibly be due to their DNA binding as well as their cytotoxic properties. In addition to these assays, the chalcones and enamine derivatives were investigated by molecular docking to calculate the synergistic effect of antiproliferative activities against six human cancer cell lines.     

Anticancer activity of 3-O-acyl and alkyl-(-)-epicatechin derivatives

By changing the structure or replacing the gallate group of (-)-ECG, 3-O-acyl and alkyl-(-)-epicatechin derivatives were synthesized to be screen as anticancer agents using the MTT assay in vitro against cancer cell lines (PC3, SKOV3, U373MG). 3-O-Acyl and alkyl-(-)-epicatechin derivatives (4-25) exhibited better anticancer activity than (-)-ECG and specially, compounds 6-8, 17-19, which were modified aliphatic chains with moderate sizes (C8-C12) showed strong anticancer activity (IC50=6.4-31.2 microM). The introduction of an alkyloxy group on 3-O-hydroxyl instead of an acyloxy group significantly enhanced inhibitory activity. Consequently, the compound that showed the most potency as anticancer agents were 3-O-decyl-(-)-epicatechin (18) (IC50=8.9, 7.9, 6.4 microM against PC3, SKOV3, U373MG, respectively), which modified the appropriate lipophilic group on the C-3 hydroxyl as an alkyloxy group.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of lupane-type triterpenoid glyceryl esters

A new series of betulinic acid and betulin derivatives were synthesized by introducing a D-glycerol moiety at the C-3 and/or C-28 positions of the lupane skeleton. The resulting glyceryl esters were evaluated in vitro for their cytotoxic activity against A549, DLD-1 and WS1 human cell lines. The structure-activity relationships study revealed that the incorporation of a glycerol unit at the C-3 or C-28 position of the lupane core resulted in compounds exhibiting potent cytotoxic activity together with decreased liposolubility.     

Optimization of isochromanone based urotensin II receptor agonists

A series of novel isochromanone based urotensin II receptor agonists have been synthesized and evaluated for their activity using a functional cell based assay (R-SAT). Several potent and efficacious derivatives were identified with 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-6,7-dimethyl-3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)isochroman-1-one (28) being the most potent compound showing an EC₅₀-value of 51 nM, thereby being the most potent compound so far within the isochromanone series. In addition, two other heterocyclic systems (isochromanes and tetrahydroisoquinolinones) were investigated and these derivatives were found to be both potent and efficacious. The activity of the isochromane derivatives implies that the carbonyl group of the isochromanone is not necessary for activity. Furthermore it was found that the geometry of the heterocycles was more important for receptor interaction than the composition of the heteroatoms present.     

Cyclohexane 1,3-diones and their inhibition of mutant SOD1-dependent protein aggregation and toxicity in PC12 cells

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Currently, there is only one FDA-approved treatment for ALS (riluzole), and that drug only extends life, on average, by 2-3 months. Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are found in familial forms of the disease and have played an important role in the study of ALS pathophysiology. On the basis of their activity in a PC12-G93A-YFP high-throughput screening assay, several bioactive compounds have been identified and classified as cyclohexane-1,3-dione (CHD) derivatives. A concise and efficient synthetic route has been developed to provide diverse CHD analogs. The structural modification of the CHD scaffold led to the discovery of a more potent analog (26) with an EC(50) of 700 nM having good pharmacokinetic properties, such as high solubility, low human and mouse metabolic potential, and relatively good plasma stability. It was also found to efficiently penetrate the blood-brain barrier. However, compound 26 did not exhibit any significant life span extension in the ALS mouse model. It was found that, although 26 was active in PC12 cells, it had poor activity in other cell types, including primary cortical neurons, indicating that it can penetrate into the brain, but is not active in neuronal cells, potentially due to poor selective cell penetration. Further structural modification of the CHD scaffold was aimed at improving global cell activity as well as maintaining potency. Two new analogs (71 and 73) were synthesized, which had significantly enhanced cortical neuronal cell permeability, as well as similar potency to that of 26 in the PC12-G93A assay. These CHD analogs are being investigated further as novel therapeutic candidates for ALS.     

C-2-aryl O-substituted HI-236 derivatives as non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse-transcriptase inhibitors

Several novel thiourea derivatives of the NNRTI HI-236 substituted at the C-2 oxygen of the phenyl ring have been synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 (IIIB) replication in MT-2 cell cultures. The compounds were synthesized in order to fine-tune the activity of HI-236 as well as to gain insight into spatial characteristics in the pocket pertaining to the positional choice of tether in the design of [NRTI]-tether-[HI-236] bifunctional inhibitors. Two of the thiourea derivatives bearing a butynyl (6c) or hydroxyethyl tether (6n) were endowed with improved anti-HIV activity compared to HI-236. NNRTI activity was confirmed by a cell-free RT assay on six of the derivatives in which 6c returned an IC(50) of 3.8 nM compared to 28 nM for HI-236, establishing it as an improved lead for HI-236. The structure-activity profile is discussed in terms of potential interactions in the NNRTI pocket as suggested by a docking model using AutoDock, which have a bearing on the bifunctional drug design.     

Novel 3,3-disubstituted oxindole derivatives. Synthesis and evaluation of the anti-proliferative activity

3,3-Disubstituted oxindole derivatives bearing a nitrogen atom at the C-3 position have been synthesized starting from 3-alkyl oxindole through a metal free pathway. These derivatives have been tested in five human tumor cell lines (PC3, MCF7, SW620, MiaPaca2 and A375) and on primary cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors providing compound 6d showing a strong anticancer effect in all cancer lines on the low micromolar range.     

Design, synthesis and vasodilative activity of tanshinone IIA derivatives

A new series of tanshinone IIA (DIIA) derivatives were synthesized through the reaction of brominated tanshinone IIA (1-Br DIIA) and aromatic acids in the presence of K(2)CO(3). Twenty compounds were synthesized, and all of them were novel. Vasodilative activities for synthesized compounds were valuated in vitro on the contractile response of vascular thoracic aorta smooth muscle from Wistar rats. The results showed that most compounds exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition on the contractile response of norepinephrine. Four prepared compounds, 4, 5, 8 and 13 revealed relatively remarkable vasodilative activity.     

Characterization of ATP receptor which mediates norepinephrine release in PC12 cells.

PC12 cells, a rat pheochromocytoma cell line, has been reported to release norepinephrine in response to extracellular ATP in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. The potency order of ATP analogues was adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) greater than ATP greater than adenosine 5'-O-(1-thiotriphosphate) = 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-triphosphate (MeSATP) greater than 2'- and 3'-O-(4-benzoyl-benzoyl)ATP (BzATP) greater than ADP greater than 5-adenylylimidodiphosphate. Adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate, AMP and adenosine were inactive. The ATP action in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, suggests a small but appreciable contribution of intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, for norepinephrine release. However, for some ATP derivatives, like BzATP, almost no contribution of the phospholipase C-Ca2+ pathway is suggested, based on their low activity in inositol phosphates production. To identify the ATP-receptor protein, PC12 cell membranes were photoaffinity-labeled with [32P]BzATP. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that a 53-kDa protein labeling was inhibited by ATP and its derivatives, as well as by P2-antagonists, suramin and reactive blue 2, which inhibit the nucleotide-induced norepinephrine release. The inhibitory activity of the nucleotides was, in parallel with their potency, to induce norepinephrine release. Despite their inability to release norepinephrine, GTP and GTP gamma S inhibited the BzATP labeling, suggesting the participation of a putative G protein in the ATP-receptor-mediated actions. We suggest that the 53-kDa protein on the PC12 cell surface is an ATP receptor, which mediates the norepinephrine release, depending, mainly, on extracellular Ca2+ gating.     

The C-terminal region of the proprotein convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) exerts a bimodal regulation of the enzyme activity in vitro

The proprotein convertase PC1/3 preferentially cleaves its substrates in the dense core secretory granules of endocrine and neuroendocrine cells. Similar to most proteinases synthesized first as zymogens, PC1/3 is synthesized as a larger precursor that undergoes proteolytic processing of its signal peptide and propeptide. The N-terminally located propeptide has been shown to be essential for folding and self-inhibition. Furthermore, PC1/3 also possesses a C-terminal region (CT-peptide) which, for maximal enzymatic activity, must also be cleaved. To date, its role has been documented through transfection studies in terms of sorting and targeting of PC1/3 and chimeric proteins into secretory granules. In this study, we examined the properties of a 135-residue purified bacterially produced CT-peptide on the in vitro enzymatic activity of PC1/3. Depending on the amount of CT-peptide used, it is shown that the CT-peptide increases PC1/3 activity at low concentrations (nm) and decreases it at high concentrations (microm), a feature typical of an activator. Furthermore, we show that, contrary to the propeptide, the CT-peptide is not further cleaved by PC1/3 although it is sensitive to human furin activity. Based on these results, it is proposed that PC1/3, through its various domains, is capable of controlling its enzymatic activity in all regions of the cell that it encounters. This mode of self-control is unique among members of all proteinases families.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel bromophenols: Determination of their anticholinergic,antidiabetic and antioxidant activities

In this paper, a series of novel bromophenol derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase and α-glycosidase enzymes inhibition properties and antioxidant activity. Diarylmethanones were synthesized and their bromination was carried out. During bromination, some compounds gave new bromophenols via regioselective O-demethylation. Demethylation of brominated diarylmethanones was also performed with BBr₃ to give novel bromophenols. In addition, we examines the antioxidant capacity of novel bromophenol derivatives using several in vitro bioanalytical methodologies such as 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS⋅⁺) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ reducing activities and ferrous (Fe²⁺) ions chelating activities. Also, novel bromophenols and methoxylated bromophenols derivatives were tested against acetylcholinesterase and α-glycosidase, which associated with some metabolic diseases. The novel bromophenols showed Ki values in range of 8.94 ± 0.73–59.45 ± 14.97 nM against AChE and 4.31 ± 1.93–44.14 ± 2.19 nM against α-glycosidase.     

Synthesis and Potential Anticancer Activity of Some Novel Selenocyanates and Diselenides

In the present study, twenty‐four selenocyanate and diselenide compounds were synthesized and characterized, and their anticancer activities against the human cancer cell lines Caco2, BGC‐823, MCF‐7 and PC‐3 were determined. Interestingly, most of the new compounds were active in reducing the viability of different cancer cell lines. Two compounds exhibited higher promising activities than other derivatives. The most active compound showed the least IC₅₀ values against the four cancer cell lines, particularly to PC‐3 with IC₅₀ values below 5 μm . Two compounds were selected to monitor the expression levels of Bcl‐2, IL‐2 and caspase‐3 molecular biomarkers. Interestingly, the two compounds downregulated the Bcl‐2 expression levels and upregulated the expression of IL‐2 and caspase‐3 in PC‐3 cells compared to untreated cells. Moreover, most of the synthesized organoselenides exhibited good Gpx‐like activities comparable to ebselen. These results appear that introduction of selenocyanate (?SeCN) or diselenides (?Se?Se?) moiety to some carboxy derivatives could serve as a promising launch point for the further design of this type of organic selenium anticancer agent.     

Daily rhythms of glycerophospholipid synthesis in fibroblast cultures involve differential enzyme contributions

Circadian clocks regulate the temporal organization of several biochemical processes, including lipid metabolism, and their disruption leads to severe metabolic disorders. Immortalized cell lines acting as circadian clocks display daily variations in [³²P]phospholipid labeling; however, the regulation of glycerophospholipid (GPL) synthesis by internal clocks remains unknown. Here we found that arrested NIH 3T3 cells synchronized with a 2 h-serum shock exhibited temporal oscillations in a) the labeling of total [³H] GPLs, with lowest levels around 28 and 56 h, and b) the activity of GPL-synthesizing and GPL-remodeling enzymes, such as phosphatidate phosphohydrolase 1 (PAP-1) and lysophospholipid acyltransferases (LPLAT), respectively, with antiphase profiles. In addition, we investigated the temporal regulation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis. PC is mainly synthesized through the Kennedy pathway with choline kinase (ChoK) and CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltranferase (CCT) as key regulatory enzymes. We observed that the PC labeling exhibited daily changes, with the lowest levels every ∼28 h, that were accompanied by brief increases in CCT activity and the oscillation in ChoK mRNA expression and activity. Results demonstrate that the metabolisms of GPLs and particularly of PC in synchronized fibroblasts are subject to a complex temporal control involving concerted changes in the expression and/or activities of specific synthesizing enzymes.     

Some fused heterocyclic compounds as eukaryotic topoisomerase II inhibitors

Our previously synthesized 37 compounds, which are 2,5,6-substituted benzoxazole, benzimidazole, benzothiazole, and oxazolo(4,5-b)pyridine derivatives, were tested for their eukaryotic DNA topoisomerase II inhibitory activity in cell free system and 28 were found to inhibit the topoisomerase II at an initial concentration of 100 microg/ml. After further testing at a lower range of concentrations, 12 derivatives, which were considered as positive topoisomerase inhibitors, exhibited IC50 values between 11.4 and 46.8 microM. Etoposide was used as the standard reference drug to compare the inhibitor activity. Among these compounds, 2-phenoxymethylbenzothiazole (3f), 6-nitro-2-(2-methoxyphenyl)benzoxazole (1a), 5-methylcarboxylate-2-phenylthiomethylbenzimidazole (3c), and 6-methyl-2-(2-nitrophenyl)benzoxazole (1c) were found to be more active than the reference drug etoposide. Present results point out that, besides the very well-known bi- and ter-benzimidazoles, compounds with single bicycle fused ring systems in their structure such as benzimidazole, benzoxazole, benzothiazole, and/or oxazolopyridine derivatives also exhibit significant topoisomerase II inhibitory activity.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of CX-659S and its related compounds for their inhibitory effects on the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction

In order to find novel nonsteroidal compounds possessing an inhibitory activity against delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions, we conducted random screening using a picryl chloride (PC)-induced contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) in mice, and found compound 1 as a lead compound. Then we synthesized and evaluated an extensive series of 5-carboxamidouracil derivatives focused on both the uracil and the antioxidative moieties. Among them, we found that the hindered phenol moiety was necessary to exhibit the activities; especially, compounds 28a-28c having the partial structure of vitamin E were found to exert potent activities against the DTH reaction by both oral and topical administration. And compound 28c showed antioxidative activity against lipid peroxidation with an IC50 of 5.9 microM. Compound 28c (CX-659S) was chosen as a candidate drug for the treatment of cutaneous disorders such as atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis.     

Biological activities of novel derivatives of DIF-1 isolated from Dictyostelium

The differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) is a lipophilic signal molecule (chlorinated alkylphenone) that induces stalk cell differentiation in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. In addition, DIF-1 and its derivatives have been shown to possess anti-leukemic activity and glucose consumption-promoting activity in vitro in mammalian cells. In this study, to assess the chemical structure-effect relationship of DIF-1, we synthesized eight derivatives of DIF-1 and investigated their stalk cell-inducing activity in Dictyostelium cells and pharmacological activities in mammalian cells. Of the derivatives, two amide derivatives of DIF-1, whose hydrophobic indexes are close to that of DIF-1, induced stalk cell differentiation as strongly as DIF-1 in Dictyostelium cells. It was also found that some derivatives suppressed cell growth in human K562 leukemia cells and promoted glucose consumption in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. These results give us valuable information as to the chemical structure-effect relationship of DIF-1.     

In vitro affinities of various halogenated benzamide derivatives as potential radioligands for non-invasive quantification of D(2)-like dopamine receptors

Benzamide derivatives as radiotracers have played an important role in diagnosing malfunction in dopaminergic neurotransmission. A variety of halogenated and two unsubstituted benzamide derivatives were synthesised and their in vitro affinities to dopaminergic, serotonergic and adrenergic receptors and their lipophilicities were determined. As references IBZM (3), raclopride (4) and FLB457 (5) were tested as well. The two iodinated compounds NAE (27) and NADE (28) displayed K(i) values of 0.68 and 14 nM for the D(2) receptor. The well-established radiotracers FP (1) and DMFP (2) showed affinities in the same range as did the brominated compounds NABrE (29) and NABrDE (30). The log D(7.4) values of 2.91 for NAE (27) and of 2.81 for NADE (28) are in the range of those found for IBZM (3), FP (1) and DMFP (2). These facts allow to expect good properties for the two iodinated compounds NAE (27) and NADE (28) regarding in vivo imaging with SPECT.