Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,2,3-triazole linked aminocombretastatin conjugates as mitochondrial mediated apoptosis inducers

A series of 1,2,3-triazole linked aminocombretastatin conjugates were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity, inhibition of tubulin polymerization and apoptosis inducing ability. Most of the conjugates exhibited significant anticancer activity against some representative human cancer cell lines and two of the conjugates 6d and 7c displayed potent cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values of 53 nM and 44 nM against A549 human lung cancer respectively, and were comparable to combretastatin A-4 (CA-4). SAR studies revealed that 1-benzyl substituted triazole moiety with an amide linkage at 3-position of B-ring of the combretastatin subunit are more active compared to 2-position. G2/M cell cycle arrest was induced by these conjugates 6d and 7c and the tubulin polymerization assay (IC₅₀ of 1.16 μM and 0.95 μM for 6d and 7c, respectively) as well as immunofluorescence analysis showed that these conjugates effectively inhibit microtubule assembly at both molecular and cellular levels in A549 cells. Colchicine competitive binding assay suggested that these conjugates bind at the colchicine binding site of tubulin as also observed from the docking studies. Further, mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS generation, caspase-3 activation assay, Hoechst staining and DNA fragmentation analysis revealed that these conjugates induce cell death by apoptosis.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of fluoro analogues of antimitotic phenstatin

With the aim of investigating the influence of fluorine, in particular on the A-ring, a new series of fluoro analogues (7a–l) of phenstatin (3) was synthesized and tested for interactions with tubulin polymerization and evaluated for cytotoxicity on an NCI-60 human cancer cell lines panel. We have shown that the replacement of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl A-ring of phenstatin with 2,4,5-trifluoro-3-methoxyphenyl unit, results in the conservation of both antitubulin and cytotoxic effect. Fluoro isocombretastatin 7k was the most effective anticancer agent in the present study and demonstrated the highest antiproliferative potential on leukemia cell lines SR (GI₅₀ = 15 nM) and HL-60(TB) (GI₅₀ = 23 nM) and on melanoma cell line MDA-MB-435 (GI₅₀ = 19 nM).     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of analogues of phenstatin,with a phenothiazine A-ring,as a new class of microtubule-targeting agents

A new family of microtubule-targeting agents with a phenothiazine A-ring was synthesized and evaluated for anti-proliferative activity and interaction with tubulin. These new derivatives showed significant activities against cellular proliferation and tubulin polymerization, rather similar to those of phenstatin. Phenothiazine derivative 21 proved to be the most potent compound synthesized with GI₅₀ values ranging from 29 to 93 nM on different cell lines. The same compound showed a better inhibition of COLO 205, A498, and MCF7 cell lines than the parent phenstatin.     

Design,synthesis of phenstatin/isocombretastatin-oxindole conjugates as antimitotic agents

A series of phenstatin/isocombretastatin-oxindole conjugates was synthesized and tested for their cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cells such as prostate (DU-145), lung (A549), colon (HT-29), breast (MCF-7), liver (HepG2) cancer cells with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.049 to 38.90 μM. Amongst them, two conjugates (5c and 5d) showed broad spectrum of antiproliferative efficacy on lung cancer cells with an IC₅₀ value of 79 nM and 93 nM, respectively, whereas on colon cancer cells with an IC₅₀ values 45 nM and 49 nM, respectively. In addition, cell cycle assay revealed that these conjugates (5c and 5d) arrest at the G₂/M phase and leads to apoptotic cell death which was confirmed by Annexin V-FITC and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Further, the tubulin polymerization assay analysis results suggest that these conjugates particularly 5c and 5d exhibit significant inhibitory effect on the tubulin assembly with an IC₅₀ value of 1.23 μM and 1.01 μM, respectively. Molecular docking studies indicated that these compounds (5c and 5d) occupy the colchicine binding site of the tubulin.     

Synthesis,molecular modeling and biological evaluation of dithiocarbamates as novel antitubulin agents

A series of novel dithiocarbamate compounds with the chalcone scaffold have been designed and synthesized, and their biological activities were also evaluated as potential antiproliferation and antitubulin polymerization inhibitors. Compound 2n showed the most potent biological activity in vitro, which inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ of 0.04 ± 0.01 μM and the polymerization of tubulin with IC₅₀ of 6.8 ± 0.6 μM. To understand the tubulin–inhibitor interaction and the selectivity of the most active compound towards tubulin, molecular modeling studies were performed to dock compound 2n into the colchicine binding site, which suggested probable inhibition mechanism.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular modeling of 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amide derivatives as novel antitubulin agents

A series of 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amide derivatives (6a–w) were designed and synthesized as potential inhibitors of tubulin polymerization and as anticancer agents. The in vitro anticancer activities of these compounds were evaluated against three cancer cell lines by the MTT method. Among all the designed compounds, compound 6f exhibited the most potent anticancer activity against A549, MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 0.03 μM, 0.06 μM and 0.05 μM, respectively. Compound 6f also exhibited significant tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 1.73 μM), which was superior to the positive control. The obtained results, along with a 3D-QSAR study and molecular docking that were used for investigating the probable binding mode, could provide an important basis for further optimization of compound 6f as a novel anticancer agent.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylylpiperazine derivatives as a new class of tubulin polymerization inhibitors

A series of novel (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylylpiperazine derivatives had been synthesized and evaluated their biological activities as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors. Among these compounds, compound 3q exhibited potent antiproliferative activities against three cancer cell lines in vitro, and antitubulin polymerization activity with IC₅₀ of 0.92 μM, which was superior to that of colchicine (IC₅₀ = 1.34 μM). Docking simulation was performed to insert compound 3q into the crystal structure of tubulin at colchicine binding site to determine the probable binding model. These results suggested that compound 3q may be a promising antitubulin agent for the potential treatment of cancer.     

Aryl boronic acid inhibition of synthetic melanin polymerization

Inhibitors of melanin formation are sought after for a range of applications. Boronophenylalanine is known to inhibit melanogenesis via boronic acid–catechol interactions. A spectroscopic assay was developed to study the polymerization of l-dopa to synthetic melanin in the presence of para-substituted aryl boronic acids. The best inhibition was observed for aryl boronic acids with electron-withdrawing substituents. The IC₅₀ values exhibit a correlation with the Hammett σ_p parameter (ρ = 0.97, r² = 0.92).     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of trans-indole-3-acrylamide derivatives,a new class of tubulin polymerization inhibitors

In this study, we synthesized a series of trans-indole-3-acrylamide derivatives (3a–k) and investigated their activity for inhibition of cell proliferation against five human cancer cell lines (HeLa, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, Raji and HL-60) by MTT assay. Compound 3e showed significant antiproliferative activity against both the Raji and HL-60 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 9.5 and 5.1 μM, respectively. Compound 3e also exhibited moderate inhibitory activity on tubulin polymerization (IC₅₀ = 17 μM). Flow cytometric analysis of cultured cells treated with 3e also demonstrated that the compound caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in HL-60 and HeLa cells. Moreover, 3e, the most active compound, caused an apoptotic cell death through the activation of caspase-3. Docking simulations suggested that 3e binds to the colchicine site of tubulin.     

NAD-based inhibitors with anticancer potential

Three classes of novel inhibitors of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase have been prepared and their anti-proliferative properties were evaluated against several cancer cell lines.(1) Mycophenolic adenine dinucleotide analogues (8–13) containing a substituent at the C2 of adenine ring were found to be potent inhibitors of IMPDH (K_i’s in range of 0.6–82 nM) and sub-μM inhibitors of leukemic K562 cell proliferation. (2) Mycophenolic adenosine (d and l) esters (20 and 21) showed a potent inhibition of IMPDH2 (K_i = 102 and K_i = 231 nM, respectively) and inhibition of K562 cell growth (IC₅₀ = 0.5 and IC₅₀ = 1.6 μM). These compounds serve both as inhibitors of the enzyme and as a depot form of mycophenolic acid. The corresponding amide analogue 22, also a potent inhibitor of IMPDH (K_i = 84 nM), did not inhibit cancer cell proliferation. (3) Mycophenolic-(l)- and (d)-valine adenine di-amide derivatives 25 (K_i = 9 nM) and 28 (K_i = 3 nM) were found to be very potent enzymatically, but did not inhibit proliferation of cancer cells.     

Discovery and structure–activity relationships of (2-(arylthio)benzylideneamino)guanidines as a novel series of potent apoptosis inducers

1-(2-(2,5-Dimethoxyphenylthio)benzylidene)semicarbazide (2a) was discovered as a potent apoptosis inducer through our cell based HTS assay. SAR study led to the discovery of a more aqueous soluble analog (2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenylthio)-6-methoxybenzylideneamino)guanidine (5e) with EC₅₀ value of 60 nM in the caspase activation assay and GI₅₀ value of 62 nM in the growth inhibition assay in T47D cells. Compound 5e was found to be an inhibitor of tubulin polymerization and efficacious in a MX-1 breast tumor model.     

Design and synthesis of 4-morpholino-6-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine analogues as tubulin polymerization inhibitors

A series of thirty-seven 1,3,5-triazine analogues have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of four different human cancer cell lines such as HeLa, HepG2, A549 and MCF-7. Most of the 1,3,5-triazine analogues exhibited promising antiproliferative activity against tested cancer cell lines. Among all the synthesized compounds, 8j showed potent activity against the cancer cell lines such as HeLa, HepG2, A549 and MCF-7 with IC₅₀ 12.3 ± 0.8, 9.6 ± 0.4, 10.5 ± 1.0 and 11.7 ± 0.5 μM respectively. 8j was taken up for elaborate biological studies and the cells in the cell cycle were arrested in G2/M phase. In addition, 8j was examined for its effect on the microtubule system with a tubulin polymerization assay, immunofluorescence. 8j showed remarkable inhibition of tubulin polymerization. Molecular docking studies were also carried out to understand the binding pattern. The studies suggested that 8j has a good binding affinity of ?7.949 towards nocodazole binding site of tubulin while nocodazole has ?7.462.     

Synthesis and identification of α-cyano bis(indolyl)chalcones as novel anticancer agents

Microwave-assisted synthesis of 23 α-cyano bis(indolyl)chalcones (6a–w) and their in vitro anticancer activity against three human cancer cell lines have been discussed. Among the synthesized chalcones, compound 6n was found to be the most potent and selective against A549 lung cancer cell line (IC₅₀ = 0.8 μM). In a preliminary mechanism of action studies some α-cyano bis(indolyl)chalcones were found to enhance tubulin polymerization suggesting these compounds could act as microtubule stabilizing agents.     

Antitumor agents 273. Design and synthesis of N-alkyl-thiocolchicinoids as potential antitumor agents

As a part of our continuing study of colchicinoids as therapeutically useful antitumor drugs, thiocolchicine derivatives, including their phosphate and other water soluble salts, were synthesized and evaluated for inhibition of tubulin polymerization and for in vitro cytotoxicity. Three compounds, 7, 10, and 11, showed potent inhibition of tubulin assembly (IC₅₀ = 0.88–1.1 μM). In addition, compound 7, a water soluble succinic acid salt of N-deacetylthiocolchicine (4), showed potent cytotoxicity against a panel of tumor cell lines, suggesting it might be a potential lead to be developed as a therapeutic antitumor agent. Compound 8, a water soluble succinic acid salt of N,N-dimethyl-N-deacetylthiocolchicine (5), showed selective activities against HCT-8 and SK-BR-3 cells. N,N-Diethyl-N-deacetylthiocolchicine (6) seemed not to be a substrate for the P-gp efflux pump, based on the similar ED₅₀ values obtained against P-gp over-expressing KBvin (0.0146 μg/mL) cells and the parent KB (0.0200 μg/mL) cell line.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of millepachine derivatives as a new class of tubulin polymerization inhibitors

A series of novel tubulin polymerization inhibitors (9a–9p) have been synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro and in vivo biological activities. Among these compounds, 9e displayed strong antiproliferative activity against several tumor cell lines (IC₅₀ = 0.15–0.62 μM). Compound 9e was also shown to arrest cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and inhibit the polymerization of tubulin. Molecular docking studies suggested that 9e binds into the colchicine binding site of tubulin. In xenograft experiments, 9e exerted more potent anticancer effect than anticancer drug taxol against the H460 Human lung carcinoma in BALB/c nude mice. In summary, these findings suggest that 9e is a promising new antimitotic compound for the potential treatment of cancer.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of substituted 2-phenyl-2H-indazole-7-carboxamides as potent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors

A potent series of substituted 2-phenyl-2H-indazole-7-carboxamides were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). This extensive SAR exploration culminated with the identification of substituted 5-fluoro-2-phenyl-2H-indazole-7-carboxamide analog 48 which displayed excellent PARP enzyme inhibition with IC₅₀ = 4 nM, inhibited proliferation of cancer cell lines deficient in BRCA-1 with CC₅₀ = 42 nM and showed encouraging pharmacokinetic properties in rats compared to the lead 6.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6,7-disubstituted-4-phenoxyquinoline derivatives bearing 4-oxo-3,4-dihydrophthalazine-1-carboxamide moieties as c-Met kinase inhibitors

A series of 6,7-disubstituted-4-phenoxyquinoline derivatives bearing 4-oxo-3,4-dihydrophthalazine-1-carboxamide moieties were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their c-Met kinase inhibition and cytotoxicity against H460, MKN-45, HT-29 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines in vitro. Most compounds displayed good to excellent potency against four tested cancer cell lines as compared with foretinib. The SAR analyses indicated that compounds with halogen groups, especially fluoro groups at 4-position on the phenyl ring (moiety B) were more effective than those with nitro groups or methoxy groups. In this study, a promising compound 33 (c-Met IC₅₀ = 1.63 nM) was identified, which showed the most potent antitumor activities with IC₅₀ values of 0.055 μM, 0.071 μM, 0.13 μM, and 0.43 μM against H460, MKN-45, HT-29 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of di-substituted cinnamic hydroxamic acids bearing urea/thiourea unit as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors

A novel class of di-substituted cinnamic hydroxamic acid derivatives containing urea or thiourea unit was designed, synthesized and evaluated as HDAC inhibitors. All tested compounds demonstrated significant HDAC inhibitory activities and anti-proliferative effects against diverse human tumor cell lines. Among them, 7l exhibited most potent pan-HDAC inhibitory activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 130 nM. It also showed strong cellular inhibition against diverse cell lines including HCT-116, MCF-7, MDB-MB-435 and NCI-460, with GI₅₀ values of 0.35, 0.22, 0.51 and 0.48 μM, respectively.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of water-soluble amino acid prodrug conjugates derived from combretastatin,dihydronaphthalene, and benzosuberene-based parent vascular disrupting agents

Targeting tumor vasculature represents an intriguing therapeutic strategy in the treatment of cancer. In an effort to discover new vascular disrupting agents with improved water solubility and potentially greater bioavailability, various amino acid prodrug conjugates (AAPCs) of potent amino combretastatin, amino dihydronaphthalene, and amino benzosuberene analogs were synthesized along with their corresponding water-soluble hydrochloride salts. These compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit tubulin polymerization and for their cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cell lines. The amino-based parent anticancer agents 7, 8, 32 (also referred to as KGP05) and 33 (also referred to as KGP156) demonstrated potent cytotoxicity (GI₅₀ = 0.11–40 nM) across all evaluated cell lines, and they were strong inhibitors of tubulin polymerization (IC₅₀ = 0.62–1.5 μM). The various prodrug conjugates and their corresponding salts were investigated for cleavage by the enzyme leucine aminopeptidase (LAP). Four of the glycine water-soluble AAPCs (16, 18, 44 and 45) showed quantitative cleavage by LAP, resulting in the release of the highly cytotoxic parent drug, whereas partial cleavage (<10–90%) was observed for other prodrugs (15, 17, 24, 38 and 39). Eight of the nineteen AAPCs (13–16, 42–45) showed significant cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cell lines. The previously reported CA1-diamine analog and its corresponding hydrochloride salt (8 and 10, respectively) caused extensive disruption (at a concentration of 1.0 μM) of human umbilical vein endothelial cells growing in a two-dimensional tubular network on matrigel. In addition, compound 10 exhibited pronounced reduction in bioluminescence (greater than 95% compared to saline control) in a tumor bearing (MDA-MB-231-luc) SCID mouse model 2 h post treatment (80 mg/kg), with similar results observed upon treatment (15 mg/kg) with the glycine amino-dihydronaphthalene AAPC (compound 44). Collectively, these results support the further pre-clinical development of the most active members of this structurally diverse collection of water-soluble prodrugs as promising anticancer agents functioning through a mechanism involving vascular disruption.     

Combretastatin-like chalcones as inhibitors of microtubule polymerization. Part 1: Synthesis and biological evaluation of antivascular activity

The α-methyl chalcone SD400 is a potent inhibitor of tubulin assembly and possesses potent anticancer activity. Various chalcone analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their cell growth inhibitory properties against the K562 human chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line (SD400, IC₅₀ 0.21 nM; combretastatin A4 CA4, IC₅₀ 2.0 nM). Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry indicated that these agents are antimitotic (SD400, 83% of the cells are in G₂/M phase; CA4 90%). They inhibit tubulin assembly at low concentration (SD400, IC₅₀ 0.46 μM; CA4, 0.10 μM) and compete with [³H]colchicine for binding to tubulin (8% [³H]colchicine remained bound to tubulin after competition with SD400 or CA4). Upon treatment with SD400, remarkable cell shape changes were elicited in HUVEC cells, consistent with vasculature damaging activity.