Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-substituted-4-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-5-aryl thiazoles as anticancer agents

Antitumor agents that bind to tubulin and disrupt microtubule dynamics have attracted considerable attention in the last few years. To extend our knowledge of the thiazole ring as a suitable mimic for the cis-olefin present in combretastatin A-4, we fixed the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl at the C4-position of the thiazole core. We found that the substituents at the C2- and C5-positions had a profound effect on antiproliferative activity. Comparing compounds with the same substituents at the C5-position of the thiazole ring, the moiety at the C2-position influenced antiproliferative activities, with the order of potency being NHCH₃ > Me ? N(CH₃)₂. The N-methylamino substituent significantly improved antiproliferative activity on MCF-7 cells with respect to C2-amino counterparts. Increasing steric bulk at the C2-position from N-methylamino to N,N-dimethylamino caused a 1–2 log decrease in activity. The 2-N-methylamino thiazole derivatives 3b, 3d and 3e were the most active compounds as antiproliferative agents, with IC₅₀ values from low micromolar to single digit nanomolar, and, in addition, they are also active on multidrug-resistant cell lines over-expressing P-glycoprotein. Antiproliferative activity was probably caused by the compounds binding to the colchicines site of tubulin polymerization and disrupting microtubule dynamics. Moreover, the most active compound 3e induced apoptosis through the activation of caspase-2, -3 and -8, but 3e did not cause mitochondrial depolarization.     

3-Aryl/Heteroaryl-5-amino-1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-1,2,4-triazoles as antimicrotubule agents. Design,synthesis, antiproliferative activity and inhibition of tubulin polymerization

Many natural and synthetic substances are known to interfere with the dynamic assembly of tubulin, preventing the formation of microtubules. In our search for potent and selective antitumor agents, a novel series of 1-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-5-amino-1,2,4-triazoles were synthesized. The compounds had different heterocycles, including thiophene, furan or the three isomeric pyridines, and they possessed a phenyl ring bearing electron-releasing or electron-withdrawing substituents at the 3-position of the 5-amino-1,2,4-triazole system. Most of the twenty-two tested compounds showed moderate to potent antiproliferative activities against a panel of solid tumor and leukemic cell lines, with four (5j, 5k, 5o and 5p) showing strong antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ < 1 μM) against selected cancer cells. Among them, several molecules preferentially inhibited the proliferation of leukemic cell lines, showing IC₅₀ values 2-100-fold lower for Jurkat and RS4;11 cells than those for the three lines derived from solid tumors (HeLa, HT-29 and MCF-7 cells). Compound 5k strongly inhibited tubulin assembly, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.66 μM, half that obtained in simultaneous experiments with CA-4 (IC₅₀ = 1.3 μM).     

Synthesis and anti-HCV activity of 3′,4′-oxetane nucleosides

Hepatitis C virus afflicts approximately 180 million people worldwide and currently there are no direct acting antiviral agents available to treat this disease. Our first generation nucleoside HCV inhibitor, RG7128 has already established proof-of-concept in the clinic and is currently in phase IIb clinical trials. As part of our continuing efforts to discover novel anti-HCV agents, 3′,4′-oxetane cytidine and adenosine nucleosides were prepared as inhibitors of HCV RNA replication. These nucleosides were shown not to be inhibitors of HCV as determined in a whole cell subgenomic replicon assay. However, 2′-mono/diflouro analogs, 4, 5, and 6 were readily phosphorylated to their monophosphate metabolites by deoxycytidine kinase and their triphosphate derivatives were shown to be inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase in vitro. Lack of anti-HCV activity in the replicon assay may be due to the inability of the monophosphates to be converted to their corresponding diphosphates.     

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of 2-(1,4′-bipiperidin-1′-yl)thiazolopyridine as H3 receptor antagonists

A series of 2-(1,4′-bipiperidine-1′-yl)thiazolopyridines was synthesized and evaluated as a new lead of non-imidazole histamine H₃ receptor antagonists. Introduction of diversity at the 6-position of the pyridine ring was designed to enhance in vitro potency and decrease hERG activity. The structure–activity relationships for these new thiazolopyridine antagonists are discussed.     

Synthesis and anti-HIV evaluation of new 2′,3′- dideoxy-3′-thiacytidine prodrugs

Abstract

A series of anti-HIV prodrugs possessing various polyaminated side arms have been developed. The incorporation of a N-Boc protected monoamine or diamine side arm into the backbone of the 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-thiacytidine 1 (BCH-189) provided an increase in antiviral potency, which could be several orders magnitude greater than the parent drug (1) depending on the cell culture systems used (MT-4 or MDMs). Twenty six 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-thiacytidine prodrugs which differ from each other by the length, the nature of the 5′-O function and the 5′-O or /and N-4 position on the nucleoside moiety were synthesized. Among this new series of prodrugs, several congeners (12c and 12a) were found to inhibit HIV-1 replication in cell culture with 50% effective concentrations ECso of 10 and 50 nM respectively, in MT-4 cells. Compound 12c was found more active on infected MDMs cells with 50% effective concentration of 0.01 nM. The synthesis and the antiviral properties of these compounds are discussed.     

Design,synthesis and structure–activity relationship of 2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-benzo[b]furan derivatives as a novel class of inhibitors of tubulin polymerization

The biological importance of microtubules in mitosis and cell division makes them an interesting target for the development of anticancer agents. Small molecules such as benzo[b]furans are attractive as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. Thus, a new class of inhibitors of tubulin polymerization based on the 2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-benzo[b]furan molecular skeleton, with electron-donating (Me, OMe or OH) or electron-withdrawing (F, Cl and Br) substituents on the benzene ring, was synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity, inhibition of tubulin polymerization and cell cycle effects. Adding a methyl group at the C-3 position resulted in increased activity. The most promising compound in this series was 2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-3-methyl-6-ethoxy-benzo[b]furan, which inhibits cancer cell growth at nanomolar concentrations and interacts strongly with tubulin by binding to the colchicine site.     

Synthesis and potato tuber-inducing activity of methyl 5′,5′,5′-trifluorojasmonate

Methyl 5′,5′,5′-trifluorojasmonate was synthesized as an antimetabolic analogue of methyl jasmonate. It induced potato tuber formation more effectively than methyl jasmonate and inhibited the growth of rice seedlings and the germination of lettuce and radish seeds. These results suggest that epijasmonic acid itself has potato tuber-inducing activity and that the hydroxyl group of tuberonic acid is not necessary for this activity.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity Assay of Novel (E)-3′,5′-Diamino-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2′,3′,5′-trideoxyuridine

Abstract

(E)-3′,5′-diamino-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2′,3′,5′-trideoxyuridine (5), the diamino analogue of BVDU (1), was synthesized from BVDU. In contrast with BVDU, compound 5 did not show activity against herpes simplex virus or varicella-zoster virus.     

A Direct and Efficient Synthesis of 5′-Deoxy-2′, 3′-

Abstract

A direct and efficient synthesis of 5′-deoxy-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneinosine, 7, from readily available inosine is described. An example of a potentially general synthesis of N -substituted-5′-deoxyadenosines from 7 is also described.     

Synthesis,evaluation of anti-HIV-1 and anti-HCV activity of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,2′-difluoro-4′-azanucleosides

A series of 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,2′-difluoro-4′-azanucleosides of both pyrimidine and purine nucleobases were synthesized in an efficient manner starting from commercially available L-pyroglutamic acid via glycosylation of difluorinated pyrrolidine derivative 15. Several 4′-azanucleosides were prepared as a separable mixture of α- and β-anomers. The 6-chloropurine analogue was obtained as a mixture of N⁷ and N⁹ regioisomers and their structures were identified based on NOESY and HMBC spectral data. Among the 4′-azanucleosides tested as HIV-1 inhibitors in primary human lymphocytes, four compounds showed modest activity and the 5-fluorouracil analogue (18d) was found to be the most active compound (EC₅₀ = 36.9 μM) in this series. None of the compounds synthesized in this study demonstrated anti-HCV activity.     

Synthesis,reactivity and biological activity of N(4)-boronated derivatives of 2′-deoxycytidine

By seeking new stable boron-containing nucleoside derivatives, potential BNCT boron delivery agents, a novel synthetic approach was tested, aimed at a boron attachment via a single bond to an aliphatic carbon of sp³ hybridization. The latter allowed successful modification of deoxycytidine in the reaction with 2-(iodomethyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane of the deoxynucleoside amino group. For new compounds, detailed NMR, LDI HRMS (Laser Desorption/Ionization High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry) analyses along with in vivo phosphorylation studies, toxicity assays and DFT modelling are presented.     

Synthesis and Reactions of Some 3′,4′-Unsaturated 2′,3′-Secouridine Analogues

Abstract

2′,3′-Dibromo-2′,3′-dideoxy-5′-O-trityl-2′,3′-secouridine (8) with sdKF gave the 3′,4′-didehydro-2,2′-anhydro nucleoside 9, which was deprotected to 10. Hydrolysis of 9 gave 3′,4′-didehydro-3′-deoxy-5′-O-trityl-2′,3′-secouridine (11a). Similarly, compound 9 with pyridinium halides gave the corresponding 2′-deoxy-2′-halo nucleosides (11b-d). Compound 11d with azide ion gave 2′-azido analogue 11e. Compound 9 with an excess amount of azide ion gave the 2′-azido triazole (13).     

Improved Synthesis of Adenosine Cyclic 3′, 5′-Phosphoramidates via Anhydrides. Preparation of Adenosine Cylic 3′, 5′-(Rp) - and (p)-N-Methylphosphoramidate

Abstract

The two-step method for the preparation of adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-phosphoramidate diastereoisomers, which involves the activation of adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate (1) with an acid chloride and in situ aminolysis of the anhydride intermediate (Bentrude, W.G.; Tomsaz, J. Synthesis 1984, 27; Bottka, S.; Tomasz, J. Tetrahedron Lett. 1985, 24, 2909), has been improved. The best yields were attained when 1 was reacted with 4.4 molar equivalents of phosphorus oxychloride in trimethyl phosphate at O°C for 3 h, and the solution of phosphorus oxychloride in trimethyl phosphate was pretreated with 0.5 molar equivalent of water at room temperature for 20 min. R _p and S _p diastereoisomers of adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-N-methyphosphoramidate and N,N-dimethylphosphoramidate have been synthesized under these experimental conditions.     

Synthesis and Structure of 2′,3′-Dideoxy-3′-fluoro-5-cyanouridine

Abstract

The title compound was prepared by reaction of the 5-bromo congener with potassium cyanide in DMF. X-ray analysis revealed its solid state structure and the obtained conformation was compared to the con-formation of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and of 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-fluoro-5-chlorouridine, respectively, two very selective anti-HIV agents. They both show two separate molecules in their asymmetric unit, one of each fairly resembling the conformation of the title compound 4. The latter, however, displayed only very moderate activity.     

Synthesis and antitumor activity of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-diethanethionucleosides bearing 1,2,3-triazole residues

A series of novel 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-diethanethioribonucleosides and those modified with a triazole ring were prepared in excellent yields and their antitumor activity was evaluated. Nucleosides with a triazole ring, 16a–16c, showed significantly improved activity towards a broad range of tumor cell lines.     

Studies Towards the Large Scale Chemical Synthesis of the Precursors of Ribonucleosides-3′,4′,5′,5″- 2H 4 and -2′,3′,4′,5′,5″- 2H 5

Abstract

A summary delineating the large scale synthetic studies to prepare labeled precursors of ribonucleosides-3′,4′,5′,5″- ²H ₄ and -2′,3′,4′,5′,5″- ²H ₅ from D-glucose is presented. The recycling of deuterium-labeled by-products has been devised to give a high overall yield of the intermediates and an expedient protocol has been elaborated for the conversion of 3-O-benzyl-α,β-D-allofuranose-3,4-d ₂ 6 to 1-O-methyl-3-O-benzyl-2-O-t-butyldimethylsilyl-α,β-D-ribofuranose-3,4,5,5′-d ₄ 16 (precursor of ribonucleosides-3′,4′,5′,5″- ²H ₄ ) or to 1-O-methyl-3,5-di-O-benzyl-α,β-D-ribofuranose-3,4,5,5′-d ₄ 18 (precursor of ribonucleosides-3′,4′,5′,5″- ²H ₄ ).     

Synthesis of (±)-Methyl 5-(1′,2′-Epoxy-2′,6′-dimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-(2Z,4E)-2,4-pentadienoate

The effect of tripropyltin chloride (TPT) on transport systems in E. coli was investigated. The inhibition on uptakes of ¹⁴C-l-leucine, l-proline, adenine and methyl-(α-d-gluco)pyrano-side (α-methylglucoside) by TPT was examined. The active uptake of l-leucine which utilized ATP molecule as an energy source was 100% inhibited at the concentration of 10 µg/ml TPT. On the other hand, the uptake of l-proline which was generated by an “energied” membrane state of the cells was inhibited only 40% at the same concentration of TPT. α-Methylglucoside uptake was scarcely inhibited. Adenine uptake was intensely inhibited at 20 µg/ml TPT. The effect of the delayed addition of TPT on transport systems was also examined. l-Leucine incorporated into cells was completely released from cells by TPT. Leucine binding protein (LBP) was prepared from E. coli cells and the effect of TPT on LBP activity was examined. TPT scarcely inhibited LBP activity.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of 4′-Methyl-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides

Abstract

The stereoselective preparation of a 4-methyl-2,3-dideoxyribose derivative is described which utilizes (-)-menthyl pyruvate as a chiral template and an organocerium addition as the key carbon-carbon bond-forming step. The 4-methyl-2,3-dideoxyribose derivative was used as a substrate for a Vorbrüggen pyrimidine glycosylation giving an α, β-mixture of 4′-methyl-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of indole-based,anti-cancer agents inspired by the vascular disrupting agent 2-(3′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyphenyl)-3-(3″,4″,5″-trimethoxybenzoyl)-6-methoxyindole (OXi8006)

The discovery of a 2-aryl-3-aroyl indole-based small-molecule inhibitor of tubulin assembly (referred to as OXi8006) inspired the design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of diversely functionalized analogues. In the majority of examples, the pendant 2-aryl ring contained a 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy substitution pattern, and the fused aryl ring featured a 6-methoxy group. Most of the variability was in the 3-aroyl moiety, which was modified to incorporate methoxy (33–36), nitro (25–27), halogen (28–29), trifluoromethyl (30), or trifluoromethoxy (31–32) functionalities. In two analogues (34 and 36), the methoxy substitution pattern in the fused aryl ring varied, while in another derivative (35) the phenolic moiety was translocated from the pendant 2-aryl ring to position-7 of the fused aryl ring. Each of the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity (in vitro) against the SK-OV-3 (ovarian), NCI-H460 (lung), and DU-145 (prostate) human cancer cell lines and for their ability to inhibit tubulin assembly. Four of the compounds (30, 31, 35, 36) proved to be potent inhibitors of tubulin assembly (IC₅₀ <5 μM), and three of these compounds (31, 35, 36) were strongly cytotoxic against the three cancer cell lines. The most active compound (36) in this series, which incorporated a methoxy group at position-7, was comparable in terms of inhibition of tubulin assembly and cytotoxicity to the lead compound OXi8006.     

Substituted 2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors

The central role of microtubules in cell division and mitosis makes them a particularly important target for anticancer agents. On our early publication, we found that a series of 2-(3′,4′,5′-trimethoxybenzoyl)-3-aminobenzo[b]thiophenes exhibited strong antiproliferative activity in the submicromolar range and significantly arrested cells in the G2–M phase of the cell cycle and induced apoptosis.In order to investigate the importance of the amino group at the 3-position of the benzo[b]thiophene skeleton, the corresponding 3-unsubstituted and methyl derivatives were prepared. A novel series of inhibitors of tubulin polymerization, based on the 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl)-benzo[b]thiophene molecular skeleton with a methoxy substituent at the C-4, C-5, C-6 or C-7 position on the benzene ring, was evaluated for antiproliferative activity against a panel of five cancer cell lines, for inhibition of tubulin polymerization and for cell cycle effects. Replacing the methyl group at the C-3 position resulted in increased activity compared with the corresponding 3-unsubstituted counterpart. The structure–activity relationship established that the best activities were obtained with the methoxy group placed at the C-4, C-6 or C-7 position. Most of these compounds exhibited good growth inhibition activity and arrest K562 cells in the G2–M phase via microtubule depolymerization.