Acylated iridoid glycosides and acylated rhamnopyranoses from Gmelina arborea flowers

Nine acylated iridoid glycosides (1–9), five acylated rhamnopyranoses (10–14) and verbascoside (15) were isolated from Gmelina arborea flowers, including 5 new compounds (1, 2, and 10–12). The cytoprotective activity of 11 selected compounds (1–8, 10, 11, and 15) against CCl₄-induced cytotoxicity on liver was determined. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 7, 8 and 15 displayed hepatoprotective activity. 6-O-α-l-(2″, 3″-di-O-trans-p-hydroxycinnamoyl)rhamnopyranosylcatalpol (2) exhibited the most potent cytoprotective effect with an EC₅₀ value of 42.5 μM (SI = 19.3) compared with biphenyldimethylesterate (DDB, EC₅₀ = 277.3 μM, SI = 9.8) and bicylo-ethanol (EC₅₀ = 279.2 μM, SI = 12.2). Among the acylated iridoid glycosides, the compounds (2 and 8) containing phenolic hydroxy groups were more active than were those lacking them.     

Amphipathic short helix-stabilized peptides with cell-membrane penetrating ability

We synthesized four types of arginine-based amphipathic nonapeptides, including two homochiral peptides, R-(l-Arg-l-Arg-Aib)₃-NH₂ (R = 6-FAM-β-Ala: FAM-1; R = Ac: Ac-1) and R-(d-Arg-d-Arg-Aib)₃-NH₂ (R = 6-FAM-β-Ala: ent-FAM-1; R = Ac: ent-Ac-1); a heterochiral peptide, R-(l-Arg-d-Arg-Aib)₃-NH₂ (R = 6-FAM-β-Ala: FAM-2; R = Ac: Ac-2); and a racemic mixture of diastereomeric peptides, R-(rac-Arg-rac-Arg-Aib)₃-NH₂ (R = 6-FAM-β-Ala: FAM-3; R = Ac: Ac-3), and then investigated the relationship between their secondary structures and their ability to pass through cell membranes. Peptides 1 and ent-1 formed stable one-handed α-helical structures and were more effective at penetrating HeLa cells than the non-helical peptides 2 and 3.     

Synthesis and activity of novel tetrazole compounds and their pyrazole-4-carbonitrile precursors against Leishmania spp

A new series of 5-(1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1H-tetrazole derivatives (4a–m) and their precursor 1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitriles (3a–m) were synthesized and evaluated as antileishmanials against Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes in vitro. In parallel, the cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated on the RAW 264.7 cell line. The results showed that among the assayed compounds the substituted 3-chlorophenyl (4a) (IC₅₀/24 h = 15 ± 0.14 μM) and 3,4-dichlorophenyl tetrazoles (4d) (IC₅₀/24 h = 26 ± 0.09 μM) were the most potent against L. braziliensis promastigotes, as compared the reference drug pentamidine, which presented IC₅₀ = 13 ± 0.04 μM. In addition, 4a and 4d derivatives were less cytotoxic than pentamidine. However, these tetrazole derivatives (4) and pyrazole-4-carbonitriles precursors (3) differ against each of the tested species and were more effective against L.braziliensis than on L. amazonensis.     

Does conjugation of antioxidants improve their antioxidative/anti-inflammatory potential?

A series of symmetric and asymmetric spermine (SPM) conjugates with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), acitretin (ACI), (E)-3-(trioxsalen-4′-yl)acrylic acid (TRAA) and l-DOPA, amides of ACI, l-DOPA and TRAA with 1-aminobutane, benzylamine, dopamine and 1,12-diaminobutane as well as hybrid conjugates of O,O′-dimethylcaffeic acid (DMCA) with TRAA or N-fumaroyl-indole-3-carboxanilide (FICA) and 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol were synthesized and their antioxidant properties were studied. The reducing activity (RA)% of the compounds were evaluated using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging assay and found to be in the range 0–92(20 min)%/96(60 min)% at 100 μM, the most powerful being the conjugates l-DOPA-SPM-l-DOPA (8, RA = 89%/96%) and l-DOPA-dopamine (13, RA = 92%/92%). Conjugate DMCA-NH(CH₂CH₂O)₂-FICA (14) was the most powerful LOX inhibitor with IC₅₀ 33.5 μM, followed by the conjugates ACI-NHCH₂Ph (10, IC₅₀ 40.5 μM), ACI-SPM-TRAA (7, IC₅₀ 41.5 μM), DMCA-NH(CH₂CH₂O)₂-TRAA (15, IC₅₀ 65 μM), 13 (IC₅₀ 81.5 μM) and ACI-dopamine (11, IC₅₀ 87 μM). The most potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation at 100 μM were the conjugates 15 (98%) and ACI-SPM-ACI (4, 97%) whereas all other compounds showed activities comparable or lower than trolox. The most interesting compounds, namely ATRA-SPM-ATRA (3), 4, 10, 11 and 15, as well as unconjugated compounds such as ATRA and dopamine, were studied for their anti-inflammatory activity in vivo on rat paw oedema induced by Carrageenan and found to exhibit, for doses of 0.01 mmol/mL of conjugates per Kg of rat body weight, weaker anti-inflammatory activities (3.6–40%) than indomethacin (47%) with conjugate 3 being the most potent (40%) in this series of compounds. The cytocompatibility of selected compounds was evaluated by the viability of RAMEC cells in the presence of different concentrations (0.5–50 μM) of the compounds. Conjugates 3 (IC₅₀ 2.6 μM) and 4 (IC₅₀ 4.7 μM) were more cytotoxic than the corresponding unconjugated retinoids ATRA (IC₅₀ 18.3 μM) and ACI (IC₅₀ 14.6 μM), whereas conjugate 15 (IC₅₀ 12.9 μM) was less cytotoxic than either DCSP (IC₅₀ 11.3 μM) or the tert-butyl ester of TRAA (IC₅₀ 2.9 μM).     

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.     

Comparing anti-HIV,antibacterial, antifungal,micellar, and cytotoxic properties of tricarboxylato dendritic amphiphiles

Three series of homologous dendritic amphiphiles—RCONHC(CH₂CH₂COOH)₃, 1(n); ROCONHC(CH₂CH₂COOH)₃, 2(n); RNHCONHC(CH₂CH₂COOH)₃, 3(n), where R = n-C_nH_2n+1 and n = 13–22 carbon atoms—were assayed for their potential to serve as antimicrobial components in a topical vaginal formulation. Comparing epithelial cytotoxicities to the ability of these homologues to inhibit HIV, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Candida albicans provided a measure of their prophylactic/therapeutic potential. Measurements of the ability to inhibit Lactobacillus plantarum, a beneficial bacterium in the vagina, and critical micelle concentrations (CMCs), an indicator of the potential detergency of these amphiphiles, provided additional assessments of safety. Several amphiphiles from each homologous series had modest anti-HIV activity (EC₅₀ = 110–130 μM). Amphiphile 2(18) had the best anti-Neisseria activity (MIC = 65 μM), while 1(19) and 1(21) had MICs against C. albicans of 16 and 7.7 μM, respectively. Two measures of safety showed promise as all compounds had relatively low cytotoxic activity (EC₅₀ = 210–940 μM) against epithelial cells and low activity against L. plantarum, 1(n), 2(n), and 3(n) had MICs ? 490, 1300, and 940 μM, respectively. CMCs measured in aqueous triethanolamine and in aqueous potassium hydroxide showed linear dependences on chain length. As expected, the longest chain in each series had the lowest CMC—in triethanolamine: 1(21), 1500 μM; 2(22), 320 μM; 3(22), 340 μM, and in potassium hydroxide: 1(21), 130 μM; 3(22), 40 μM. The CMC in triethanolamine adjusted to pH 7.4 was 400 μM for 1(21) and 3900 μM for 3(16). The promising antifungal activity, low activity against L. plantarum, relatively high CMCs, and modest epithelial cytotoxicity in addition to their anti-Neisseria properties warrant further design studies with dendritic amphiphiles to improve their safety indices to produce suitable candidates for antimicrobial vaginal products.     

Nascent structure–activity relationship study of a diastereomeric series of kappa opioid receptor antagonists derived from CJ-15,208

Cyclic tetrapeptide c[Phe-pro-Phe-trp] 2, a diastereomer of CJ-15,208 (1), was identified as a potent dual κ/μ opioid receptor antagonist devoid of δ opioid receptor affinity against cloned human receptors: K_i (2) = 3.8 nM (κ), 30 nM (μ); IC₅₀ ([³⁵S]GTPγS binding) = 140 nM (κ), 21 nM (μ). The d-tryptophan residue rendered 2 ca. eightfold and fourfold more potent at κ and μ, respectively, than the corresponding l-configured tryptophan in the natural product 1. Phe analogs 3–10, designed to probe the effect of substituents on receptor affinity and selectivity, possessed K_i values ranging from 14 to 220 nM against the κ opioid receptor with μ/κ ratios of 0.45–3.0. An alanine scan of 2 yielded c[Ala-pro-Phe-trp] 12, an analog equipotent to 2. Agents 2 and 12 were pure antagonists in vitro devoid of agonist activity. Ac-pro-Phe-trp-Phe-NH₂ 16 and Ac-Phe-trp-Phe-pro-NH₂ 17 two of the eight possible acyclic peptides derived from 1 and 2, were selective, modestly potent μ ligands: K_i (16) = 340 nM (μ); K_i (17) = 360 nM (μ).     

Synthesis,in vitro evaluation and molecular docking studies of novel amide linked triazolyl glycoconjugates as new inhibitors of α-glucosidase

A series of N-substituted amide linked triazolyl β-d-glucopyranoside derivatives (4a-l) were synthesized and their in vitro inhibitory activity against yeast α-glucosidase enzyme [EC.3.2.1.20] was assessed. Compounds 4e (IC₅₀ = 156.06 μM), 4f (IC₅₀ = 147.94 μM), 4k (IC₅₀ = 127.71 μM) and 4l (IC₅₀ = 121.33 μM) were identified as the most potent inhibitors for α-glucosidase as compared to acarbose (IC₅₀ = 130.98 μM) under the same in vitro experimental conditions. Kinetic study showed that both 4e and 4f inhibit the enzyme in a competitive manner with p-nitrophenyl α-d-glucopyranoside as substrate. Molecular docking studies of 4e, 4f, 4k and 4l were also carried out using homology model of α-glucosidase to find out the binding modes responsible for the inhibitory activity. This study revealed that the binding affinity of compounds 4e, 4f, 4k and 4l for α-glucosidase were −8.2, −8.6, −8.3 and −8.5 kcal/mol respectively, compared to that of acarbose (−8.9 kcal/mol). The results suggest that the N-substituted amide linked triazole glycoconjugates can reasonably mimic the substrates for the yeast α-glucosidase.     

Synthesis and biological activity of novel tert-amylphenoxyalkyl (homo)piperidine derivatives as histamine H3R ligands

As a continuation of our search for novel histamine H₃ receptor ligands a series of twenty new tert-amyl phenoxyalkylamine derivatives (2–21) was synthesized. Compounds of four to eight carbon atoms spacer alkyl chain were evaluated on their binding properties at human histamine H₃ receptor (hH₃R). The highest affinities were observed for pentyl derivatives 6–8 (K_i = 8.8–23.4 nM range) and among them piperidine derivative 6 with K_i = 8.8 nM. Structures 6, 7 were also classified as antagonists in cAMP accumulation assay (with EC₅₀ = 157 and 164 nM, respectively). Moreover, new compounds were also evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in Antiepileptic Screening Program (ASP) at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (USA). Seven compounds (2–4, 9, 11, 12 and 20) showed anticonvulsant activity at maximal electroshock (MES) test in the dose of 30 mg/kg at 0.5 h. In the subcutaneous pentetrazole (scMET) test compound 4 showed protection at 100 and 300 mg/kg dose at mice, however compounds showed high neurotoxicity in rotarod test at used doses. Also, molecular modeling studies were undertaken, to explain affinity of compounds at hH₃R (taking into the consideration X-ray analysis of compound 18). In order to estimate “drug-likeness” of selected compounds in silico and experimental evaluation of lipophilicity, metabolic stability and cytotoxicity was performed.     

Synthesis and anti-parasitic activity of a novel quinolinone–chalcone series

A series of novel quinolinone–chalcone hybrids and analogues were designed, synthesized and their biological activity against the mammalian stages of Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania infantum evaluated. Promising molecular scaffolds with significant microbicidal activity and low cytotoxicity were identified. Quinolinone–chalcone 10 exhibited anti-parasitic properties against both organisms, being the most potent anti-L. infantum agent of the entire series (IC₅₀ value of 1.3 ± 0.1 μM). Compounds 4 and 11 showed potency toward the intracellular, amastigote stage of L. infantum (IC₅₀ values of 2.1 ± 0.6 and 3.1 ± 1.05 μM, respectively). Promising trypanocidal compounds include 5 and 10 (IC₅₀ values of 2.6 ± 0.1 and 3.3 ± 0.1 μM, respectively) as well as 6 and 9 (both having IC₅₀ values of <5 μM). Chemical modifications on the quinolinone–chalcone scaffold were performed on selected compounds in order to investigate the influence of these structural features on antiparasitic activity.     

Synthesis and antioxidant evaluation of (S,S)- and (R,R)-secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs)

Secoisolariciresinol diglucosides (SDGs) (S,S)-SDG-1 (major isomer in flaxseed) and (R,R)-SDG-2 (minor isomer in flaxseed) were synthesized from vanillin via secoisolariciresinol (6) and glucosyl donor 7 through a concise route that involved chromatographic separation of diastereomeric diglucoside derivatives (S,S)-8 and (R,R)-9. Synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 exhibited potent antioxidant properties (EC₅₀ = 292.17 ± 27.71 μM and 331.94 ± 21.21 μM, respectively), which compared well with that of natural (S,S)-SDG-1 (EC₅₀ = 275.24 ± 13.15 μM). These values are significantly lower than those of ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ = 1129.32 ± 88.79 μM) and α-tocopherol (EC₅₀ = 944.62 ± 148.00 μM). Compounds (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 also demonstrated powerful scavenging activities against hydroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 3.68 ± 0.27; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.09 ± 0.16; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 1.96 ± 0.27], peroxyl [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.55 ± 0.11; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: 2.20 ± 0.10; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: 3.03 ± 0.04] and DPPH [natural (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 83.94 ± 2.80 μM; synthetic (S,S)-SDG-1: EC₅₀ = 157.54 ± 21.30 μM; synthetic (R,R)-SDG-2: EC₅₀ = 123.63 ± 8.67 μM] radicals. These results confirm previous studies with naturally occurring (S,S)-SDG-1 and establish both (S,S)-SDG-1 and (R,R)-SDG-2 as potent antioxidants and free radical scavengers for potential in vivo use.     

Dihydropyrano [2,3-c] pyrazole: Novel in vitro inhibitors of yeast α-glucosidase

Inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme activity is a reliable approach towards controlling post-prandial hyperglycemia associated risk factors. During the current study, a series of dihydropyrano[2,3-c] pyrazoles (1–35) were synthesized and evaluated for their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compounds 1, 4, 22, 30, and 33 were found to be the potent inhibitors of the yeast α-glucosidase enzyme. Mechanistic studies on most potent compounds reveled that 1, 4, and 30 were non-competitive inhibitors (K_i = 9.75 ± 0.07, 46 ± 0.0001, and 69.16 ± 0.01 μM, respectively), compound 22 is a competitive inhibitor (K_i = 190 ± 0.016 μM), while 33 was an uncompetitive inhibitor (K_i = 45 ± 0.0014 μM) of the enzyme. Finally, the cytotoxicity of potent compounds (i.e. compounds 1, 4, 22, 30, and 33) was also evaluated against mouse fibroblast 3T3 cell line assay, and no toxicity was observed. This study identifies non-cytotoxic novel inhibitors of α-glucosidase enzyme for further investigation as anti-diabetic agents.     

Syntheses of 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine diones,their urease inhibition,in vitro,in silico,and kinetic studies

A library of 4,6-dihydroxypyrimidine diones (1–35) were synthesized and evaluated for their urease inhibitory activity. Structure-activity relationships, and mechanism of inhibition were also studied. All compounds were found to be active with IC₅₀ values between 22.6 ± 1.14–117.4 ± 0.73 µM, in comparison to standard, thiourea (IC₅₀ = 21.2 ± 1.3 µM). Kinetics studies on the most active compounds 2–7, 16, 17, 28, and 33 were performed to investigate their modes of inhibition, and dissociation constants K_i. Compounds 2, 3, 7, 16, 28, and 33 were found to be mixed-type of inhibitors with K_i values in the range of 7.91 ± 0.024–13.03 ± 0.013 µM, whereas, compounds 4–6, and 17 were found to be non-competitive inhibitors with K_i values in the range of 9.28 ± 0.019–13.05 ± 0.023 µM. In silico study was also performed, and a good correlation was observed between experimental and docking studies. This study is continuation of our previously reported urease inhibitory activity of pyrimidine diones, representing potential leads for further research as possible treatment of diseases caused by ureolytic bacteria.     

Design,synthesis and biological screening of new 4-thiazolidinone derivatives with promising COX-2 selectivity,anti-inflammatory activity and gastric safety profile

Two series of new thiazolidin-4-one derivatives 4a–c and 8a–e were designed and prepared. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro COX-2 selectivity and anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Compounds 8c and 8d showed the best overall in vitro COX-2 selectivity (selectivity indexes of 4.56 and 5.68 respectively) and in vivo activities (edema inhibition % = 61.8 and 67 after 3 h, respectively) in comparison with the reference drug celecoxib (S.I. = 7.29, edema inhibition % = 60 after 3 h). In addition, 8c and 8d were evaluated for their mean effective anti-inflammatory doses (ED₅₀ = 27.7 and 18.1 μmol/kg respectively, celecoxib ED₅₀ = 28.2 μmol/kg) and ulcerogenic liability (reduction in ulcerogenic potential versus celecoxib = 85%, 92% respectively. Molecular docking studies were performed and the results were in agreement with that obtained from the in vitro COX inhibition assays.     

Rational design,synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,3,4-oxadiazole pyrimidine derivatives as novel pyruvate dehydrogenase complex E1 inhibitors

On the basis of previous study on 2-methylpyrimidine-4-ylamine derivatives I, further synthetic optimization was done to find potent PDHc-E1 inhibitors with antibacterial activity. Three series of novel pyrimidine derivatives 6, 11 and 14 were designed and synthesized as potential Escherichia coli PDHc-E1 inhibitors by introducing 1,3,4-oxadiazole-thioether, 2,4-disubstituted-1,3-thiazole or 1,2,4-triazol-4-amine-thioether moiety into lead structure I, respectively. Most of 6, 11 and 14 exhibited good inhibitory activity against E. coli PHDc-E1 (IC₅₀ 0.97–19.21 μM) and obvious inhibitory activity against cyanobacteria (EC₅₀ 0.83–9.86 μM). Their inhibitory activities were much higher than that of lead structure I. 11 showed more potent inhibitory activity against both E. coli PDHc-E1 (IC₅₀ < 6.62 μM) and cyanobacteria (EC₅₀ < 1.63 μM) than that of 6, 14 or lead compound I. The most effective compound 11d with good enzyme-selectivity exhibited most powerful inhibitory potency against E. coli PDHc-E1 (IC₅₀ = 0.97 μM) and cyanobacteria (EC₅₀ = 0.83 μM). The possible interactions of the important residues of PDHc-E1 with title compounds were studied by molecular docking, site-directed mutagenesis, and enzymatic assays. The results indicated that 11d had more potent inhibitory activity than that of 14d or I due to its 1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety with more binding position and stronger interaction with Lsy392 and His106 at active site of E. coli PDHc-E1.     

Evaluation of the association of mercury(II) with some dicysteinyl tripeptides

The present study was undertaken to gain insight into the associations of mercury(II) with dicysteinyl tripeptides in buffered media at pH 7.4. We investigated the effects of increasing the distance between cysteinyl residues on mercury(II) associations and complex formations. The peptide–mercury(II) formation constants and their associated thermodynamic parameters in 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) buffered solutions were evaluated by isothermal titration calorimetry. Complexes formed in different relative ratios of mercury(II) to cysteinyl peptides in ammonium formate buffered solutions were characterized by LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The results from these studies show that n-alkyl dicysteinyl peptides (CP 1–4), and an aryl dicysteinyl peptide (CP 5) can serve as effective “double anchors” to accommodate the coordination sites of mercury(II) to form predominantly one-to-one Hg(peptide) complexes. The aryl dicysteinyl peptide (CP 5) also forms the two-to-two Hg₂(peptide)₂ complex. In the presence of excess peptide, Hg(peptide)₂ complexes are also detected. Notably, increasing the distance between the ligating groups or “anchor points” in CP 1–5 does not significantly affect their affinity for mercury(II). However, the enthalpy change (ΔH) values (ΔH₁ ∼ −91 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔH₂ ∼ −66 kJ mol⁻¹) for complex formation between CP 4 and 5 with mercury(II) are about one and a half times larger than the related values for CP 1, 2 and 3 (ΔH₁ ∼ −66 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔH₂ ∼ 46 kJ mol⁻¹). The corresponding entropy change (ΔS) values (ΔS₁ ∼ −129 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and ΔS₂ ∼ −116 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹) of the structurally larger dicysteinyl peptides CP 4 and 5 are less entropically favorable than for CP 1, 2 and 3 (ΔS₁ ∼ −48 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ and ΔS₂ ∼ −44 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹). Generally, these associations result in a decrease in entropy, indicating that these peptide–mercury complexes potentially form highly ordered structures. The results from this study show that dicysteinyl tripeptides are effective in binding mercury(II) and they are promising motifs for the design of multi-cysteinyl peptides for binding more than one mercury(II) ion per peptide.     

3-(Arylsulfonyl)-1-(azacyclyl)-1H-indoles are 5-HT6 receptor modulators

Novel 3-(arylsulfonyl)-1-(azacyclyl)-1H-indoles 6 were synthesized as potential 5-HT₆ receptor ligands, based on constraining a basic side chain as either a piperidine or a pyrrolidine. Many of these compounds had good 5-HT₆ binding affinity with K_i values <10 nM. Depending on substitution, both agonists (e.g., 6o: EC₅₀ = 60 nM, E_max = 70%) and antagonists (6y: IC₅₀ = 17 nM, I_max = 86%) were identified in a 5-HT₆ adenylyl cyclase assay.     

Improved binding affinities of pyrrolidine derivatives as Mcl-1 inhibitors by modifying amino acid side chains

As an important member of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (Mcl-1) protein is an attractive target for cancer therapy. In this study, a new series of pyrrolidine derivatives as Mcl-1 inhibitors were developed by mainly modifying the amino acid side chain of compound 1. Among them, compound 18 (K_i = 0.077 μM) exhibited better potent inhibitory activities towards Mcl-1 protein compared to positive control Gossypol (K_i = 0.18 μM). In addition, compound 40 possessed good antiproliferative activities against PC-3 cells (K_i = 8.45 μM), which was the same as positive control Gossypol (K_i = 7.54 μM).     

Synthesis,characterization, structure and luminescence studies of dinuclear gold(I) alkynyls of bis(diphenylphosphino)alkyl- and aryl-amines

A series of alkynylgold(I) bis(diphenylphosphino)alkyl- and aryl-amine complexes, [{Ph₂PN(R)PPh₂}Au₂(CCR′)₂] [R = ⁿPr, R′ = Ph (1), C₆H₄OMe-p (2), C₆H₄Me-p (3), C₆H₄Cl-p (4); R = C₆H₄OMe-p, R′ = Ph (5)], has been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 revealed the presence of short intramolecular Au⋯Au contacts with the distances of 2.8404(8) and 3.0708(7) Å. The luminescence behavior of the complexes were studied.     

Synthesis, β-glucuronidase inhibition and molecular docking studies of hybrid bisindole-thiosemicarbazides analogs

Hybrid bisindole-thiosemicarbazides analogs (1–18) were synthesized and screened for β-glucuronidase activity. All compounds showed varied degree of β-glucuronidase inhibitory potential when compared with standard d-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone (IC₅₀ = 48.4 ± 1.25 μM). Compounds 4, 7, 9, 6, 5, 12, 17 and 18 showed exceptional β-glucuronidase inhibition with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.1 to 5.7 μM. Compounds 1, 3, 8, 16, 13, 2 and 14 also showed better activities than standard with IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.12 to 15.0 μM. The remaining compounds 10, 11, and 15 showed good inhibitory potential with IC₅₀ values 33.2 ± 0.75, 21.4 ± 0.30 and 28.12 ± 0.25 μM respectively. Molecular docking studies were carried out to confirm the binding interaction of the compounds.