Antioxidant function of phenethyl-5-bromo-pyridyl thiourea compounds with potent anti-HIV activity

In a systematic search for novel dual function antioxidants with potent anti-HIV activity, we evaluated 9 rationally designed non-nucleoside inhibitors (NNI) of HIV-1 RT for antioxidant and anti-HIV activities. Our lead phenethyl-5-bromopyridyl thiourea (PEPT) compounds, N-[2-(2-methoxyphenylethyl)]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]-thioure a (2) and N-[2-(2-chlorophenylethyl)]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]-thiourea (9), inhibited the oxidation of ABTS to ABTS*+ by metmyoglobin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide with EC50 values of 79 and 75 microM, respectively. Both compounds effectively inhibited the oxidation-induced green fluorescence emission from the free radical-sensitive indicator dye 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate in CEM human T-cells and Nalm-6 human B-cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide. To our knowledge, compounds 2 and 9 are the first NNI of HIV-1 RT with potent anti-oxidant activity. Furthermore, the activity center was defined as the sulfhydryl group since alkylated PEPT derivatives were inactive. The presence of a free thiourea group was also essential for the anti-HIV activity of the PEPT compounds.     

Inhibition of mast cell leukotriene release by thiourea derivatives

Mast cell derived leukotrienes (LT's) play a vital role in pathophysiology of allergy and asthma. We synthesized various analogues of indolyl, naphthyl and phenylethyl substituted halopyridyl, thiazolyl and benzothiazolyl thioureas and examined their in vitro effects on the high affinity IgE receptor/FcERI-mediated mast cell leukotriene release. Of the 22 naphthylethyl thiourea compounds tested, there were seven active compounds and N-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(ethyl-4-acetylthiazolyl)]thiourea (17 and 16) (IC(50)=0.002 microM) and N-[1-(1R)-naphthylethyl]-N'-[2-(5-methylpyridyl)]thiourea (5) (IC(50)=0.005 microM) were identified as the lead compounds. Among the 11 indolylethyl thiourea compounds tested, there were seven active compounds and the halopyridyl compounds N-[2-(3-indolylethyl)]-N'-[2-(5-chloropyridyl)]thiourea and N-[2-(3-indolylethyl)]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]thiourea were the most active agents and inhibited the LTC(4) release with low micromolar IC(50) values of 4.9 microM and 6.1 microM, respectively. The hydroxylphenyl substituted compounds N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-chloropyridyl)]thiourea (IC(50)=12.6 microM), N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]thiourea (IC(50)=16.8 microM) and N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(pyridyl)]thiourea (IC(50)=8.5 microM) were the most active pyridyl thiourea agents. Notably, the introduction of electron withdrawing or donating groups had a marked impact on the biological activity of these thiourea derivatives and the Hammett sigma values of their substituents were identified as predictors of their potency. In contrast, experimentally determined partition coefficient values did not correlate with the biological activity of the thiourea compounds which demonstrates that their liphophilicity is not an important factor controlling their mast cell inhibitory effects.     

N-[2-(1-cyclohexenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]-thiourea and N'-[2-(1-cyclohexenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-chloropyridyl)]-thiourea as potent inhibitors of multidrug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus-1.

We have replaced the pyridyl ring of trovirdine with an alicyclic cyclohexenyl, adamantyl or cis-myrtanyl ring. Only the cyclohexenyl-containing thiourea compound N-[2-(1-cyclohexenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]- thiourea (HI-346) (as well as its chlorine-substituted derivative N-[2-(1-cyclohexenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-chloropyridyl)]- thiourea/HI-445) showed RT inhibitory activity. HI-346 and HI-445 effectively inhibited recombinant RT with better IC50 values than other anti-HIV agents tested. The ranking order of efficacy in cell-free RT inhibition assays was: HI-346 (IC50 = 0.4 microM) > HI-445 (IC50 = 0.5 microM) > trovirdine (IC50 = 0.8 microM) > MKC-442 (IC5 = 0.8 microM) = delavirdine (IC50 = 1.5 microM) > nevirapine (IC50 = 23 microM). In accord with this data, both compounds inhibited the replication of the drug-sensitive HIV-1 strain HTLV(IIIB) with better IC50 values than other anti-HIV agents tested. The ranking order of efficacy in cellular HIV-1 inhibition assays was: HI-445 = HI-346 (IC50 = 3 nM) > MKC-442 (IC50 = 4 nM) = AZT (IC50 = 4 nM) > trovirdine (IC50 = 7 nM) > delavirdine (IC50 = 9 nM) > nevirapine (IC50 = 34 nM). Surprisingly, the lead compounds HI-346 and HI-445 were 3-times more effective against the multidrug resistant HIV-1 strain RT-MDR with a V106A mutation (as well as additional mutations involving the RT residues 74V,41L, and 215Y) than they were against HTLV(IIIB) with wild-type RT. HI-346 and HI-445 were 20-times more potent than trovirdine, 200-times more potent than AZT, 300-times more potent than MKC-442, 400-times more potent than delavirdine, and 5000-times more potent than nevirapine against the multidrug resistant HIV-1 strain RT-MDR. HI-445 was also tested against the RT Y181C mutant A17 strain of HIV-1 and found to be >7-fold more effective than trovirdine and >1,400-fold more effective than nevirapine or delavirdine. Similarly, both HI-346 and HI-445 were more effective than trovirdine, nevirapine, and delavirdine against the problematic NNI-resistant HIV-1 strain A17-variant with both Y181C and K103N mutations in RT, although their activity was markedly reduced against this strain. Neither compound exhibited significant cytotoxicity at effective concentrations (CC50 >100 microM). These findings establish the lead compounds HI-346 and HI-445 as potent inhibitors of drug-sensitive as well as multidrug-resistant stains of HIV-1.     

Substituted heterocyclic thiourea compounds as a new class of anti-allergic agents inhibiting IgE/Fc epsilon RI receptor mediated mast cell leukotriene release

Mast cell derived leukotrienes (LT's) play a vital role in pathophysiology of allergy and asthma. We synthesized various analogues of indolyl, naphthyl and phenylethyl substituted halopyridyl, thiazolyl and benzothiazolyl thioureas and examined their in vitro effects on the high affinity IgE receptor/Fc epsilon RI-mediated mast cell leukotriene release. Of the 22 naphthylethyl thiourea compounds tested, there were 7 active compounds and N-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(ethyl-4-acetylthiazolyl)]thiourea (17 and 16) (IC(50)=0.002 microM) and N-[1-(1R)-naphthylethyl]-N'-[2-(5-methylpyridyl)]thiourea (compound 5) (IC(50)=0.005 microM) were identified as the lead compounds. Among the 11 indolylethyl thiourea compounds tested, there were seven active compounds and the halopyridyl compounds N-[2-(3-indolylethyl)]-N'-[2-(5-chloropyridyl)]thiourea (24) and N-[2-(3-indolylethyl)]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]thiourea (25) were the most active agents and inhibited the LTC(4) release with low micromolar IC(50) values of 4.9 and 6.1 microM, respectively. The hydroxylphenyl substituted compounds N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-chloropyridyl)]thiourea (37; IC(50)=12.6 microM), N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]thiourea (50; IC(50)=16.8 microM) and N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-N'-[2-(pyridyl)]thiourea (35; IC(50)=8.5 microM) were the most active pyridyl thiourea agents. Notably, the introduction of electron withdrawing or donating groups had a marked impact on the biological activity of these thiourea derivatives and the Hammett sigma values of their substituents were identified as predictors of their potency. In contrast, experimentally determined partition coefficient values did not correlate with the biological activity of the thiourea compounds which demonstrates that their liphophilicity is not an important factor controlling their mast cell inhibitory effects. These results establish the substituted halopyridyl, indolyl and naphthyl thiourea compounds as a new chemical class of anti-allergic agents inhibiting IgE receptor/Fc epsilon RI-mediated mast cell LTC(4) release. Further lead optimization efforts may provide the basis for new and effective treatment as well as prevention programs for allergic asthma in clinical settings.     

Synthesis of N,N',N"-trisubstituted thiourea derivatives and their antagonist effect on the vanilloid receptor

Twenty-seven N,N',N"-trisubstituted thiourea derivatives were prepared. Among them, 1-[3-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxy-phenyl)-propyl]-1,3-diphenethyl-thiourea (8l, IC(50)=0.32 microM), showed 2-fold higher antagonistic activity than that of capsazepine (3, IC(50)=0.65 microM) against the vanilloid receptor in a (45)Ca(2+)-influx assay.     

A sterile sperm caste protects brother fertile sperm from female-mediated death in Drosophila pseudoobscura

Spermicide (i.e., female-mediated sperm death) is an understudied but potentially widespread phenomenon that has important ramifications for the study of sexual conflict, postcopulatory sexual selection, and fertility [1, 2]. Males are predicted to evolve adaptations against spermicide, but few antispermicidal mechanisms have been definitively identified. One such adaptation may be the enigmatic infertile sperm morphs or "parasperm" produced by many species, which have been hypothesized to protect their fertile brother "eusperm" from spermicide [2, 3]. Here, we show that female Drosophila pseudoobscura reproductive tracts are spermicidal and that the survival of eusperm after exposure to the female tract is highest when males produce many parasperm. This study clarifies the adaptive significance of infertile sperm castes, which has remained elusive in Drosophila and other taxa despite much recent interest [2-8]. We suggest that spermicide and male countermeasures against it are more common than is appreciated currently and discuss how spermicide could drive the evolution of several key male traits, including sperm size and number.     

N'-[2-(2-thiophene)ethyl]-N'-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)] thiourea as a potent inhibitor of NNI-resistant and multidrug-resistant human immunodeficiency virus-1

The thiophene-ethyl thiourea (TET) compound N′-[2-(2-thiophene)ethyl]-N′-[2-(5-bromopyridyl)]-thiourea (compound HI-443) was five times more potent than trovirdine, 1250 times more potent than nevirapine, 100 times more potent than delavirdine, 75 times more potent than MKC-442, and 50 times more potent than AZT against the multidrug resistant HIV-1 strain RT-MDR with a V106A mutation. HI-443 was almost as potent against the NNI-resistant HIV-1 strain A17 with a Y181C mutation as it was against HTLV_IIIB. The activity of HI-443 against A17 was ten times more potent than that of trovirdine, 2083 times more potent than that of nevirapine, and 1042 times more potent than that of delavirdine. HI-443 inhibited the replication of the NNI-resistant HIV-1 strain A17 variant with Y181C plus K103N mutations in RT with an IC₅₀ value of 3.3 μM, whereas the IC₅₀ values of trovirdine, nevirapine, and delavirdine were all >100 μM. These findings establish the novel thiophene containing thiourea compound HI-443 as a novel NNI with potent antiviral activity against NNI-sensitive, NNI-resistant and multidrug-resistant strains of HIV-1.     

Structural and functional characterization of seven spermicidal vanadium(IV) complexes: potentiation of activity by methyl substitution on the cyclopentadienyl rings.

In a systematic effort to identify and develop effective vanadocene(IV) complexes as a new class of contraceptive agents, the effect of methyl substitution in the cyclopentadienyl rings of Cpx2VCl2 on their spermicidal activity has been examined. The spermicidal activities of compounds Cpx2VCl2 [Cpx = Me5Cp (Cp*) (1), Cp (3), MeCp (Cp') (5)], as well as two of their corresponding vanadium(V) oxidation products Cp*V(O)Cl2 (2) and CpV(O)Cl2 (4), were examined by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). These analyses have established that penta-substitution of the Cp ring by electron-donating methyl groups augments the spermicidal activity 10-fold. The corresponding V(V) oxo compounds, Cp*V(O)Cl2 (2) and CpV(O)Cl2 (4), tested under identical conditions did not show as effective spermicidal activity even though these complexes have a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry similar to the active vanadocene(IV) dichlorides. Two pseudo-octahedral V(IV) complexes with tris-pyrazolyl borate as ligand, (HBpz3)V(O)Cl.DMF (6) and (HB(3,5-Me2pz)3)V(O)Cl.DMF (7), were also found to exhibit potent spermicidal activity. Although some vanadium(IV) complexes may immobilize sperm due to the generation of .OH radicals, the lack of spermicidal activity of VOSO4 which generates .OH radicals, and the potent spermicidal activity of [Cp2V(acac)][O3SCF3] (8), and [Cp2V(DeDtc)][O3SCF3] (9) which do not generate .OH radicals, indicate that .OH radical mediated reactions may not be essential for the spermicidal activity of vanadium(IV) complexes.     

The screening and characterization of 6-aminopurine-based xanthine oxidase inhibitors

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a key enzyme which can catalyze xanthine to uric acid causing hyperuricemia in humans. By using the fractionation technique and inhibitory activity assay, an active compound that prevents XO from reacting with xanthine was isolated from wheat leaf. It was identified by the Mass and NMR as 6-aminopurine (adenine). A structure-activity study based on 6-aminopurine was conducted. The inhibition of XO activity by 6-aminopurine (IC(50)=10.89+/-0.13 microM) and its analogues was compared with that by allopurinol (IC(50)=7.82+/-0.12 microM). Among these analogues, 2-chloro-6(methylamino)purine (IC(50)=10.19+/-0.10 microM) and 4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d] pyrimidine (IC(50)=30.26+/-0.23 microM) were found to be potent inhibitors of XO. Kinetics study showed that 2-chloro-6(methylamino)purine is non-competitive, while 4-aminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine is competitive against XO.     

Synthesis, X-ray structure, and anti-leukemic activity of oxovanadium(IV) complexes

In a systematic effort to identify and develop effective anticancer agents, four oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) or 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me2-Phen) as ligand(s) were synthesized and characterized. Among the four oxovanadium(IV) complexes synthesized, the crystal structure of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex bis(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)2], compound 1) has been determined. Compound 1 crystallized in the space group P2(1)/n with unit cell parameters a = 14.2125(17) A, b = 10.8628(13) A, c = 20.143(2) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 102.569(2) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 3035.3(6) A3, and Z = 4. The refinement of compound 1 by full-matrix least-squares techniques gave an R factor of 0.0785 for 4356 independent reflections. The structure contains two enantiomorphous molecules, lambda and delta, which are related by an inversion center. Compound 1 exhibited 3.5-fold more potent cytotoxic activity against NALM-6 human leukemia cells than the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex (diaqua)(1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Phen)(H2O)2], compound 2) (IC50 values: 0.97+/-0.10 microM versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM: P=0.0004). Methyl substitution in the phenanthroline ligand enhanced the anti-leukemic activity of the mono(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 4.4-fold (IC50 values: 0.78+/-0.10 microM, compound 4, versus 3.40+/-0.20 microM, compound 2; P=0.0003) and the anti-leukemic activity of the bis(phenanthroline)oxovanadium(IV) complex 5.7-fold (IC50 values: 0.17+/-0.02 microM, compound 3, versus 0.97+/-0.10 microM, compound 1; P=0.001). The leading oxovanadium compound, bis(4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)sulfatooxovanadium(IV) ([VO(SO4)(Me2-Phen)2], compound 3) triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human leukemia cells, caused G1-arrest and inhibited clonogenic growth at nanomolar concentrations.     

Organic phenyl arsonic acid compounds with potent antileukemic activity

A series of 12 organic arsonic acid compounds has been synthesized and evaluated against human B-lineage (NALM-6) and T-lineage (MOLT-3) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cell lines. The lead compounds 2-trichloromethyl-4-[4'-(4"-phenylazo)phenylarsonic acid]aminoquinazoline (compound 19, PHI-P518; IC(50)=1.1+/-0.5 microM against NALM-6 and 2.0+/-0.8 microM against MOLT-3) and 2-methylthio-4-(2'-phenylarsonic acid)aminopyrimidine (compound 15, PHI-P381; IC(50)=1.5+/-0.3 microM against NALM-6 and 2.3+/-0.5 microM against MOLT-3) exhibited potent antileukemic activity at low micromolar concentrations.     

Assessment of spermicides by a stripping technique against human spermatozoa

Fifty-two (52) compounds were tested for spermicidal activity by titration against human spermatozoa. The gradual decrease in mean sperm size was measured against increasing concentration of spermicide and the end-point was taken as the point at which all the peripheral cytoplasm had been removed and only the sperm core of nucleus and tail fibres remained. There were 14 compounds that produced this total effect. All were detergents, of various types, and the effect was purely physical. The most potent compounds caused complete stripping at 0.5-50 pmol/cell and most are already used in spermicidal preparations. A further 11 compounds, including sodium hypochlorite and some phenols, caused partial stripping, while 4 compounds caused sperm swelling. The test was not suitable for assessment of metabolic cell poisons.     

Synthesis of N-benzyl- and N-phenyl-2-amino-4,5-dihydrothiazoles and thioureas and evaluation as modulators of the isoforms of nitric oxide synthase

Inhibition of the isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has important applications in therapy of several diseases, including cancer. Using 1400 W [N-(3-aminomethylbenzyl)acetamidine], thiocitrulline and N(delta)-(4,5-dihydrothiazol-2-yl)ornithine as lead compounds, series of N-benzyl- and N-phenyl-2-amino-4,5-dihydrothiazoles and thioureas were designed as inhibitors of NOS. Ring-substituted benzyl and phenyl isothiocyanates were synthesised by condensation of the corresponding amines with thiophosgene and addition of ammonia gave the corresponding thioureas in high yields. The substituted 2-amino-4,5-dihydrothiazoles were approached by two routes. Treatment of simple benzylamines with 2-methylthio-4,5-dihydrothiazole at 180 degrees C afforded the corresponding 2-benzylamino-4,5-dihydrothiazoles. For less nucleophilic amines and those carrying more thermally labile substituents, the 4,5-dihydrothiazoles were approached by acid-catalysed cyclisation of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)thioureas. This cyclisation was shown to proceed by an S(N)2-like process. Modest inhibitory activity was shown by most of the thioureas and 4,5-dihydrothiazoles, with N-(3-aminomethylphenyl)thiourea (IC(50)=13 microM vs rat neuronal NOS and IC(50)=23 microM vs rat inducible NOS) and 2-(3-aminomethylphenylamino)-4,5-dihydrothiazole (IC(50)=13 microM vs rat neuronal NOS and IC(50)=19 microM vs human inducible NOS) being the most potent. Several thioureas and 4,5-dihydrothiazoles were found to stimulate the activity of human inducible NOS in a time-dependent manner.     

Studies in humans on the mechanism of potent spermicidal and apoptosis-inducing activities of vanadocene complexes

We previously demonstrated that bis-cyclopentadienyl (Cp) complexes of vanadium(IV) (vanadocenes) are potent spermicidal and apoptosis-inducing agents. To gain further insight into the structure-function relationships controlling these two properties of vanadocenes, we have synthesized analogues in which the bis-Cp rings were substituted with one or five electron-donating methyl groups. The three complexes included vanadocene dichloride (VDC), bis(methylcyclopentadienyl) vanadium dichloride (VMDC), and bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) vanadium dichloride (VPMDC). The concentration-dependent effect of these vanadocenes on sperm-immobilizing activity (SIA), mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim), axonemal dynein ATPase activity, and tyrosine phosphorylation of global and axoneme-specific sperm proteins was assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis, flow cytometry, colorimetry, and immunoblotting, respectively. Apoptosis-inducing ability was quantitated by the two-color flow cytometric terminal dideoxynucleotidyl transferase-based assay that labels 3'-hydroxyl ends of fragmented DNA. All three vanadocenes induced rapid sperm immobilization (T(1/2) < 15 sec). Substitution of the bis-Cp rings by five methyl groups augmented the SIA of VDC by 10-fold. The EC(50) values (50% inhibitory concentration) for VDC, VMDC, and VPMDC were 7.5 microM, 4.3 microM, and 0.7 microM, respectively. Whereas SIA of vanadocenes was apparent at low micromolar concentrations, the apoptosis-inducing property was evident only at higher micromolar concentrations. The concentrations of VDC, VMDC, and VPMDC required for 50% apoptosis were 49 microM, 67 microM, and 153 microM, and for 50% reduction in sperm DeltaPsim were 435 microM, 173 microM, and 124 microM, respectively. Spermicidal activity of vanadocenes was not dependent on the inhibition of ATPase or tyrosine phosphorylation of global and sperm axonemal proteins. Due to the ability of these vanadocene complexes to rapidly generate hydroxyl radicals in the presence of oxidant, our findings provide unprecedented evidence for a novel mechanism of action for spermicidal vanadocenes. The differential concentration-dependent spermicidal and apoptosis-inducing properties of vanadocenes gives them particular utility as a new class of vaginal contraceptives.     

Synthesis, biochemical evaluation of a range of potent 4-substituted phenyl alkyl imidazole-based inhibitors of the enzyme complex 17alpha-Hydroxylase/17,20-Lyase (P45017alpha)

We report the synthesis, biochemical evaluation and rationalisation of the inhibitory activity of a number of azole-based compounds as inhibitors of the two components of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P450(17alpha)), i.e. 17alpha-hydroxylase (17alpha-OHase) and 17,20-lyase (lyase). The results suggest that the compounds synthesised are potent inhibitors, with 7-phenyl heptyl imidazole (11) (IC(50)=320 nM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=100 nM against lyase); 1-[7-(4-fluorophenyl) heptyl] imidazole (14) (IC(50)=170 nM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=57 nM against lyase); 1-[5-(4-bromophenyl) pentyl] imidazole (19) (IC(50)=500 nM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=58 nM against lyase) being the most potent inhibitors within the current study, in comparison to ketoconazole (KTZ) (IC(50)=3.76 microM against 17alpha-OHase and IC(50)=1.66 microM against lyase). Furthermore, consideration of the inhibitory activity against the two components shows that all of the compounds tested are less potent towards the 17alpha-OHase in comparison to the lyase component, a desirable property in the development of novel inhibitors of P450(17alpha). From the modelling of these compounds onto the novel substrate heme complex (SHC) for the overall enzyme complex, the length of the compound, along with its ability to undergo interaction with the active site corresponding to the C(3) area of the steroidal backbone, are suggested to play a key role in determining the overall inhibitory activity.