Quantitative structure-activity relationships of 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ones and 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-ones as human protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox, EC 1.3.3.4) has attracted great interest during the last decades due to its unique biochemical characteristics and biomedical significance. As a continuation of our research work on the development of new PPO inhibitors, 23 new 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ones bearing benzothiazole substructure were designed and synthesized. The in vitro assay indicated that the newly synthesized compounds 1a-w displayed good inhibition activity against human PPO (hPPO) with K(i) values ranging from 0.04μM to 245μM. To the knowledge, compound 1a, O-ethyl S-(5-(5-(tert-butyl)-2-oxo-1,3,4-thiadiazol-3(2H)-yl)-6-fluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)carbonothioate, with the K(i) value of 40nM, is so far known as the most potent inhibitor against hPPO. Based on the molecular docking and modified molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculations, the quantitative structure-activity relationships of 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2(3H)-ones and 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one derivatives were established with excellent correlation relationships (r(2)=0.81) between the calculated and experimental binding free energies. Some important insights were also concluded for guiding the future rational design of new hPPO inhibitors with improved potency.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-ones possessing a methanesulfonamido or an azido pharmacophore as cyclooxygenase-1/-2 inhibitors

A group of (E)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives (chalcones) possessing a MeSO(2)NH, or N(3), COX-2 pharmacophore at the para-position of the C-1 phenyl ring were synthesized using a facile stereoselective Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 structure-activity relationships were determined by varying the substituents on the C-3 phenyl ring (4-H, 4-Me, 4-F, and 4-OMe). Among the 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-ones possessing a C-1 para-MeSO(2)NH COX-2 pharmacophore, (E)-1-(4-methanesulfonamidophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (7b) was identified as a selective COX-2 inhibitor (COX-2 IC(50)=1.0 microM; selectivity index >100) that was less potent than the reference drug rofecoxib (COX-2 IC(50)=0.50 microM; SI>200). The corresponding 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-one analogue possessing a C-1 para-N(3) COX-2 pharmacophore, (E)-1-(4-azidophenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (7f), exhibited potent and selective COX-2 inhibition (COX-1 IC(50)=22.2 microM; COX-2 IC(50)=0.3 microM; SI=60). A molecular modeling study where 7b and 7f were docked in the binding site of COX-2 showed that the p-MeSO(2)NH and N(3) substituents on the C-1 phenyl ring are oriented in the vicinity of the COX-2 secondary pocket (His90, Arg513, Phe518, and Val523). The structure-activity data acquired indicate that the propenone moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold to design new acyclic 1,3-diphenylprop-2-en-1-ones with selective COX-1 or COX-2 inhibitory activity.     

N-Arylated pyrrolidin-2-ones and morpholin-3-ones as potassium channel openers

Based on the most stable conformation of ZD6169, a series of N-arylated derivatives of oxazolidindione (2), morpholin-3-one (3-5), piperidin-2-one (6), and pyrrolidin-2-one (7-13) was synthesized and evaluated for potassium channel opening activity. In the in-vitro assays, N-(4-benzoylphenyl)-piperidin-2-on (6) and N-(4-benzoylphenyl)-3,3-dimethyl-pyrrolidin-2-one (9) demonstrated potent and selective relaxant activity at the bladder detrusor muscle [IC50, bladder)=7.4 and 6.7 microM, respectively; IC50 ratio (portal vein/bladder)=41 and 51, respectively].     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of 1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones : a novel class of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

A group of regioisomeric (E)-1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-one derivatives possessing a COX-2 SO2Me pharmacophore at the para position of the C-1 or C-3 phenyl ring, in conjunction with a C-3 or C-1 phenyl (4-H) or substituted-phenyl ring (4-F, 4-OMe and 4-Me), were designed for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. These target (E)-1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones were synthesized via a Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 isozyme inhibition structure-activity studies identified (E)-1-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-3-(4-methylphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (9f) as a potent COX-2 inhibitor (IC50=0.3 microM) with a high COX-2 selectivity index (SI=106) comparable to that of the reference drug rofecoxib (COX-2 IC50=0.5 microM; COX-2 SI>200). A molecular modeling study where 9f was docked in the binding site of COX-2 showed that the para-SO2Me substituent on the C-1 phenyl ring is oriented in the vicinity of the secondary COX-2 binding site near Val523. The structure-activity data acquired indicate that the propenone moiety constitutes a suitable scaffold to design novel acyclic 1,3-diarylprop-2-en-1-ones with selective COX-2 inhibitory activity.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-ones as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases

A new class of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-yn-1-ones possessing a p-MeSO2 COX-2 phamacophore on the C-3 phenyl ring was designed for evaluation as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). Among the group of compounds evaluated, 1-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-one (11j) exhibited excellent COX-2 inhibitory potency (COX-2 IC50 = 0.1 microM) and selectivity (SI = 300), whereas 1-(4-cyanophenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)prop-2-yn-1-one (11d) exhibited an optimal combination of COX and LOX inhibition (COX-2 IC50 = 1.0 microM; COX-2 SI = 31.5; 5-LOX IC50 = 1.0 microM; 15-LOX IC50 = 3.2 microM).     

Discovery of 5-substituted 2-amino-4-chloro-8-((4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)methyl)-7,8-dihydropteridin-6(5H)-ones as potent and selective Hsp90 inhibitors

A new series of compounds, 5-substituted 2-amino-4-chloro-8-((4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridin-2-yl)methyl)-7,8-dihydropteridin-6(5H)-ones, have been designed and identified as potent and selective inhibitors of Hsp90. These compounds demonstrated nanomolar potency toward both Hsp90-regulated Her2 degradation and the growth of a panel of human tumor cell lines in cell-based assays. High selectivity of these compounds toward Hsp90 was evident given that they did not inhibit a panel of 34 kinases at 10 μM. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) of this series is reported here.     

N/C-4 substituted azetidin-2-ones: synthesis and preliminary evaluation as new class of antimicrobial agents

A series of 3-chloro-4-(3-methoxy-4-acetyloxyphenyl)-1-[3-oxo-3-(phenylamino)propanamido] azetidin-2-ones 3a-g and 3-chloro-4-[2-hydroxy-5-(nitro substituted phenylazo)phenyl]-1-phenylazetidin-2-ones 6a-h were synthesized using appropriate synthetic route. Structures of all the synthesized compounds were established on the basis of elemental analysis and spectroscopic data. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was screened against several microbes. Several of these molecules showed potent antimicrobial activity against Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and significant structure-activity relationship (SAR) trends.     

2-Phenylimidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-ones: structure-activity relationships and characterization of potent and selective inverse agonists at Human A3 adenosine receptors

Structure-activity relationships of 2-phenyl-imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-ones as ligands for human A(3) adenosine receptors (ARs) were investigated. An ethyl group in the 8-position of the imidazoline ring of 4-methyl-2-phenyl-imidazopurinone leading to chiral compounds was found to increase affinity for human A(3) ARs by several thousand-fold. Propyl substitution instead of methyl at N4 decreased A(3) affinity but increased A(1) affinity leading to potent A(1)-selective AR antagonists. The most potent A(1) antagonist of the present series was (S)-8-ethyl-2-phenyl-4-propyl-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-one (S-3) exhibiting a K(i) value of 7.4 nM at rat A(1) ARs and greater than 100-fold selectivity versus rat A(2A) and human A(3) ARs. At human A(1) ARs 2-phenylimidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-ones were generally less potent and therefore less A(1)-selective (S-3: K(i)=98 nM). 2-, 3-, or 4-Mono-chlorination of the 2-phenyl ring reduced A(3) affinity but led to an increase in affinity for A(1) ARs, whereas di- (3,4-dichloro) or polychlorination (2,3,5-trichloro) increased A(3) affinity. The most potent and selective A(3) antagonist of the present series was the trichlorophenyl derivative (R)-8-ethyl-4-methyl-2-(2,3,5-trichlorophenyl)-4,5,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-one (R-8) exhibiting a subnanomolar K(i) value at human A(3) ARs and greater than 800-fold selectivity versus the other AR subtypes. Methylation of 4-alkyl-2-phenyl-substituted imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-ones led exclusively to the N9-methyl derivatives, which exhibited largely reduced AR affinities as compared to the unmethylated compounds. [35S]GTP gamma S binding studies of the most potent 2-phenyl-imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-ones at membranes of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human A(3) AR revealed that the compounds were inverse agonists at A(3) receptors under standard test conditions. Due to their high A(3) affinity, selectivity, and relatively high water-solubility, 2-phenyl-imidazo[2,1-i]purin-5-ones may become useful research tools.     

Synthesis of new antimicrobial pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-ones

The attractive structure of the pyrroloisoquinoline moiety, together with its potential antimicrobial activity, encouraged us to prepare six 8-substituted and seven 8,9-disubstituted-1,2,3,5,6,10b-hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-ones in a few steps with good yields. We applied a convenient methodology via double intramolecular cyclization conducted by a Bischler-Napieralski cyclodehydration-imine reduction sequence, which is widely employed in the synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids. Therefore, we synthesized three series of these pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-ones characterized by the substituent at the 8-position or 8,9-positions of the aromatic ring: (a) different side chains are attached to an 8-OH group (series 1); (b) a chlorine atom is attached to the 8-position (series 2); and (c) 8- and 9-carbons are bearing an identical group (series 3). The compounds bearing a benzylic moiety at the 8-position, for example, 8-benzyloxy-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-one (1a) and 8-(4-fluorobenzyloxy)-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-one (1e), as well as, a 8-chloro-9-methoxy moiety including the 8-chloro-9-methoxy-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-one (2a), provided the most fungicide and bactericide agents, respectively.     

3,4-Disubstituted oxazolidin-2-ones as constrained ceramide analogs with anticancer activities

Heterocyclic analogs of ceramide as 3-alkanoyl or benzoyl-4-(1-hydroxy-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-ones were designed by binding of primary alcohol and amide in sphinogosine backbone as a carbamate. They were synthesized by addition of acyl halide to the common ring 4-(1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxyhexadec-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-one which was elaborated from chiral aziridine-2-carboxylate including stereoselective reduction and ring opening reactions as key steps. Other analogs with different carbon frame at C4 position which is corresponding to the sphingoid backbone were prepared from 3-cyclopentanecarbonyl-4-(1-t-butyldimethylsilyloxybut-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-one and straight and cyclic alkenes by cross metathesis. All compounds were tested as antileukemic drugs against human leukemia HL-60 cells. Many of them including propionyl, cyclopentanoyl and p-nitrobenzoyl-4-(1-hydroxyhexadec-2-enyl)-oxazolidin-2-ones showed better antileukemic activities than natural C2-ceramide with good correlation between cell death and DNA fragmentation. There is a drastic change of the activities by the carbon chain lengths at C4 position. Cytotoxicity was induced by caspase activation without significant accumulation of endogenous ceramide concentration or any perturbation of ceramide metabolism.     

Inhibition of human chymase by 2-amino-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones

A series of 2-sec.amino-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones was evaluated as acyl-enzyme inhibitors of human recombinant chymase. The compounds were also assayed for inhibition of human cathepsin G, bovine chymotrypsin, and human leukocyte elastase. Introduction of an aromatic moiety into the 2-substituent resulted in strong inhibition of chymase, cathepsin G, and chymotrypsin. Extension of the N(Me)CH2Ph substituent by one methylene unit was unfavourable to inhibit these proteases. Towards chymase, 2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (32) and 2-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)-6-methyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (33) were found to exhibit Ki values of 11 and 17 nM, respectively, and form stable acyl-enzymes with half-lives of 53 and 25 min, respectively. Benzoxazinone 33 also inhibited the human chymase-catalyzed formation of angiotensin 11 from angiotensin I.     

Design and synthesis of 3-alkyl-2-aryl-1,3-thiazinan-4-one derivatives as selective cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors

A new group of 3-alkyl-2-aryl-1,3-thiazinan-4-ones, possessing a methylsulfonyl pharmacophore, were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory activity. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition studies identified 3-benzyl-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-thiazinan-4-one (11a) as a potent (IC₅₀ = 0.06 μM) and selective (selectivity index >285) COX-2 inhibitor.     

Design and synthesis of new 1,3-benzthiazinan-4-one derivatives as selective cyclooxygenase (COX-2) inhibitors

A new group of 1, 3-benthiazinan-4-ones, possessing a methyl sulfonyl pharmacophore, were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory activity. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition studies identified 3-(p-fluoropheny)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-1,3-benzthiazinan-4-one (7b) as a potent (IC₅₀ = 0.05 μM) and selective (selectivity index = 259) COX-2 inhibitor.     

Design,synthesis, and antibiofilm activity of 2-arylimino-3-aryl-thiazolidine-4-ones

A series of novel 2-arylimino-3-aryl-thiazolidine-4-ones was designed, synthesized and tested for in vitro antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Among them tested, some compounds with carboxylic acid groups showed good antibiofilm activity. The antibiofilm concentration of 1x was 6.25 μM. The structure–activity relationships revealed that incorporation of 2-phenylfuran moiety could greatly enhance antibiofilm activity of thiazolidine-4-one.     

Formation of n-alkane-2-ones and n-alkane-2-ols from triglycerides by a black yeast,Aureobasidium

The n-alkane-forming-strains were screened from soil by checking n-alkane-2-one (2-one) formation from both synthetic and natural triglycerides. All of the 2-one-accumulative strains were filamentous fungi with the exception of a black yeast (SM-25). The yeast (SM-25) was identified to be a strain which belongs to the genus Aureobasidium, and had the following interesting activity: extracellular accumulation of n-undecane-2-one (C₁₁-2-one) and n-undecane-2-ol (C₁₁-2-ol) in significant yields with consumption of lauric acid (C_12:0), a major component, in palm-kernel oil. The maximal accumulations of 2-ones and 2-ols were achieved in 4-d and 6-d cultures, respectively, with a subsequent decrease in their volume. The time-shift in the maximal accumulation suggests that 2-one is a precursor for 2-ol. When synthetic triglycerides were used as substrate, the yeast indicated a specific accumulation of n-pentane-2-one (C₅-2-one) in a high yield and of n-pentane-2-ol (C₅-2-ol) in a low yield with consumption of tricaproin (caproic triglyceride). In tricaprylin-, tricaprin- and trilaurin-basal media, accumulation of 2-one and 2-ol was small or undetectable. Although there is a clear discrepancy between molecular species of 2-ones and 2-ols formed from palm-kernel oil and synthetic triglycerides, we don't have a clear explanation for this yet. In order to clarify the metabolic pathway in the yeast for n-alkane-2-one or n-alkane-2-ol formation from fatty acids, the metabolites from 2-ones and 2-ols were characterized. Subsequently, the occurrence of interconversion between n-alkane-2-one and n-alkane-2-ol by the yeast cells was demonstrated. This observation did not lead us to a definite answer to the question: which is the upstream intermediate in the fatty-acid-metabolic pathway, 2-one or 2-ol?     

Design and synthesis of 1-(benzothiazol-5-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones as protoporphyrinogen oxidase inhibitors

Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO, E.C. 1.3.3.4) is the action target for several structurally diverse herbicides. A series of novel 4-(difluoromethyl)-1-(6-halo-2-substituted-benzothiazol-5-yl)-3-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(4H)-ones 2a–z were designed and synthesized via the ring-closure of two ortho-substituents. The in vitro bioassay results indicated that the 26 newly synthesized compounds exhibited good PPO inhibition effects with K_i values ranging from 0.06 to 17.79 μM. Compound 2e, ethyl 2-{[5-(4-(difluoromethyl)-3-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-6-fluorobenzo-thiazol-2-yl]thio}acetate, was the most potent inhibitor with K_i value of 0.06 μM against mtPPO, comparable to (K_i = 0.03 μM) sulfentrazone. Further green house assays showed that compound 2f (K_i = 0.24 μM, mtPPO), ethyl 2-{[5-(4-(difluoromethyl)-3-methyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-6-fluorobenzothiazol-2-yl]thio}propanoate, showed the most promising post-emergence herbicidal activity with broad spectrum even at concentrations as low as 37.5 g ai/ha. Soybean exhibited tolerance to compound 2f at the dosages of 150 g ai/ha, whereas they are susceptible to sulfentrazone even at 75 g ai/ha. Thus, compound 2f might be a potential candidate as a new herbicide for soybean fields.     

Effect of C-ring modifications in benzo[c]quinolizin-3-ones, new selective inhibitors of human 5 alpha-reductase 1.

The synthesis and the inhibition potency of octahydro- and decahydrobenzo[c]quinolizin-3-one derivatives 3--7, as new non-steroidal selective inhibitors of human enzyme 5 alpha-reductase type 1, are reported. These compounds differ from the recently reported benzo[c]quinolizin-3-one inhibitors 2 by the presence of a fully or partially saturated C-ring. Compounds 3 and 4, with a double bond in the C-ring, were prepared by sequential rearrangement-annulation of isoxazolines 19 and 20. C-ring saturated compounds 5--7 were prepared by the Lewis acid-promoted Mannich-Michael tandem reaction of Danishefsky diene with the appropriate N-t-Boc iminium ion. Inhibition experiments were carried out on 5 alpha R-1 and 5 alpha R-2 expressed by CHO cells. Among the prepared compounds, octahydrobenzo[c]quinolizin-3-one 3, with a double bond at the position 6a--10a, was a potent and selective inhibitor of human 5 alpha R-1 (IC(50)=58 nM). The introduction of a tert-butylcarboxyamide at the position 8 (compound 4) was deleterious for the inhibition activity. The lack of the double bond in the C-ring reduced strongly the inhibition activity of compounds 5--7. The extended planarity of the most potent benzo[c]quinolizin-3-ones as well as favorable interactions of the C-ring unsaturation with the enzyme active site could account for the inhibition activity of these compounds.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Disubstituted N1- and N3-Imidazolidin-2-ones Acting as Potential Immunosuppressive Agents

New N1-mono and N1, N2-disubstituted imidazolidin-2-one with a significant immunosuppressive activity have been discovered. Among the 17 synthesized and tested compounds, five of them showed maximal inhibition of proliferation of concanavallin A (Con A)- stimulated splenocytes at 90?μM, identical to that obtained with cyclosporin A (CsA) at 5?μM, an optimal concentration.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-amino-4-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrrol-3-ones as inhibitors of protein kinase FGFR1

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and is therefore an attractive target for anticancer therapy. Using molecular docking approach we have identified inhibitor of FGFR1 belonging to 5-amino-4-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-pyrrol-3-ones with IC₅₀ value of 3.5 μM. A series of derivatives of this chemical scaffold has been synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of FGFR1 kinase activity. It was revealed that the most promising compounds 5-amino-1-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-4-(6-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1,2-dihydro-pyrrol-3-one and 5-amino-4-(1H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-1-(3-hydroxy-phenyl)-1,2-dihydro-pyrrol-3-one inhibit FGFR1 with IC₅₀ values of 0.63 and 0.32 μM, respectively, and posses antiproliferative activity against KG1 myeloma cell line with IC₅₀ values of 5.6 and 9.3 μM. Structure–activity relationships have been studied and binding mode of this chemical class has been proposed.     

Discovery of anti-cancer activity for benzo[1,2,4]triazin-7-ones: Very strong correlation to pleurotin and thioredoxin reductase inhibition

The thioredoxin (Trx)–thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system plays a key role in maintaining the cellular redox balance with Trx being over-expressed in a number of cancers. Inhibition of TrxR is an important strategy for anti-cancer drug discovery. The natural product pleurotin is a well-known irreversible inhibitor of TrxR. The cytotoxicity data for benzo[1,2,4]triazin-7-ones showed very strong correlation (Pearson correlation coefficients ∼0.8) to pleurotin using National Cancer Institute COMPARE analysis. A new 3-CF₃ substituted benzo[1,2,4]triazin-7-one gave submicromolar inhibition of TrxR, although the parent compound 1,3-diphenylbenzo[1,2,4]triazin-7-one was more cytotoxic against cancer cell lines. Benzo[1,2,4]triazin-7-ones exhibited different types of reversible inhibition of TrxR, and cyclic voltammetry showed characteristic quasi-reversible redox processes. Cell viability studies indicated strong dependence of cytotoxicity on substitution at the 6-position of the 1,3-diphenylbenzo[1,2,4]triazin-7-one ring.