Synthesis,Biological Evaluation and in Silico Studies of 3-Hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide Derivatives

In the present study, a series of 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for theirin vitroactivity, i. e., antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The target compounds were synthesized by condensation reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide with substituted benzaldehydes which were subjected to cyclization reaction with thioglycolic acid and ZnCl₂ to get target compounds. The synthesized 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives were examined for their antimicrobial activity and 3-hydroxy-N-(4-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)thiazolidin-3-yl)-2-naphthamide ( S20 ) exhibited the highest antimicrobial potential. The N′-(2,3-dichlorobenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide ( S5 ) displayed good antifungal potential against Rhizopus oryzae, whereas N′-(2,3-dichlorobenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide ( S20 ) showed the highest antioxidant potential and N-(2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthamide ( S16 ) displayed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. The results of molecular docking studies revealed that existence of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with their respective proteins. In silico ADMET studies were carried out by Molinspiration, Pre-ADMET and OSIRIS property explorer to predict the pharmacokinetic behaviour of synthesized 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives.     

Synthesis and Biological Activities of Novel (Z)-/(E)-Anisaldehyde-Based Oxime Ester Compounds

In search of novel natural product-based bioactive molecules, twenty (ten pairs) novel (Z)-/(E)-anisaldehyde-based oxime ester compounds were designed and synthesized by using anisaldehyde as starting material. Structural characterization of the target compounds was carried out by NMR, FT-IR, ESI-MS, and elemental analysis. Their herbicidal and antifungal activities were preliminarily tested. As a result, at 50 μg/mL, compound (E)- 5b exhibited excellent to good inhibition rates of 92.3 %, 79.2 %, and 73.9 %, against Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, and Bipolaris maydis, respectively, better than or comparable to that of the positive control chlorothalonil. In addition, at 100 μg/mL, compounds (E)- 5b , (E)- 5f , (Z)- 5f and (E)- 5d exhibited excellent to good inhibition rates of 85.8 %, 82.9 %, 78.6 % and 64.2 %, respectively, against the root-growth of rape (B. campestris), much better than that of the positive control flumioxazin. The bioassay result also showed that the synthesized compounds had obvious differences in antifungal and herbicidal activities between (Z)- and (E)-isomers. Preliminary structure–activity relationship was also discussed by theoretical calculation.     

Synthesis of (S)-13-Hydroxy (2E,4E,8E)- and (2E,4E,8Z)-Tetradecatrienoic Acids

The syntheses of (S)-13-hydroxy-(2E,4E,8E)-tetradecatrienoic acid (1) and (2E,4E,8Z)-tetradecatrienoic acid (2) were carried out by using the Wittig reaction as the key step. The asymmetric center at C-13 and the double bond between C-8 and C-9 for natural compound 1 were reconfirmed as being of (S) configuration and E, respectively.

The relationship between the structure of the unsaturated hydroxy fatty acids and their inhibitory effect on the growth of lettuce was investigated.     

Semisynthesis and cytotoxic activities of andrographolide analogues

Andrographolide 1, a diterpenoid lactone of the plant Andrographis paniculata, known to possess antitumour activity in in vitro and in vivo breast cancer models was subjected to semisynthesis leading to the preparation of a number of novel compounds. These compounds exhibited in vitro antitumour activity with moderate to excellent growth inhibition against MCF-7 (breast) and HCT-116 (colon) cancer cells. Compounds 3,19-(2-chlorobenzylidene)andrographolide(5), 3,19-(3-chlorobenzylidene)andrographolide(6), 3,19-(3-fluorobenzylidene)andrographolide(7), 3,19-(4-fluorobenzylidene)andrographolide(8), 3,19-(2-fluorobenzylidene)andrographolide(10), 3,19-(2-chloro-5-nitrobenzylidene)andrographolide (21), 3,19-(4-chlorobenzylidene)andrographolide(30) and 3,19-(2-chloro-4-fluorobenzylidene) andrographolide(31) were also screened against 60 NCI (National Cancer Institute, USA) human tumour cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types.     

Synthesis of (3E, 5Z)-3,5-Dodecadienylacetate,the Sex Pheromone of Phtheochroa cranaodes (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

(3E, 5Z)-3,5-Dodecadienyl acetate, the female sex pheromone of Phtheochroa cranaodes, was regio and stereo-selectively synthesized from 1-octyne and (E)-4-bromo-3-buten-1-ol by using Pd(PPh₃)₄, CuI and piperidine to afford the enyne (5). Further elaboration afforded the target pheromone. The synthetic pheromone was identified with the natural product by its MS and IR, data GLC retention time and biological activity.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Biological Study of 3-Trifluoromethylpyrazole Tethered Chalcone-Pyrrole and Pyrazoline-Pyrrole Derivatives

The present study illustrates the design and synthesis of new series of 3-trifluoromethylpyrazole tethered chalcone-pyrrole and pyrazoline-pyrrole derivatives. All compounds were further screened for in vitro cytostatic activities on full NCI 60 cancer cell lines at National Cancer Institute, USA. Compounds (2E)-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1-{4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl}prop-2-en-1-one ( 5a ) and (2E)-1-{3-methyl-4-[3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]phenyl}-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one ( 5c ) displayed significant antiproliferative activity (Growth Percentage: −77.10 and −92.13, respectively at 10 μM concentration) against the UO-31 cell lines from renal cancer and were further selected for assay at 10-fold dilutions of five different concentrations (10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁸ M). Both compounds 5a and 5c exhibited promising antiproliferative activity (GI₅₀: 1.36 to 0.27 μM) against leukemia cancer cell lines HL-60 and RPMI-8226, colon cancer cell lines KM-12; breast cancer cell lines BT-549. Moreover, both compounds 5a and 5c were found to be non-cytotoxic (LC₅₀>100) against HL-60, RPMI-8226, and KM-12 cell lines. Remarkably, GI₅₀ values of compounds 5a and 5c were identified as more promising than sunitinib against most cancer cell lines. In silico study of compounds 5a and 5c exemplified the desired ADME properties for drug-likeness as well as tighter interactions with VEGFR-2. Hence, compounds 5a and 5c would be good cytotoxic agents after further clinical study.     

Design,Synthesis, and Molecular Docking of Some Novel Tacrine Based Cyclopentapyranopyridine- and Tetrahydropyranoquinoline-Kojic Acid Derivatives as Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Agents

A novel series of tacrine based cyclopentapyranopyridine- and tetrahydropyranoquinoline-kojic acid derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as anti-cholinesterase agents. The chemical structures of all target compounds were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and elemental analyses. The synthesized compounds mostly inhibited acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) with IC₅₀ values of 4.18–48.71 μM rather than butyrylcholinesterase enzyme (BChE) with IC₅₀ values of >100 μM. Among them, cyclopentapyranopyridine-kojic acid derivatives showed slightly better AChE inhibitory activity compared to tetrahydropyranoquinoline-kojic acid. The compound 10-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-11-(4-isopropylphenyl)-7,8,9,11-tetrahydro-4H-cyclopenta[b]pyrano[2′,3′ : 5,6]pyrano[3,2-e]pyridin-4-one ( 6f ) bearing 4-isopropylphenyl moiety and cyclopentane ring exhibited the highest anti-AChE activity with IC₅₀ value of 4.18 μM. The kinetic study indicated that the compound 6f acts as a mixed inhibitor and the molecular docking studies also illustrated that the compound 6f binds to both the catalytic site (CS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE. The compound 6f showed moderate neuroprotective properties against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. The theoretical ADME study also predicted good drug-likeness for the compound 6f . Based on these results, the compound 6f seems to be a very promising AChE inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.     

Synthesis,characterization, anticancer,antimicrobial and carbonic anhydrase inhibition profiles of novel (3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-((E)-3-(3-aryl)acryloyl) phenyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoisoindole-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives

In the present study, a series of new hybrid compounds containing chalcone and methanoisoindole units 7a-n ((3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-((E)-3-(3-aryl)acryloyl) phenyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoisoindole-1,3(2H)-dione) were synthesized, characterized and investigated for their anticancer activity against C6 gliocarcinoma cell in rats, and antimicrobial activity against some human pathogen microorganisms. The compounds 7e, 7h, 7j, 7k, 7L and 7n showed very high anticancer activity with the inhibition range of 80.51–97.02% compared to 5-FU. Some of the compounds exhibited anti-microbial activity. Also, they evaluated for inhibition effects against human carbonic anhydrase I, and II isoenzymes (hCA I and II) with Ki values in the range of 405.26–635.68 pM for hCA I, and 245.40–489.60 pM for hCA II, respectively. These results demonstrated that 3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-2-(4-((E)-3-(3-aryl)acryloyl)phenyl)-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1H-4,7-methanoisoindole-1,3(2H)-dione derivatives could be used in different biomedical applications.     

Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic compounds from the Thai medicinal plant, Smilax corbularia (Smilacaceae)

From the rhizomes of Smilax corbularia Kunth. (Smilacaceae), 11 compounds, (2R,3R)-2″-acetyl astilbin, (2R,3R)-3″-acetyl astilbin, (2R,3R)-4″-acetyl astilbin, (2R,3R)-3″-acetyl engeletin, (2R,3S)-4″-acetyl isoastilbin, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4,9,10-tetrahydro-3,5-dihydroxy-10-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-(2R,3R,10R)-2H,8H-benzo [1,2-b:3,4-b′] dipyran-8-one, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4,9,10-tetrahydro-3,5-dihydroxy-10-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-(2R,3R,10S)-2H, 8H-benzo [1,2-b:3,4-b′] dipyran-8-one, 3,4-dihydro-7-hydroxy-4-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5-[(1E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethenyl]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, 3,4-dihydro-7-hydroxy-4-(3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl)-5-[(1E)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) ethenyl]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, 3,4-dihydro-7-hydroxy-4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-[(1E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethenyl]-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one, and 5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxy-3-phenylcoumarin along with 34 known compounds were isolated and characterized as 19 flavonoids, 14 catechin derivatives, 6 stilbene derivatives, and 6 miscellaneous substances. All isolates had their estrogenic and anti-estrogenic activities determined using the estrogen-responsive human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D. The major constituents were recognized as flavanonol rhamnosides by the suppressive effect on estradiol induced cell proliferation at a concentration of 1 μM. Meanwhile, flavanonol rhamnoside acetates demonstrated estrogenic activity in both MCF-7 and T47D cells at a concentration of 100 μM, and they enhanced the effects of co-treated E2 on T47D cell proliferation at concentrations of more than 0.1 μM.     

In-vitro antibacterial,antifungal activity of some transition metal complexes of thiosemicarbazone Schiff base (HL) derived from N4-(7′-chloroquinolin-4′-ylamino) thiosemicarbazide

The synthetic, spectroscopic, and biological studies of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes of N⁴-(7′-chloroquinoline-4′-ylamino)-N¹-(2-hydroxy-benzylidene)thiosemicarbazone (HL) obtained by the reaction of N⁴-(7′-chloroquinolin-4′-ylamino)thiosemicarbazide with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. The structures of the complexes were determined on the basis of the elemental analyses, spectroscopic data (IR, electronic, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and Mass spectra) along with magnetic susceptibility measurements, molar conductivity and thermogravimetric analyses. Electrical conductance measurement revealed the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. The resulting colored products are mononuclear in nature. On the basis of the above studies, only one ligand was suggested to be coordinated to each metal atom by thione sulfur, azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen to form mononuclear complexes in which the thiosemicarbazone behaves as a monobasic tridendate ligand. The ligand and its metal complexes were tested against Gram + ve bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram ? ve bacteria (Escherichia coli), fungi (Candida albicans) and (Fusarium solani). The tested compounds exhibited significant activity.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of a new series of 3-[3-(substituted phenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]-2H-chromen-2-one derivatives

A series of 3-[3-(substituted phenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl]-2H-chromen-2-one (4a–k) were synthesized by reaction of 3-[2,3-dibromo-3-(substituted phenyl)propanoyl]-2H-chromen-2-one (3 a-k) with phenyl hydrazine in presence of triethylamine in absolute ethanol, characterized by spectral data and screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Among the series, compounds 4d, 4h and 4i displayed an encouraging antibacterial activity profile as compared to reference standard drug ciprofloxacin against tested bacterial strains.     

Exploration of antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of newly synthesized 2,3-disubstituted quinazoline-4(3H)-ones

A series of 2-(chloromethyl)-3-(4-methyl-6-oxo-5-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl]-2-thioxo-5,6-dihydropyrimidine-1(2H)-yl)quinazoline-4(3H)-ones 9a-j was synthesized by treating 2-(chloroacetyl)amino benzoic acid with 3-amino-6-methyl-5-[(E)-phenyldiazenyl]-2-thioxo-2,5-dihydropyrimidine-4(3H)-one 8a-j and was screened for in vitro antibacterial activities against a representative panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds were synthesized in excellent yields and the structures were corroborated on the basis of IR, ¹H NMR, Mass and elemental analysis data. All the synthesized compounds elicited the potent inhibitory action against all the tested bacterial stains. Furthermore, in order to explore the antioxidant potential of newly synthesized compounds, the free radical scavenging activity measurement were performed by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) assay method. It is revealed from the antioxidant screening results that the compounds 9c and f manifested profound antioxidant potential.     

Synthesis and antiviral activity of 1-(1,3-disubstitutedimidazolidyn-2-ylidene)-3-ethoxycarbonylmethylurea derivatives

Novel 1-(1,3-disubstituted-imidazolidyn-2-ylidene)-3-ethoxycarbonylmethylurea derivatives (3a–3j) were obtained from appropriate 1-aryl-3-arylsulfonyl-1H-imidazolidine-2-imines (1a–1j) and ethyl isocyanatoacetate (2), which were subjected to condensation. Seven compounds were tested for their antiviral activity against HSV-1 and CVB3 viruses. Among the tested compounds, 3c was found to be active against HSV-1, proving that 4-methoxy substituent as R and 4-methyl substituent as R₁ are most beneficial for activity against this virus. Furthermore, 3e and 3g were active against CVB3, which demonstrated that both 4-methyl and 4-chloro substitution is tolerated as R₁, whereas 4-chloro and 2-methoxy substituents are best as R. It was also shown that the active compounds are characterized by relatively big surface area, small ovality, and greatest HOMO and LUMO energies in comparison to the rest of the compounds.     

(10E,12Z,15Z)-9-Hydroxy-10,12,15-octadecatrienoic Acid Methyl Ester as an Anti-inflammatory Compound from Ehretia dicksonii

The methanol extract of Ehretia dicksonii provided (10E,12Z,15Z)-9-hydroxy-10,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester (1) which was isolated as an anti-inflammatory compound. Compound 1 suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation on mouse ears at a dose of 500 μg (the inhibitory effect (IE) was 43%). Linolenic acid methyl ester did not inhibit this inflammation at the same dose. However, the related compounds of 1, (9Z,11E)-13-hydroxy-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (5) and (9Z,11E)- 13-oxo-9,11-octadecadienoic acid (6), showed potent activity (IE_{500 μg} of 63% and 79%, respectively). Compounds 1, 4 ((9Z,12Z,14E)-16-hydroxy-9,12,14-octadecatrienoic acid), 5 and 6 also showed inhibitory activity toward soybean lipoxygenase at a concentration of 10 μg/ml.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) complexes of 4-alkyl/aryl-1,2-naphthoquinones thiosemicarbazones derivatives as potent DNA cleaving agents

Copper (II) complexes of some alkyl/aryl-1,2 naphthoquinones thiosemicarbazone have been prepared and characterized. The crystal structure determined for one of the free ligands viz. 4-Pyrrolidine-1-yl-[1, 2] naphthaquinone thiosemicarbazone (5) indicates it to crystallize in the “E’ conformation which is supported by the NMR data. The ligands and copper complexes were evaluated for their DNA cleaving activities in case of circular double stranded plasmid DNA pBR322 under aerobic conditions. Amongst the ligands, compound 8 shows almost quantitative conversion to the linearized DNA in presence of H₂O₂ oxidant. All copper conjugates show more pronounced interaction with DNA while compounds 3 and 7 are able to yield linearized DNA in presence of the oxidant.     

Hydrogen bonding interactions in E- or Z-2-phenyl-3-( X'-pyridyl)propenoic acid ( X=2, 3 or 4) assemblies--a molecular modeling study

The agglomeration properties of stereoisomeric 2-phenyl-3-(X-pyridyl)propenoic acids (X=2, 3 or 4) were studied by the PM3 semiempirical quantum chemical method. Calculations revealed that dimers kept together by the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions of the carboxylic groups could be built from both stereoisomers irrespective of the position of the nitrogen heteroatom. The dimers of the Z-isomers could also be built through (aromatic)C–H...N hydrogen bonds between the dimer units. The longest agglomerate was the pentamer of the dimers when the nitrogen was in the 2 position. Longer hydrogen-bonded agglomerates than dimers could only be constructed from the E-isomer with the nitrogen in position 4. Here, the trimer of the dimers proved to be the longest hydrogen-bonded entity and similarly to the Z-isomers, the dimer units are kept together by (aromatic)C–H...N intermolecular hydrogen bonds.Figure The helical structure of the pentamer of dimers for the Z-2-phenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)propenoic acid molecule, when in the initial geometry (aromatic)C(4)–H...N close contact was enforced.     

Design, synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel chroman-4-one, chroman, and 2H-chromene derivatives as human rhinovirus capsid-binding inhibitors

As part of an effort to generate broad-spectrum inhibitors of rhinovirus replication, novel series of (E)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chroman-4-ones 1a–e, (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-2-yn-1-ylidene)chroman-4-ones 2a and 2b, (Z)-3-[(E)-3-phenylallylidene]chromans 3a–e, and (E)-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromenes 4a–d were designed and synthesized. All the compounds were tested in vitro for their efficacy against infection by human rhinovirus (HRV) 1B and 14, two representative serotypes for rhinovirus group B and A, respectively. Most of the analogues were found to be potent and selective inhibitors of both HRVs, although HRV 1B was generally more susceptible than HRV 14. Mechanism of action studies of (E)-6-chloro-3-(3-phenylprop-1-en-1-yl)-2H-chromene 4b, the most potent compound on HRV 1B infection, suggested that 4b behaves as a capsid-binder probably acting at the uncoating level.     

Optimization of diarylpentadienones as chemotherapeutics for prostate cancer

Our earlier studies indicate that (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(1-alkyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-diene-3-ones and (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(1-alkyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-diene-3-ones exhibit up to 121-fold greater antiproliferative potency than curcumin in human prostate cancer cell models, but only 2–10 fold increase in mouse plasma concentrations. The present study aims to further optimize them as anti-prostate cancer agents with both good potency and bioavailability. (1E,4E)-1,5-Bis(1H-imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-diene-3-one, the potential metabolic product of (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(1-alkyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-diene-3-ones, was synthesized and evaluated for its anti-proliferative activity. The promising potency of 1,5-bis(1-alkyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-diene-3-ones was completely abolished by removing the 1-alkyl group, suggesting the critical role of an appropriate group on the N1 position. We then envisioned that N-aryl substitution to exclude the C–H bond on the carbon adjacent to the N1 position (α-H) may increase the metabolic stability. Consequently, seven (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(1-aryl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-ones and three (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(1-aryl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-ones, as well as three (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(1-aryl-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridine-2-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-ones, were synthesized through a three-step transformation, including N-arylation via Ullmann condensation, formylation, and Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction. Six optimal (1E,4E)-1,5-bis(1-aryl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-ones exhibit 24- to 375-fold improved potency as compared with curcumin. Replacement of the imidazole with bulkier benzoimidazole and 4-azaindole results in a substantial decrease in the potency. (1E,4E)-1,5-Bis(1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)penta-1,4-dien-3-one (17d) was established as an optimal compound with both superior potency and good bioavailability that is sufficient to provide the therapeutic efficacy necessary to suppress in vivo tumor growth.     

Crystal structures of (2R,4R)-2-(polyhydroxyalkyl)-1,3-thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids: condensation products of l-cysteine with d-hexoses

We report herein the first crystal structures of (4-carboxy-1,3-thiazolidin-2-yl)pentitols [2-(polyhydroxyalkyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids], condensation products of l-cysteine with d-galactose and d-mannose: 2-(d-galacto-pentahydroxypentyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid hydrate, Gal-Cys·H₂O (1), and 2-(d-manno-pentahydroxypentyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid hydrate, Man-Cys·H₂O (2). In 1 and 2 the compounds crystallize as zwitterions, with the carboxylic groups deprotonated and the thiazolidine N atoms protonated. The sugar moiety and carboxylate group are in a cis configuration relative to the thiazolidinium ring, which adopts different conformation: twisted (T) on C^β–S in 1, and S-puckered envelope (E) in 2. The carbon chain of the galactosyl/mannosyl moiety remains in an extended zig-zag conformation. The orientation of the sugar O2 atom with respect to the thiazolidinium S and N atoms is trans–gauche in 1 and gauche–gauche in 2. The molecular conformation is stabilized by the intramolecular N–H?O_Cys contacts in both 1 and 2 and by the additional N–H?O_Man interaction in 2. The crystal packing of orthorhombic 1 and monoclinic 2 is determined mainly by N/O/C–H?O hydrogen bonds forming ribbons linked to each other by direct and water-mediated O/C–H?O/S contacts.     

Synthetic Chalcone Derivatives as Inhibitors of Cathepsins K and B,and Their Cytotoxic Evaluation

A series of chalcone derivatives, 1 – 15 , were prepared by Claisen? Schmidt condensation and evaluated for their cytotoxicities on tumor cell lines and also against proteolytic enzymes such as cathepsins B and K. Of the compounds synthesized, (E)‐3‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 12 ), (E)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 13 ), (E)‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 14 ), and (E)‐3‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐one ( 15 ) showed significant cytotoxicities. The most effective compound was 15 , which showed high cytotoxic activity with an IC₅₀ value lower than 1 μg/ml, and no selectivity on the tumor cells evaluated. Substituents at C(4) of ring B were found to be essential for cytotoxicity. In addition, it was also demonstrated that some of these chalcones are moderate inhibitors of cathepsin K and have no activity against cathepsin B.