Design and synthesis of orally bioavailable serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1 (SGK1) inhibitors

The lead serum and glucocorticoid-related kinase 1 (SGK1) inhibitors 4-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl)benzoic acid (1) and {4-[5-(2-naphthalenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3-yl]phenyl}acetic acid (2) suffer from low DNAUC values in rat, due in part to formation and excretion of glucuronic acid conjugates. These PK/glucuronidation issues were addressed either by incorporating a substituent on the 3-phenyl ring ortho to the key carboxylate functionality of 1 or by substituting on the group in between the carboxylate and phenyl ring of 2. Three of these analogs have been identified as having good SGK1 inhibition potency and have DNAUC values suitable for in vivo testing.     

Synthesis,cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities of novel pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine and pyrimidine functionalized 1,2,3-triazole derivatives

A series of novel pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine and pyrimidine functionalized 1,2,3-triazole derivatives 8a–g and 9a–g were prepared starting from 6-trifluoromethylpyridine-2(1H)one 2 via selective O-alkylation, followed by cyclisation using hydrazine hydrate to obtain 6-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine 4. Compound 4 was diazotized followed by reaction with sodium azide, resulted in 3-azido-6-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine 5. Compound 5 was further cyclized with N-/O-propargylated pyrimidine derivatives under Sharpless conditions and obtained compounds 6 and 7, respectively. Each set of compounds 6 and 7 were alkylated with different alkyl halides and obtained respective products 8 and 9. All the products were screened for cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines such as A549-Lung (CCL-185), MCF7-Breast (HTB-22), DU145-Prostate (HTB-81) and HeLa-Cervical (CCL-2), compounds 9d, 9e and 9f which showed promising activity have been identified. The products were also screened for antimicrobial, anti bio-film and MBC activities. Promising compounds in each case have been identified.     

Discovery of 3,6-diaryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines as potent anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors

A new series of 3,6-diaryl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine compounds have been discovered as potent anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors. The 4-hydroxyphenyl in the 6-position of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine were crucial and a fluorine atom substitution could give promising inhibitory activity. The IC₅₀ of compound 9v against ALK was up to 1.58?nM and a binding mechanism was proposed.     

Design,synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of novel 1-benzyl 2-butyl-4-chloroimidazole embodied 4-azafluorenones via molecular hybridization approach

A series of novel 1-benzyl-2-butyl-4-chloroimidazole embodied 4-azafluorenone hybrids, designed via molecular hybridization approach, were synthesized in very good yields using one pot condensation of 1-benzyl-2-butyl-4-chloroimidazole-5-carboxaldehyde, 1,3-indanedione, aryl/heteroaryl methyl ketones and ammonium acetate. All the synthetic derivatives were fully characterized by spectral data and evaluated for antimicrobial activity by disc diffusion method against selected bacteria and fungal strains. Among the 15 new compounds screened, 4-(1-benzyl-2-butyl-4-chloro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-2-(furan-2-yl)-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridin-5-one(10k) has pronounced activity with higher zone of inhibition (ZoI) against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. Also 4-(1-benzyl-2-butyl-4-chloro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-2-(dibenzo[b,d]thiophen-2-yl)-5H-indeno [1,2-b]pyridin-5-one (10n) and 4-(1-benzyl-2-butyl-4-chloro-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-2-(3-tosyl-3H-inden-1-yl)-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridin-5-one (10o) showed selective higher inhibitory activity against Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans. The results demonstrated potential importance of molecular hybridization in the development of 10k as potential antimicrobial agent.     

COX-1/COX-2 inhibition activities and molecular docking study of newly designed and synthesized pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole Mannich bases

In the present paper we describe the biological activity of newly designed and synthesized series of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole Mannich bases (7a-n). The Mannich bases were obtained in good yields by one-pot, three-component condensation of pyrrolo[3,4–c]pyrrole scaffold (6a-c) with secondary amines and an excess of formaldehyde solution in C₂H₅OH. The chemical structures of the compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. Moreover, single crystal X-ray diffraction has been recorded for compound 7l. All synthesized derivatives were investigated for their potencies to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes by colorimetric inhibitor screening assay. In order to analyse the intermolecular interactions between the ligands and cyclooxygenase, experimental data were supported with the results of molecular docking simulations. According to the results, all of the tested compounds inhibited the activity of COX-1 and COX-2.     

A microwave-assisted facile regioselective Fischer indole synthesis and antitubercular evaluation of novel 2-aryl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,2-b]indoles

A series of novel 2-aryl-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,2-b]indoles has been synthesised regioselectively in good yields from the reaction of 5-aryldihydro-3(2H)-thiophenones and arylhydrazine hydrochloride. This reaction is found to be assisted by microwaves. The thieno[3,2-b]indoles were evaluated for their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) and multi-drug resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Among 22 compounds screened, [2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-7-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-thieno[3,2-b]indole] (6t) was found to the most active compound with MIC of 0.4 μg/mL against MTB and MDR-TB.     

Nature-inspired pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines targeting the histamine H3 receptor

Inspired by marine compounds the derivatization of the natural pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine lead scaffold led to a series of novel compounds targeting the histamine H₃ receptor. The focus was set on improved binding towards the receptor and to establish an initial structure-activity relationship for this compound class based on the lead structure (compound V, K_i value of 126 nM). As highest binding affinities were found with 1,4-bipiperidines as basic part of the ligands, further optimization was focused on 4-([1,4′-bipiperidin]-1′-yl)-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines. Related pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines that were isolated from marine sponges like 4-amino-5-bromopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine (compound III), showed variations in halogenation pattern, though in a next step the impact of halogenation at 2-position was evaluated. The chloro variations did not improve the affinity compared to the dehalogenated compounds. However, the simultaneous introduction of lipophilic cores with electron-withdrawing substitution patterns in 7-position and dehalogenation at 2-position (11b, 12b) resulted in compounds with significantly higher binding affinities (K_i values of 7 nM and 6 nM, respectively) than the initial lead structure compound V. The presented structures allow for a reasonable structure-activity relationship of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines as histamine H₃ receptor ligands and yielded novel lead structures within the natural compound library against this target.     

Discovery of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives as a new class of ROCK inhibitors

Herein, we report the discovery of a series of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one derivatives as a new class of ROCK inhibitors. Structure-activity relationship studies of these compounds led to the identification of the most potent compound, 3-(3-methoxybenzyl)-6-(1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-4-yl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one (8k), which showed IC₅₀ values of 0.004 μM and 0.001 μM against ROCK Ⅰ and ROCK Ⅱ, respectively. In vitro, 8k significantly reduced the phosphorylation level of ROCK downstream signaling protein and induce changes in cell morphology and migration. Overall, this study provides a promising lead compound for drug discovery targeting ROCKs.     

6-chloro-3-β-d-erythrofuranosyl-l-phenyl- and -l-p-tolylpyrazolo-[3,4-b]quinoxaline

The C-nucleoside analogs 6-chloro-3-β-d-erythrofuranosyl-l-phenylpyrazolo-[3,4-b]quinoxaline (5) and 3-β-d-erythrofuranosy]-l-p-tolylpyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline (10) were prepared by dehydration of the polyhydroxyalkyl chain of 6(7)-chlorolo-phenyl-3-(d-arabino-tetritol-l-yl)-pyrazolo(3,4-b]quinoxaline and 3-(d-arbino-tetritol-l-yl)-l-p-tolylpyrazolo[3,4-b]quinoxaline, respectively. The structure and anomeric configuration of 5 and 10 were determined by high-resolution, n.m.r. spectroscopy. The mass spectra and biological activities of some of these compounds are discussed.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrazolopyrimidines derivatives as anticancer and anti-5-lipoxygenase agents

A novel series of 6-aryl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4(5H)-ones 3a-h were synthesized in a single step via condensation of carboxamide 2 with some aromatic aldehydes (presence of iodine). Treatment of aminopyrazole 1a with acetic anhydride afforded pyrazolopyrimidines 4 which on treatment with ethyl chloroacetate in refluxing dry DMF furnished a single product identified as ethyl 2-(3,6-dimethyl-4-oxo-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-5(4H)-yl) acetate 5. On the other hand, esterification of compound 6 with different alcohol, led to the formation of new esters linked pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinones hybrids 7a-f. The reaction of compound 2 with 3-propargyl bromide gave the compound 8 used as a dipolarophile to access to triazoles (4- and 5-regioisomers (9a-e) and (10a-e), respectively) via the 1,3-dipoar cycloaddition reaction. Finally, condensation reaction of aminopyrazole 1b with α-cyanocinnamonitiles gave the new pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3,6-dicarbonitriles 11a-e. Structures of compounds were established on the basis of ¹H/¹³C NMR and ESI-HRMS. Compounds were screened for their cytotoxic (HCT-116 and MCF-7) and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition activities. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) was discussed.     

Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole tagged pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives and their cytotoxic activity

A series of novel 1,2,3-triazole tagged pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives 3 and 4 were prepared respectively starting from 6-phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine 1 via selective N-propargylation, followed by reaction with diverse substituted alkyl/perfluoroalkyl/aryl/aryl amide azides under Sharpless conditions. All the synthesized compounds 3 and 4 were screened for cytotoxic activity against four human cancer cell lines such as U937, THP-1, HL60 and B16-F10. Compounds 3e, 4g, 4i and 4j which showed promising activity have been identified.     

Facile synthesis of SSR180575 and discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[18F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide,a potent pyridazinoindole ligand for PET imaging of TSPO in cancer

A novel synthesis of the translocator protein (TSPO) ligand 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (SSR180575, 3) was achieved in four steps from commercially available starting materials. Focused structure–activity relationship development about the pyridazinoindole ring at the N3 position led to the discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (14), a novel ligand of comparable affinity. Radiolabeling with fluorine-18 (¹⁸F) yielded 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[¹⁸F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide ([¹⁸F]-14) in high radiochemical yield and specific activity. In vivo studies of [¹⁸F]-14 revealed this agent as a promising probe for molecular imaging of glioma.     

Synthesis of new pyridazino[4,5-b]indol-4-ones and pyridazin-3(2H)-one analogs as DYRK1A inhibitors

New pyridazino[4,5-b]indol-4-ones and pyridazin-3(2H)-one analogs were synthesized and their inhibitory activities against DYRK1A, CDK5/p25, GSK3α/β and p110-α isoform of PI3K evaluated using harmine as reference. Both furan-2-yl 10 and pyridin-4-yl 19 from the two different series, exhibited submicromolar IC₅₀ against DYRK1A with no activities against the three other kinases. In addition, compound 10 exhibited antiproliferative activities in the Huh-7, Caco2 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines.     

Synthesis and antitubercular evaluation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones

A new class of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones was synthesized in very good yields through polyphosphoric acid supported on silica (PPA-SiO₂) catalyzed one-pot three component condensation of 2-dibenzofuranol; aromatic aldehydes and acetamide or benzamide or urea under solvent free conditions. At 125 °C the reaction led to the formation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols 5a-k where as at 160 °C cyclization take place to give oxazin-3(2H)-one analogues 6a-e. Screening all the 16 compounds for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) resulted 1-((4-chlorophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5h; 1-((4-bromophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5i; 1-phenyl-1H-benzo[2,3]benzo furo[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6a (MIC 3.13 μg/mL) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6b; 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro [4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6c (MIC 1.56 μg/mL) as most active antitubercular agents.     

Gold(III) chloride catalyzed regioselective synthesis of pyrano[3,4-b]indol-1(9H)-ones and evaluation of anticancer potential towards human cervix adenocarcinoma

A highly regioselective synthesis of pyrano[3,4-b]indol-1(9H)-ones via gold(III) chloride catalyzed cycloisomerization of 3-ethynyl-indole-2-carboxylic acid was achieved in good to excellent yields. These compounds were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity against human cervical (HeLa) cell lines. Out of ten compounds, three compounds (7d, 7e and 7j) showed comparable proliferation inhibitory activity against the standard drug cisplatin. Compound 7d was found to be the most efficacious with IC₅₀ value of 0.22 μM.     

New derivatives from the aerial parts of Boerhaavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae)

Boerhaavia diffusa L. is used in the traditional medicine of several Asian countries. The isolation and identification of five new compounds, together with 11 known compounds, from the ethyl acetate extract of the aerial part of B. diffusa grown Vietnam is reported. The structure of the new compounds was established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and high resolution ESI-MS analysis. New compounds are two rotenoids: 9,11-dihydroxy-6,10-dimethoxy[1]benzopyrano[3,4-b][1]benzopyran-12(6H)-one (boeravinone P, 3) and 3-[2-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxy)-3-hydroxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-6-methyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (boeravinone Q, 9), an atropisomeric mixture of two rotenoid glycosides (3′,5-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-7-methoxy-6-methylisoflavone 2′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, 11), a sesquiterpene lactone (4,10-dihydroxy-8-methoxyguai-7(11)-en-8,12-olide, 5) and a new phenylpropanoid glycoside (boerhaavic acid, 15).     

Synthesis and SAR of 2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]isoquinolin-5(9bH)-ones as 5-HT2C receptor agonists

A series of 2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]isoquinolin-5(9bH)-ones is described, several examples of which exhibit potent 5-HT_2C agonism with excellent selectivity over the closely related 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2B receptors. Compounds such as 38 and 44 were shown to be effective in reducing food intake in an acute rat feeding model.     

Discovery of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-ones as corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor antagonists with a carbonyl-based hydrogen bonding acceptor

A new class of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one corticotropin-releasing factor 1 (CRF₁) receptor antagonists has been designed and synthesized. In general, reported CRF₁ receptor antagonists possess a sp²-nitrogen atom as hydrogen bonding acceptor (HBA) on their core scaffolds. We proposed to use a carbonyl group of pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives as a replacement for the sp²-nitrogen atom as HBA in classical CRF₁ receptor antagonists. As a result, several pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives showed CRF₁ receptor binding affinity with IC₅₀ values in the submicromolar range. Ex vivo ¹²⁵I-sauvagine binding studies showed that 2-(dipropylamino)-3,7-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,7-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one (16b) (30 mg/kg, po) was able to penetrate into the brain and inhibit radioligand binding to CRF₁ receptors (frontal cortex, olfactory bulb, and pituitary) in mice. We identified pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivatives as the first CRF₁ antagonists with a carbonyl-based HBA.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel alkyl amide functionalized trifluoromethyl substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives as potential anticancer agents

A series of novel alkyl amide functionalized trifluoromethyl substituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives 5, 6 and 7 were prepared starting from 6-phenyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridin-3-amine 3 via selective N-alkylation, followed by reaction with different primary aliphatic amines, cyclic secondary amines or l-amino acids under different set of conditions. All the synthesized compounds 5, 6 and 7 were screened for anticancer activity against four cancer cell lines such as A549—Lung cancer (CCL-185), MCF7—Breast cancer (HTB-22), DU145—Prostate cancer (HTB-81) and HeLa—Cervical cancer (CCL-2). The compounds 5i and 6e are found to have promising bioactivity at micro molar concentration.     

Complexes of N-thiophosphorylthioureas RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)2 (HL) (R = pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl) with copper(I): Crystal structures of Cu(PPh3)nL (n = 1, 2)

Reaction of the potassium salts of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas of common formula RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂ [R = pyridin-2-yl (HL^a), pyridin-3-yl (HL^b), 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl (HL^c)] with Cu(PPh₃)₃I in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to mononuclear [Cu(PPh₃)₂L^a,b-S,S′] (1, 2) and [Cu(PPh₃)L^c-S,S′] (3) complexes. Using copper(I) iodide instead of Cu(PPh₃)₃I, polynuclear complexes [Cu_n(L-S,S′)_n] (4-6) were obtained. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of Cu(PPh₃)₂L^b (2) and Cu(PPh₃)L^c (3) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.