Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of substituted 3-alkylthio-4,5-diaryl-4H-1,2,4-triazoles as selective COX-2 inhibitors

A new type of 4,5-diaryl-4H-1,2,4-triazole, possessing C-3 thio and alkylthio (SH, SMe or SEt) substituents, was designed and synthesized for evaluation as selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors with in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compound, 3-ethylthio-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (10d), exhibited a high in vitro selectivity (COX-1 IC50=20.5 nM; COX-2 IC50=1.8 nM; SI=11.39) relative to the reference drug celecoxib (COX-1 IC50=3.7 nM; COX-2 IC50=2.2 nM; SI=1.68) and also showed good anti-inflammatory activity compared to celecoxib in a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema assay.     

Retinoic acid metabolism inhibition by 3-azolylmethyl-1H-indoles and 2, 3 or 5-(alpha-azolylbenzyl)-1H-indoles

Among a library of 70 azoles, 8 indole derivatives substituted in the 2-, 3- or 5- position with an azolylmethyl or alpha-azolylbenzyl chain were evaluated for retinoic acid (RA) metabolism inhibitory activity. The most active inhibitors identified in this study were 5-bromo-1-ethyl-3-methyl-2-[(phenyl)(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-indole (3) (68.9% inhibition) and 5-bromo-1-ethyl-2-[(4-fluorophenyl) (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-1H-indole (6) (60.4% inhibition). At the same concentration (100 microM) ketoconazole exerted similar inhibitory effect (70% inhibition).     

Synthesis of 3-alkyl(aryl)-4-alkylidenamino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones and 3-alkyl-4-alkylamino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones as antitumor agents

A series of 3-alkyl-4-phenylethylidenamino- (8) and 3-alkyl-4-(3-phenylallylidenamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (9) was synthesized from the reaction of the corresponding 3-alkyl(aryl)-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (1), with phenylacetaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde. 3-Alkyl-4-(2-phenylethylamino)- (10) and 3-alkyl-4-(3-phenylpropylamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (11) were obtained from the selective reduction of compounds (8) and (9) with NaBH₄. The in vitro antitumor activity of the novel compounds was screened and the highest inhibition of tree tumor cell lines was observed for the compounds containing phenylethylenamino and phenylethylamino groups at position 4 of 1,2,4-triazol ring.     

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 1-(N-benzylamino)-2-phenyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ols as antifungal agents

A series of 1-(N-benzylamino)-2-phenyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ols 6a-c, 7a-c, 8a, and 9a were prepared in five steps and evaluated for their antifungal activity. The most active compound 7b was docked into a home-made 3D model of the targeted enzyme confirming the importance of Tyr118, His377, and Ser378 residues in its binding mode.     

Design,synthesis, anti-inflammatory activity,and molecular docking studies of perimidine derivatives containing triazole

We report here the design, synthesis, and anti-inflammatory activities of a series of perimidine derivatives containing triazole (5a–s). The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds have been assigned on the basis of IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS spectral analyses. The anti-inflammatory properties of the synthesized perimidine derivatives were evaluated in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammation model. Among the tested compounds, compound 7-(3-methylbenzyl)-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]perimidine (hereafter referred to as 5h) and compound 7-(2-fluorobenzyl)-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]perimidine (hereafter referred to as 5n) caused a reduction in the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines—tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6—in RAW264.7 cells. The anti-inflammatory potential of compounds 5h and 5n was also evaluated in vivo in a xylene-induced ear inflammation model. Compound 5n showed the most potent anti-inflammatory activity with an inhibition of 49.26% at a dose of 50 mg/kg. This activity is more potent than that of the reference drug ibuprofen (28.13%), and slightly less than that of indometacin (49.36%). To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying these inhibitory effects, LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation were studied. The results of western blotting showed that the extract obtained from compound 5n inhibited NF-κB (p65) activation and MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38) phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the results of a docking study of compound 5n into the COX-2 binding site revealed that its mechanism was possibly similar to that of naproxen, a COX-2 inhibitor. The effect of compound 5n on COX-2 antibody was showed it could significantly inhibit COX-2 activity.     

Identification of human cyclooxegenase-2 inhibitors from Cyperus scariosus (R.Br) rhizomes

Cyperus scariosus (R.Br) belongs to the family Cyperaceae and it has a diverse medicinal importance. To identify human cyclooxegenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors from C. scariosus, the rhizome powder was exhaustively extracted with various solvents based on the increasing polarity. Based on the presence and absence of secondary metabolites, we have selected the methanolic extract to evaluate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The same extract was further subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis to identify the active compounds. Binding affinities of these compounds towards anti-inflammatory protein COX-2 were analyzed using molecular docking interaction studies. Phytochemical analysis showed that methanol extract is positive for all secondary metabolites. The antioxidant activity of the C. scariosus rhizomes methanolic extract (CSRME) is half to that of ascorbic acid at 50 µg/ml. The anti-inflammatory activity of CSRME is higher than that of diclofenac sodium salt at high concentration, which is evident from the dose dependent inhibition of bovine serum albumin denaturation at 40 µg/ml–5 mg/ml. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of nine compounds, among all N-methyl-1-adamantaneacetamide and 1,5,diphenyl-2H-1,2,4- triazine form a hydrogen bond interactions with Ser-530 and Tyr-385 respectively and found similar interactions with crystal structure of diclofenac bound COX-2 protein. Benzene-1, 2-diol, 4-(4-bromo-3 chlorophenyl iminomethyl forms hydrogen bond interactions with Thr-199 and Thr-200 as similar to crystallized COX-2 protein with valdecoxib. Collectively our results suggest that CSRME contains medicinally important anti-inflammatory compounds and this justifies the use of this plant as a folklore medicine for preventing inflammation associated disorders.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of (4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)isoquinoline derivatives as selective glycine transporter 1 inhibitors

To identify novel glycine transporter 1(GlyT1) inhibitors with greater selectivity relative to GlyT2 and improved aqueous solubility, we synthesized a series of 4H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives with heteroaromatic rings at the 4-position and investigated their structure-activity relationships. Replacement of the 2-fluorophenyl group of lead compound 5 with various aromatic groups led to the identification of 5-(3-biphenyl-4-yl-5-ethyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)isoquinoline (15) with 38-fold selectivity between GlyT1 and GlyT2. 15 also showed improved aqueous solubility and in vivo efficacy on (+)-HA966-induced hyperlocomotion in mice over the lead compound.     

Synthesis,docking simulation,biological evaluations and 3D-QSAR study of 5-Aryl-6-(4-methylsulfonyl)-3-(metylthio)-1,2,4-triazine as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

A series of 5-Aryl-6-(4-methylsulfonyl)-3-(metylthio)-1,2,4-triazine derivatives were synthesized and their COX-1/COX-2 inhibitory activity as well as in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were evaluated. All of compounds showed strong inhibition of COX-2 with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.1–0.2 μM and in most cases had stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects than indomethacin at doses 3 and 6 mg/kg. Among them, 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-(4-(methylsulfonyl) phenyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazine (9c) was the most potent and selective COX-2 compound; its selectivity index of 395 was comparable to celecoxib (SI = 405). Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of 9c showed its higher potency than indomethacin and hence could be considered as a promising lead candidate for further drug development. Furthermore, the affinity data of these compounds were rationalized through enzyme docking simulation and 3D-QSAR study by k-Nearest Neighbour Molecular Field Analysis.     

Synthesis,antitumor activity and molecular docking study of some novel 3-benzyl-4(3H)quinazolinone analogues

A novel series of 3-benzyl-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antitumor activity. The results of this study demonstrated that 2-(3-benzyl-6-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-ylthio)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)acetamide, 2-(3-benzyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-ylthio)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)acetamide and 3-(3-benzyl-6-methyl-4-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-2-ylthio)-N-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-propanamide have shown amazing broad spectrum antitumor activity with mean GI₅₀ (10.47, 7.24 and 14.12?µM. respectively), and are nearly 1.5–3.0-fold more potent compared with the positive control 5-FU with mean GI₅₀, 22.60?µM. On the other hand, compounds 6 and 10 yielded selective activities toward CNS, renal and breast cancer cell lines, whereas compound 9 showed selective activities towards leukemia cell lines. Molecular docking methodology was performed for compounds 7 and 8 into ATP binding site of EGFR-TK which showed similar binding mode to erlotinib, while compound 11 into ATP binding site of B-RAF kinase inhibited the growth of melanoma cell lines through inhibition of B-RAF kinase, similar to PLX4032.     

Synthesis and Fungicidal Activity of 5-Aryl-1-(aryloxyacetyl)-3-(tert-butyl or phenyl)-4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-4,5-Dihydropyrazole

A series of novel 5-aryl-1-(aryloxyacetyl)-3-(tert-butyl or phenyl)-4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-4,5-dihydropyrazole 3a-3n were synthesized by the annulation of 2-aryloxyacetohydrazides with 3-aryl-1-t-butyl(or phenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-ones(1)in the presence of a catalytic amount of acetic acid.Compounds 2 were obtained by the Knoevenagel reactions of 1-t-butyl(or phenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethanone(2)with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of piperidine.Their structures were confirmed by IR,1H-NMR,ESIMS,and elemental analyses.The preliminary bioassay indicated that some compounds displayed moderate to excellent fungicidal activity.For example,compounds 31,3m,and 3n possessed100%inhibition against Cercospora arachidicola Hori at the concentration of 50 mg/L.     

Synthesis of some new 1,3/ or 1,4-bis(glucopyranosyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylthio)propanes/ or butanes as potential antimicrobial agents

Glucosidation of the appropriate 1,3 or 1,4-bis(4-amino or arylideneamino-2,4-dihydro-3-thioxo-3H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylthio)propanes or butanes with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl bromide followed by chromatographic separation gave the corresponding N-, S-, and N,S-bis(glucosides). Chemical transformation leading to new functionalities has been achieved. Antimicrobial screening of 10 selected compounds resulted in their activity against Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium italicum, Syncephalastrum racemosum, Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli.     

Synthesis, in vitro evaluation and molecular docking studies of new triazole derivatives as antifungal agents

On the basis of the active site of lanosterol 14α-demethylase from Candida albicans (CACYP51), a series of 1-(2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5(4H)-one derivatives were synthesized as fluconazole analogs. Results of the preliminary antifungal tests against eight human pathogenic fungi in vitro showed that these compounds exhibited activities to some extent, and some displayed excellent antifungal activities against C. albicans than reference drug fluconazole. Flexible molecular docking was used to analyze the structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the target compounds. The designed compounds interact with CACYP51 through hydrophobic, van der Waals and hydrogen-bonding interactions.     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism studies on (3-tert-butyl-7-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylmethoxy) pyrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,4]triazine, a functionally selective GABA(A) alpha5 inverse agonist for cognitive dysfunction

(3-tert-Butyl-7-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-2-(1-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylmethoxy)pyrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,4]triazine (1) was recently identified as a functionally selective, inverse agonist at the benzodiazepine site of GABA(A) alpha5 receptors and enhances performance in animal models of cognition. The routes of metabolism of this compound in vivo in rat have been well characterised, the identities of the major metabolites are confirmed by synthesis and their biological profiles were evaluated. An unusual oxidation of the pyrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,4]triazine core to the corresponding pyrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,4]triazin-4(5H)-one scaffold by aldehyde oxidase has been observed.     

Synthesis and anticonvulsant evaluation of 4-(4-alkoxylphenyl)-3-ethyl-4H-1,2,4-triazoles as open-chain analogues of 7-alkoxyl-4,5-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines

A series of 4-(4-alkoxylphenyl)-3-ethyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives was synthesized as open-chain analogues of 7-alkoxyl-4,5-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinolines. Their anticonvulsant activities were evaluated by the maximal electroshock test (MES test) and their neurotoxicity was evaluated by the rotarod neurotoxicity test (Tox). MES test showed that 3-ethyl-4-(4-octyloxyphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole 3q was found to be the most potent with ED(50) value of 8.3mg/kg and protective index (PI=TD(50)/ED(50)) value of 5.5, but compound 3r, 3-ethyl-4-(4-octyloxyphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole, exhibited better PI value of 9.3, which was much greater than PI value of the prototype drug phenytoin. For explanation of the possible mechanism of action, the compound 3r was tested in pentylenetetrazole test, isoniazid test, thiosemicarbazide test, 3-mercaptopropionic acid and strychnine test.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of isoxazolo[4,5-d]pyridazin-4-(5H)-one analogues as potent anti-inflammatory agents

In this study, eighteen new isoxazolo[4,5-d]pyridazin-4(5H)-one derivatives possessing either a 1,3,4-thiadiazole or a 1,2,4-triazole-5-thione moiety were synthesized and tested for anti-inflammatory activity in vitro (COX-1/COX-2, 5-LOX) and in vivo (rat paw edema assay). Compounds 15, 16, 25, 26 and 28-30 showed dual COX-2 (IC(50)'s in the 2.1-10.9 μM range), and 5-LOX (IC(50)'s in the 6.3-63.5 μM range) inhibitory activity. When administered orally to rats, dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors showed higher anti-inflammatory activity in vivo (30-45% reduction of the inflammatory response) than the reference drug ibuprofen (18%). Among dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors, the most potent compound (28) exhibited the best anti-inflammatory profile by inhibiting both COX-2 (IC(50)=2.1 μM) and 5-LOX (IC(50)=6.3 μM) enzymes. We investigated the binding interactions of compound 28 by an enzyme-ligand molecular modeling (docking) studies, which showed favorable binding interactions in both COX-2 and 5-LOX active sites. Furthermore, the dual acting COX-2/5-LOX compound 28 exhibited a superior gastrointestinal safety profile (ulcer index=0.25) compared to the reference drug ibuprofen (UI=7.0) when administered orally at the same molar dose. These observations suggest that isoxazolo[4,5-d]pyridazin-4(5H)-one analogs represent a new scaffold to design potent, effective, and safe anti-inflammatory agents possessing dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitory activity.     

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling of 1,2,3-triazole analogs of combretastatin A-1

The synthesis, cytotoxicity, inhibition of tubulin polymerization data and anti-angiogenetic effects of seven 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogs and two 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole analogs of combretastatin A-1 (1) are reported herein. The biological studies revealed that the 1,5-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles 3-methoxy-6-(1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)benzene-1,2-diol (6), 3-methoxy-6-(1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-5-yl)benzene-1,2-diamine (8) and 5-(2,3-difluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (9) were the three most active compounds regarding inhibition of both tubulin polymerization and angiogenesis. Molecular modeling studies revealed that combretastatins 1 and 2 and analogs 5-11 could be successfully docked into the colchicine binding site of α,β-tubulin.     

Hapten synthesis for enzyme-linked immunoassay of the insecticide triazophos

Two haptens of the insecticide triazophos (O,O-diethyl O-[1-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl] phosphorothioate) were synthesized by introducing appropriate spacers in the O-ethyl site of the analyte molecular structure. First, thiophosphoryl chloride (PSCl(3)) reacts with methanol at low temperature to give O-ethyl dichlorothiophosphate. After reacting with 1-phenyl-3H-1,2,4-triazol, the O-ethyl dichlorothiophosphate was transformed into the intermediate O-ethyl O-(1-phenyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl) chlorothiophosphate. Then the intermediate reacts with 4-aminobutyric acid and 6-aminobutyric acid to produce hapten I and hapten II, respectively. The molecule structures of the two haptens were identified by (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum and mass spectrum. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on monoclonal antibody was also developed to evaluate the two haptens. Results showed that the monoclonal antibodies with high titers were obtained after immunizing with protein conjugates of these haptens and that the immunoassay has high affinity and specificity to triazophos. These results suggested that the haptens were synthesized successfully and could be used for immunoassay for the rapid screening and sensitive determination of this insecticide.     

Synthesis of phenylpiperazine derivatives of 1,4-benzodioxan as selective COX-2 inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents

1-((2,3-Dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)methyl)-4-substituted-phenylpiperazine moiety was prepared and has been found to be a new and selective ligand for the enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The biological activity of compound 3k as anti-inflammatory agent was further investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, compound 3k exhibited the best anti-inflammatory activity among the eleven designed compounds with no toxicity, as determined by the ulcerogenic activity. Computational docking studies also showed that compound 3k has interaction with COX-2 key residues in the active site. Compound 3k maybe a new anti-inflammatory lead-candidate as powerful and novel non-ulcerogenic.     

New triazole derivatives as antifungal agents: synthesis via click reaction, in vitro evaluation and molecular docking studies

A series of 1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-substituted-2-propanols (5a-5y) which are analogues of fluconazole, have been designed and synthesized via Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition on the basis of computational docking experiments to the active site of the cytochrome P450 14α-demethylase (CYP51). The in vitro antifungal activities of all the target compounds were evaluated against eight human pathogenic fungi. Compound 5l showed the best antifungal activities.     

Synthesis,molecular docking and biological evaluation of some newer 2-substituted-4-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-6-phenylpyridazin-3(2H)-ones as potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

A new series of 2-substituted-4-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)-6-phenylpyridazin-3(2H)-one derivatives has been synthesized and studied. The in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated using carrageen rat paw edema model and acetic acid induced writhing model, respectively. Side effect profile of the newly synthesized pyridazinones was assessed by gastric ulcerogenic and anti-platelet activity. The compounds were further evaluated for their inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-1/COX-2) by in vitro colorimetric COX (ovine) inhibitor screening assay method. The p-flourophenylpiperazine substituted analogue 14 exhibited most potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities with lower ulcer index and extremely good selectivity towards COX-2 versus COX-1 enzyme with a selectivity index of 10. Molecular docking studies showed appreciable binding of new pyridazinone analogues with the amino acids present at the active site of hCOX-2 enzyme.