Structural modifications of 2,3-indolobetulinic acid: Design and synthesis of highly potent α-glucosidase inhibitors

A series of nineteen nitrogen-containing lupane triterpenoids was obtained by modification of C2, C3, C20 and C28 positions of betulonic acid and their α-glucosidase inhibiting activity was investigated. Being a leader compound from our previous study, 2,3-indolo-betulinic acid was used as the main template for different modifications at C-(28)-carboxyl group to obtain cyano-, methylcyanoethoxy-, propargyloxy- and carboxamide derivatives. 20-Oxo- and 29-hydroxy-20-oxo-30-nor-analogues of 2,3-indolo-betulinic acid were synthesized by ozonolysis of betulonic acid followed by Fischer indolization reaction. To compare the influence of the fused indole or the seven-membered A-ring on the inhibitory activity, lupane A-azepanones with different substituents at C28 were synthesized. The structure-activity relationships revealed that the enzyme inhibition activity dramatically increased (up to 4730 times) when the carboxylic group of 2,3-indolo-betulinic acid was converted to the corresponding amide. Thus, the IC₅₀ values for glycine amide and L-phenylalanine amides were 0.04 and 0.05 μM, respectively. This study also revealed that 2,3-indolo-platanic acid is 4.5 times more active than the parent triterpenoid with IC₅₀ of 0.4 μM. Molecular modeling suggested that improved potency is due to additional polar interactions formed between C28 side chain and a sub-pocket of the α-glucosidase allosteric site.     

Synthesis of Imidazole-2,3-dihydrothiazole Compounds as VEGFR-2 Inhibitors and Their Support with in Silico Studies

In this study, 12 novel 2-((1-(4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)ethylidene)hydrazineylidene)-3-ethyl-4-(substitutephenyl)-2,3-dihydrothiazole derivatives were obtained. Among these compounds, 2-((1-(4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl)ethylidene)hydrazineylidene)-4-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-yl)-3-ethyl-2,3-dihydrothiazole ( 4h ) was chosen as the most active derivative in the series. According to the MTT results, compounds 4h and 4k showed activity with IC₅₀=4.566±0.246 μM and IC₅₀=4.537±0.463 μM, respectively. Unlike other derivatives, compound 4h carries a phenyl ring in the 4th position of the phenyl ring. This bulky group allowed the compound to settle in the enzyme active site. Dynamic studies show that the stability of the compound does not change over 40 ns. RMSD, RMSF and Rg parameters all remained within acceptable limits. The uninterrupted aromatic hydrogen bonding of the enzyme active site with the important amino acids Cys919, Glu885 and Asp1046 proves the inhibitory potential of compound 4h on the VEGFR-2 enzyme. It is thought that more active compounds will be reached with the derivatives to be synthesized starting from compound 4h .     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of mogrol derivatives as a novel class of AMPKα2β1γ1 activators

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has been considered as a promising drug target for its regulation in both glucose and lipid metabolism. Mogrol was originally identified from high throughput screening as a small molecule activator of AMPK subtype α2β1γ1. In order to enhance its potency on AMPK and summarize the structure-activity relationships, a series of mogrol derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated in pharmacological AMPK activation assays. The results showed that the amine derivatives at the 24-position can improve the potency. Among them, compounds 3 and 4 exhibited the best potency (EC₅₀: 0.15 and 0.14 μM) which was 20 times more potent than mogrol (EC₅₀: 3.0 μM).     

Stilbene disulfonic acids inhibit synexin-mediated membrane aggregation and fusion

Stilbene disulfonic acids inhibit surfactant secretion from lung epithelial type II cells by an undefined mechanism, and inhibit CD4 mediated cell-cell fusion. We have previously shown that lung synexin promotes in vitro fusion of lamellar bodies and plasma membranes, an obligatory process for surfactant secretion. This study investigates the effect of stilbene disulfonic acids, 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS), 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS), and 4-acetamido-4′-maleimidylstilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (AMDS), on synexin-mediated liposome aggregation and fusion. Structurally, these three stilbene compounds differ in the number of isothiocyano groups present (DIDS = 2, SITS = 1, and AMDS = 0). At 10 μg synexin/ml, DIDS and SITS inhibited synexin-mediated liposome aggregation with an EC₅₀ of 3.5 μM and 148 μM, respectively. In comparison, AMDS was least inhibitory (EC₅₀ > 1 mM). Thus, the inhibitory potency (DIDS > SITS > AMDS) was partly dependent upon the number of isothiocyano groups. The EC₅₀ was also dependent on synexin concentration. Stilbene disulfonic acids were also inhibitory for arachidonic acid-enhanced synexin-mediated liposome fusion. The EC₅₀ for DIDS and SITS for fusion were similar to that for liposome aggregation. Ca²⁺-induced synexin polymerization, measured by 90° light scattering, was increased by DIDS, suggesting binding of stilbene disulfonic acids to synexin. The binding of DIDS to synexin was dependent on the molar ratio of synexin to DIDS. These results indicate that stilbene disulfonic acids interact directly with synexin to inhibit membrane aggregation and fusion. Our results suggest that such inhibition of synexin activity may contribute towards inhibition of surfactant secretion by DIDS, and support a physiological role for synexin in lung surfactant secretion.     

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 ).     

Veratric acid derivatives containing benzylidene-hydrazine moieties as promising tyrosinase inhibitors and free radical scavengers

Tyrosinase enzyme plays a crucial role in melanin biosynthesis and enzymatic browning process of vegetables and fruits. A series of veratric acid derivatives containing benzylidene-hydrazine moieties with different substitutions were synthesized and their inhibitory effect on mushroom tyrosinase and free radical scavenging activity were evaluated. The results indicated that N′-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-3,4-dimethoxybenzohydrazide (D5) and N′-(2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)-3,4-dimethoxybenzohydrazide (D12) showed the highest tyrosinase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 19.72 ± 1.84 and 20.63 ± 0.79 μM, respectively, that were comparable with the IC₅₀ value of kojic acid (19.08 ± 1.21 μM). D12 was also a potent radical scavenger with EC₅₀ value of 0.0097 ± 0.0011 mM. The free radical scavenging activity of D12 was comparable with the standard quercetin. The inhibition kinetic analyzed by Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed that compound D5 was a competitive tyrosinase inhibitor. Molecular docking study was carried out for the derivatives demonstrating tyrosinase inhibitory activity. D5 and D12 possessed the most negative estimated free energies of binding in mushroom tyrosinase active site. Therefore, D5 and D12 could be introduced as potent tyrosinase inhibitors that might be promising leads in medicine, cosmetics and food industry.     

Synthesis and Fungicidal Activities of New 1,2,4‐Triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidines

A series of new acetohydrazone‐containing 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine derivatives were designed and synthesized for the purpose of searching for novel agrochemicals with higher fungicidal activity. Their in vitro fungicidal activities against Rhizoctonia solani were evaluated, and the most promising compound, 2‐[(5,7‐dimethyl[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidin‐2‐yl)sulfanyl]‐2′‐[(2‐hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]acetohydrazide ( 2‐17 ), showed a lower EC₅₀ value (5.34 μg ml^?1) than that of commercial carbendazim (EC₅₀=7.62 μg ml^?1). Additionally, compound 2‐17 was also found to display broad‐spectrum fungicidal activities, and its EC₅₀ value (4.56 μg ml^?1) against Botrytis cinereapers was very similar to that of carbendazim. Qualitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs) of the synthesized compounds were also discussed.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel fused pyrimidine derivatives as GPR119 agonists

A novel series of fused pyrimidine derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as GPR119 agonists. Among them, cyclohexene fused compounds (tetrahydroquinazolines) showed greater GPR119 agonistic activities than did dihydrocyclopentapyrimidine and tetrahydropyridopyrimidine scaffolds. Analogues (16, 19, 26, 28, 42) bearing endo-N-Boc-nortropane amine and fluoro-substituted aniline exhibited better EC₅₀ values (0.27–1.2 μM) though they appeared to be partial agonists.     

The synthesis of triterpenic amides on the basis of 2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">seco</Emphasis>-1-cyano-19β,28-epoxy-18α-oleane-3-oic acid

Novel 2,3-seco-triterpenic amides were prepared by the interaction of the chloride of 1-cyano-19β,28-epoxy-18α-oleane-3-oic acid with primary amines and synthetic and biogenic amino acids. A cytotoxic triterpenic conjugate with a residue of the ethyl ester of β-alanine was found among the synthesized nitrogen-containing derivatives. Treatment with this conjugate in a concentration of 100 μM resulted in the 45.5% survival of melanoma cells in the medium.     

Synthesis of 1-β-L-Arabinofuranosylcytosine (β-L-Ara-C) and 2′-Deoxy-2′-methylene-β-L-cytidine (β-L-DMDC) as Potential Antineoplastic Agents

Abstract

1-β-L-Arabinofuranosylcytosine (β-L-Ara-C, 7) and 2′-deoxy-2′-methylene-β-L-cytidine (β-L-DMDC, 14) have been synthesized via a multi-step synthesis from L-arabinose. These compounds were tested in vitro against L1210, P388, Sarcoma 180, and CEM cells, and found not to be active at a concentration up to 100 μM. β-L-Ara-C and β-L-DMDC were also tested against HSV-1 and HSV-2 and yielded ID₅₀ values of 100 μM.     

New 2‐Oxoimidazolidine Derivatives: Design,Synthesis and Evaluation of Anti‐BK Virus Activities in Vitro

A series of novel 2‐oxoimidazolidine derivatives were synthesized and their antiviral activities against BK human polyomavirus type 1 (BKPyV) were evaluated in vitro. Bioassays showed that the synthesized compounds 1‐{[(4E)‐5‐(dichloromethylidene)‐2‐oxoimidazolidin‐4‐ylidene]sulfamoyl}piperidine‐4‐carboxylic acid ( 5 ) and N‐Cyclobutyl‐N′‐[(4E)‐5‐(dichloromethylidene)‐2‐oxoimidazolidin‐4‐ylidene]sulfuric diamide ( 4 ) exhibited moderate activities against BKPyV (EC₅₀=5.4 and 5.5 μm , respectively) that are comparable to the standard drug Cidofovir. Compound 5 exhibited the same cytotoxicity in HFF cells and selectivity index (SI₅₀) as Cidofovir. The selectivity index of compound 4 is three times less than that of Cidofovir due to the higher toxicity of this compound. Hence, these compounds may be taken as lead compound for further development of novel ant‐BKPyV agents.     

Syntheses of cytotoxic novel arctigenin derivatives bearing halogen and alkyl groups on aromatic rings

The new lignano-9,9′-lactones (α,β-dibenzyl-γ-butyrolactone lignans), which showed the higher cytotoxicity than arctigenin, were synthesized. The well-known cytotoxic arctigenin showed activity against HL-60 cells (EC₅₀ = 12 μM), however, it was inactive against HeLa cells (EC₅₀ > 100 μM). The synthesized (3,4-dichloro, 2′-butoxy)-derivative 55 and (3,4-dichloro, 4′-butyl)-derivative 66 bearing the lignano-9,9′-lactone structures showed the EC₅₀ values of 10 μM and 9.4 μM against HL-60 cells, respectively. Against HeLa cells, the EC₅₀ value of the derivative 66 was 27 μM. By comparing the activities with the corresponding 9,9′-epoxy structure (tetrahydrofuran compounds), the importance of the lactone structure of 55 and 66 for the higher activities was shown. The substituents on the aromatic ring of the lignano-9,9′-lactones affected the cytotoxicity level, observing more than 10-fold difference.     

Synthesis of Zidovudine Derivatives with Anti-HIV-1 and Antibacterial Activities

Twelve novel zidovudine derivatives were prepared by modifying 5 ′-hydroxyl group of sugar moiety (1–8) and 5-methyl group of thymidine nucleus (9–12) and characterized spectrally. The compounds were evaluated for anti-HIV-1, antitubercular and antibacterial activities. Compound (3-azido-tetrahydro-5- (3,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2,4-dioxopyrimidin- 1 (2H)-yl) furan-2-yl)methyl 7- (4- (2-phenylacetoyloxy) -3,5- dimethylpiperazin-1-yl) -5- (2-phenylacetoyloxyamino) -1-cyclopropyl-6,8-difluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate (5) was found to be the most potent anti-HIV-1 agent with EC₅₀ of 0.0012 μM against HIV-1_IIIB and CC₅₀ of 34.05 μM against MT-4 with selectivity index of 28,375. Compound 5 inhibited Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC of 1.72 μM and inhibited four pathogenic bacteria with MIC of less than 1 μM.     

Studies on the anti-hepatitis C virus activity of newly synthesized tropolone derivatives: Identification of NS3 helicase inhibitors that specifically inhibit subgenomic HCV replication

We synthesized new tropolone derivatives substituted with cyclic amines: piperidine, piperazine or pyrrolidine. The most active anti-helicase compound (IC₅₀ = 3.4 μM), 3,5,7-tri[(4′-methylpiperazin-1′-yl)methyl]tropolone (2), inhibited RNA replication by 50% at 46.9 μM (EC₅₀) and exhibited the lowest cytotoxicity (CC₅₀) >1 mM resulting in a selectivity index (SI = CC₅₀/EC₅₀) >21. The most efficient replication inhibitor, 3,5,7-tri[(4′-methylpiperidin-1′-yl)methyl]tropolone (6), inhibited RNA replication with an EC₅₀ of 32.0 μM and a SI value of 17.4, whereas 3,5,7-tri[(3′-methylpiperidin-1′-yl)methyl]tropolone (7) exhibited a slightly lower activity with an EC₅₀ of 35.6 μM and a SI of 9.8.     

New antioxidant flavonoid isolated from Leuzea carthamoides

A new natural flavonoid patuletin 3′-β-xylofuranoside was isolated from Leuzea carthamoides leaves. The antioxidant activity of this compound was evaluated by the DPPH radical assay and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and the results were compared with those for trolox and quercetin. DPPH radical scavenging activity of the tested compounds was expressed by the parameter EC₅₀: patuletin 3′-β-xylofuranoside (56.0 μM), trolox (27.8 μM), and quercetin (25.3 μM). The ferric reducing activity of the compounds was demonstrated as FRAP values at 4 and 60?min: patuletin 3′-β-xylofuranoside (28.4 μM, 35.8 μM), trolox (19.3 μM, 20.2 μM), and quercetin (54.3 μM, 79.9 μM). The structure/activity relationship of the flavonoid is also discussed. The results indicate significant antioxidant potency of patuletin 3′-β-xylofuranoside.     

Natural and newly synthesized hydroxy-1-aryl-isochromans: A class of potential antioxidants and radical scavengers

We investigated the antioxidant and radical scavenging activity of polyphenolic isochromans. To assess the relation between structure and scavenging properties the natural occurring 1-(3′-methoxy-4′-hydroxy)phenyl-6,7-dihydroxy-isochroman (ISO-3, three OH groups) was compared with three newly synthesized derivatives that differ in their degree of hydroxylation by substitution with methoxy-groups (ISO-4: four OH groups; ISO-2: two OH groups and ISO-0: fully methoxylated). We found that ISO-4 is a 2-fold better scavenger for the artificial radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH, 100?μM) with an EC₅₀=10.3?μM compared to the natural ISO-3 (EC₅₀=22.4?μM) and to ISO-2 (EC₅₀=25.1?μM), while ISO-0 did not react with DPPH. The scavenging capacity for superoxide enzymatically generated in a hypoxanthin-xanthinoxidase reaction was the highest for ISO-4 (EC₅₀=34.3?μM) compared to those of ISO-3 (EC₅₀=84.0?μM) and ISO-2 (EC₅₀=91.8?μM), while ISO-0 was inactive. In analogy, ISO-4 scavenged peroxynitrite (ONOO^?, EC₂₅=23.0?μM) more effective than ISO-3, ISO-2 and ISO-0.

When C6 rat glioma cells loaded with the reactive oxygen/nitrogen (ROS/RNS)-sensitive fluorochrome 2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein, were exposed to hydrogen peroxide, the lowest stress level as indicated by the fluorescence signal was detected when the cells were pretreated with ISO-4 or ISO-2 but to a much lesser extent with ISO-3, while ISO-0 did not show any effect. All tested hydroxyisochromans superceded the scavenging effect of trolox.

The excellent radical and ROS/RNS scavenging features of the hydroxy-1-aryl isochromans and their simple synthesis let these compounds appear to be interesting candidates for pharmaceutical interventions that protect against the deleterious action of ROS/RNS.     

Synthesis,in-vitro antiprotozoal activity and molecular docking study of isothiocyanate derivatives

Novel isothiocyanate derivatives were synthesized starting from noscapine, bile acids, amino acids, and some aromatic compounds. Antiparasitic activities of the synthesized derivatives were tested against four unicellular protozoa, i.e., Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, T. cruzi, Leishmania donovani, and Plasmodium falciparum. Interestingly, seven isothiocyanate analogues displayed promising antiparasitic activity against Leishmania donovani with IC₅₀ values between 0.4 and 1.0 µM and selectivity index (SI) ranged from 7.8 to 18.4, comparable to the standard drug miltefosine (IC₅₀ = 0.7 μM). Compound 7h demonstrated the best antileishmanial activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.4 µM. Seven products exhibited inhibition activity against T. brucei rhodesiense with IC₅₀s below 2.0 μM and SI between 2.7 and 29.3. Four primary amine derivatives of noscapine and five isothiocyanate derivatives exhibited antiplasmodial activity with IC₅₀s in the range of 1.1–2.7 µM and SI values between 1.1 and 14.5. The isothiocyanate derivative 7c showed against T. cruzi with an IC₅₀ value of 1.9 µM and SI 4. Molecular docking and ADMET studies were performed to investigate the interaction between active ligands and T. brucei trypanothione reductase active site. The docking studies showed significant binding affinity of noscapine derivatives to enzyme active site and good compatibility with experimental data.     

Synthesis of Novel 3′-Hydroxymethyl 5′-Deoxythreosyl Phosphonic Acid Nucleoside Analogues as Potent Antiviral Agents

A very efficient synthetic route to novel 3′-hydroxymethyl 5′-deoxythreosyl phosphonic acid nucleosides was described. The discovery of threosyl phosphonate nucleoside (PMDTA, EC₅₀ = 2.53 μM) as a potent antihuman immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV) agent has led to the synthesis and biological evaluation of 3′-modified 5′-deoxy versions of the threosyl phosphonate nucleosides. 3′-Hydroxymethyl 5 ′-deoxythreosyl phosphonic acid nucleoside analogues 15, 19, 24, and 28 were synthesized from 1,3-dihydroxyacetone and tested for anti-HIV activity as well as cytotoxicity. The adenine analogue 19 exhibits moderate in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity (EC₅₀ = 10.2 μM).     

Design,synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of novel naphthoindolizine and indolizinoquinoline-5,12-dione derivatives as IDO1 inhibitors

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is regarded as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Many naphthoquinone derivatives have been reported as IDO1 inhibitors so far. Herein, two series of naphthoquinone derivatives, naphthoindolizine and indolizinoquinoline-5,12-dione derivatives, were synthesized and evaluated for their IDO1 inhibitory activity. Most of the target compounds showed significant inhibition potency and high selectivity for IDO1 over tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). The structure-activity relationship was also summarized. The most potent compounds 5c (IC₅₀ 23?nM, IDO1 enzyme), and 5b′ (IC₅₀ 372?nM, HeLa cell) were identified as promising lead compounds.