Synthesis of new chemical entities from paracetamol and NSAIDs with improved pharmacodynamic profile

It was envisaged to combine high antipyretic activity of paracetamol into commonly used NSAIDs. To achieve this goal new chemical entities were synthesized by chemically combining paracetamol and NSAIDs, and biologically evaluated for their antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic potential. The acid chloride of parent NSAIDs was reacted with excess of p-aminophenol to yield the desired p-amidophenol derivatives (1B–7B). Acetate derivatives (1C–7C) of these phenols (1B–7B) were also prepared by their treatment with acetic anhydride, in order to see the impact of blocking the free phenolic group on the biological activity of the derivatives. All the synthesized p-amidophenol derivatives showed improved antipyretic activity than paracetamol with retention of anti-inflammatory activity of their parent NSAIDs. These compounds elicited no ulcerogenicity unlike their parent drugs.     

The effect of biguanide derivatives on antioxidant status during the development of oxidative stress

The intensity of free radical processes, activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase), and the content of low molecular weight antioxidants (reduced glutathione, citrate) in skeletal muscle and liver from rats with experimental rheumatoid arthritis administered with biguanide synthetic derivatives (2,4-dicarbomethoxyphenyl-biguanide and 4-methyl-phenyl biguanide) selected by Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances (PASS), a computer program for the prediction of biological activity, were studied. The observed changes in the studied parameters toward the reference values under the effect of tested compounds can be explained by their antioxidant and protective properties during pathology, which are accompanied by oxidative stress. The results can be used for the development of new methods for the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.     

Synthesis of triterpenoid triazine derivatives from allobetulone and betulonic acid with biological activities

The synthetic transformation and modification of natural products with the aim to improve the biological properties is an area of current interest. The triterpenoids betulin and betulinic acid are very abundant in nature and now are commercially available. In our study, starting from betulin and betulinic acid, we obtained allobetulone and betulonic acid in a few synthetic steps. The ketone function at the A-ring was used as the starting point for the synthesis of a series of 1,2,4-triazine-fused triterpenoids. The alkylation and Liebeskind–Srogl coupling were used for further substitution of 1,2,4-triazines, and the intramolecular hetero Diels–Alder reaction leads to interesting fused thienopyridine derivatives. All new compounds were tested for their cytostatic activities against murine leukemia L1210, human cervix carcinoma HeLa and human lymphoblast CEM tumor cells. The results show that some triterpenoid triazine betulonic acid derivatives have a promising cytostatic activity in vitro and could be used as potential leads for the development of new type of anti-cancer agents. Several compounds were also endowed with anti-HCMV activity in the low micromolar range.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Betulonic Acid Amides and Conjugates with Amino Acids

Betulonic acid amides with aliphatic and heterocyclic amines and with L-amino acids were synthesized by the acid chloride method. Betulonic acid amide and L-methionine derivatives of betulonic acid and its 3-oxime effectively inhibit the influenza A virus. Betulonic acid octadecylamide is active against the herpes simplex Type 1 virus. The conjugate of betulonic acid 3-oxime with L-methionine is also active toward HIV-1. The tested compounds mainly show no activity toward the ECHO6 virus, which is devoid of a coat.     

Activity of lupane triterpenoids from Maytenus species as inhibitors of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2

In the present study, we report that three new lupane triterpenes (1-3), in addition to 16 known ones (4-19), were isolated from the root bark of Maytenus cuzcoina and the leaves of Maytenus chiapensis. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis, including homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation NMR experiments (COSY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC). The natural compounds and derivatives 6a, 6b, 9a, and 9b have been tested for potential anti-inflammatory activity, and several compounds including 3-epicalenduladiol (2), 11alpha-hydroxy-glochidone (3), rigidenol (6), acetoxy-rigidenol (6a), 11alpha-acetoxy-30-chloro-3-oxo-lup-20(29)-ene (6b), betulin (9), 28-acetoxy-betulin (9a), epibetulin (12), epibetulinic acid (13), and betulonic acid (16) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO and prostaglandin E(2) production in mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. The structure-activity relationship is discussed in detail.     

Effect of nitrogen-containing derivatives of the plant triterpenes betulin and glycyrrhetic acid on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM, and Hep G2 tumor cells

Derivatives of the available plant triterpenes glycyrrhetic acid and betulin (betulin succinates and amides of betulonic and 18beta-glycyrrhetic acids containing fragments of long-chain amino acids and a peptide) were synthesized. The inhibitory action of these compounds on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM. and Hep G2 tumor cells and their effect on the apoptosis of these cells were studied. It was shown that betulonic acid amides are more effective inhibitors of the tumor cell growth than the corresponding amides of glycyrrhetic acid. It was also found that betulonic acid amides containing fragments of caprylic, pelargonic, and undecanoic acids are more effective inhibitors of tumor cell growth than betulinic acid. The 17-dipeptide derivative of betulonic acid N-{N-[3-oxo-20(29)-lupen-28-oyl]-9-aminononanoyl}-3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid exhibited the maximum inhibitory activity toward the tumor cells studied. Data on the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells by betulin derivatives at a concentration of 10 microg/ml were obtained by flow cytometry. The amides of betulonic acid proved to be the most effective inducers of apoptosis.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel limonin derivatives as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents with high water solubility

A novel series of water-soluble derivatives of limonin were synthesized by introducing various tertiary amines onto the C (7)-position of limonin. Ten target compounds were characterized and screened for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in vivo. Compound 3c exhibited the strongest analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity among the limonin and its derivatives tested; its analgesic activity is more potent than that of aspirin and its anti-inflammatory activity is stronger than that of naproxen.     

Synthesis,molecular docking and anti-inflammatory screening of novel quinoline incorporated pyrazole derivatives using the Pfitzinger reaction II

In continuation of our study of novel quinolines with anti-inflammatory activity using the Pfitzinger reaction, several new quinoline derivatives were synthesized and tested for their anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic effect. A docking study on the COX-2 binding pocket was carried out for the target compounds to rationalize the possible selectivity of them against COX-2 enzyme. The most active compounds (5a, 8a and 11a) were found to be superior to celecoxib. Compound 11a demonstrated the highest anti-inflammatory activity as well as the best binding profiles into the COX-2 binding site. Moreover, compounds 9c, 9e, 10a and 11a were devoid of ulcerogenic activity.     

Effect of nitrogen-containing derivatives of the plant triterpenes betulin and glycyrrhetic acid on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM,and Hep G2 tumor cells

Derivatives of the available plant triterpenes glycyrrhetic acid and betulin (betulin succinates and amides of betulonic and 18β-glycyrrhetic acids containing fragments of long-chain amino acids and a peptide) were synthesized. The inhibitory action of these compounds on the growth of MT-4, MOLT-4, CEM, and Hep G2 tumor cells and their effect on the apoptosis of these cells were studied. It was shown that betulonic acid amides are more effective inhibitors of the tumor cell growth than the corresponding amides of glycyrrhetic acid. It was also found that betulonic acid amides containing fragments of caprylic, pelargonic, and undecanoic acids are more effective inhibitors of tumor cell growth than betulinic acid. The 17-dipeptide derivative of betulonic acid N-{N-[3-oxo-20(29)-lupen-28-oyl]-9-aminononanoyl}-3-amino-3-phenylpropionic acid exhibited the maximum inhibitory activity toward the tumor cells studied. Data on the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells by betulin derivatives at a concentration of 10 μg/ml were obtained by flow cytometry. The amides of betulonic acid proved to be the most effective inducers of apoptosis.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Hydrazides and Substituted Benzalhydrazides of Betulinic Acid and Its Derivatives

New nitrogen-containing derivatives of betulinic and betulonic acids, hydrazides and N"-benzalhydrazides, were synthesized. Their antiviral activities toward viruses of influenza A virus, herpes simplex type I virus, enterovirus ECHO6, and HIV-1 were studied in vitro. Betulinic acid 3-oxime was found to have the highest activity against the influenza virus. Betulonic acid, betulinic acid 4-chlorobenzalhydrazide, betulonic acid 3-oxime benzalhydrazide, and betulinic acid hydrazide inhibited the replication of herpes simplex type I virus. Betulinic acid hydrazide also showed antiviral activity toward HIV-1. All the derivatives of betulinic acid under study displayed a low antiviral activity toward enterovirus ECHO6.     

The immunotropic activity of lupane and oleanane 2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">seco</Emphasis>-triterpenoids

The immunotropic effect of the 2,3-seco derivatives of allobetulon, betulonic acid, and the methyl ester of betulonic acid were studied. It was found that the highest activity is shown by compounds with an oleanane fragment. The presence of a free C28-carboxyl group enhances the activity of lupane 2,3-seco derivatives. A significant contribution to the development of the immune response is introduced by a functional group at the C3 atom in the A ring—the C3-carboxy derivatives intensify the processes of antibody production and alter the number and ratio of leukocyte forms. It is shown that 2,3-seco-1-cyano-19β,28-epoxy-18α-olean-3-oic acid stimulates humoral immunity with a positive influence on hematopoiesis.     

Synthesis of methanesulphonamido-benzimidazole derivatives as gastro-sparing antiinflammatory agents with antioxidant effect

A series of 5-methanesulphonamido benzimidazole derivatives were designed by combining the structural features of clinically useful anti-inflammatory drugs (nimesulide and rofecoxib) and antiulcer drugs (lansoprazole, omeprazole, etc.) based on physicochemical and 3D similarity studies. The compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan induced rat paw edema model taking rofecoxib and indomethacin as standard drugs. In vitro antioxidant activity of the compounds was assessed by potassium ferricyanide reducing power (PFRAP) assay. The compounds 9, 10 and 11 showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to the standard group and were also non-ulcerogenic at the test doses. Compounds 6–11 exhibited good antioxidant effect in the concentration range (1.0–50.0 µmol/ml. Preliminary theoretical ADME profiling of the compounds based on computation of selected physicochemical properties showed an excellent compliance with Lipinski’s rule.     

Efficient synthesis of the first betulonic acid–acetylene hybrids and their hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity

The Sonogashira reaction can be applied for the preparation of acetylenic derivatives of betulonic acid where the triterpenoid moiety can serve as either the halo- or the acetylenic component. This reaction opened access to the first derivatives of betulonic acid containing either the arylethynyl (СС-Ar(Het) or the ethynyl (ССН) moieties. From the fundamental perspective, this work illustrates the possibility of selective Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling at terminal acetylenes in the presence of a terminal alkene. Hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of selected acetylenic derivatives of betulonic acid were investigated using the CCl₄-induced hepatitis and carrageenan-induced edema models, respectively.     

Synthesis and biological activity of new anti-inflammatory compounds containing the 1,4-benzodioxine and/or pyrrole system

A series of substituted derivatives containing the 1,4-benzodioxine or pyrrole nucleus are described. All the newly synthesized compounds were examined for their in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Several derivatives, including (S)-2, 14 and 17, showed more anti-inflammatory activity in vivo in these assays (rat paw oedema induced by carrageenan) than the known classical anti-inflammatory agent ibuprofen, whereas other compounds like 1 were equipotent to ibuprofen. Compound 17 was the most outstanding derivative because of its remarkable in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. In this paper, we examine and discuss the structure-activity relationships and anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds.     

Computer-aided rodent carcinogenicity prediction

The potential of the computer program PASS (Prediction Activity Spectra for Substances) to predict rodent carcinogenicity for chemical compounds was studied. PASS predicts carcinogenicity of chemical compounds on the basis of their structural formula and of structure-activity relationship analysis of known carcinogens and non-carcinogens. The data on structures and experimental results of 2-year carcinogenicity assays for 412 chemicals from the NTP (National Toxicological Program) and 1190 chemicals from the CPDB (Carcinogenic Potency Database) were used in our study. The predictions take into consideration information about species and sex of animals. For evaluation of the predictive accuracy we used two procedures: leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO CV) and leave-20%-out cross-validation. In the last case we randomly divided the studied data set 20 times into two subsets. The data from the first subset, containing 80% of the compounds, were added to the PASS training set (which includes about 46,000 compounds with about 1500 biological activity types collected during the last 20 years to predict biological activity spectra), the second subset with 20% of the compounds was used as an evaluation set. The mean accuracy of prediction calculated by LOO CV is about 73% for NTP compounds in the 'equivocal' category of carcinogenic activity and 80% for NTP compounds in the 'evidence' category of carcinogenicity. The mean accuracy of prediction for the CPDB database is 89.9% calculated by LOO CV and 63.4% calculated by leave-20%-out cross-validation. Influence of incorporation of species and sex data on the accuracy of carcinogenicity prediction was also investigated. It was shown that the accuracy was increased only for data on male animals.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Ureides and Carbamates of Betulinic Acid and Its Derivatives

Ureides and carbamates of betulinic acid and its derivatives were prepared in good yields by interaction of betulinic acid, betulonic acid, and betulonic acid 3-oxime with amines, amino acids, and alcohols. Ureides of betulonic acid containingL-Val and L-Met residues were found to be effective against herpes simplex type 1 virus.     

New pentadienone oxime ester derivatives: synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity

To develop novel anti-inflammatory agents, a series of new pentadienone oxime ester compounds were designed and synthesized. The structures were determined by IR, ¹H NMR, ^13?C NMR, and HRMS. All compounds have been screened for their anti-inflammatory activity by evaluating their inhibition against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) release in RAW 264.7 cell. Among them, compound 5j was found to be one of the most potent compounds in inhibiting NO and IL-6 (IC₅₀ values were 6.66?µM and 5.07?µM, respectively). Preliminary mechanism studies show that title compound 5j could significantly suppress expressions of nitric oxide synthase, COX-2, and NO, IL-6 through Toll-like receptor 4/mitogen-activated protein kinases/NF-κB signalling pathway. These data support further studies to assess rational design of more efficient pentadienone oxime ester derivatives with anti-inflammatory activity in the future.     

Synthesis and antitubercular activity of heterocycle substituted diphenyl ether derivatives

Despite being an ancient disease, tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading single-agent infectious disease killer in the world. The emerging serious problem of TB control and clinical management prompted us to synthesize a novel series of heterocyclic substituted diphenyl ether derivatives and determine their activity against the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium. All ten compounds inhibited the growth of the H37Rv strain of Mycobacterium at concentrations of 1 μg/mL. This activity was found to be comparable to the reference drugs rifampicin and isoniazid at the same concentration. While the antimicrobial activity of other diphenyl ether analogues, such as triclosan, is associated with the inhibition of enoyl-ACP reductase (ENR), the synthesised substituted diphenyl ether derivatives did not affect this enzyme activity in spite of their structural similarity with triclosan. Therefore, these compounds appear to have a novel mechanism of action against M. tuberculosis, and their structural features should be studied further for their potential as new antitubercular drugs.     

5-Thioxoimidazolidine-2-one derivatives: Synthesis,anti-inflammatory activity,analgesic activity,COX inhibition assay and molecular modelling study

A series of 5-imino-4-thioxo-2-imidazolidinone derivatives with different substituents at N¹ and N³ was synthesized with high yield and excellent purity by the reaction of different N-arylcyanothioformamide derivatives with isocyanate derivatives. Treatment 5-imino-4-thioxo-2-imidazolidinone derivatives with acidic medium afforded 4-thioxoimidazolidin-2,5-dione derivatives. The structures of the obtained products were established based on spectroscopic IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H, ¹H-COSY, HSQC and elemental analyses. The anti-inflammatory activity of the synthesized compounds through the carrageenan-paw edema model as well as in vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition assay were evaluated where most of the synthesized compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. Mostly, all of our synthesized compounds have greater activity more than celecoxib toward both cyclooxygenase enzymes. All of the tested compounds (except one compound) exhibited IC₅₀ valves for COX-2 ranged from 0.001 × 10⁻³ to 0.827 × 10⁻³ µM while the reference drug has IC₅₀ 40.0 × 10⁻³ µM. Furthermore, the analgesic activity of such compounds was also determined. Molecular modeling study was also conducted to rationalize the potential as anti-inflammatory agents of our synthesized compounds by predicting their binding modes, binding affinities and optimal orientation at the active site of the COX enzymes.     

Synthesis and biological activities of novel pyrazolomatrine derivatives

In continuation of our program aimed at the development of new natural product-based pesticides, a series of novel pyrazolomatrine derivatives were prepared by structural modifications of matrine, isolated as a quinolizidine alkaloid from the roots of Sophora flave. Their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, HRMS, etc. Moreover, the steric structures of three compounds were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Among all derivatives, 19-(naphthyl-2-oyl)pyrazolomatrine (5y) showed 3.13-fold more potent acaricidal activity than its precusor matrine against Tetranychus cinnabarinus; 19-(4-methylbenzoyl)pyrazolomatrine (5j) and 19-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)pyrazolomatrine (5k) displayed the promising aphicidal activity against Aphis citricola van der. Their structure-activity relationships were also observed.