Synthesis of gossypol atropisomers and derivatives and evaluation of their anti-proliferative and anti-oxidant activity

Gossypol 1, gossypolone 2, and a series of bis 3 and half Schiff's bases 4 of gossypol were synthesised and tested for anti-proliferative and anti-oxidant activity. (-)-Gossypol (-)-1 was the most potent inhibitor of the proliferation of the HPV-16 keratinocyte cell line (using an MTT viability assay) with a GI50 of 4.8 microM. The bis Schiff's base of (-)-gossypol with L-tyrosine ethyl ester (-)-3b was the most potent inhibitor of iron/ascorbate dependent lipid peroxidation (using the thiobarbituric acid test), with an IC50 of 11.7 microM, with (-)-gossypol being the next most potent of the series, with an IC50 of 13.1 microM. The results from these initial assays suggest that gossypol, as either a racemic mixture rac-1, or the individual atropisomers (-)-1 or (+)-1, has potential for the treatment of psoriasis.     

In vitro inhibitory effect of gossypol from gossypol-acetic acid, and (+)- and (-)-isomers of gossypol on the growth of Edwardsiella ictaluri

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the toxic effect of gossypol from gossypol-acetic acid, and (+)- and (-)-isomers of gossypol on the growth of Edwardsiella ictaluri. METHODS AND RESULTS: Inhibitory effect of various concentrations of gossypol on the growth of E. ictaluri was determined. Bacterial recovery was performed by preincubation of bacteria in medium containing various concentrations of gossypol and subsequent activation of bacteria by inoculating on gossypol-free plates. Concentrations of racemic gossypol, (+)-gossypol and (-)-gossypol of 1.5 microg ml(-1) or higher significantly reduced the number of bacterial colonies compared with that of the control. The growth of E. ictaluri was completely inhibited on agar plates supplemented with 3 microg ml(-1), regardless of the forms of gossypol. The inhibitory effect of (+)-gossypol was higher than that of (-)-gossypol or gossypol-acetic acid. Recovery of E. ictaluri was <50% for all three forms of gossypol at concentrations of 5 microg ml(-1). Bacterial recovery remained relatively constant (6.5%) at gossypol concentrations from 10 to 100 microg ml(-1). Complete killing of E. ictaluri was not reached at gossypol levels up to 100 microg ml(-1). CONCLUSION: Gossypol-acetic acid, and (+)- and (-)-optical isomers have anti-bacterial effect against E. ictaluri. The results suggest the action is bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The therapeutic effect of gossypol against E. ictaluri may be useful in controlling enteric septicaemia of catfish.     

Inhibitory effects of gossypol on corticosteroid 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from guinea pig kidney: a possible mechanism for causing hypokalemia

Inhibition of 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11-beta-OHSD) in the kidney can cause excess mineralocorticoid effect and hypokalemia. To find out if gossypol, a potential oral contraceptive for men that has been associated with cases of hypokalemia, inhibits this enzyme, its effect on guinea pig kidney was studied. Working with microsomes from the kidney cortex, and using corticosterone as the substrate, racemic gossypol was found to be a competitive inhibitor of 11-beta-OHSD with a Ki of 67 +/- 5 microM. The (+) enantiomer was a little more potent than the (-) enantiomer. Microsomes from the kidneys of animals given gossypol for 2 weeks had lower enzyme activities than saline-treated animals. Microsomes from a strain of hairless guinea pigs had lower intrinsic enzyme activity than the normal animals. We conclude that there is genetic variation in the activity of this enzyme and that it can be inhibited by gossypol.     

Asymmetric hydrolysis of R-(−),S(+)-2-methylbutyronitrile by Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 11216

Whole cells and cell-free extracts derived from Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 11216 were shown to hydrolyse both aliphatic and aromatic nitriles, when the organism had been grown on either propionitrile or benzonitrile as the source of carbon and nitrogen. Whole cell suspensions and cell-free extracts derived from bacteria grown on either substrate were able to biotransform R-(-),S-(+)-2-methylbutyronitrile. The S-(+) enantiomer was biotransformed more rapidly than the the R-(-) enantiomer. For whole cell biotransformations at 30°C, the maximum enantiomeric excess (ee) of the remaining R-(-)-2-methylbutyronitrile was 93% when 70% of the R-(-) enantiomer had been converted to the product, 2-methylbutyric acid. For the corresponding biotransformation at 4°C, there was an ee of 93% for the residual R-(-) enantiomer of the substrate when only 60% of it had been converted to product. For biotransformations by cell-free extracts at 30°C the 2-methylbutyric acid product had an ee of 17% for the S-(+) enantiomer at the time of optimal ee for the remaining R-(-) enantiomer of the substrate. In contrast, when the reaction was carried out by whole cells, the ee for the product acid was 0.36%. This was probably due to further, non-selective metabolism of the acid, which was especially significant at the beginning of the reaction. At both temperatures, the ee for the S-(+) enantiomer of 2-methylbutyric acid was at a maximum in the early stage of the biotransformation; for example, at 4°C the maximum detectable ee was 100% when the yield was 11%.Abbreviations EDTA Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - ee enantiomeric excess - FID flame ionisation detector - GC gas chromatography - ¹HNMR H nuclear magnetic resonance - K _m Michaelis constant - NCIMB National Collection of Industrial and Marine Bacteria - td doubling time - V _max Maximum velocity     

Production of S-(+)-ibuprofen from a nitrile compound by Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226

S-(+)-2-(4'-Isobutylphenyl)propionic acid [S-(+)-ibuprofen] was produced from racemic 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionitrile (Ibu-CN) by an isolated bacterial strain, Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226. Ammonium acetate, acetonitrile, or n-butyronitrile as a carbon source in the culture medium was effective for bacterial growth and induction of this activity. The optimum pH of the reaction was around 8.0. S-(+)-Ibuprofen formed from Ibu-CN by resting cells was present in a 95% enantiomeric excess. Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226 appeared to possess a nitrilase for Ibu-CN because 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not detected in the reaction mixture and 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not hydrolyzed to S-(+)-ibuprofen. Since S-(+)-ibuprofen was preferentially produced while the R enantiomer of Ibu-CN was left almost intact over the time course of the reaction, the putative nitrilase appeared to be highly specific for the S enantiomer of Ibu-CN.     

Production of S-(+)-ibuprofen from a nitrile compound by Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226.

S-(+)-2-(4'-Isobutylphenyl)propionic acid [S-(+)-ibuprofen] was produced from racemic 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionitrile (Ibu-CN) by an isolated bacterial strain, Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226. Ammonium acetate, acetonitrile, or n-butyronitrile as a carbon source in the culture medium was effective for bacterial growth and induction of this activity. The optimum pH of the reaction was around 8.0. S-(+)-Ibuprofen formed from Ibu-CN by resting cells was present in a 95% enantiomeric excess. Acinetobacter sp. strain AK226 appeared to possess a nitrilase for Ibu-CN because 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not detected in the reaction mixture and 2-(4'-isobutylphenyl)propionamide was not hydrolyzed to S-(+)-ibuprofen. Since S-(+)-ibuprofen was preferentially produced while the R enantiomer of Ibu-CN was left almost intact over the time course of the reaction, the putative nitrilase appeared to be highly specific for the S enantiomer of Ibu-CN.     

Optical stability of gossypol

The optical stability of gossypol [1,1',6,6',7,7'-hexahydroxy-3,3'-dimetyl-5,5'-bis(1-methylethyl)-2,2'-binaphthalene-8,8'-dicarboxaldehyde], a natural product exhibiting profoundly enantiospecific antitumor and male antifertility action, was investigated by means of computational methods and thermal racemization experiments. The calculations on gossypol and several derivatives and model compounds were carried out using the MM2 force field; energies and geometries of minimum energy conformations, as well as structures along various inversion pathways, were calculated. According to the calculations, gossypol (the dialdehyde form) and its simple analogues are not thermally racemizable (energy barriers for rotational inversion above 50 kcal/mol). By contrast, the calculations suggest that the acetal tautomer of gossypol and its dehydration product (anhydrogossypol) are thermally racemizable, although the energy barriers are still relatively high (35–40 kcal/mol). Optically pure (+)-anhydrogossypol was prepared and characterized; its racemization became rapid only at high temperatures (180–200°C). When dehydration of gossypol was hindered (in aqueous solution), no racemization of gossypol was observed after prolonged heating at 90°C. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Enantiomeric enrichment of non-racemic mixtures of binaphthol with non-chiral packings

It is shown that chromatography with achiral phases of non-racemic mixture of binaphthol can furnish fractions which differ in enantiomeric excess. The first fraction contains one pure enantiomer i.e., has an enantiomeric excess (ee %) close to 100% and the following fractions have an ee % close to 0% (racemic mixture). As a consequence, such chromatography may be used to enrich a non-racemic mixture of binaphthol in one enantiomer. In this paper a model is proposed allowing us to calculate with good accuracy the experimental elution curves. This simple model is capable of using only a few chromatographic experiments to predict the enantiomeric enrichment of a non-racemic mixture and to calculate precisely the retention time of each fraction. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Inhibitory effects of gossypol-related compounds on growth of Aspergillus flavus

Aims: The objective of this study was to test a series of gossypol‐related compounds for growth inhibition against Aspergillus flavus. Methods and Results: A series of chiral and achiral gossypol derivatives, some natural products of the cotton plant and others prepared by synthesis from gossypol, were incorporated into agar plates to follow the rate of A. flavus isolate AF13 colony growth. All tested compounds exhibited some growth inhibition against this organism. The synthetic compounds, gossypolone and apogossypolone, exhibited greater activity than either racemic or chiral gossypol. Methylated derivatives (i.e. 6‐methoxy and 6,6′‐dimethoxy derivatives) generally exhibited less activity than the nonmethylated parent compounds. The (?)‐optical form of gossypol was found to be slightly more active than the (+)‐optical form, and this trend was observed regardless of the presence of methoxy groups at the 6‐position. Growth inhibition of gossypolone and apogossypolone was concentration dependent. For gossypolone, the 50% effective dose was 90 μg ml^?1 of medium (165 μmol l^?1). For apogossypolone, the most active compound in the study, the 50% effective dose was 19 μg ml^?1 (38·7 μmol l^?1). The presence of gossypol‐related terpenoids appeared to stimulate production of A. flavus sclerotia, although replicate variability was so large that it was not possible to determine a significant correlation between the mass of sclerotia formed and compound growth inhibition. Conclusions: The quinone derivatives of gossypol, gossypolone and apogossypolone demonstrated significant fungal growth inhibitory activity against A. flavus. Significance and Impact of the Study: These gossypol derivatives may provide a new class of fungicide for use against the mycotoxigenic fungus A. flavus.     

Author index of volume 26, 2008

The stereospecific esterification of ibuprofen by Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) with 1-butanol was optimised. The yield of the butyl ester was nearly quantitative with an enantiomeric excess of 95% and E 100. Enzyme desiccation over P₂O₅ had a pronounced effect on the esterification yield and its role in stereospecificity is discussed. Molecular modelling and energy-minimisation studies were also performed to understand the stereospecific binding of substrates to the active site of CRL. The docking of the substrate S(+) ibuprofen to the active site of CRL was performed based on the three-dimensional structure of CRL (PDB entry 1CRL). The results show that only the active S(+) enantiomer of ibuprofen is able to form direct contacts with the reactive hydroxyl group (Ser209) and imidazole base (His449) at the active site, whereas with the R enantiomer the functional group COOH points away from the (His449) base of CRL. This is in accordance with experimental results which show that the stereospecifity of CRL is towards S(-) ibuprofen.     

Syntheses of R and S isomers of AF-DX 384, a selective antagonist of muscarinic M2 receptors

Enantiomers of 5,11-dihydro-11-[2-[2-[(N,N-dipropylaminomethyl)piperidin-1- yl]ethylamino]-carbonyl]-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one (AF-DX 384) 1, have been synthesized from (S)-(+) and (R)-(-)-2-[N,N-dipropylaminomethyl]piperidine 4. The enantiomeric excess of 1 has been determined by capillary electrophoresis by using the alpha-highly sulphated cyclodextrin (alpha-HSCD) as chiral selector within the running electrolyte. (S)-(+)-(4) was prepared from (S)-(-)-pipecolic acid in a 4-step procedure (overall yield: 30%, ee: 99%) and (R)-(-)-AF-DX 384 from (R)-(+)-pipecolic acid. The (R)-(-) isomer exhibited in vitro a 23-fold higher affinity than its enantiomer (S)-(+) towards muscarinic receptors of subtype 2.     

Gossypol isomers bind specifically to blood plasma proteins and spermatozoa of rainbow trout fed diets containing cottonseed meal

We investigated the role of gossypol isomers binding to blood plasma, seminal plasma and spermatozoa to elucidate gossypol anti-fertility action in the teleost fish, rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Growth and hematological indicators of males were depressed when fish meal protein in diets was completely replaced with cottonseed meal. The cottonseed meal contained equal proportions of (-) (47.8+/-1.6%) and (+) gossypol isomers. Concentrations of spermatozoa were decreased with increasing proportions of gossypol in diets (from 0.22% to 0.95%); however, sperm motility and fertilizing ability were not affected. In contrast to mammals, steroid hormone concentrations were not suppressed in fish given diets with gradual increase of gossypol level. Gossypol concentrations were 100-fold higher in blood plasma than in seminal plasma, confirming a barrier in gossypol transfer between the general circulation and the testis. Spermatozoa accumulated predominantly (+) enantiomer (65-75%) with decreasing proportions as dietary gossypol concentrations increased. Spermatozoa bound most of the gossypol contained in the semen; however, this did not result in impairment of the sperm motility apparatus. Teleost fish sperm rely on ATP stores that accumulate during maturation as a source of energy during activation. In addition, the duration of sperm movement is short in these fish. As such, we hypothesize that the major action of gossypol on mammalian sperm, which is uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation, does not impair the energy supply required for flagellar beating in fish spermatozoa.     

Synthesis and pharmacological investigation of stereoisomeric muscarines.

The synthesis of the eight stereoisomers of muscarine has been efficiently accomplished by utilizing the two enantiomers of lactic esters as starting material. The synthetic strategy is based on a SnCl4-catalyzed addition of allyltrimethylsilane to O-protected lactic aldehydes followed by an iodocyclization process. All the final derivatives possess an enantiomeric excess higher than 98%. The four pairs of enantiomers bound to M1, M2, and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes in membranes from cerebral cortex, heart, and salivary glands, respectively, and recognized heterogeneous states of the receptors. Of the eight isomers, only natural muscarine (+)-1 recognized three affinity states of the M2 receptor. The compound was also the only one to show selectivity in the binding study, demonstrating 37- to 44-fold higher affinity for the M2 than for the M1 or M3 receptors. In addition, the compounds were tested in functional assays on isolated guinea pig atria (M2 receptors) and ileum (mixed population of M2 and M3 receptors) and their muscarinic potencies were determined. Among the eight isomers, again only (+)-1 enantiomer was found to be very active on both tissues. Its potency was more than two orders of magnitude higher than that of its enantiomer (-)-1 as well as the other six isomers. The eudismic ratios (E.R.) deduced from the two functional tests were 324 and 331.     

Parallel SFC/MS-MUX screening to assess enantiomeric purity

Enantiomeric excess (ee) was evaluated for two internally synthesized compound libraries using a high-throughput automated, intelligent four-channel parallel supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry system equipped with a multiplexed ion source interface (SFC/MS-MUX). The two libraries contained compounds spanning a wide range of enantiomeric ratios with structurally diverse chemical scaffolds and stereogenic centers. The system analyzed each sample simultaneously against four chiral columns using up to six organic modifiers. Enhancements to our previously published parallel supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry system were implemented to address the challenges associated with automated trace enantiomer identification and quantitation. A reversal of enantiomer elution order was observed for several samples across multiple CSPs and modifiers. The relationship between elution order and % ee accuracy is presented for compounds exhibiting high, middle and low % ee values. Despite incidences in which the minor enantiomer eluted prior to the major enantiomer with less than baseline resolution, the overall % ee was in agreement with separations in which full baseline resolution was achieved. The methods presented here demonstrate the value and utility of high-throughput ee determinations to support drug discovery and development programs.     

Effect of synthetic enantiomeric cannabinoids on platelet aggregation.

The effect of a synthetic pair of enantiomeric cannabinoids on platelet function was evaluated. The nonpsychotropic enantiomer, the 1,1-dimethylheptyl homolog of (+)-(3S,4S)-7-hydroxy-delta-6-tetrahydrocannabinol (HU-211), was found to be more active in inhibiting ADP-induced platelet aggregation than the highly psychotropic (-)-enantiomer (HU-210). The related (+)-(3R,4R) cannabinoid, HU-213, which lacks the 7-hydroxy moiety, exerted its inhibitory effect within a wider range of concentrations. The results indicate a differentiation between psychotropic activity and inhibition of platelet aggregation in the cannabinoid group of compounds.     

High enantiofacial selectivity in the OsO4 dihydroxylation of e-stilbene with a chiral biphenyl diamine catalyst

The chiral biphenyl-containing diamine 1 complexed with OsO₄ oxidized trans-stilbene at –80°C to (+)-(1R;2R)-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediol in high enantiomeric excess. On the other hand, (R)- or (S)-2,2'-bis(dimethylamino)-6,6'-dimethylbiphenyl proved to be ineffective in promoting oxidation. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Trap type, chirality of alpha-pinene, and geographic region affect sampling efficiency of root and lower stem insects in pine.

Root and lower stem insects cause significant damage to conifers, vector phytopathogenic fungi, and can predispose trees to bark beetle attacks. The development of effective sampling techniques is an important component in managing these cryptic insects. We tested the effects of trap type and stereochemistry of alpha-pinene, in combination with ethanol, on catches of the root colonizing weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Hylobius spp. [mostly Hylobius pales (Herbst)], and Pachylobius picivorus (Germar), the root colonizing bark beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) Hylastes porculus Erickson, and the lower stem colonizing bark beetle Dendroctonus valens (LeConte). We tested for inter-regional differences by conducting similar field assays in the northern (Wisconsin) and southern (Louisiana) United States. The more effective trap type varied with region. Root weevils were caught primarily in pitfall traps in Wisconsin, whereas they were caught mostly in lower stem flight traps in Louisiana. In Wisconsin, root colonizing bark beetles were also caught primarily in pitfall traps, but lower stem colonizing bark beetles were caught primarily in lower stem flight traps. The root feeding weevils preferred (-) over (+)-alpha-pinene in both regions. Some exceptions relating to trap type or gender occurred in southern populations. The two root and lower stem colonizing bark beetles in Wisconsin showed no preference between (+) and (-)-alpha-pinene in combination with ethanol. No bark beetles were caught in the south. Our results suggest that modifying trap type and enantiomeric ratios of monoterpenes for different insect groups and in different regions can improve sampling efficiency for these important pests.     

Distribution of enantiomers of volatile organic compounds in selected fruit distillates

The enantiomer ratios of chiral volatile organic compounds in fruit distillates were determined by multidimensional gas chromatography using solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) as a sample treatment procedure. Linalool and its oxides, limonene, α‐terpineol, and nerolidol, were present at the highest concentration levels, while significantly lower amounts of β‐citronellol and lactones were found in the studied samples. However, almost all terpenoids mainly occur as a racemic or near‐racemic mixture; enantiomer distribution of some chiral organic compounds in fruit distillates correlated to a botanical origin. In particular, a significant enantiomeric excess of (R)‐linalool and (S)‐α‐terpineol was found only for pear brandy, and likewise the dominance (R)‐limonene and the second eluted enantiomer of nerolidol for Sorbus domestica and strawberry, respectively. The distribution of γ‐lactones stereoisomers was more nonspecific, with a general excess of the R‐enantiomer.     

Syntheses of tetrahydroxyazepanes from chiro-inositols and their evaluation as glycosidase inhibitors

Two pairs of C(2)-symmetric tetrahydroxyazepanes [(-), (+)-1 and (-), (+)-2] have been synthesized from the enantiomeric chiro-inositols and evaluated as glycosidase inhibitors. Alternative syntheses of ido-tetrahydroxyazepanes (-)- and (+)-2 from myo-inositol were also developed. The key synthetic transformations were glycol fission and cyclization of the derived dialdehydes by double reductive amination. The D-manno-tetrahydroxyazepane [(-)-1] showed selective inhibition of alpha-L-fucosidase and beta-D-galactosidase, while the enantiomer [(+)-1] was a selective inhibitor of an alpha-D-galactosidase. In contrast, the L-ido-tetrahydroxyazepane (+)-2 was a broad spectrum hexosidase inhibitor, but showed none of the reported hexosaminidase inhibition. Its enantiomer (-)-2 is a poor hexosidase inhibitor.