Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of a new potent daunomycinone derivative

The preparation and cytotoxic activity of 4′-azido-3′-bromo-3′-deamino-4′-deoxydaunorubicin is described. The new compound was found to be less active in vitro than adriamycin against L1210 and the sensitive cell lines KB-3-1 and MES-SA, but retained interesting cytotoxicity against the adriamycin resistant subline KB-A1 and the multidrug resistant MES-SA/Dx5 subline.     

Biochemical mode of action and differential activity of new ecdysone agonists against mosquitoes and moths

THQ (1-aroyl-4-(arylamino)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline) compounds were identified by FMC Corporation in cell-based assays that used ecdysone receptors from Drosophila melanogaster, Heliothis virescens, or Plodia interpunctata. THQ compounds showed weak insecticidal activity against H. virescens and, therefore, were not developed further. Several ecdysone agonists based on THQ chemotype have been synthesized and tested for their activity against a number of EcRs in transactivation assays. The THQ compound, RG-120768, activated AaEcR (EcR from A. aegypti) but did not activate EcRs cloned from other insects. In transactivation assays, all six THQ ligands tested functioned through AaEcR but not through CfEcR (EcR from Choristoneura fumiferana). Three THQ compounds that showed higher activity in transactivation assays were tested in tobacco bud moth, H. virescens, and yellow fever mosquito, A. aegypti. These compounds showed higher activity in A. aegypti when compared to their activity in H. virescens. These data show that the THQ ligands are a new class of non-steroidal ecdysone agonists with preferential activity against mosquitoes.     

Design and synthesis of a new steroid-macrocyclic derivative with biological activity

The aims of this study were to evaluate the positive inotropic effect of a new macrocyclic derivative (compound 11) and characterize the molecular mechanism involved in its biological activity. The first step was achieved by synthesis of a macrocyclic derivative involving a series of reactions for the preparation of several steroid derivatives such as (a) steroid-pyrimidinone (3 and 4), (b) steroid-amino (5), (c) steroid-imino (6), (d) ester-steroid (7 and 8), and (e) amido-steroid (9 and 10). Finally, 11 was prepared by removing the tert-butyldimethylsilane fragment of 10. The biological activity of compounds on perfusion pressure and vascular resistance was evaluated on isolated rat heart using the Langendorff model. The inotropic activity of 11 was evaluated in presence of prazosin, metoprolol, indomethacin, nifedipine, and flutamide to characterize its molecular mechanism. Theoretical experiments were carried out with a Docking model, to assess potential interactions of androgen receptor with 11. The results showed that only this macrocyclic derivative exerts changes on perfusion pressure and vascular resistance translated as the positive inotropic effect, and this effect was blocked with flutamide; these data indicate that the positive inotropic activity induced by this macrocyclic derivative was via androgen receptor activation. The theoretical results indicated that the interaction of the macrocyclic derivative with the androgen receptor involves several amino acid residues such as Leu₇₀₄, Asn₇₀₅, Met₇₈₀, Cys₇₈₄, Met₇₄₉, Leu₇₆₂, Phe₇₆₄, Ser₇₇₈, and Met₇₈₇. In conclusion, all these data suggest that the positive inotropic activity of the macrocyclic derivative may depend on its chemical structure.     

Chemotherapy of schistosomiasis: present and future

Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease in tropical and subtropical regions and is associated with a variety of clinical syndromes that may lead to severe morbidity. Over the past 25 years, therapy and control of schistosomiasis has come to rely heavily on one drug, praziquantel (PZQ). This reliance is of concern should widespread treatment failure arise, particularly as measures are being undertaken to increase PZQ's availability. This review summarizes the use, possible modes of action and limitations of PZQ, and recent attempts to derive synthetic analogs. Alternative artemisinin-based chemotherapies that have shown applicability in certain disease settings are also similarly examined. Looking forward, the review highlights some of the more experimental anti-schistosomals being evaluated (e.g. the trioxolanes), including those where knowledge of the parasite target (e.g. cysteine proteases and hemozoin formation) is more defined.     

Clinical pharmacology and mode of action of a new antithrombotic compound: Defibrotide

Defibrotide is a derivative of polydeoxyribonucleotide extracted from bovine lung. Defibrotide has been found to modulate endothelial cell function causing increase in t-PA production and release with correction the defect in Cuff test in vascular disorders. Defibrotide causes a significant elevation in the PGI2 formation. In addition increase of platelet c-AMP levels with a decrease of MDA and TXA2 formation has been shown in human subjects. Defibrotide causes an inhibition of platelet activation were demonstrated with surface activation method as well ultrastructurally. Besides, an increase of protein C and FV were observed, a synergic action with heparin was observed. A strong antithrombotic effect has been shown in animal models and unlike most antithrombotic drugs defibrotide did not cause any effect of clotting tests in animals and human subjects. All findings support our earlier suggestion that defibrotide mainly acts via the modulation of endothelial cell function and acts as a novel fashion in contrast to the other drugs used in this area.     

Cytotoxic action mode of a novel porphyrin derivative isolated from harmful red tide dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama

Heterocapsa circularisquama is known to cause lethal effect on bivalves, but toxic effect on fish has not been reported yet. Recently, we have found that H. circularisquama has potent light-dependent hemolytic toxins. Based on the chemical structural analysis, one of the hemolytic toxins named H2-a was found to be a novel porphyrin derivative with similar structure to pyropheophorbide a methyl ester (PME), a well-known photoactive hemolytic agent (Miyazaki et al., Aquatic Toxicol. 2005;73:382--393). To clarify the cytotoxic action mode of H2-a, we examined the effects of H2-a on HeLa cells in comparison with PME. The cytotoxicities of both reagents were strictly light dependent, and no significant cytotoxic effects including cellular morphological changes were induced without light illumination. The dose response curves revealed that H2-a showed stronger cytotoxicity to HeLa cells than PME. Fluorescence microscopic observation suggested that H2-a tends to accumulate in the plasma membrane, whereas PME seems to distribute entire cytoplasm. Although PME induced typical apoptotic nuclear morphological changes and DNA fragmentation in HeLa cells, no such apoptosis-inducing ability of H2-a was observed. Among the radical scavengers, histidine significantly inhibited the cytotoxic activity of H2-a, suggesting the involvement of singlet oxygen in the cytotoxicity. These results suggest that the cytotoxic mechanism of H2-a is necrotic rather than apoptosis differing from PME, even though these are structurally quite similar to each other. The relatively high affinity of H2-a to the plasma membrane might result in the potent and quick cytotoxicity without induction of apoptotic signal transduction.     

Talampicillin: a new derivative of ampicillin.

Talampicillin is a thiazolide carboxylic ester of ampicillin and is hydrolysed in the intestinal mucosa to release free ampicillin. The mean peak serum concentration of ampicillin occurred one hour after a dose of talampicillin and was about twice that attained by an equivalent dose of ampicillin. The presence of food in the stomach reduced and delayed the peak blood levels but did not affect the total amount of antibiotic absorbed or the urinary recovery. Talampicillin had less effect on the faecal flora in volunteers than ampicillin, and no overgrowth with Candida spp or Staphylococcus aureus was seen. Thirty-eight out of 47 urinary infections were eradicated by a seven-day course of talampicillin.