Synthesis and biological activity of novel MIF antagonists

Two series of novel furan and indole compounds were synthesized and probed for inhibition of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activity. Several compounds from both series inhibited the enzymatic activity of MIF at levels equal to or significantly better than ISO-1 (an early MIF inhibitor). The majority of the compounds that robustly inhibited the spontaneous secretion/release/recognition of MIF from freshly isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were from the furan series (compounds 5, 9, 13, 15, and 16). In contrast, compounds that markedly inhibited the MIF-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were predominantly from the indole series (compounds 26, 29, and 32).     

The novel 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one urea derivatives of N-aryl urea: synthesis, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activity evaluation

A series of novel 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one urea derivatives of biological interest were prepared by sequential Bigineli’s reaction, reduction followed by reaction of resulting amines with different arylisocynates. All the synthesized (1-23) compounds were screened against the pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and antimicrobial activity (antibacterial and antifungal). Biological activity evaluation study reveled that among all the compounds screened, compounds 12 and 17 found to have promising anti-inflammatory activity (68-62% TNF-α and 92-86% IL-6 inhibitory activity at 10 μM). Interestingly compounds 3, 4, 5, 6, 15, 22 and 23 revealed promising antimicrobial activity at MIC of 10-30 μg/mL against selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi.     

Anticancer and antifungal activity of copper(II) complexes of quinolin-2(1H)-one-derived Schiff bases

The condensation of substituted aromatic aldehydes with 7-amino-4-methyl-quinolin-2(1H)-one (1) has lead to the isolation of quinolin-2(1H)-one derived Schiff bases (2-14). The copper(II) complexes (2a-14a) of the ligands were also prepared, and together with their corresponding free ligands were fully characterised by elemental analyses, spectral methods (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, AAS, UV-Vis), magnetic and conductance measurements. The bidentate ligands coordinated to the copper(II) ion through the deprotonated phenolic oxygen and the azomethine nitrogen of the ligands in almost all cases. X-ray crystal structures of two of the complexes, 5a and 8a, confirmed the bidentate coordination mode. All of the compounds were investigated for their antimicrobial activities against the fungus, Candida albicans, and against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The compounds were found to have excellent anti-Candida activity but were inactive against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Selected compounds (2-8 and 2a-8a) were also screened for their in vitro anticancer potential using the human hepatic carcinoma cell line, Hep-G₂. Several derivatives were shown to be active comparable to that of cisplatin.     

Osteogenic activity of diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids derived from Acer nikoense

Osteogenic activity of six diarylheptanoids, acerogenin A (1), (R)-acerogenin B (2), aceroside I (3), aceroside B₁ (4), aceroside III (5) and (−)-centrolobol (6) and two phenolic compounds; (+)-rhododendrol (7) and (+)-cathechin (8), isolated from the stem bark of Acer nikoense (Nikko maple) was evaluated using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as a marker for early osteoblast differentiation. We found that the diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-5 promoted ALP activity in mouse preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells without affecting cell proliferation, but linear-type diarylheptanoid 6 and phenolic compounds 7 and 8 did not. Diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids 1-4 also increased protein production of osteocalcin, a late stage maker for osteoblast differentiation, and induced osteoblastic mineralization. Structure-activity relationships of these compounds demonstrated that the stimulative efficacy of aglycones was higher than that of its glycosides. Taken together, diphenyl ether-type cyclic diarylheptanoids promote early- and late-stage osteoblastogenesis, which may open the possibility for the development of novel osteogenic agents.     

Steroidal saponins from the whole plants of Agave utahensis and their cytotoxic activity

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Agave utahensis Engelm. (Agavaceae) has resulted in the isolation of 15 steroidal saponins (1-15), including five spirostanol saponins (1-5) and three furostanol saponins (11-13). Structures of compounds 1-5 and 11-13 were determined by spectroscopic analysis and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.     

NF kappa B inhibitors and antitrypanosomal metabolites from endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Limonium tubiflorum

Chemical investigation of the endophytic fungus Penicillium sp. isolated from Limonium tubiflorum growing in Egypt afforded four new compounds of polyketide origin, including two macrolides, penilactone (1) and 10,11-epoxycurvularin (2), a dianthrone, neobulgarone G (7), and a sulfinylcoumarin, sulfimarin (14), along with twelve known metabolites (3-6, 8-13, 15 and 16). The structures of all compounds were assigned by comprehensive spectral analysis (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometry. Compounds 3, 4, 13 and 16 showed pronounced antitrypanosomal activity with mean MIC values ranging from 4.96 to 9.75 ??M. Moreover, when tested against a panel of three human tumor cell lines compounds 3, 4, 6 and 12 showed selective growth inhibition against Jurkat and U937 cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.8 to 13.3 ??M. The latter compounds also inhibited TNF??-induced NF-??B activity in K562 cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.6 to 10.1 ??M, respectively.     

Osteogenic constituents from Pterospermum acerifolium Willd. flowers

Phytochemical investigation of ethanol extracts of the Pterospermumacerifolium flowers led to the isolation and identification of two new flavones, 4′-(2-methoxy-4-(1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl) phenoxy luteolin (1) and 5,7,3′-trihydroxy-6-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl flavone (2), and one new lactone, 3,5-dihydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one (3) along with 14 known compounds (4-17). The structure of compounds 1-17 was established based on MS, 1D and 2D NMR, spectroscopic analysis. Eight of these compounds (1-6, 8 and 9) were assessed for osteogenic activity by using primary cultures of rat osteoblast. The compounds 1, 3 and 4 significantly stimulated osteoblast differentiation and mineralization as evident from a marked increase in expression of alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red-S staining of osteoblasts.     

Benzothieno[3,2-b]quinolinium and 3-(phenylthio)quinolinium compounds: Synthesis and evaluation against opportunistic fungal pathogens

Substitution around 5-methyl benzothieno[3,2-b]quinolinium (2) ring system was explored in order to identify positions of substitution that could improve its antifungal profile. The 3-methoxy (10b) was active against C. albicans, C. neoformans, and A. fumigatus and the 4-chloro (10f) analog showed moderate increases in anti-cryptococcal and anti-aspergillus activities. The effectiveness of 10b and 10f were validated in murine models of candidiasis and cryptococcosis, respectively. The efficacy of 10f in reducing brain cryptococcal infection and its observation in the brain of mice injected with this quaternary compound confirm the capacity of these compounds to cross the blood-brain barrier of mice. Overall, several of the chloro and methoxy substituted compounds showed significant improvements in activity against A. fumigatus, the fungal pathogen prevalent in patients receiving organ transplant. Opening the benzothiophene ring of 2 to form 1-(5-cyclohexylpentyl)-3-(phenylthio)quinolinium compound (3) resulted in the identification of several novel compounds with over 50-fold increases in potency (cf. 2) while retaining low cytotoxicities. Thus, compound 3 constitutes a new scaffold for development of drugs against opportunistic infections.     

Synthesis and evaluation of chromenyl barbiturates and thiobarbiturates as potential antitubercular agents

A novel series of barbiturate and thiobarbiturate analogs of 2-benzoyl-3-methyl-5-oxo-5H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-6-carbaldehydes (3a-g and 4a-d, respectively) and 6-methyl-4,8-dioxo-4,8-dihydropyrano[3,2-g]chromenes (7a-c), were synthesized and evaluated for their antitubercular activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV, and cytotoxicity (CC₅₀) in the VERO cell MABA assay. The results indicate that the furanochromene series of compounds (3a-g and 4a-d) showed only weak to moderate antitubercular activity. However, the pyranochromene analog 7b showed good antitubercular activity (IC₉₀: 5.9 μg/mL) and cytotoxicity (CC₅₀: 14.27 μg/mL). The antitubercular activity of 7b was superior to the antituberculosis drug, pyrazinamide (PZA; IC₉₀: >20 μg/mL). Analog 7b was considered to be a lead compound for subsequent structural optimization.     

Limonoids from the seeds of a Godavari mangrove, Xylocarpus moluccensis

Ten limonoids, named godavarins A-J (1-7, 9-11), were isolated from seeds of an Indian mangrove (Xylocarpus moluccensis) collected in the mangrove wetlands of Godavari estuary, Andhra Pradesh. Eight known limonoids, viz. xyloccensins L (8), P (12), Q (13), mexicanolide (14), 6-deoxy-3-detigloyl-swietenine acetate (15), fissinolide (16), methyl 3β-acetoxy-1-oxomeliaca-8(30),14-dienoate (17), and methyl 3β-acetoxy-1-oxomeliaca-8(9),14-dienoate (18), were also obtained. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data or comparison with data in the literature (known compounds). The stereostructure of godavarin D was confirmed by means of single-crystal X-ray analysis. Godavarins A-C are the first mexicanolide derivatives with a C₇-C₂₈ ester-linked δ-lactone ring, while godavarins D-G are further additions to the small group of limonoids with a C₁-C₂₉ oxygen bridge. Godavarin H is a phragmalin with five acetoxy groups. Two limonoids, mexicanolide and fissinolide, were found to exhibit marked antifeedant activity against the third-instar larvae of Brontispa longissima (Gestro) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. The most potent compound was mexicanolide. It also showed moderate insecticidal activity.     

Perfluoroalkylated derivatives of 6-deoxy-6-ethylamino-d-galactose, 1-deoxy-1-methylamino-d-glucitol, and 1-amino-1-deoxy-d-glucitol: syntheses, hemocompatibility, and effect on perfluorocarbon emulsion

N-Polyfluoroalkyl derivatives of 6-deoxy-6-ethylamino-1,2;3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranose (8-10), 1-deoxy-1-methylamino-d-glucitol (13-15), and 1-amino-1-deoxy-d-glucitol (16-18), all possessing perfluoroalkyl segment, were prepared using nucleophilic epoxide ring opening of 2-[(perfluoroalkyl)methyl]oxiranes 1-3. Co-emulsifying properties and hemolytic activity of the new perfluoroalkylated amphiphiles were tested. Both types of the polyol derivatives 8-10 and 13-18 generally displayed good to excellent co-emulsifying properties on testing on perfluorodecalin/Pluronic F-68 microemulsions. Mono-perfluoroalkylated compounds 8-10 and 13-15 displayed high hemolysis, whereas acyclic bis-perfluoroalkylated compounds 16-18 were non-hemolytic even for short perfluorobutyl segment (16). The properties were generally improving with increasing perfluoroalkyl chain length.     

Sargachromanols as inhibitors of Na+/K+ ATPase and isocitrate lyase

Sargachromanols A-P (1-16), 16 meroterpenoids of the chromene class isolated from the brown alga Sargassum siliquastrum, were evaluated for their inhibitory activities toward Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase from porcine cerebral cortex and isocitrate lyase (ICL) from Candida albicans. These studies led to the identification of compounds 4, 6, 8, and 12 as potent Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase inhibitors. Compounds 12, 13, and 16 exhibited moderate ICL inhibitory activity. Compound 12 also showed weak antibacterial activity. The preliminary structure-activity relationship of these compounds is described to elucidate the essential structural requirements.     

Design and synthesis of 3-(azol-1-yl)phenylpropanes as microbicidal spermicides for prophylactic contraception

We designed a series of 25 3-(azol-1-yl)phenylpropanes which yielded 10 compounds (3, 4, 7, 8, 13, 14, 19, 21, 23, 26) that irreversibly immobilized 100% human sperm at 1% (w/v) concentration in 60 s; 12 compounds (8, 9, 15, 16, 19-21, 23-25, 27, 28) that showed potent microbicidal activity at 12.5-50 μg/mL against Trichomonas vaginalis; and 17 compounds (3-11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28, 30) that exhibited potent anticandida activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12.5-50 μg/mL. Almost all the compounds exhibited high level of safety towards normal vaginal flora (Lactobacillus) and human cervical (HeLa) cells in comparison to the marketed spermicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9). All the biological activities were evaluated in vitro. Two compounds (4, 8) with good safety profile exhibited multiple (spermicidal, antitrichomonas and anticandida) activities, warranting further lead optimization for furnishing a prophylactic vaginal contraceptive.     

Actin depolymerizing effect of trisoxazole-containing macrolides

Oxazole-containing macrolides (1-5) isolated from the marine sponge Chondrosia corticata were evaluated for their actin depolymerizing activities by monitoring fluorescent intensity of pyrene F-actin. These studies led to the identification of (19Z)-halichondramide (5) as a new actin depolymerizing agent. The actin depolymerizing activity by (19Z)-halichondramide (5) was four times more potent than that of halichondramide (1). Compounds 1 and 5 also have potent antifungal activity. The preliminary structure-activity relationship of these compounds is described to elucidate the essential structural requirements.     

Cycloartane glycosides from Astragalus aureus

Eight cycloartane-type triterpene glycosides (1-8) were isolated from Astragalus aureus Willd along with ten known cycloartane-type glycosides (9-18). Their structures were established by the extensive use of 1D and 2D-NMR experiments along with ESIMS and HRMS analyses. Compounds 1-5 are cyclocanthogenin glycosides, whereas compounds 6-8 are based on cyclocephalogenin as aglycon, more unusual in the plant kingdom, so far reported only from Astragalus spp. Moreover, for the first time monoglycosides of cyclocanthogenin (5) and cyclocephalogenin (7, 8) are reported. All of the compounds tested for their cytotoxic activities against a number of cancer cell lines. Among the compounds, only 8 exhibited activity versus human breast cancer (MCF7) at 45 μM concentration.     

Philadelphicalactones C and D and other cytotoxic compounds from Physalis philadelphica

Two new withanolides, philadelphicalactone C (1) and philadelphicalactone D (4), along with the known withaphysacarpin (3), ixocarpanolide (5), philadelphicalactone A (6), and ixocarpalactone A (7) were isolated from the aerial parts of Physalis philadelphica Lam. Structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic analyses and that of philadelphicalactone C (1) was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of all isolates and the derivative 2 against a panel of human cancer cell lines indicated a potent activity of compounds 2, 3, 6, and 7.     

Aromatase inhibitory, radical scavenging, and antioxidant activities of depsidones and diaryl ethers from the endophytic fungus Corynespora cassiicola L36

Isolation of a broth extract of the endophytic fungus Corynespora cassiicola L36 afforded three compounds, corynesidones A (1) and B (3), and corynether A (5), together with a known diaryl ether 7. Compounds 1, 3, 5, and 7 were relatively non-toxic against cancer cells, and inactive toward normal cell line, MRC-5. Corynesidone B (3) exhibited potent radical scavenging activity in the DPPH assay, whose activity was comparable to ascorbic acid. Based on the ORAC assay, compounds 1, 3, 5, and 7 showed potent antioxidant activity. However, the isolated natural substances and their methylated derivatives (1−8) neither inhibited superoxide anion radical formation in the XXO assay nor suppressed TPA-induced superoxide anion generation in HL-60 cell line. Corynesidone A (1) inhibited aromatase activity with an IC₅₀ value of 5.30 μM.     

Synthesis and antihistamine evaluations of novel loratadine analogues

A series of loratadine analogues containing hydroxyl group and chiral center were synthesized. The effect of the synthesized compounds on the histamine-induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum muscles was studied. In addition, the in vivo asthma-relieving effect of the analogues in the histamine induced asthmatic reaction in guinea-pigs was determined. Most of the compounds exhibited definite H₁ antihistamine activity. The S-enantiomers, compounds 2, 4 and 8, are more potent than the R-enantiomers, compounds 1, 3 and 7. Compound 6 was the most active one among the eight synthesized compounds.     

Cytotoxic diterpenoid quinonemethides from the roots of Pygmacopremna herbacea

Two new diterpenoid quinonemethides (1 and 2) along with two known compounds (3 and 4) were isolated from the hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of root nodules of Pygmacopremna herbacea. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic data interpretation. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the structure of 1. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated against A 549, HEPG2, MCF-7, PC-3 and HELA cancer cell lines. Compounds 4, 2 and 1 were shown very good cytotoxic activity.     

Synthesis of 2-substituted 17β-hydroxy/17-methylene estratrienes and their in vitro cytotoxicity in human cancer cell cultures

Synthesis of various types of 2-(alkylaminomethyl) and 2-(aroyl) 17β-estradiol analogs are reported. The synthesis of similar types of 2-substituted 17-methylene estratriene analogs was also achieved. Synthesis of chalcone derivatives of 17β-estradiol and 17-methylene estratriene were also realized. All these 2-substituted estratrienes were tested for their antiproliferative activity by using four different cell lines from colon, lung, glioma and breast cancers. Among the various 2-substituted estratrienes, the compounds 10d, 14a-h and 17e were found to have in vitro antiproliferative activity comparable to that of parent analogs 1-4. Comparison of the SAR pattern of these 2-susbtituted estratriene derivatives confirmed that relatively, 17-methylene estratrienes are more active than that of 17β-estradiol analogs.