1-(1-Arylethylidene)thiosemicarbazide derivatives: a new class of tyrosinase inhibitors

A series of 1-(1-arylethylidene)thiosemicarbazide compounds and their analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, MS. Their tyrosinase inhibitory activities were investigated by an assay based on the catalyzing ability of tyrosinase for the oxidation of L-DOPA, comparing with 4-methoxycinnamic acid and arbutin. The results showed that (1) all the synthesized compounds could perform a significant inhibitory activity for tyrosinase; (2) for these compounds, the main active moiety interacting with the center of tyrosinase would be thiosemicarbazo group; (3) the inhibitory activity was close related with thiosemicarbazide moieties and the groups attached on the aromatic ring.     

Synthesis and evaluation for uterotrophic and antiimplantation activities of 2-substituted estradiol derivatives.

Two novel series of 2-substituted estradiol derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for uterotrophic and antiimplantation activities. Among the compounds tested in the rat, 2-acetylestradiol 17 beta-acetate (1), 2-(3'-dimethylamino-1'-propionyl)estradiol 3,17 beta-diacetate (7), 2-(3'-diethylamino-1'-propionyl)estradiol 3,17 beta-diacetate (8), 2-(3'-piperidino-1'-propionyl)estradiol 3,17 beta-diacetate (9), 1'-(2-estradiol 3,17 beta-diacetate-3'-diethylaminopropionyl thiosemicarbazone (12), and 1'-(2-estradiol 3,17 beta-diacetate)-3'-morpholinopropionyl thiosemicarbazone (14) displayed estrogenic activity. At dosages of 4 microliters/rat/day, none of the tested compounds elicited antiimplantation activity. All compounds shared a similar characteristic: nuclear substitution at the C-2 position of the steroid nucleus, a property previously thought to be markedly inhibitory for estrogenic activity.     

New 2-(1-adamantylcarbonyl)pyridine and 1-acetyladamantane thiosemicarbazones-thiocarbonohydrazones: cell growth inhibitory, antiviral and antimicrobial activity evaluation

The new thiosemicarbazones and thiocarbonohydrazones derived from 2-(1-adamantylcarbonyl)pyridine and 1-acetyladamantane were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effect on tumor cell proliferation and their antiviral and antimicrobial activity. Thiosemicarbazone inhibited tumor cell proliferation (GI50's range: 2.4-100 microM and mean GI50 43.9 microM against various human leukemic cell lines) while thiosemicarbazone and thiocarbonohydrazone 5d exhibited significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation (GI50's range 2.3-23.6 microM and mean GI50 7.2 microM for and GI50's range 2.4-32.4 microM and mean GI50 12.8microM for ). These GI50 values are comparable to that of 2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone an important lead in TSC's family. The compounds did not afford specific activity against any of the viruses tested when examined at non-toxic concentrations. A weak activity was found for thiocarbonohydrazones against Gram-(+) bacteria (MIC(50) 117.3 and 133 microM, respectively). Using a combination of molecular mechanics calculations and NOE spectroscopy it was shown that the parent compounds and have opposite configuration around C=N bond. Whether this difference in structure can be correlated with the biological activity will be investigated in future studies.     

N-Caffeoyl serotonin as selective COX-2 inhibitor

The inhibitory effects of the synthetic serotonin analogues (1-8) on COX (1 and 2) were evaluated. Two serotonin derivatives (4 and 8) showed inhibitory effect of COX (1 and 2). Especially, 4 exhibited excellent inhibitions on COX-2 with extremely high potency (IC(50)=42.5 μM). The inhibitory activities of cinnamic acid derivatives and serotonin were evaluated to clarify whether inhibitory activities of compound 4 and 8 are due to cinnamic acid moiety or serotonin moiety. Caffeic acid and N-caffeoyl serotonin (4) exhibited selective inhibition of COX-2 compared to aspirin. Comparison caffeic acid with 4 suggested that the linkage of caffeic acid and serotonin enhance COX-2 inhibition. Comparison of structures of caffeic acid and sinapic acid implied that catechol moiety of cinnamic acid derivatives is a major contributing factor for selective inhibition of COX-2. The selective COX-2 inhibitory activity of compound 4 is significant and could be employed as drugs against inflammatory and allergy.     

S-(2-(acylamino)phenyl) 2,2-dimethylpropanethioates as CETP inhibitors

Studies on the relationship between the structure of the benzene moiety of S-(2-(acylamino)phenyl) 2,2-dimethylpropanethioates and CETP inhibitory activity were performed. Substituents on the benzene moiety influenced CETP inhibitory activity in a type and position dependent manner, and electron-withdrawing groups at the 4- or 5-position increased the activity. The most potent compound showed 50% inhibition of CETP activity in human plasma at a concentration of 2 microM.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Biological Evaluation and in Silico Studies on Novel (E)-1-(Substituted Benzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone Derivatives

A series of (E)-1-(substituted benzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone derivatives were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR spectrum, elemental analysis, NMR spectrum, HR-MS spectrum, and X-ray single crystal diffraction technology. The crystal structures and packing of (E)-1-(4-fluorobenzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone and (E)-1-(3-fluorobenzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone were maintained through the intramolecular hydrogen bond (N3-H6⋅⋅⋅N1) and intermolecular hydrogen bonds (N2-H4⋅⋅⋅S1, C14-H14⋅⋅⋅F1 and C7-H7⋅⋅⋅S1). The results obtained by employing the DPPH free radicals scavenging assay indicated that (E)-1-(4-methoxylbenzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone had a more significant antioxidant activity compared with other compounds. The results measured by adopting the disc diffusion method elucidated that (E)-1-(4-trifluoromethylbenzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone possessed a more prominent antifungal activity than other compounds. Molecular docking showed that (E)-1-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone had the highest affinity with receptor protein (1NMT). Moreover, the drug-likeness characteristic, physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetic profiles, and bioactivity scores of all the compounds were predicted through in silico studies. The results illustrated that (E)-1-(4-fluorobenzylidene)-4-(3-isopropylphenyl)thiosemicarbazone had the drug-likeness characteristic and all the compounds were considered as moderately biological active molecules.     

Peptidomimetic 2-cyanopyrrolidines as potent selective cathepsin L inhibitors

Cathepsins have been found to have important physiological roles. The implication of cathepsin L in various types of cancers is well established. In a search for selective cathepsin L inhibitors as anticancer agents, a series of 2-cyanoprrolidine peptidomimetics, carrying a nitrile group as warhead, were designed. Two series of compounds, one with a benzyl moiety and a second with an isobutyl moiety at P(2) position of the enzyme were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for inhibitory activity against human cathepsin L and cathepsin B. Although, none of the compounds showed promising inhibitory activity, (E)N-{(S)1-[(S)2-cyano-1-pyrrolidinecarbonyl]-3-methylbutyl}-2,3-diphenylacrylamide (24) with an isobutyl moiety at P(2) was found to show selectivity as a cathepsin L inhibitor (Ki 5.3 microM for cathepsin L and Ki > 100 microM for cathepsin B). This compound could act as a new lead for the further development of improved inhibitors within this inhibitor type.     

Synthesis of 2-(5-((5-(4-chlorophenyl)furan-2-yl)methylene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives and evaluation of their cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis in human leukemia cells

In order to explore the anticancer effect associated with the thiazolidinone framework, several 2-(5-((5-(4-chlorophenyl)furan-2-yl)methylene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives 5(a–l) were synthesized. Variation in the functional group at C-terminal of the thiazolidinone led to set of compounds bearing amide moiety. Their chemical structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, IR and Mass Spectra analysis. These thiazolidinone compounds containing furan moiety exhibits moderate to strong antiproliferative activity in a cell cycle stage-dependent and dose dependent manner in two different human leukemia cell lines. The importance of the electron donating groups on thiazolidinone moiety was confirmed by MTT and Trypan blue assays and it was concluded that the 4th position of the substituted aryl ring plays a dominant role for its anticancer property. Among the synthesized compounds, 5e and 5f have shown potent anticancer activity on both the cell lines tested. To rationalize the role of electron donating group in the induction of cytotoxicity we have chosen two molecules (5e and 5k) having different electron donating group at different positions. LDH assay, Flow cytometric analysis and DNA fragmentation suggest that 5e is more cytotoxic and able to induce the apoptosis.     

Design and synthesis of new 2-substituted-5-(2-benzylthiophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles as benzodiazepine receptor agonists

A series of new 2-substituted-5-(2-benzylthiophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles was designed and synthesized as anticonvulsant agents. Conformational analysis and superimposition of energy minima conformers of the designed molecules on estazolam, a known benzodiazepine receptor agonist, revealed that the main proposed benzodiazepine pharmacophores were well matched. Electroshock and pentylenetetrazole-induced lethal convulsion tests showed that the introduction of an amino group in position 2 of 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring and a fluoro substituent at para position of benzylthio moiety had the best anticonvulsant activity. It seems this effect is mediated through benzodiazepine receptors mechanism.     

Rapid inactivation of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX), a potent mutagen in chlorinated drinking water,by sulfhydryl compounds

The mutagenic activity of 3-chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX), which is formed during chlorination of drinking water, was effectively inhibited by sulfhydryl compounds such as cysteine, cysteamine, glutathione, dithiothreitol and 2-mercaptoethanol. Preincubation of 0.5 μg MX with 15 μg cysteine (molar ratio 1:37) in a phosphate buffer (pH 6.0–8.0) at 37°C for 15 min prior to exposure of bacterial cells depleted the mutagenic activity of MX. Together with the result showing a change in the UV spectra, it is suggested that sulfhydryl compounds inactivate MX by direct chemical interaction before MX induces DNA damage. On the other hand, a variety of antioxidants other than the sulfhydryl compounds showed no inhibitory effects. Investigation using structural analogs of cysteine revealed that the thiol moiety was indispensable for antimutagenic activity and the amino moiety appeared to enhance the MX-inactivating reaction of the SH group.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of 4-(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridines

4-(5-Substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridine derivatives 1-12 were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimycobacterial activity. Some compounds showed an interesting activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv and five clinical isolates (drug-sensitive and -resistant strains). Compound 4 [4-(5-pentadecyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridine] was 10 times more active than isoniazid, 20 times more active than streptomycin, and 28 times more potent than ethambutol against drug-resistant strain CIBIN 112. Compound 5 [4-(5-heptadecyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridine] showed the same behavior as compound 4. Both of the above structures bear a high lipophilic chain bonded to the 5-position of the oxadiazole moiety. This fact implies that there exists a contribution of lipophilicity, which could facilitate the entrance of these molecules through lipid-enriched bacterial cell membrane.     

Synthesis of 2-(thienyl-2-yl or -3-yl)-4-furyl-6-aryl pyridine derivatives and evaluation of their topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity,cytotoxicity, and structure–activity relationship

A series of 2-(thienyl-2-yl or -3-yl)-4-furyl-6-aryl pyridine derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their topoisomerase I and II inhibition and cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines. Compounds 10–19 showed moderate topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity and 20–29 showed significant topoisomerase II inhibitory activity. Structure–activity relationship study revealed that 4-(5-chlorofuran-2-yl)-2-(thiophen-3-yl) moiety has an important role in displaying topoisomerase II inhibition.     

Novel (E)-2-(aryl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)acrylic ester prodrugs possessing a diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate moiety: design, synthesis, cyclooxygenase inhibition, and nitric oxide release studies

A novel group of hybrid nitric oxide-releasing anti-inflammatory drugs (11) possessing a 1-(N,N-diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate, or 1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate, nitric oxide (.NO) donor moiety attached via a one-carbon methylene spacer to the carboxylic acid group of (E)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(phenyl)acrylic acids were synthesized. These ester prodrugs (11) all exhibited in vitro inhibitory activity against the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isozyme (IC(50)=0.94-31.6 microM range). All compounds released .NO upon incubation with phosphate buffer (PBS) at pH 7.4 (3.2-11.3% range). In comparison, the percentage of .NO released was significantly higher (48.6-75.3% range) when these hybrid ester prodrugs were incubated in the presence of rat serum. These incubation studies suggest that both .NO and the parent anti-inflammatory (E)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-2-(phenyl)acrylic acid would be released upon in vivo cleavage by non-specific serum esterases. O(2)-[(E)-2-(4-Acetylaminophenyl)-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)acryloyloxymethyl]-1-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (11f) is a moderately potent (IC(50)=0.94 microM) and selective (SI>104) COX-2 inhibitor that released 73% of the theoretical maximal release of two molecules of .NO/molecule of the parent hybrid ester prodrug upon incubation with rat serum. Hybrid ester .NO-donor prodrugs offer a potential drug design concept for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs that are devoid of adverse ulcerogenic and/or cardiovascular side effects.     

Structural requirements of flavonoids for inhibition of antigen-Induced degranulation,TNF-alpha and IL-4 production from RBL-2H3 cells

To clarify the structure-activity relationships of flavonoids for antiallergic activity, the inhibitory effects of various flavonoids on the release of beta-hexosaminidase, as a marker of degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells, were examined. Among them, luteolin (IC(50)=3.0 microM), diosmetin (2.1 microM), and fisetin (3.0 microM) were found to show potent inhibitory activity, and the results suggested the following structural requirements of flavonoids: (1) the 2-3 double bond of flavones and flavonols is essential for the activity; (2) the 3- or 7-glycoside moiety reduced the activity; (3) as the hydroxyl groups at the 3'-, 4'-, 5-, 6-, and 7-positions increased in number, the inhibitory activities become stronger; (4) the flavonols with a pyrogallol type moiety (the 3',4',5'-trihydroxyl groups) at the B ring exhibited less activity than those with a phenol type moiety (the 4'-hydroxyl group) or catechol type moiety (the 3',4'-dihydroxyl groups) at the B ring; (5) the activities of flavones were stronger than those of flavonols; and (6) methylation of flavonols at the 3-position reduced the activity. However, (7) several flavones and flavonols with the 4'- and/or 7-methoxyl groups did not obey rules (3), (4), and (5). In addition, several flavonoids, that is apigenin, luteolin, diosmetin, fisetin, and quercetin, inhibited the antigen-IgE-mediated TNF-alpha and IL-4 production from RBL-2H3 cells, both of which participate in the late phase of type I allergic reactions.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of a novel series of DNA gyrase inhibitors: 5-[(E)-2-arylvinyl]pyrazoles

The 2-arylvinyl moiety in 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-(4-piperidyl)-5-[(E)-2-(5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)vinyl]pyrazole 2, which has previously shown improved DNA gyrase inhibition and target-related antibacterial activity, was transformed to other groups and the in vitro antibacterial activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated. Many of the 5-[(E)-2-arylvinyl]pyrazoles synthesized in this study exhibited potent antibacterial activity against quinolone-resistant clinical isolates of gram-positive bacteria with minimal inhibitory concentration values equivalent to those against susceptible strains.     

Functionalized benzophenone, thiophene, pyridine, and fluorene thiosemicarbazone derivatives as inhibitors of cathepsin L

A series of thiosemicarbazone analogs based on the benzophenone, thiophene, pyridine, and fluorene molecular frameworks has been prepared by chemical synthesis and evaluated as small-molecule inhibitors of the cysteine proteases cathepsin L and cathepsin B. The two most potent inhibitors of cathepsin L in this series (IC(50)<135 nM) are brominated-benzophenone thiosemicarbazone analogs that are further functionalized with a phenolic moiety (2 and 6). In addition, a bromo-benzophenone thiosemicarbazone acetyl derivative (3) is also strongly inhibitory against cathepsin L (IC(50)=150.8 nM). Bromine substitution in the thiophene series results in compounds that demonstrate only moderate inhibition of cathepsin L. The two most active analogs in the benzophenone thiosemicarbazone series are highly selective for their inhibition of cathepsin L versus cathepsin B.     

BACE1 inhibitory activities of enantiomerically pure, variously substituted N-(3-(4-benzhydrylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl) arylsulfonamides

β-Secretase (BACE1) has been widely recognized as one of the possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In this paper, we report the synthesis and the BACE1 inhibitory activity of new, variously substituted N-(3-(4-benzhydrylpiperazin-1-yl)-2-hydroxypropyl) arylsulfonamides. Each enantiomeric form was separately evaluated in BACE1 inhibition assays and IC(50) values were obtained in the low micromolar range. According to our biological results and docking studies, it can be asserted that the stereochemistry around the OH group in the central hydroxyethylamino linker does not significantly influence the BACE1 inhibitory activity of this type of molecules.     

Synthetic modification of the 2-oxypropionic acid moiety in 2-{4-[(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)oxy]phenoxy}propionic acid (XK469), and consequent antitumor effects. Part 4

The criteria for the activity of 2-{4-[(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyl)oxy]phenoxy}propionic acid (XK469) and 2-{4-[(7-bromo-2-quinolinyl)oxy]phenoxy}propionic acid (SH80) against transplanted tumors in mice established in previous studies, require a (7-halo-2-quinoxalinoxy)- or a (7-halo-2-quinolinoxyl)-residue, respectively, bridged via a 1,4-OC(6)H(4)O-linker to C(2) of propionic acid. The present work demonstrates that substitution of fluorine at the 3-position of the 1,4-OC(6)H(4)O-linker of XK469 leads to a 10-fold reduction in activity, whereas the corresponding 2-fluoro analog proved to be 100-fold less active than XK469. Moreover, the latter tolerated substitution of but a single, additional methyl group to the 2-position of the propionic acid moiety, that is, the isobutyric acid analog, without loss of significant in vivo activity. Indeed, an intact 2-oxypropionic acid moiety is a prerequisite for maximum antitumor activity of 1a.     

Syntheses, biological evaluation and QSAR study on antitumor activity of 1,5-N,N'-disubstituted-2-(substituted benzenesulphonyl) glutamamides

We have reported [unpublished data] the synthesis and QSAR of 5-substituted-2-(substituted benzenesulphonyl) glutamines which have shown the importance of steric factor on the aliphatic chain. N-Phthalyl isoglutamine, having the substitution at position 1 of the glutamic acid moiety, is the metabolite of recently approved thalidomide for different types of tumors by US FDA. Based on these, 36 new 1,5-N,N'-disubstituted-2-(substituted benzenesulphonyl) glutamamides were synthesized, as tools for further elucidation of the structural requirements for antitumor activity. All the synthesized compounds were tested for antitumor activity against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice using tumor weight as inhibitory parameter. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies of these analogues revealed that the electron donating groups on the phenyl ring are found to be mandatory for the activity which was also proved by the negative coefficient of indicator parameter I(3,) for NO(2) group on the phenyl ring. Molecular volume (MV) and steric factor at R(5) position also plays a role in ligand-receptor interactions.     

A carbohydrate-directed heterobifunctional cross-linking reagent for the synthesis of immunoconjugates

A novel, highly water-soluble, heterobifunctional cross-linking reagent, S-(2-thiopyridyl)-L-cysteine hydrazide (TPCH), was synthesized which contains a hydrazide moiety for coupling to aldehyde groups generated in the carbohydrate residues of antibodies by mild periodate oxidation, and a pyridyl disulfide moiety for coupling to molecules with a free sulfhydryl group. Since the carbohydrate moieties are distal to the antigen binding region of antibodies, derivatization with this cross-linker minimizes impairment of the antigen binding function. Derivatization of the human monoclonal IgM antibody 16-88 against human colon carcinoma cells with as many as 16 TPCH cross-linker molecules did not impair its antigen binding capability. Using mild oxidation conditions for antibody derivatization, sialic acid residues were identified as attachment sites for the cross-linker molecules, since after desialylation of antibody 16-88 by neuraminidase virtually no cross-linker molecules could be incorporated. Comparison of TPCH with S-(2-thiopyridyl)mercaptopropionic acid hydrazide and S-(2-thiopyridyl)-L-cysteine, two related cross-linking reagents, revealed that TPCH is most efficiently incorporated into periodate-treated antibody. Based on the structural differences of the cross-linkers, the more efficient incorporation of TPCH appears to be a function of the presence of a hydrazide moiety with an adjacent amino group. When three to four molecules of pyridyl disulfide-derivatized barley toxin were coupled to TPCH-derivatized antibody 16-88, the antigen binding capability remained uncompromised. In addition, no significant impairment of toxin activity upon coupling to the antibody was observed. Based on these data, TPCH may be very useful for the synthesis of immuno-conjugates with no or only minimal impairment of the antigen binding function.