Synthesis and evaluation of novel 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole embedded chalcones and pyrazoles as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

A series of novel 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole embedded aryl and heteroaryl derived chalcones and pyrazoles were synthesized and evaluated for their angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. The condensation of 2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methylimidazole-5-carboxaldehyde with various aryl and heteroaryl methyl ketones in the presence of 10% aqueous NaOH in methanol proceeded efficiently to give the respective chalcones in very good yields. Further, the reaction of chalcones with hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid gave substituted pyrazole analogues. Screening all 36 new compounds using ACE inhibition assay, resulted chalcones with better ACE inhibitory activity compared to the respective pyrazole analogues. Among the chalcones 4a-r, three compounds, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(5-chlorothiophen-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4i, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4l, (E)-3-(2-butyl-4-chloro-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1-(dibenzo[b,d] thiophen-2-yl)prop-2-enone 4q were resulted as most active ACE inhibitors with IC(50) of 3.60 μM, 2.24 μM, and 2.68 μM, respectively.     

Synthesis, antiproliferative, and vasorelaxing evaluations of coumarin alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones

Certain coumarin alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactones were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative and vasorelaxing activities. These compounds were synthesized via alkylation of hydroxycoumarins 2a-f followed by oxidation and the Reformatsky-type condensation. The results of this study are as follows (1) for the vasorelaxing activity, coumarin-7-yl alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone 6d, with an IC50 value of 9.4 microM against pig coronary arterial contraction induced by KCl, is a more active vasorelaxant than its coumarin-4-yl counterpart 6a and its gamma-methyl congener 1. A methyl group substituted at C-4 of the coumarin-7-yl moiety reduced the vasorelaxing effect (6d vs 6e) while the 3,4,8-trimethyl derivative 6f was inactive. (2) For the antiproliferative activity, coumarin-4-yl alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone 6a, which exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity on the growth of MCF7, NCI-H460, and SF-268 with IC50 values of 6.97, 14.68, and 8.36 microM, respectively, is more cytotoxic than its coumarin-7-yl counterpart 6d and the 6,7-dimethyl derivative 6b. For the coumarin-7-yl derivatives, 6d is more active than its gamma-methyl congener 1, indicating that substitution at the gamma-position decreased cytotoxicity.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of retinoid-chalcones as inhibitors of colon cancer cell growth

Based on the observed anticancer activity of chalcones and retinoids, a novel class of retinoid-chalcone hybrids was designed and synthesized. As part of our ongoing studies to discover natural product based anticancer compounds, the retinoid-chalcone hybrids were tested against the colon cancer cell line HT-29. Retinoid like moiety was introduced through Friedel-Crafts alkylation of toluene. Among the synthesized compounds, the cyano derivative (E)-3-(3-oxo-3-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)prop-1-enyl)benzonitrile 8 showed submicromolar inhibitory activity with an IC(50) of 0.66 μM.     

Natural and non-natural prenylated chalcones: synthesis, cytotoxicity and anti-oxidative activity

A general strategy for the synthesis of 3'-prenylated chalcones was established and a series of prenylated hydroxychalcones, including the hop (Humulus lupulus L.) secondary metabolites xanthohumol (1), desmethylxanthohumol (2), xanthogalenol (3), and 4-methylxanthohumol (4) were synthesized. The influence of the A-ring hydroxylation pattern on the cytotoxic activity of the prenylated chalcones was investigated in a HeLa cell line and revealed that non-natural prenylated chalcones, like 2',3,4',5-tetrahydroxy-6'-methoxy-3'-prenylchalcone (9, IC(50) 3.2+/-0.4microM) as well as the phase 1 metabolite of xanthohumol (1), 3-hydroxyxanthohumol (8, IC(50) 2.5+/-0.5microM), were more active in comparison to 1 (IC(50) 9.4+/-1.4microM). A comparison of the cytotoxic activity of xanthohumol (1) and 3-hydroxyxanthohumol (8) with the non-prenylated analogs helichrysetin (12, IC(50) 5.2+/-0.8) and 3-hydroxyhelichrysetin (13, IC(50) 14.8+/-2.1) showed that the prenyl side chain at C-3' has an influence on the cytotoxicity against HeLa cells only for the dihydroxylated derivative. This offers interesting synthetic possibilities for the development of more potent compounds. The ORAC activity of the synthesized compounds was also investigated and revealed the highest activity for compounds 12, 4'-methylxanthohumol (4), and desmethylxanthohumol (2), with 4.4+/-0.6, 3.8+/-0.4, and 3.8+/-0.5 Trolox equivalents, respectively.     

Synthesis, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and kinase (CDK-1, CDK-5 and GSK-3) inhibition activity evaluation of benzimidazole/benzoxazole derivatives and some Schiff's bases

A series of N-(acridin-9-yl)-4-(benzo[d]imidazol/oxazol-2-yl) benzamides has been synthesized by the condensation of 9-aminoacridine derivatives with benzimidazole or benzoxazole derivatives. Condensation of 2-hydroxy naphthaldehyde with functionalized diamines leads to the formation of Schiff's bases and not imidazole derivatives. All these compounds were characterized by correct FT-IR, (1)H NMR, MS and elemental analyses. These compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and kinase (CDK-1, CDK-5 and GSK-3) inhibition activities. Compounds 11 and 7e(f) showed good anti-inflammatory (35.8% at 50 mg/kg po) activity and good analgesic activity (60% at 50 mg/kg po), respectively. Compound 3b showed significant in vitro activity against CDK-5 (IC(50)=4.6 microM) and CDK-1(IC(50)=7.4 microM) and compound 3a showed moderate CDK-5 inhibitory activity (IC(50)=7.5 microM). The other compounds showed moderate anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.     

Relaxant activity of 2-(substituted phenyl)-1H-benzimidazoles on isolated rat aortic rings: design and synthesis of 5-nitro derivatives

The relaxant activity of 2-(o, p-substituted phenyl)-1H-benzimidazole derivatives with various 5- and 6-position substituents (-H, -CH3, -NO2, -CF3), namely 1-7, was recorded using the in vitro rat aorta ring test. Compounds 3 and 6 [2-(5-nitro-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenol and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-nitro-1H-benzimidazole] were prepared using a short route, and were the most potent compounds of the series, showing IC50 value of 0.95 and 1.41 (with endothelium) and 2.01 and 3.61 microM (without endothelium), respectively. Studying further structure-activity relationships through the use of bioisosteric substitution in these benzimidazole derivatives should provide novel vasorelaxant leads and possibly against hypertensive diseases.     

Synthesis of 6- or 4-functionalized indoles via a reductive cyclization approach and evaluation as aromatase inhibitors

Two new series of benzonitrile derivatives on position 6 or 4 of indole ring were successfully synthesized via a Leimgruber-Batcho reaction. All the compounds were evaluated in vitro on the inhibition of aromatase (CYP19) and 17alpha-hydroxylase-C17,20-lyase (CYP17). The racemate, 4-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)(1H-indol-4-yl)methyl]benzonitrile 9, showed high level of inhibitory activity towards CYP19 (IC(50)=11.5 nM).     

Synthesis, cytotoxicity, and DNA-topoisomerase inhibitory activity of new asymmetric ureas and thioureas

A new series of N-3,3-diphenylpropyl-N-(p-X-benzyl)-N'-phenylureas (5a-g) and thioureas (6a-g) were synthesized by the reaction of secondary amines and phenyl isocyanate or isothiocyanate. The cytotoxic effects of the urea and thiourea derivatives were evaluated by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay against Ehrlich carcinoma and K562 human leukemia cells. Moreover, the activity of compounds in the inhibition of DNA topoisomerases I and II-alpha was tested. The results indicated that the compounds presented important and promising antiproliferative action.     

Chalcones and flavonoids as anti-tuberculosis agents

A series of flavonoids, chalcones and chalcone-like compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Among them, eight compounds exhibited >90% inhibition on the growth of the bacteria at a concentration of 12.5 microg/mL. Chalcones 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-propen-1-one (22) and 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(3-iodophenyl)-2-propen-1-one (37) demonstrated 90 and 92% inhibition, respectively. Chalcone-like compounds (heterocyclic ring-substituted 2-propen-1-one) 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-3-yl)-2-propen-1-one (48), 1-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(phenanthren-9-yl)-2-propen-1-one (49), 1-(pyridin-3-yl)-3-(phenanthen-9-yl)-2-propen-1-one (50) and 1-(furan-2-yl)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-one (51) exhibited 98, 97, 96 and 96% inhibition, respectively. The actual minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), defined as the lowest concentration inhibiting 99% of the inoculum, for 22, 37, 48, 49, 50 and 51 were 20.3, 31.5, 48.3, >35.7, 6.8 and 19.2, respectively. A hydrophobic substituent on one aromatic ring, and a hydrogen-bonding group on the other aromatic ring resulted in increased anti-TB activity of the chalcones and chalcone-like compounds. Flavones and flavanones are more geometrically constrained than the corresponding chalcone analogues. The decreased activity of the flavones with respect to the chalcones may be due to the confinement of the terminal aromatic rings to the same plane.     

Novel benzothiazole hydrazine carboxamide hybrid scaffolds as potential in vitro GABA AT enzyme inhibitors: Synthesis,molecular docking and antiepileptic evaluation

In the present study, a series of newer benzothiazole derivatives containing thiazolidin-4-one (5a-g) and azetidin-2-one (6a-g), were synthesized by the cyclization of benzothiazolyl arylidene hydrazine carboxamide derivatives with thioglycolic acid and chloroacetyl chloride, respectively. Results of in vivo anticonvulsant screening revealed that compounds having 2,4-dicholoro (5c and 6c) and 4-nitro substituent (5g) at the phenyl ring have promising anticonvulsant activities without any neurotoxicity. Selected compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro GABA AT inhibition. The results indicated that compound 5c (IC₅₀ 15.26 μM) exhibited excellent activity as compared to the standard drug vigabatrin (IC₅₀ 39.72 μM) suggesting the potential of these benzothiazole analogues as new anticonvulsant agents.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)coumarin derivatives as potential antitumor agents

In this research, a series of 4-(1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)coumarin conjugates were synthesized and their anticancer activities were evaluated in vitro against three human cancer cell lines, including human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cell, colon carcinoma SW480 cell and lung carcinoma A549 cell. To increase the biological potency, structural optimization campaign was conducted focusing on the C-4 position of 1,2,3-triazole and the C-6, C-7 positions of coumarin. In addition, to further evaluate the role of 1,2,3-triazole and coumarin for antiproliferative activity, 9 compounds possessing 4-(piperazin-1-yl)coumarin framework and 3 derivatives baring quinoline core were also synthesized. By MTT assay in vitro, most of the compounds display attractive antitumor activities, especially 23. Further flow cytometry assays demonstrate that compound 23 exerts the antiproliferative role through arresting G₂/M cell-cycle and inducing apoptosis.     

Neighboring group participation Part 17 Stereoselective synthesis of some steroidal 2-oxazolidones, as novel potential inhibitors of 17alpha-hydroxylase-C(17,20)-lyase

During the alkaline methanolysis of 3beta-acetoxy-21-chloropregn-5-ene-20beta-N-phenylurethane (4a), and its 4-monosubstituted (4b-e) and 3,5-disubstituted (4f) phenyl derivatives, cyclization occurs, in the course of which 17beta-[3-(N-phenyl)-2-oxazolidon-5-yl]androst-5-en-3beta-ol (5a) and its substituted phenyl derivatives (5b-f) are formed. The cyclization takes place with (N(-)-5) neighboring group participation. The reaction of 3beta-acetoxy-21-azidopregn-5-en-20beta-ol (3d) with triphenylphosphine gave 3beta-acetoxy-21-phosphiniminopregn-5-en-20beta-ol, which reacted in situ with carbon dioxide with the participation of the sterically favored 20beta-OH to give the unsubstituted steroidal cyclic carbamate (8). Oppenauer oxidation of the 3beta-hydroxy-exo-heterocyclic steroids (5a-f, 9) yielded the corresponding Delta(4)-3-ketosteroids (7a-f, 10). The inhibitory effects (IC(50)) of these compounds on rat testicular C(17,20)-lyase were investigated with an in vitro radioligand incubation technique. The N-unsubstituted 17beta-(2-oxazolidon-5-yl)-androst-4-en-3-one derivative (10) was found to be a potent inhibitor (IC(50)=3.0 microM).     

Synthesis of acridinyl-thiazolino derivatives and their evaluation for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and kinase inhibition activities

Variety of N-(4-phenyl-3-(2',3',4'(un)substituted phenyl)thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)-2,4(un)substituted acridin-9-amine (4a-o) and 1-[(2,4-(un)substituted acridin-9-yl)-3-(4-phenyl-3-(2',3',4'(un)substituted phenyl)thiazol-2(3H)-ylidene)]isothiourea (5a-h) derivatives have been synthesized by condensation of 4-phenyl-3-(2',3',4'(un)substituted phenyl)thiazol-2(3H)-imine (3a-g) with 9-chloro-2,4-(un)substituted acridine (1a-c) and 9-isothiocyanato-2,4-(un)substituted acridine (2a-d), respectively. All these compounds were characterized by correct 1H NMR, FT-IR, MS and elemental analyses. These compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory, analgesic and kinase (CDK1, CDK5 and GSK3) inhibition activities. Some compounds exhibited good anti-inflammatory (25-32%) and potent analgesic (50-75%) activities, at 50 mg/kg p.o. A compound, 4o (R1 = H, R2 = OCH3, R3 = CH3, R4 = CH3, R5 = H) exhibited moderate CDK1 (IC50 = 8.5 microM) inhibition activity.     

Synthesis and in vivo diuretic activity of some novel pyrimidine derivatives

A series of 1,6-dihydropyrimidine-2-amine derivatives and 1,6-dihydropyrimidine-2-thiol derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of substituted 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one (chalcones) with guanidine hydrochloride and thiourea, respectively. All the synthesized compounds were in good agreement with elemental and spectral data. The synthesized compounds were screened in vivo for diuretic activity. The four compounds 2d, 2e, 3d and 3e, which showed moderate to good diuretic activity, were evaluated for their toxicity studies and none of the compounds showed any toxicity of the liver as compared with control. However, compounds 3e and 3d showed diuretic properties more than that of standard (acetazolamide) and were long acting. Overall, compound 3e, 6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-2-thiol, was found to be the most promising candidate of the series.     

Antimalarial activity of ferrocenyl chalcones

A series of ferrocenyl chalcones were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antimalarial activity against a chloroquine-resistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum. The most active compounds were 1-(3-pyridyl)-3-ferrocenyl-2-propen-1-one (6) and 1-ferrocenyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propen-1-one (28) with IC(50) of 4.5 and 5.1 microM, respectively. Differences in activity were not readily explained by the size and lipophilicity characteristics of these compounds.     

A simple and efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles containing piperazine or morpholine skeleton at C-6 position as glucosidase inhibitors with antioxidant activity

A novel 2-(aryl)-6-morpholin-4-yl(or 4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-1H-benzimidazole derivatives were designed and expeditiously synthesized starting from 5-morpholin-4-yl(or 4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-nitroaniline with various aldehydes which were preliminarily screened for in vitro antioxidant activities and glucosidase inhibitors. The benzimidazoles were effectively synthesized by a rapid ‘onepot’ nitro reductive cyclization reaction using sodium hydrosulfite as a reagent. All reactions were conducted using both the microwave and conventional methods to compare yields and reaction times. Antioxidant activities of the synthesized compounds were clarified using various in vitro antioxidant assays including Cupric Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (CUPRAC, ranging from 5.511 to 19.703 mM Trolox/mg compound) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) (1.141–12.943 mM FeSO₄·7H₂O/mg compound) assays. Also, the radical scavenging activities of these compounds were assayed using ABTS⁺ and DPPH methods. The results showed that all compounds exhibited very high scavenging activity. These synthesized compounds were then evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory potential and seven compounds demonstrated an inhibitory potential much better than the standard acarbose. Herein, we will provide details of the structure activity relationship of the benzimidazole analog for the potency.     

Synthesis, anticancer and antioxidant activities of some novel N-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-2-(7- or 5-substituted-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) hydrazinecarboxamide derivatives

A series of N-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-2-(7- or 5-substituted-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene) hydrazinecarboxamide derivatives were synthesized by treating N-(benzoxazol-2-yl)hydrazinecarboxamide with different isatin derivatives. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of spectral analyses. All the synthesized derivatives (Va-l) were screened for anticancer and antioxidant activities. The results showed the anticancer activity of test compounds against HeLa, IMR-32 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. All the synthetic compounds produced a dose-dependant inhibition of growth of the cells. The IC(50) values of some compounds were comparable with standard anticancer agent, cisplatin. All the title compounds effectively scavenged the free radical, α,α-diphenyl-β-picryl hydrazyl. The test compounds having substitution with different halides (electron withdrawing groups) at C5 position showed more potent anticancer and antioxidant activities than those at C7 position. These results indicate that C5-substituted derivatives may be useful for developing antioxidant agents that play a protective role in many pathological conditions such as cancer, diabetes and so on.     

Synthesis,Biological Evaluation and in Silico Studies of 3-Hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide Derivatives

In the present study, a series of 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives were synthesized, characterized and evaluated for theirin vitroactivity, i. e., antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The target compounds were synthesized by condensation reaction of 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide with substituted benzaldehydes which were subjected to cyclization reaction with thioglycolic acid and ZnCl₂ to get target compounds. The synthesized 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives were examined for their antimicrobial activity and 3-hydroxy-N-(4-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)thiazolidin-3-yl)-2-naphthamide ( S20 ) exhibited the highest antimicrobial potential. The N′-(2,3-dichlorobenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide ( S5 ) displayed good antifungal potential against Rhizopus oryzae, whereas N′-(2,3-dichlorobenzylidene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide ( S20 ) showed the highest antioxidant potential and N-(2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthamide ( S16 ) displayed the highest anti-inflammatory activity. The results of molecular docking studies revealed that existence of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with their respective proteins. In silico ADMET studies were carried out by Molinspiration, Pre-ADMET and OSIRIS property explorer to predict the pharmacokinetic behaviour of synthesized 3-hydroxy-N-(2-(substituted phenyl)-4-oxothiazolidin-3-yl)-2-napthamide derivatives.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and 3D-QSAR studies of novel 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole niacinamide derivatives as BRAF inhibitors

A series of novel 4,5-dihydropyrazole derivatives containing niacinamide moiety as potential V600E mutant BRAF kinase (BRAF(V600E)) inhibitors were designed and synthesized. Results of the bioassays against BRAF(V600E) and WM266.4 human melanoma cell line showed several compounds to be endowed potent activities with IC(50) and GI(50) value in low micromolar range, among which compound 27e, (5-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)6-methylpyridin-3-yl methanone (IC(50)=0.20 μM, GI(50)=0.89 μM) was bearing the best bioactivity comparable with the positive control Sorafenib. Docking simulation was performed to determine the probable binding model and 3D-QSAR model was built to provide more pharmacophore understanding that could use to design new agents with more potent BRAF(V600E) inhibitory activity.     

Synthesis and anti-leishmanial activity of 1-aryl-β-carboline derivatives against Leishmania donovani

β-carbolines from various natural and synthetic sources have been known to show diverse biological activities. As a part of our current ongoing project to search for potent natural product-derived anti-leishmanial compounds, we have synthesized a series of substituted 1-aryl-β-carboline derivatives. A total of 22 compounds were synthesized and tested in vitro against Leishmania donovani, out of which 6 compounds (4, 5, 10, 11, 19 and 22) showed notably more activity than the standard miltefosine (IC(50) 12.07±0.82 μM), with compound 4 being the most potent (IC(50) 2.16±0.26 μM).