Synthesis and in vitro α-chymotrypsin inhibitory activity of 6-chlorobenzimidazole derivatives

A library of benzimidazole derivatives 1–20 were synthesized, and studied for their α-chymotrypsin (α-CT) inhibitory activity in vitro. Kinetics and molecular docking studies were performed to identify the type of inhibition. Compound 1 was found to be a good inhibitor of α-chymotrypsin enzyme (IC₅₀ = 14.8 ± 0.1 μM, K_i = 16.4 μM), when compared with standard chymostatin (IC₅₀ = 5.7 ± 0.13 μM). Compounds 2–8, 15, 17, and 18 showed significant inhibitory activities. All the inhibitors were found to be competitive inhibitors, except compound 17, which was a mixed type inhibitor. The substituents (R) in para and ortho positions of phenyl ring B, apparently played a key role in the inhibitory potential of the series. Compounds 1–20 were also studied for their cytotoxicity profile by using 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells and compounds 3, 5, 6, 8, 12–14, 16, 17, 19, and 20 were found to be cytotoxic. Molecular docking was performed on the most active members of the series in comparison to the standard compound, chymostatin, to identify the most likely binding modes. The compounds reported here can serve as templates for further studies for new inhibitors of α-chymotrypsin and other chymotrypsin-like serine proteases enzymes.

1. Download : Download full-size image

     

Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of (S,S)- and (R,R)-secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs)

Secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs) (S,S)-SDG-1 (major isomer in flaxseed) and (R,R)-SDG-2 (minor isomer in flaxseed) were synthesized from vanillin via secoisolariciresinol (6) and glucosyl donor 7 through a concise route that involved chromatographic separation of diastereomeric diglucoside derivatives (S,S)-8 and (R,R)-9. Synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 exhibited potent antioxidant properties (EC₅₀ = 292.17 ± 27.71 μM and 331.94 ± 21.21 μM, respectively), which compared well with that of natural (S,S)-SDG-1 (EC₅₀ = 275.24 ± 13.15 μM). These values are significantly lower than those of ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 1129.32 ± 88.79 μM) and α-tocopherol (EC₅₀ = 944.62 ± 148.00 μM). Compounds (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 also demonstrated powerful scavenging activities against hydroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 3.68 ± 0.27; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.09 ± 0.16; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 1.96 ± 0.27], peroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.55 ± 0.11; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.20 ± 0.10; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 3.03 ± 0.04] and DPPH [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 83.94 ± 2.80 μM; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 157.54 ± 21.30 μM; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: EC₅₀ = 123.63 ± 8.67 μM] radicals. These results confirm previous studies with naturally occurring (S,S)-SDG-1 and establish both (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 as potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers for potential in vivo use.     

Identifying structural determinants of potency for analogs of apelin-13: Integration of C-terminal truncation with structure–activity

Apelin peptides function as endogenous ligands of the APJ receptor and have been implicated in a number of important biological processes. While several apelinergic peptides have been reported, apelin-13 (Glu-Arg-Pro-Arg-Leu-Ser-His-Lys-Gly-Pro-Met-Pro-Phe) remains the most commonly studied and reported ligand of APJ. This study examines the effect of C-terminal peptide truncations and comprehensive structure–activity relationship (SAR) for a series of analogs based on apelin-13 in an attempt to develop more potent and stable analogs. C-terminal truncation studies identified apelin-13 (N-acetyl 2–11) amide (9) as a potent agonist (EC₅₀ = 4.4 nM). Comprehensive SAR studies also determined that Arg-2, Leu-5, Lys-8, Met-11, were key positions for determining agonist potency, whereas the hydrophobic volume of Lys-8 was a specific determinate of activity. Plasma stability studies on the truncated 10-mer peptide 28 (EC₅₀ = 33 nM) indicated the primary sites of cleavage occurred between Nle-3 and Leu-4 and also between Ala-5 and Ala-6. These new ligands represent the shortest known apelin peptides with good functional potency.     

Thieno[2,3-b]pyridines—A new class of multidrug resistance (MDR) modulators

To identify new potent multidrug resistance modulators, we have synthesized a series of novel thieno[2,3-b]pyridines and furo[2,3-b]pyridines, and examined their stucture–activity relationships. All synthesized compounds were tested to determine BCRP1, P-gp, and MRP1 inhibitor activity, and most potent MDR modulators were also screened for their toxicity, cytotoxicity and Ca²⁺ channel antagonist activity. Among these compounds, thieno[2,3-b]pyridine (6r) was found to exhibit a potent P-gp inhibitory action with EC₅₀ = 0.3 ± 0.2 μM, MRP1 inhibitory action with EC₅₀ = 1.1 ± 0.1 μM and BCRP1 inhibitory action with EC₅₀ = 0.2 ± 0.05 μM and may represent suitable candidate for further pharmacological studies.     

Antioxidant prenylated phenols of Artocarpus plants attenuate ultraviolet radiation-induced damage on human keratinocytes and fibroblasts

Two novel prenylated phenols, cyclocomunoindenol (1) and cyclocomunohexanol (2) were isolated from the cortex of roots of Artocarpus communis. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 2 and 6 revealed significant DPPH-scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ values of 435.48 ± 0.93 and 53.55 ± 8.73 μM, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, and 6 displayed significant ABTS⁺ scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ values of 164.26 ± 2.44, 227.01 ± 3.64, and 44.09 ± 0.88 μM, respectively. Compound 6 exhibited an inhibitory effect on XO activity with an IC₅₀ value of 10.91 ± 1.77 μM and the relative oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of 1–6, using ORAC-pyrogallol red (PGR) assay, were determined to be 0.28 ± 0.06, 0.31 ± 0.02, 0.55 ± 0.25, 0.84 ± 0.36, 0.35 ± 0.15, and 0.70 ± 0.09, respectively. Antioxidants 5 and 6 significantly attenuate UVA radiation-induced damage on human HaCaT keratinocytes and Hs68 fibroblasts. These finding showed that 1–6 may be used as antioxidants and 5 and 6 may protect skin against the adverse effects of UV radiation.     

(S)-3-(4-(2-(5-Methyl-2-phenyloxazol-4-yl)ethoxy)phenyl)-2-(piperazin-1-yl)propanoic acid compounds: Synthesis and biological evaluation of dual PPARα/γ agonists

A series of novel, potent PPARα/γ dual agonists were synthesized and appraised. The most potent analogue, compound 2b demonstrated EC₅₀ value of 0.012 ± 0.002 and 0.032 ± 0.01 μM, respectively, for hPPARα and hPPARγ in transactivation assay. Additionally, compound 2b demonstrated good glucose and lipid lowering effect in genetic diabetic (db/db) mice.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2-(substituted phenylaminocarbonylmethylthio)-6-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)-pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones as potent HIV-1 NNRTIs

A series of novel 2-(phenylaminocarbonylmethylthio)-6-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)-pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones have been designed and synthesized. All of the new compounds were evaluated for their anti-HIV activities in MT-4 cells. Most of these new compounds showed moderate to potent activities against wild-type HIV-1 with an EC₅₀ ranging from 4.48 μM to 0.18 μM. Among them, 2-[(4-bromophenylamino)carbonylmethylthio]-6-(2,6-dichlorobenzyl)-5-methylpyrimidin-4(3H)-one 4b3 was identified as the most promising compound (EC₅₀ = 0.18 ± 0.06 μM, CC₅₀ >243.56 μM, SI >1326). The structure–activity relationship (SAR) of these new congeners is discussed.     

Isolation of antioxidant constituents from Combretum apiculatum subsp. apiculatum

Species of the family Combretaceae are used extensively in traditional medicine against inflammation and infections, and although antibacterial activity has been reported in non-polar extracts, further rationale for the widespread use of the Combretaceae is expected to exist. Methanol extracts of leaves of ten different Combretum species were evaluated for antioxidant activity by spraying TLC chromatograms of each leaf extract with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Compounds with antioxidant activity were detected by bleaching of the purple DPPH colour. Leaf extracts of Combretum apiculatum subsp. apiculatum had the most antioxidant compounds. This species was consequently selected for phytochemical investigation. A DPPH assay-directed fractionation of the leaf extracts of C. apiculatum led to the isolation of four antioxidant compounds from the ethyl acetate and butanol soluble fractions. The structures of the compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses (¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and MS) and identified as: cardamonin (1), pinocembrin (2), quercetrin (3) and kaempferol (4). In a quantitative antioxidant assay, the more polar fractions (ethyl acetate and butanol) obtained by solvent–solvent fractionation had the highest antioxidant activity among the solvent fractions obtained from C. apiculatum, with EC₅₀ values of 3.91 ± 0.02 and 2.44 ± 0.02 μg/ml respectively. Of the four isolated compounds, quercetrin (4) and kaempferol (3) had the strongest antioxidant activity, with EC₅₀ values of 11.81 ± 85 and 47.36 ± 0.03 μM respectively. Cardamonin (1) and pinocembrin (2) did not demonstrate strong activity. L-ascorbic acid was used as standard antioxidant agent (EC₅₀ = 13.37 ± 0.20 μM or 2.35 μg/ml). The cytotoxicity of cardamonin and pinocembrin was evaluated on Vero kidney cells using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay with berberine as positive control. At concentrations higher than 50 μg/ml of cardamonin or pinocembrin, the cells were not viable. Cardamonin was more toxic (LC₅₀ = 1.97 μg/ml) than pinocembrin (LC₅₀ = 29.47 μg/ml) and even the positive control, berberine (LC₅₀ = 12.35 μg/ml).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of indole derivatives as α-amylase inhibitor

A series of twenty indole hydrazone analogs (1–21) were synthesized, characterized by different spectroscopic techniques such as ¹H NMR and EI-MS, and screened for α-amylase inhibitory activity. All analogs showed a variable degree of α-amylase inhibition with IC₅₀ values ranging between 1.66 and 2.65 μM. Nine compounds that are 1 (2.23 ± 0.01 μM), 8 (2.44 ± 0.12 μM), 10 (1.92 ± 0.12 μM), 12 (2.49 ± 0.17 μM), 13 (1.66 ± 0.09 μM), 17 (2.25 ± 0.1 μM), 18 (1.87 ± 0.25 μM), 20 (1.83 ± 0.63 μM), and 19 (1.97 ± 0.02 μM) showed potent α-amylase inhibition when compared with the standard acarbose (1.05 ± 0.29 μM). Other analogs showed good to moderate α-amylase inhibition. The structure activity relationship is mainly focusing on difference of substituents on phenyl part. Molecular docking studies were carried out to understand the binding interaction of the most active compounds.     

Isatin based Schiff bases as inhibitors of α-glucosidase: Synthesis,characterization, in vitro evaluation and molecular docking studies

Isatin base Schiff bases (1–20) were synthesized, characterized by ¹H NMR and EI/MS and evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. Out of these twenty (20) compounds only six analogs showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ value ranging in between 2.2 ± 0.25 and 83.5 ± 1.0 μM when compared with the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 840 ± 1.73 μM). Among the series compound 2 having IC₅₀ value (18.3 ± 0.56 μM), 9 (83.5 ± 1.0 μM), 11 (3.3 ± 0.25 μM), 12 (2.2 ± 0.25 μM), 14 (11.8 ± 0.15 μM), and 20 (3.0 ± 0.15 μM) showed excellent inhibitory potential many fold better than the standard acarbose. The binding interactions of these active analogs were confirmed through molecular docking.     

Synthesis,in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and molecular docking studies of new thiazole derivatives

Current study based on the synthesis of new thiazole derivatives via “one pot” multicomponent reaction, evaluation of their in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, and in silico studies. All synthetic compounds were fully characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and EIMS. CHN analysis was also performed. These newly synthesized compounds showed activities in the range of IC₅₀ = 9.06 ± 0.10–82.50 ± 1.70 μM as compared to standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 38.25 ± 0.12 μM). It is worth mentioning that most of the compounds such as 1 (IC₅₀ = 23.60 ± 0.39 μM), 2 (IC₅₀ = 22.70 ± 0.60 μM), 3 (IC₅₀ = 22.40 ± 0.32 μM), 4 (IC₅₀ = 26.5 ± 0.40 μM), 6 (IC₅₀ = 34.60 ± 0.60 μM), 7 (IC₅₀ = 26.20 ± 0.43 μM), 8 (IC₅₀ = 14.06 ± 0.18 μM), 9 (IC₅₀ = 17.60 ± 0.28 μM), 10 (IC₅₀ = 27.16 ± 0.41 μM), 11 (IC₅₀ = 19.16 ± 0.19 μM), 12 (IC₅₀ = 9.06 ± 0.10 μM), 13 (IC₅₀ = 12.80 ± 0.21 μM), 14 (IC₅₀ = 11.94 ± 0.18 μM), 15 (IC₅₀ = 16.90 ± 0.20 μM), 16 (IC₅₀ = 12.60 ± 0.14 μM), 17 (IC₅₀ = 16.30 ± 0.29 μM), and 18 (IC₅₀ = 32.60 ± 0.61 μM) exhibited potent inhibitory potential. Molecular docking study was performed in order to understand the molecular interactions between the molecule and enzyme. Newly identified α-glucosidase inhibitors except few were found to be completely non-toxic.     

Design,synthesis, antiviral and cytostatic activity of ω-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)(polyhydroxy)alkylphosphonates as acyclic nucleotide analogues

The efficient synthesis of a new series of polyhydroxylated dibenzyl ω-(1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)alkylphosphonates as acyclic nucleotide analogues is described starting from dibenzyl ω-azido(polyhydroxy)alkylphosphonates and selected alkynes under microwave irradiation. Selected O,O-dibenzylphosphonate acyclonucleotides were transformed into the respective phosphonic acids. All compounds were evaluated in vitro for activity against a broad variety of DNA and RNA viruses and for cytostatic activity against murine leukemia L1210, human T-lymphocyte CEM and human cervix carcinoma HeLa cells. Compound (1S,2S)-16b exhibited antiviral activity against Influenza A H3N2 subtype (EC₅₀ = 20 μM—visual CPE score; EC₅₀ = 18 μM—MTS method; MCC >100 μM, CC₅₀ >100 μM) in Madin Darby canine kidney cell cultures (MDCK), and (1S,2S)-16k was active against vesicular stomatitis virus and respiratory syncytial virus in HeLa cells (EC₅₀ = 9 and 12 μM, respectively). Moreover, compound (1R,2S)-16l showed activity against both herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) in HEL cell cultures (EC₅₀ = 2.9 and 4 μM, respectively) and feline herpes virus in CRFK cells (EC₅₀ = 4 μM) but at the same time it exhibited cytotoxicity toward uninfected cell (MCC ⩾ 4 μM). Several other compounds have been found to inhibit proliferation of L1210, CEM as well as HeLa cells with IC₅₀ in the 4–50 μM range. Among them compounds (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-16l were the most active (IC₅₀ in the 4–7 μM range).     

Evaluation of 2-indolcarbohydrazones as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors,in silico studies and DFT based stereochemical predictions

2-Indolcarbohydrazones 1–28 were synthesized and evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. A varying degree of inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ values in the range of 2.3 ± 0.11–226.4 ± 6.8 μM was observed while comparing these outcomes with the standard acarbose (IC₅₀ = 906.0 ± 6.3 μM). The stereochemistry of ten (10) randomly selected compounds (1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 18, 19, 23, 25 and 28) was predicted by Density Functional Theory (DFT). The stability of E isomer was deduced by comparing the calculated and experimental vibration modes of ν_CO, ν_NC and ν_CH (CH in NCH-R). It was observed that except compound 18, all other compounds were deduced to have E configuration while molecular modeling studies revealed the key interactions between enzyme and synthesized compounds.     

Novel biphenyl bis-sulfonamides as acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors: Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular modeling studies

A series of new biphenyl bis-sulfonamide derivatives 2a–3p were synthesized in good to excellent yield (76–98%). The inhibitory potential of the synthesized compounds on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) was investigated. Most of the screened compounds showed modest in vitro inhibition for both AChE and BChE. Compared to the reference compound eserine (IC₅₀ 0.04 ± 0.0001 μM for AChE) and (IC₅₀ 0.85 ± 0.0001 μM for BChE), the IC₅₀ values of these compounds were ranged from 2.27 ± 0.01 to 123.11 ± 0.04 μM for AChE and 7.74 ± 0.07 to <400 μM for BuChE. Among the tested compounds, 3p was found to be the most potent against AChE (IC₅₀ 2.27 ± 0.01 μM), whereas 3g exhibited the highest inhibition for BChE (IC₅₀ 7.74 ± 0.07 μM). Structure–activity relationship (SAR) of these compounds was developed and elaborated with the help of molecular docking studies.     

Synthesis and anti-parasitic activity of a novel quinolinone–chalcone series

A series of novel quinolinone–chalcone hybrids and analogues were designed, synthesized and their biological activity against the mammalian stages of Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania infantum evaluated. Promising molecular scaffolds with significant microbicidal activity and low cytotoxicity were identified. Quinolinone–chalcone 10 exhibited anti-parasitic properties against both organisms, being the most potent anti-L. infantum agent of the entire series (IC₅₀ value of 1.3 ± 0.1 μM). Compounds 4 and 11 showed potency toward the intracellular, amastigote stage of L. infantum (IC₅₀ values of 2.1 ± 0.6 and 3.1 ± 1.05 μM, respectively). Promising trypanocidal compounds include 5 and 10 (IC₅₀ values of 2.6 ± 0.1 and 3.3 ± 0.1 μM, respectively) as well as 6 and 9 (both having IC₅₀ values of <5 μM). Chemical modifications on the quinolinone–chalcone scaffold were performed on selected compounds in order to investigate the influence of these structural features on antiparasitic activity.     

Synthesis of 6-chloro-2-Aryl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives: Antidiabetic,antioxidant, β-glucuronidase inhibiton and their molecular docking studies

6-Chloro-2-Aryl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives 1–26 were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. All these derivatives were evaluated for their antiglycation, antioxidant and β-glucuronidase potential followed their docking studies. In antiglycation assay, compound 2 (IC₅₀ = 240.10 ± 2.50 μM) and 4 (IC₅₀ = 240.30 ± 2.90 μM) was found to be most active compound of this series, while compounds 3 (IC₅₀ = 260.10 ± 2.50 μM), 6 (IC₅₀ = 290.60 ± 3.60 μM), 13 (IC₅₀ = 288.20 ± 3.00 μM) and 26 (IC₅₀ = 292.10 ± 3.20 μM) also showed better activities than the standard rutin (IC₅₀ = 294.50 ± 1.50 μM). In antioxidant assay, compound 1 (IC₅₀ = 69.45 ± 0.25 μM), 2 (IC₅₀ = 58.10 ± 2.50 μM), 3 (IC₅₀ = 74.25 ± 1.10 μM), and 4 (IC₅₀ = 72.50 ± 3.30 μM) showed good activities. In β-glucuronidase activity, compounds 3 (IC₅₀ = 29.25 ± 0.50 μM), compound 1 (IC₅₀ = 30.10 ± 0.60 μM) and compound 4 (IC₅₀ = 46.10 ± 1.10 μM) showed a significant activity as compared to than standard D-Saccharic acid 1,4-lactonec (IC₅₀ = 48.50 ± 1.25 μM) and their interaction with the enzyme was confirm by docking studies.     

Identification of novel acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: Indolopyrazoline derivatives and molecular docking studies

The synthesis of novel indolopyrazoline derivatives (P1-P4 and Q1-Q4) has been characterized and evaluated as potential anti-Alzheimer agents through in vitro Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and radical scavenging activity (antioxidant) studies. Specifically, Q3 shows AChE inhibition (IC₅₀: 0.68 ± 0.13 μM) with strong DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀: 13.77 ± 0.25 μM and IC₅₀: 12.59 ± 0.21 μM), respectively. While P3 exhibited as the second most potent compound with AChE inhibition (IC₅₀: 0.74 ± 0.09 μM) and with DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀: 13.52 ± 0.62 μM and IC₅₀: 13.13 ± 0.85 μM), respectively. Finally, molecular docking studies provided prospective evidence to identify key interactions between the active inhibitors and the AChE that furthermore led us to the identification of plausible binding mode of novel indolopyrazoline derivatives. Additionally, in-silico ADME prediction using QikProp shows that these derivatives fulfilled all the properties of CNS acting drugs. This study confirms the first time reporting of indolopyrazoline derivatives as potential anti-Alzheimer agents.     

Discovery and structure–activity relationships study of novel thieno[2,3-b]pyridine analogues as hepatitis C virus inhibitors

Current treatment for hepatitis C is barely satisfactory, there is an urgent need to develop novel agents for combating hepatitis C virus infection. This study discovered a new class of thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives as HCV inhibitors. First, a hit compound characterized by a thienopyridine core was identified in a cell-based screening of our privileged small molecule library. And then, structure activity relationship study of the hit compound led to the discovery of several potent compounds without obvious cytotoxicity in vitro (12c, EC₅₀ = 3.3 μM, SI >30.3, 12b, EC₅₀ = 3.5 μM, SI >28.6, 10l, EC₅₀ = 3.9 μM, SI >25.6, 12o, EC₅₀ = 4.5 μM, SI >22.2, respectively). Although the mechanism of them had not been clearly elucidated, our preliminary optimization of this class of compounds had provided us a start point to develop new anti-HCV agents.