The anti-malarial activity of bivalent imidazolium salts

A series of compounds containing bivalent imidazolium rings and one triazolium analog were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit the replication of Plasmodium falciparum cultures. The activity and selectivity of the compounds for P. falciparum cultures were found to depend on the presence of electron-deficient rings that were spaced an appropriate distance apart. The activity of the compounds was not critically dependent on the nature of the linker between the electron-deficient rings, an observation that suggests that the rings were responsible for the primary interaction with the molecular target of the compounds in the parasite. The bivalent imidazolium and triazolium compounds disrupted the process whereby merozoites gain entry into erythrocytes, however, they did not appear to prevent merozoites from forming. The compounds were also found to be active in a murine Plasmodium berghei infection, a result consistent with the compounds specifically interacting with a parasite component that is required for replication and is conserved between two Plasmodium species.     

LuxR dependent quorum sensing inhibition by N,N'-disubstituted imidazolium salts

Thirty N,N'-disubstituted imidazolium salts have been synthesized and evaluated as LuxR antagonists. Substitution on one of the imidazolium nitrogen atoms includes benzhydryl, fluorenyl or cyclopentyl substituent, and alkyl chains of various lengths on the second one. Most of these compounds displayed antagonist activity, with IC(50) reaching the micromolar range for the most active ones. The disubstituted imidazolium scaffold is thus shown to be a new pertinent pharmacophore in the field of AHL dependent QS inhibition.     

Selective inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by gold salts and phenylbutazone

Gold salts and phenylbutazone selectively inhibit the synthesis of PGF_2α and PGE₂ respectively. Lowered production of one prostaglandin species is accompanied by an increased production of the other. Selective inhibition by these drugs was observed in the presence of adrenaline, reduced glutathione and copper sulphate under conditions when most anti-inflammatory compounds inhibited PGE₂ and PGF_2α syntheses equally. It is postulated that selective inhibitors may have a different mode of action in vivo and beneficial effects may be related to the endogenous ratio of PGE to PGF required for normal function.     

Selective inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by gold salts and phenylbutazone

Gold salts and phenylbutazone selectively inhibit the synthesis of PGF_2α and PGE₂ respectively. Lowered production of one prostaglandin species is accompanied by an increased production of the other. Selective inhibition by these drugs was observed in the presence of adrenaline, reduced glutathione and copper sulphate under conditions when most anti-inflammatory compounds inhibited PGE₂ and PGF_2α syntheses equally. It is postulated that selective inhibitors may have a different mode of action and beneficial effects may be related to the endogenous ratio of PGE to PGF required for normal function.     

Anti-Plasmodium activity of imidazolium and triazolium salts

We have previously reported that tetrazolium salts were both potent and specific inhibitors of Plasmodium replication, and that they appear to interact with a parasite component that is both essential and conserved. The use of tetrazolium salts in vivo is limited by the potential reduction of the tetrazolium ring to form an inactive, neutral acyclic formazan. To address this issue imidazolium and triazolium salts were synthesized and evaluated as Plasmodium inhibitors. Many of the imidazolium and triazolium salts were highly potent with active concentrations in the nanomolar range in Plasmodium falciparum cultures, and specific to Plasmodium with highly favorable therapeutic ratios. The results corroborate our hypothesis that an electron-deficient core is required so that the compound may thereby interact with a negatively charged moiety on the parasite merozoite; the side groups in the compound then form favorable interactions with adjacent parasite components and thereby determine both the potency and selectivity of the compound.     

Antibacterial activities of imidazolium, pyrrolidinium and piperidinium salts

The antibacterial activity of various types of imidazolium, pyrrolidinium and piperidinium salts with both propargyl group and alkyl and/or silylalkyl chains of different lengths, are described. Especially, the MIC (μg/ml) of prepared each compound for Escherichia coli and other several bacteria was determined.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial properties of imidazolium and pyrrolidinonium salts

For the purpose of developing new disinfectants and antiseptics, we searched for compounds having high bactericidal activity against gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. Three different series of quaternary imidazolium and pyrrolidinonium salts were synthesized: series A (1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium chlorides and bromides); series B (1-alkyl-2-methyl-3-hydroxyethylimidazolium chlorides); and series C (N-alkyl-N-hydroxyethylpyrrolidinonium). Series B and C were newly designed. These three series were tested to evaluate their antibacterial and antifungal properties for the first time. Seven microbial strains were used in the study: Escherichia coli KCTC1924, Salmonella typhimurium KCTC1926, Staphylococcus aureus 209 KCTC1916, Staphylococcus aureus R209 KCTC1928, Bacillus subtilis KCTC1914, Candida albicans KCTC1940, and Chlorella regularis. The antimicrobial efficiency was measured by bacterial and fungal growth inhibition expressed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Series A and B imidazolium salts had very good antimicrobial activity against the examined Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi. Also the pyrrolidinonium salt was found to have low MIC for some of tested microorganisms. The antibacterial and antifungal active properties of the salts depend upon the structure of functional groups and the alkyl chain length in the imidazolium and pyrrolidinonium ring. Among the synthesized quaternary imidazolium and pyrrolidinonium salts, the imidazolium salts containing a long alkyl chain and the introduction of a hydroxyethyl chain and methyl group into the imidazolium ring structure leads to broad spectrum active antimicrobial agents which not only have bacteriostatic properties but could be powerful bactericides.     

Potent bivalent inhibition of human tryptase-beta by a synthetic inhibitor

Human tryptase-beta (HTbeta) is a unique serine protease exhibiting a frame-like tetramer structure with four active sites directed toward a central pore. Potent inhibition of HTbeta has been attained using CRA-2059. This compound has two phenylguanidinium head groups connected via a linker capable of spanning between two active sites. The properties of the CRA-2059:HTbeta interaction were defined in this study. Tight-binding reversible inhibition was observed with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 620 pM, an association rate constant of 7x10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and a relatively slow dissociation rate constant of 0.04 s(-1). Bivalent inhibition was demonstrated by displacement of p-aminobenzamidine from the primary specificity pocket with a stoichiometry, [CRA-2059]0/[HTbeta]0, of 0.5. The potency of the bivalent interaction was illustrated by CRA-2059 inhibition of HTbeta, 24% or 53% inhibited by pre-incubation with an irreversible inhibitor. Two interactions were observed consistent with mono- and bi-valent binding; the Ki value for bivalent inhibition was at least 10(4)-fold lower than that for monovalent inhibition. Comparison of the affinities of CRA-2059 and phenylguanidine for HTbeta finds an approximate doubling of the free energy change upon bivalent binding. This doubling suggests that the linker portion minimally hinders the binding of CRA-2059 to HTbeta. The potency of CRA-2059 is thus attributable to effective bivalent binding.     

Selective inhibition of RNase H by dextran

Ordinarily, ribonuclease H hydrolyzes poly(rA) . poly(dT) and phiX174DNA-RNA at equal rates. Here we show that in the presence of dextran, the degradation of poly(rA) . poly(dT) is inhibited, while that of phi 174DNA-RNA is not. A similar inhibition by sucrose is found to be due to trace contamination of dextran in the sucrose. Ribose, deoxyribose, and a number of other saccharides fail to inhibit RNase H. In experiments where the two substrates are presented in the presence of the inhibitor, the kinetics indicates that both molecules are recognized by the enzyme, but only the phi X174DNA-RNA is degraded. That is, dextran does not interfere with the recognition site, but rather blocks hydrolysis. It is proposed that the ability of dextran to confer selectivity toward different substrates reveals a potential regulatory mechanism for RNase H activity which may represent a control step in the initiation of DNA synthesis.     

Selective inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis by nicotinamide

Rhodobacter sphaeroides grown in the presence of nicotinamide excreted bacteriochlorophyll precursors, 2,4-divinyl protochlorophyllide (DV-Pchlide) and a small amount of 2-monovinyl protochlorophyllide (MV-Pchlide). Accumulation of these pigments indicates that nicotinamide inhibited the bacteriochlorophyll biosynthetic pathway site-specifically between DV-Pchlide and MV-Pchlide. This phenomenon is also observed in an aerobic photosynthetic bacterium, Erythrobacter sp. OCh 114. Among 12 nicotinamide derivatives and isomers tested, only nicotinamide was effective, indicating that in addition to the completeness of the pyridine ring skeleton at positions 1 to 3, the carboxylic acid amide group is essential for this inhibition. The technique described in this report permits the simple preparation of large quantities of DV-Pchlide.     

Selective inhibition of platelet lipoxygenase by baicalein

The effects of various flavonoids on platelet lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activities were studied. Baicalein selectively inhibited platelet lipoxygenase. The concentration for 50% inhibition (ID₅₀) was 0.12 μM for platelet lipoxygenase and 0.83 mM for platelet cyclooxygenase. Therefore, the ID₅₀ value for the cyclooxygenase was 6917 times that for the lipoxygenase. Baicalin also selectively inhibited the lipoxygenase, but it was less potent (ID₅₀=100 μM). Other flavonoids tested had no inhibitory effect on either enzyme.     

Selective inhibition of platelet lipoxygenase by esculetin

The effects of coumarin and its derivatives on rat platelet lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase activities were studied. Esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) was found to inhibit the lipoxygenase more strongly than the cyclooxygenase; its concentration for 50% inhibition (IC50) was 0.65 microM for platelet lipoxygenase and 0.45 mM for platelet cyclooxygenase. Esculin (the 6-glucoside of esculetin) and umbelliferone (7-hydroxy-coumarin) also selectively inhibited the lipoxygenase, though less strongly (IC50 = 290 and 500 microM, respectively). 4-Hydroxycoumarin and coumarin had no inhibitory effect on either enzyme at concentrations up to 1 mM. The mechanism of the lipoxygenase inhibition by esculetin was non-competitive. Other antioxidants (hydroquinone, gallic acid and ascorbic acid) were less inhibitory to both enzymes and showed little selectivity.     

Selective inhibition of prostacyclin synthase activity by rofecoxib

The development of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors prompted studies aimed at treating chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer by using this new generation of drugs.Yet, several recent reports pointed out that long-term treatment of patients with COX-2 selective inhibitors (especially rofecoxib) caused severe cardiovascular complicances. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether, in addition to inhibiting COX-2, rofecoxib may also affect prostacyclin (PGI2) level by inhibiting PGI2 forming enzyme (prostacyclin synthase, PGIS). In order to evaluate if selective (celecoxib, rofecoxib) and non-selective (aspirin, naproxen) anti-inflammatory compounds could decrease PGI2 production in endothelial cells by inhibiting PGIS, we analyzed the effect of anti-inflammatory compounds on the enzyme activity by ELISA assay after addition of exogenous substrate, on PGIS protein levels by Western blotting and on its subcellular distribution by confocal microscopy. We also analyzed the effect of rofecoxib on PGIS activity in bovine aortic microsomal fractions enriched in PGIS. This study demonstrates an inhibitory effect of rofecoxib on PGIS activity in human umbilical vein endothelial (HUVE) cells and in PGIS-enriched bovine aortic microsomal fractions, which is not observed by using other anti-inflammatory compounds. The inhibitory effect of rofecoxib is associated neither to a decrease of PGIS protein levels nor to an impairment of the enzyme intracellular localization. The results of this study may explain the absence of a clear relationship between COX-2 selectivity and cardiovascular side effects. Moreover, in the light of these results we propose that novel selective COX-2 inhibitors should be tested on PGI2 synthase activity inhibition.     

Selective inhibition of monoamine oxidase A by hispidol

Hispidol, an aurone, isolated from Glycine max Merrill, was found to potently and selectively inhibit an isoform of recombinant human monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A), with an IC₅₀ value of 0.26?µM, and to inhibit MAO-B, but with lower potency (IC₅₀?=?2.45?µM). Hispidol reversibly and competitively inhibited MAO-A with a K_i value of 0.10?µM with a potency much greater than toloxatone (IC₅₀?=?1.10?µM), a marketed drug. It also reversibly and competitively inhibited MAO-B (K_i?= 0.51?µM). Sulfuretin, an analog of hispidol, effectively inhibited MAO-A (IC₅₀?=?4.16?µM) but not MAO-B (IC₅₀?>?80?µM). A comparison of their chemical structures showed that the 3′-hydroxyl group of sulfuretin might reduce its inhibitory activities against MAO-A and MAO-B. Flexible docking simulation revealed that the binding affinity of hispidol for MAO-A (?9.1?kcal/mol) was greater than its affinity for MAO-B (?8.7?kcal/mol). The docking simulation showed hispidol binds to the major pocket of MAO-A or MAO-B. The findings suggest hispidol is a potent, selective, reversible inhibitor of MAO-A, and that it be considered a novel lead compound for development of novel reversible inhibitors of MAO-A.     

Selective inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase by estrogens

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is a multifunctional microsomal enzyme that participates in the formation of protein disulfide bonds. PDI catalyzes the reduction of protein disulfide bonds in the presence of excess reduced glutathione and has been implicated in the reductive degradation of insulin; E. coli thioredoxin is homologous to two regions in PDI and can also degrade insulin. PDI activity, measured by 125I-insulin degradation or reactivation of randomly oxidized RNase in the presence of reduced glutathione, is non-competitively inhibited by estrogens; half-maximal inhibition was observed at approximately 100 nM estrogen. Other steroid hormones at 1 microM had little or no effect. PDI segment 120-163 (which corresponds to exon 3 of the PDI gene) and 182-230 have significant similarity with estrogen receptor segments 350-392 and 304-349, respectively, located in the estrogen binding domain but not with the steroid domains of the progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors or with thioredoxin, which is insensitive to estrogens. We propose the hypothesis that enzymes can acquire sensitivity to a hormone via exon shuffling to the enzyme gene from the DNA region coding for the hormone binding domain of the hormone's receptor.     

Selective inhibition of proline hydroxylation by 3,4-dehydroproline

The effect of proline analogs on peptidyl proline hydroxylation has been studied in vivo using aerated root slices of Daucus carota. One analog, 3,4-dehydroproline, acted at micromolar concentrations to rapidly and selectively inhibit peptidyl proline hydroxylation. A structurally altered hydroxyproline-rich cell wall glycoprotein was synthesized and secreted by dehydroproline-treated tissue. The capacity to hydroxylate proline recovered slowly following a short pulse treatment with the analog, with a halftime for recovery of about 24 hours. Recovery was not altered by supplying exogenous proline. Dehydroproline had little effect on the induction of nitrate reductase by nitrate, nor on wound-induced increases in amino acid uptake and protein synthesis. In contrast, other proline analogs inhibit proline hydroxylation only at millimolar concentrations. It is hypothesized that dehydroproline acts as an enzyme-activated suicide inhibitor of prolyl hydroxylase. This analog should become a useful tool for elucidating the functional significance of hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins.     

Selective inhibition of inducible NO-synthase by nonselective inhibitor

The study has shown that Nw-nitro-L-arginine, a nonselective nitric oxide (NO) inhibitor, in low non-vasoactive doses (10 mg/kg) exerted a protective effect in heat shock as demonstrated by a decrease in the mortality rate and prevention of acute hypotension in rats. The L-NNA in the same dose inhibited the basal NO production but left unaffected a carbachol-activated NO production. The findings suggest a possibility in principle of preferential inhibition of inducible NO-synthase in pathological conditions related to the NO overproduction using non-vasoactive doses of L-NNA the nonselective NO-synthase inhibitor.