Synthesis and in vitro antiviral activities of 3′-fluoro (or chloro) and 2′,3′-difluoro 2′,3′-dideoxynucleoside analogs against hepatitis B and C viruses

Chronic infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) lead to serious liver diseases worldwide. Co-infection with HBV and HCV is very common and is associated with increased risk of liver pathogenesis, liver cancer, and liver failure. Several 5-substituted 3′-fluoro (or chloro) (1–4, 6, 7, 17–19) and 2′,3′-difluoro 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides (15 and 16) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antiviral activities against duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), human hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus. Of these compounds 4, 7, 17, and 19 demonstrated moderate anti-HBV activity, and 2, 4, 7, 8, and 19 were weak inhibitors of HCV. Although 5-iodo derivative (7) was most inhibitory against HCV, it exhibited a reduction in cellular RNA levels in Huh-7 cells. The 5-hydroxymethyl-3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine (4) and 1-(3-chloro-2,3-dideoxy-β-d-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-5-fluorouracil (19) provided the most inhibition of both viruses without cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis and plant growth inhibitory activities of (+)- and (−)-(2Z,4E)-5-(1′,2′-epoxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid

Chiral (+)- and (?)-enantiomers of (2Z,4E)-5-(1′,2′-epoxy-2′,6′,6′-trimethylcyclohexyl)-3-methyl-2,4-pentadienoic acid have been synthesized from the chiral epoxy alcohols (+)- and (?)-1′,2′-dihydro-1′,2′-epoxy-β-ionone, which were prepared by Katsuki-Sharpless' asymmetric epoxidation of β-cyclogeraniol. The (+)-enantiomer showed strong inhibitory activity in a rice seedling and lettuce germination assay, whereas the (?)-enantiomer was 10³-times less active.     

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.     

Anti-AIDS agents 84. Synthesis and anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity of 2′-monomethyl-4-methyl- and 1′-thia-4-methyl-(3′R,4′R)-3′,4′-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khellactone (DCK) analogs

In a continuing investigation into the pharmacophores and structure–activity relationship (SAR) of (3′R,4′R)-3′,4′-di-O-(S)-camphanoyl-(+)-cis-khellactone (DCK) as a potent anti-HIV agent, 2′-monomethyl substituted 1′-oxa, 1′-thia, 1′-sulfoxide, and 1′-sulfone analogs were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of HIV-1 replication in H9 lymphocytes. Among them, 2′S-monomethyl-4-methyl DCK (5a)³ and 2′S-monomethyl-1′-thia-4-methyl DCK (7a) exhibited potent anti-HIV activity with EC₅₀ values of 40.2 and 39.1 nM and remarkable therapeutic indexes of 705 and 1000, respectively, which were better than those of the lead compound DCK in the same assay. In contrast, the corresponding isomeric 2′R-monomethyl-4-methyl DCK (6) and 2′R-monomethyl-1′-thia-4-methyl DCK (8) showed much weaker inhibitory activity against HIV-1 replication. Therefore, the bioassay results suggest that the spatial orientation of the 2′-methyl group in DCK analogs can have important effects on anti-HIV activity of this compound class.     

Synthesis of 2-(2′-Hydroxy-2′, 2′-diphenylethyl)-8-hydroxy-quinoline and Its Biological Activity

2-(2′-Hydroxy-2′,2′-diphenylethyl)-8-hydroxyquinoline was prepared via Grignard reaction involving the activated methyl group in position 2. This compound inhibited the action of the phenol oxidase prepared from prepupae of housefly. In a dipping test of the final instar larvae of housefly, it showed some inhibitory effects on the metamorphosis.     

Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-4′-C-ethynyl nucleoside analogs

Based on the favorable antiviral profiles of 4′-substituted nucleosides, novel 1-(2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-4′-C-ethynyl-β-d-arabinofuranosyl)-uracil (1a), -thymine (1b), and -cytosine (2) analogs were synthesized. Compounds 1b and 2 exhibited potent anti-HIV-1 activity with IC₅₀ values of 86 and 1.34 nM, respectively, without significant cytotoxicity. Compound 2 was 35-fold more potent than AZT against wild-type virus, and also retained nanomolar antiviral activity against resistant strains, NL4-3 (K101E) and RTMDR. Thus, 2 merits further development as a novel NRTI drug.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis of 1-O-(2′,4′-Dichlorophenoxyacetyl)-d-glucopyranose

1-O-Glucosyl esters of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were easily prepared from 4,6-O-benzylideneglucose. The configuration of 1-O-ester linkage was affected by pH at the end of the reaction, that is, β-type was a major product at a neutral or acidic condition and α-type at an alkaline condition. Both of the anomers showed the same biological activities as sodium salt of 2,4-D.     

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).     

Inhibition of thymidylate synthase by 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxycytidine (Gemcitabine) and its metabolite 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxyuridine

2′,2′-Difluoro-2′-deoxycytidine (dFdC, gemcitabine) is a cytidine analogue active against several solid tumor types, such as ovarian, pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancer. The compound has a complex mechanism of action. Because of the structural similarity of one metabolite of dFdC, dFdUMP, with the natural substrate for thymidylate synthase (TS) dUMP, we investigated whether dFdC and its deamination product 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (dFdU) would inhibit TS. This study was performed using two solid tumor cell lines: the human ovarian carcinoma cell line A2780 and its dFdC-resistant variant AG6000. The specific TS inhibitor Raltitrexed (RTX) was included as a positive control. Using the in situ TS activity assay measuring the intracellular conversion of [5-³H]-2′-deoxyuridine or [5-³H]-2′-deoxycytidine to dTMP and tritiated water, it was observed that dFdC and dFdU inhibited TS. In A2780 cells after a 4 h exposure to 1 μM dFdC tritium release was inhibited by 50% but did not increase after 24 h, Inhibition was also observed following dFdU at 100 μM. No effect was observed in the dFdC-resistant cell line AG6000; in this cell line only RTX had an inhibitory effect on TS activity. In the A2780 cell line RTX inhibited TS in a time dependent manner. In addition, DNA specific compounds such as 2′-C-cyano-2′-deoxy-1-beta-D-arabino-pentafuranosylcytosine and aphidicoline were utilized to exclude DNA inhibition mediated down regulation of the thymidine kinase.Inhibition of the enzyme resulted in a relative increase of mis-incorporation of [5-³H]-2′-deoxyuridine into DNA. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of in situ TS inhibition the ternary complex formation and possible inhibition in cellular extracts of A2780 cells, before and after exposure to dFdC, were determined. With the applied methods no proof for formation of a stable complex was found. In simultaneously performed experiments with 5FU such a complex formation could be demonstrated. However, using purified TS it was demonstrated that dFdUMP and not dFdCMP competitively inhibited TS with a Ki of 130 μM, without ternary complex formation. In conclusion, in this paper we reveal a new target of dFdC: thymidylate synthase.     

Synthesis,Anti-Hiv Activity,and Biological Properties of 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-Dideoxythwidine (d4T)

Abstract

D4T is a thymidine analogue with an in vitro potency against HIV comparable to that of AZT but is less toxic to a variety of cell lines including human hemopoietic progenitor cells.     

Solution and Solid State Structure of 2′,5′-BIS-(O-Trityl)-3′-Oximinouridine

Abstract

Comparison of the solution (in CDCl₃ at 500 MHz¹H NMR) and X-ray crystal studies of 3′-oximinouridine 1 shows in general good agreement with the high anti glycosidic angle and in the conformation about C4′-C5′. The sugar pucker (C2′-endo) is qualititatively identical in both cases. This is the first example of a conformationally sugar-rigid nucleoside in which the rigidity arises from the sp² character of an endocyclic carbon (i.e. C3′), not from the strain due to the ring fusion (see ref. 7 for conformationally strained nucleosides).     

Inverse relationship between poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and 2′,5′-oligoadenylates core level in estrogen-treated immature rat

Summary The activity of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (ADPRP) and the content of 2,5-oligodenylates core (2,5A_n; n = 2,3 and 4) were measured in homogenates of the uterus and of the liver of immature rats immediately before (time 0) or at different times after injection of estradiol-valerate. ADPRP activity increased gradualy, starting 6 hours after estrogen injection, for about 4 days. Instead, the content of 2,5 A_n decreased by about 50% within 6 hours, and thereafter more slowly for 4 days to about 20% of starting values. Estrogen increased ADPRP activity and decreased 2,5A_n concentration also in the kidney and in the cardiac muscle of the same animals, but not in the skeletal muscle, where neither of the two parameters was affected. Injection of vehicle only (sesame oil) had no effect on ADPRP activity nor on 2,5A_n content of immature rat tissues.     

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.     

Stannylation Approach to the Synthesis of 2′- and 3′-Substituted Analogues of 2′,3′-Didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides

Abstract

Three methods are described for the introduction of a tributylstannyl group to the sp²-carbon of 2′,3′-didehydro-2′,3′-dideoxy nucleosides (d44Ns). The resulting stannylated products serve as versatile intermediates for the synthesis of d4Ns having various types of carbon-substituent.     

A facile access to novel steroidal 17-2′-(1′,3′,4′)-oxadiazoles,and an evaluation of their cytotoxic activities in vitro

Novel types of 17-exo-heterocycles in the Δ⁵ androstene series carrying an 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety were efficiently synthesized via aldehyde N-acylhydrazone intermediates, obtained from the microwave-assisted condensation of 3β-hydroxy- or 3β-acetoxyandrost-5-ene-17β-carbaldehyde with different acylhydrazides. The subsequent phenyl iodonium diacetate-induced oxidative cyclization proceeded under mild conditions. The synthesized compounds were subjected to in vitro pharmacological studies to investigate their antiproliferative activities on four malignant adherent cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, A2780 and A431), and exhibited the highest potency against HeLa cells, some of them revealing action comparable to that of the reference agent cisplatin.     

Synthesis of 3′,4′-difluoro-3′-deoxyribonucleosides and its evaluation of the biological activities: Discovery of a novel type of anti-HCV agent 3′,4′-difluorocordycepin

Upon reacting 3′,4′-unsaturated cytosine (8 and 9) and adenine nucleosides (13 and 14) with XeF₂/BF₃·OEt₂, the respective novel 3′,4′-difluoro-3′-deoxyribofuranosyl nucleosides (10–12 and 15–18) could be obtained. Formation of anti-adducts (11, 16 and 18) revealed that the fluorination involved oxonium ions as incipient intermediates. TBDMS-protected 3′,4′-unsaturated adenosine provided the β-face adducts as sole stereoisomers whereas α-face-selectivity was observed with the TBDPS-protected adenosine 14. The evaluation of the novel 3′-deoxy-3′,4′-difluororibofuranosylcytosine-(19–21) and adenine nucleosides (22–25) against antitumor and antiviral activities revealed that 3′,4′-difluorocordycepin (24) was found to possess anti-HCV activity. The SI of 24 was comparable to that of the anti-HCV drug ribavirin. However, sofosbuvir, FDA-approved novel anti-HCV drug, showed better SI value. Our finding revealed that the introduction of the fluoro-substituent into the 4′-position of cordycepin derivatives decreased the cytotoxicity to the host cell with retention of the antiviral activity.     

Synthesis of 2′-Deoxy-2′ -Fluoro-D-Arabinopyranopyranosyl Nucleosides and Their 3′,4′-Seco analogues

Abstract

2′-Deoxy-2′-fluoro-D-arabinopyranosyl nucleosides were synthesized by condensation of 1,3,4-tri-O-benzoyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-arabinopyranose with the appropriate silylated bases in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate. Scission of the 3′,4′-bond by periodate oxidation followed by sodium borohydride reduction resulted in the formation of the 3′,4′-seco analogues of the 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-D-arabinofuranosyl nucleosides.     

Incorporation of shikimate and 4-(2′-carboxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyrate into phylloquinone

The patterns of incorporation of d-[G-¹⁴C]shikimate and variously labelled ¹⁴C-4-(2′-carboxy-phenyl)-4-oxobutyrate into the naphthoquinone nucleus of phylloquinone by maize shoots have been investigated. The results show that (a) the alicyclic ring and C-7 of shikimate give rise to Ring A and either C-1 or C-4, and (b) the phenyl ring, 2′-carboxy and C-4, and C-2 and -3 of 4-(2′-carboxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyrate give rise to Ring A, C-1 and -4 and C-2 and -3. Radioactivity from α-[1-¹⁴C]naphthol, 1,4-[1,4-¹⁴C]naphthoquinone and [Me-¹⁴C]menadione is not incorporated into phylloquinone to any significant extent.