Synthesis and evaluation of novel sulfenamides as novel anti Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus agents

A total of 29 novel sulfenamide compounds were synthesized, spectroscopically characterized and evaluated in vitro for antimicrobial activity against various infectious pathogens. Compounds 1b and 2c exhibited potent inhibition against clinical Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 1.56 μg/mL.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of sugar-derived chiral nitroimidazoles as potential antimycobacterial agents

Chiral nitroimidazoles were synthesized using sugars as the chiral source. The synthesized compounds showed promising antimycobacterial property with MIC value in the range 6.25–12.5 μg/mL against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-aminothiazole derivatives as antimycobacterial and antiplasmodial agents

A series of compounds derived from the 2-amino-4-(2-pyridyl) thiazole scaffold was synthesized and tested for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain, antiplasmodial activity against the chloroquine sensitive NF54 Plasmodium falciparum strain and cytotoxicity on a mammalian cell line. Optimal antimycobacterial activity was found with compounds with a 2-pyridyl ring at position 4 of the thiazole scaffold, a substituted phenyl ring at the 2-amino position, and an amide linker between the scaffold and the substituted phenyl. The antiplasmodial activity was best with compounds that had the phenyl ring substituted with hydrophobic electron withdrawing groups.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of galactofuranosyl alkyl thioglycosides as inhibitors of mycobacteria

As part of our research interest directed toward the development of antimycobacterial agents, we have investigated compounds based on galactofuranose (Galf), an essential cell wall component of mycobacteria. The objective of this study was to explore structure activity relationships of Galf thioglycosides with straight chain and branched aglycons. Acylated Galf 9-heptadecyl thioglycoside was prepared by Lewis acid-catalyzed thioglycosidation of 1,2,3,5,6-penta-O-acyl-D-galactofuranose with 9-heptadecanethiol, and subsequently converted to the corresponding sulfone using m-CPBA. Both Galf 9-heptadecyl thioglycoside and sulfone displayed in vitro inhibition (MIC) of the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis below 5 microg/mL, while Galf 1-octyl thioglycoside gave no inhibition at or below 32 microg/mL.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of ethacrynic acid derivatives bearing sulfonamides as potent anti-cancer agents

A series of ethacrynic acid (2-[2,3-dichloro-4-(2-methylidenebutanoyl)phenoxy]acetic acid) (EA, Edecrin) containing sulfonamides linked via three types of linkers namely 1,2-ethylenediamine, piperazine and 4-aminopiperidine was synthesized and subsequently evaluated in vitro against HL60 and HCT116 cancer cell lines. All the EA analogs, excluding 6a and 6c, showed anti-proliferative activity with IC_50s in the micromolar range (less than 4 uM). Three derivatives 6b, 7b and 7e were selected for their interesting dual activity on HL60 cell line in order to be further evaluated against a panel of cancer cell lines (HCT116, A549, MCF7, PC3, U87-MG and SKOV3) as well as on MRC5 as a normal cell line. These compounds displayed IC₅₀ values in nanomolar range against A549, MCF7, PC3 and HCT116 cell lines, deducing the discovery that piperazine or 4-aminopiperidine is the linker’s best choice to develop EA analogs with highly potent anti-proliferative activities own up to 24 nM. Besides, in terms of selectivity, those linkers are more suitable offering safety ratios of up to 63.8.     

Quinones as antimycobacterial agents

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a serious worldwide health threat, killing almost 3 million people per year. Other mycobacterial species, especially Mycobacterium avium, are emerging pathogens in the immunocompromised population, most notably AIDS patients. These nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment, and naturally resistant to many disinfection procedures. Treatment options are limited, and no new antibiotics have been developed against mycobacteria since the 1970s. There is a desperate need for new biocides and antibiotics to prevent and treat mycobacterial infections. A small aromatic compound library has been screened for effectiveness in growth inhibition or killing of mycobacteria. Four species, representing the M. tuberculosis complex, the slow-growing NTM, and the rapid-growing NTM were used. Active compounds had minimal inhibitory concentrations as low as 12.5 microg/mL, with the active component being a quinone. The primarily bactericidal activity observed represents a unique mechanism of action. A fluorescent assay involving M. smegmatis expressing gfp was analyzed as a rapid assay for predicting inhibitory activity, but failed to predict activity well. Our compounds may have significant utility as soluble biocides against mycobacteria and other hardy nosocomial pathogens.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of novel camphane-based agents

A series of six new amidoalcohols was designed and synthesized on the base of the camphor scaffold. Natural amino acids were transformed into their α-hydroxy analogues with retention of configuration, and attached to isobornylamine. The compounds were evaluated for their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. Some of the new compounds show 25 times higher activity than the classical anti-TB drug ethambutol. The activity shifts from micromolar to nanomolar inhibitory concentrations depending on the α-hydroxy acid moiety. Two of the most potent compounds exert low level of cytotoxic activity. These camphane-based amido-alcohols present promising potential lead compounds for further elaboration of antimycobacterial agents.     

Anti-tubercular agents. Part IV: Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of nitroheterocyclic-based 1,2,4-benzothiadiazines

In continuation of our earlier work on benzothiadiazines, we have prepared a series of nitrofuran, nitrothiophene and arylfuran coupled benzothiadiazines and evaluated them for antimycobacterial and antibacterial activities. One of the compounds 2f has shown good in vitro antimycobacterial activity. All the synthesized compounds have shown moderate to good antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of benzofurobenzopyran analogues

We recently reported that 3,3-dimethyl-3H-benzofuro[3,2,f][1]-benzopyran and its hydrogenated analogue are selective in vitro inhibitors of mycobacterial growth. However, their lack of in vivo activity on a murine model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection due to their poor bioavailability led to a structure-activity relationship investigation. We wish to report here the preparation of some structural analogues along with their biological effect on the growth of Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. tuberculosis, as well as on VERO cells for the most active compound.     

Synthesis and characterization of N,N-dialkyl and N-alkyl-N-aralkyl fenpropimorph-derived compounds as high affinity ligands for sigma receptors

The sigma-1 receptor is a unique non-opioid, non-PCP binding site that has been implicated in many different pathophysiological conditions including psychosis, drug addiction, retinal degeneration and cancer. Based on the structure of fenpropimorph, a high affinity (K_i = 0.005 nM)¹ sigma-1 receptor ligand and strong inhibitor of the yeast sterol isomerase (ERG2), we previously deduced a basic sigma-1 receptor pharmacophore or chemical backbone composed of a phenyl ring attached to a di-substituted nitrogen atom via an alkyl chain.² Here, we report the design and synthesis of various N,N-dialkyl or N-alkyl-N-aralkyl derivatives based on this pharmacophore as well as their binding affinities to the sigma-1 receptor. We introduce three high affinity sigma-1 receptor compounds, N,N-dibutyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)propylamine (9), N,N-dibutyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propylamine (3), and N-propyl-N′-4-aminophenylethyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl)propylamine (20) with K_i values of 17.7 nM, 0.36 nM, and 6 nM, respectively. In addition to sigma receptor affinity, we show through cytotoxicity assays that growth inhibition of various tumor cell lines occurs with our high affinity N,N-dialkyl or N-alkyl-N-aralkyl derivatives.     

Thiazolyl-pyrazole derivatives as potential antimycobacterial agents

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is an obligate aerobe that is capable of long-term persistence under conditions of low oxygen tension. A series of thiazolyl-pyrazole derivatives (6a–f, 7a–f, 8c, 8e) were screened for antimycobacterial activity against dormant M. tuberculosis H37Ra (D-MTB) and M. bovis BCG (D-BCG). Nine thiazolyl-pyrazole analogs, 6c, 6e, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7e, 7f, 8c and 8e exhibited promissing minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (0.20–28.25?µg/mL) against D-MTB and D-BCG strains of Mtb. Importantly, six compounds (7a, 7b, 7e, 7f, 8c and 8e) exhibited excellent antimycobacterial activity and low cytotoxicity at the maximum evaluated concentration of >250?µg/mL. Finally, the promising antimycobacterial activity and lower cytotoxicity profile suggested that, these compounds could be further subjected for optimization and development as a lead, which could have the potential to treat tuberculosis.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel N, N'-disubstituted urea and thiourea derivatives as potential anti-melanoma agents

Two series of urea and thiourea derivatives (1a-11a, 1b-11b) have been synthesized; all the 22 compounds were reported for the first time. Their anti-proliferative activities against the melanoma cell line B16-F10 were evaluated. Among the compounds tested, compound 6b exhibited the most potent activity in melanoma cells growth inhibition (IC(50) = 0.33 μM). The bioassay tests showed that anti-proliferative activities of these novel compounds were possibly caused by inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation level. Therefore, compound 6b can be a potential anti-melanoma agent and an inhibitor of ERK1/2 phosphorylation deserving further research.     

Ethambutol analogues as potential antimycobacterial agents.

A range of new ethambutol analogues was synthesised and their inhibitory potencies were probed with Mycobacterium smegmatis. Interestingly, apparently even minor deviation from the structure of the parent compound resulted in reduced antimycobacterial activity.     

Synthesis,structure, antimycobacterial and anticancer evaluation of new pyrrolo-phenanthroline derivatives

A study concerning design, synthesis, structure and in vitro antimycobacterial and anticancer evaluation of new fused derivatives with pyrrolo[2,1-c][4,7]phenanthroline skeleton is described. The strategy adopted for synthesis involves a [3?+?2] dipolar cycloaddition of several in situ generated 4,7-phenanthrolin-4-ium ylides to different substituted alkynes and alkenes. Stereo- and regiochemistry of cycloaddition reactions were discussed. The structure of the new compounds was proven unambiguously, single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies including. The antimycobacterial and anticancer activity of a selection of new synthesized compounds was evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv under aerobic conditions and 60 human tumour cell line panel, respectively. Five of the tested compounds possess a moderate antimycobacterial activity, while two of the compounds have a significant antitumor activity against renal cancer and breast cancer.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of certain fluoroquinolone derivatives

A number of fluoroquinolone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for antimycobacterial activity. Preliminary results are (1) for 1-aryl fluoroquinolones, 1-(4-nitrophenyl) derivatives were inactive while their 1-(2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl) counterparts were active anti-TB agents (3a vs 4a; 3b vs 4b) indicated the fluoro substituent at C-2 position is important. For the 1-(2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl)quinolones, 7-piperidinyl derivative 4a and 7-(3,5-dimethylpiperazinyl) derivative 4e, which exhibited 97% and 98% inhibition, respectively, were more active than their 7-morpholinyl, 7-(4-methylpiperazinyl) and 7-piperazinyl congeners, 4b,4c and 4d, respectively. In addition, 7-[4-(8-hydroxyquinolin-2-ylmethyl)piperazin-1-yl] derivative 9d exhibited 44% inhibition on the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis while its 7-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl) counterpart 3c was inactive implied the metal-chelating 8-hydroxyquinoline moiety was capable of enhancing the anti-TB activity, (2) for the bifunctional fluoroquinolone-hydroxyquinoline complexes, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacine derivatives, which exhibited the same anti-TB activity (98% inhibition), are more potent than norfloxacin counterpart, which in turn is more potent than 1-aryl congeners (9b, 9c>9a>9d, 9e).     

Discovery of benzothiazole amides as potent antimycobacterial agents

From a high throughput screening of commercially available libraries against nontuberculous mycobacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, numerous hits were identified with moderate activity. Extensive medicinal chemistry optimization has led to a series of potent benzothiazole amide antimycobacterial agents. Replacement of the adamantyl group with cyclohexyl derivatives and further development of this series resulted in an advanced lead compound, CRS400393, which demonstrated excellent potency and a mycobacteria-specific spectrum of activity. MIC values ranged from 0.03 to 0.12?μg/mL against Mycobacterium abscessus and other rapid-grower NTM, and 1–2?μg/mL against Mycobacterium avium complex. The preliminary mechanism of action studies suggested these agents may target MmpL3, a mycobacterial mycolic acid transporter. The series has demonstrated in vivo efficacy in a proof of concept mouse model of M. abscessus infection.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation of prenylflavonoids as vasorelaxant and neuroprotective agents

A series of prenylflavonoids with multiple hydroxyl groups were synthesized and evaluated for their vasorelaxant activities against rat aorta rings pre-contracted by phenylephrine (PE), as well as their neuroprotective effects against OGD induced PC12 cell injury. The results indicated that the prenyl group at A-ring of prenylflavonoids, as well as hydroxyl groups at B-ring was important for their activities. (±)Leachianone G 1b, bearing 8-prenyl and 2′,4′-dihydoxyl groups, exhibited the most potent vasorelaxant and neuroprotective effects.     

Alkylamino derivatives of pyrazinamide: Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation

A series of pyrazinamide derivatives with alkylamino substitution was designed, synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of selected mycobacterial, bacterial and fungal strains. The target structures were prepared from the corresponding 5-chloro (1) or 6-chloropyrazine-2-carboxamide (2) by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine by various non-aromatic amines (alkylamines). To determine the influence of alkyl substitution, corresponding amino derivatives (1a, 2a) and compounds with phenylalkylamino substitution were prepared. Some of the compounds exerted antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv significantly better than standard pyrazinamide and corresponding starting compounds (1 and 2). Basic structure–activity relationships are presented. Only weak antibacterial and no antifungal activity was detected.