Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isozymes I and II with natural products extracted from plants,mushrooms and honey

Different natural products and secondary metabolites from mushrooms, teas, honeys, mosses, plants and seaweeds were investigated for their in vitro inhibitory effects on human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, E.C.4.2.1.1) isoforms I and II. Inhibition data were correlated with the total phenol content in the extract and investigated with the pure compounds believed to be responsible for this activity. Methanolic extracts were prepared for 17 such pure chemicals present in the natural products and for 41 diverse natural products. The IC₅₀ values were in the range of 0.11–66.50 μg/mL against hCA I and of 0.09–54.54 μg/mL against hCA II, respectively. The total phenol content was in the range of 0.02–1318.96 (as milligrams of gallic acid equivalents) per gram of sample. These data offer new insights on possible novel classes of CA inhibitors based on natural products, possessing a range of chemical structures not present in the classical inhibitors with pharmacological applications, such as the sulfonamides and sulfamates.     

In vitro effects of some anabolic compounds on erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I and II

The in vitro effects of the anabolic compounds, zeranol, 17 β-estradiol, diethylstilbestrol (DES), and trenbolone, on the activity of purified human carbonic anhydrase I and II were evaluated. In vitro CA enzyme activity was determined colorimetrically using the CO₂ hydration method of Maren. IC₅₀ values of the compounds that caused inhibition were determined by means of activity percentage diagrams. The IC₅₀ concentrations of zeranol, 17 β-estradiol, DES and trenbolone on hCA I were 94, 55, 10, 898 µM and for hCA II 89, 159, 439 and 101 μM, respectively.     

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IV,VII and XII with carboxylates and sulfonamides incorporating phthalimide/phthalic anhydride scaffolds

We report a panel of carboxylates and sulfonamides incorporating phthalic anhydride and phthalimide moieties in their structure and their interaction with the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1). They were synthesized from substituted anthranilic acids and trimellitic anhydride chloride, followed by reaction with primary amines and were tested for the inhibition of five physiologically relevant CA isoforms, the human (h) hCA I, II, IV, VII and XII, some of which are involved in serious pathologies (CA II, IV and XII in glaucoma; CA VII in epilepsy; CA XII in some solid tumors). The carboxylic acids were generally poor inhibitors of isoforms hCA I, II and IV but were highly effective, low nanomolar inhibitors of hCA VII and XII. The sulfonamides inhibited all isoforms significantly, and some of them were sub-nanomolar hCA VII inhibitors, although their isoform selectivity was lower compared to the carboxylates. This study proves that carboxylic acids incorporating a phthalic anhydride/phthalimide based scaffold may lead to isoform-selective inhibitors by applying the tail approach, mostly used up until now for obtaining sulfonamide, sulfamide and sulfamate CA inhibitors.     

Effects of dopaminergic compounds on carbonic anhydrase isozymes I,II, and VI

Studies on carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors have increased due to several therapeutic applications while there are few investigations on activators. Here we investigated CA inhibitory and activatory capacities of a series of dopaminergic compounds on human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) isozymes I, II, and VI. 2-Amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-6,7-diol hydrobromide and 2-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene-5,6-diol hydrobromide were found to show effective inhibitory action on hCA I and II whereas 2-amino-5,6-dibromoindan hydrobromide and 2-amino-5-bromoindan hydrobromide exhibited only moderate inhibition against both isoforms, being more effective inhibitors of hCA VI. K_i values of the molecules 3–6 were in the range of 41.12–363 μM against hCA I, of 0.381–470 μM against hCA II and of 0.578–1.152 μM against hCA VI, respectively. Compound 7 behaved as a CA activator with K_A values of 27.3 μM against hCA I, of 18.4 μM against hCA II and of 8.73 μM against hCA VI, respectively.     

Synthesis and evaluation of sulfonamide-bearing thiazole as carbonic anhydrase isoforms hCA I and hCA II

Sulfonamide-bearing thiazole compounds were synthesized and their inhibitory effects on the activity of purified human carbonic anhydrase I and II were evaluated. Human carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes (hCA-I and hCA-II) were purified from erythrocyte cells by affinity chromatography. The inhibitory effects of the 12 synthesized sulfonamide (5a–l) on the hydratase and esterase activities of these isoenzymes (hCA-I and hCA-II) were studied in vitro. In relation to these activities, the inhibition equilibrium constants (Ki) were determined. The results showed that all the synthesized compounds inhibited the CA isoenzyme activity. Among them 5b was found to be the most active (IC_50?=_?0.35?μM; Ki: 0.33?μM) for hCA I and hCA II.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Inhibition of the cytosolic and tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isozymes I,II and IX with some 1,3,4-oxadiazole- and 1,2,4-triazole-thiols

Novel mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazole and -1,2,4-triazole derivatives were synthesized by various pathways starting from 4-(4-halogeno-phenylsulfonyl)benzoic acid hydrazides which were reacted with carbon disulfide or isothiocyanates. The heterocyclic mercaptans prepared in this way were assayed as inhibitors of three physiologically relevant isoforms of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), i.e., the cytosolic CA I and II, and the tumor-associated, transmembrane isozyme CA IX. Interesting biological activity was detected for some of the new mercaptans, with inhibition constants in the low micromolar range.     

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IX and XII with novel Schiff bases: Identification of selective inhibitors for the tumor-associated isoforms over the cytosolic ones

A series of new Schiff bases was obtained from sulfanilamide, 3-fluorosulfanilamide or 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonamide and aromatic/heterocyclic aldehydes incorporating both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties. The obtained sulfonamides were investigated as inhibitors of four physiologically relevant carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms, the cytosolic CA I and II, as well as the transmembrane, tumor-associated CA IX and XII. Most derivatives were medium potency or weak hCA I/II inhibitors, but several of them showed nanomolar affinity for CA IX and/or XII, making them an interesting example of isoform-selective compounds. The nature of the aryl/hetaryl moiety present in the initial aldehyde was the main factor influencing potency and isoform selectivity. The best and most CA IX-selective compounds incorporated moieties such as 4-methylthiophenyl, 4-cyanophenyl-, 4-(2-pyridyl)-phenyl and the 4-aminoethylbenzenesulfonamide scaffold. The best hCA XII inhibitors, also showing selectivity for this isoform, incorporated 2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl-, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl and 4-(2-pyridyl)-phenyl functionalities and were also derivatives of 4-aminoethylbenzenesulfonamide. The sulfanilamide and 3-fluorosulfanilamide derived Schiff bases were less active compared to the corresponding 4-aminoethyl-benzenesulfonamide derivatives. As hCA IX/XII selective inhibition is attractive for obtaining antitumor agents/diagnostic tools with a new mechanism of action, compounds of the type described here may be considered interesting preclinical candidates.     

Discovery of thiazolin-4-one-based aromatic sulfamates as a new class of carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IV,and IX inhibitors

Herein we report the synthesis of a new series of aromatic sulfamates investigated for the inhibition of four human (h) isoforms of zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), hCA I, II, IV, and IX. The reported derivatives, obtained by a sulfamoylation reaction of the corresponding phenolic precursors, bear arylthiazolin-4-one moieties as spacers between the benzenesulfamate fragment which binds the zinc ion from the active site, and the tail of the inhibitor. Thiazolin-4-ones are biologically privileged scaffolds, endowed with versatile biological activity, such as an anti-proliferative action. Phenolic precursors, also evaluated for CA inhibition, did not exhibit noteworthy efficacy in inhibiting the screened hCAs, whereas low nanomolar inhibitors were evidenced within the sulfamates subset mainly against hCA II (K_Is in the range of 28.7–84.3 nM) and IX (K_Is in the range of 17.6–73.3 nM). The variety of substituents appended at the outer aromatic portion almost generally reduced the inhibitory efficacy against isoforms II and IV, increasing instead that against the tumor-associated isoform IX.     

Synthesis of 4-sulfamoylphenyl-benzylamine derivatives with inhibitory activity against human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IX and XII

Imine derivatives were obtained by condensation of sulfanilamide with substituted aromatic aldehydes. The Schiff bases were thereafter reduced with sodium borohydride, leading to the corresponding amines, derivatives of 4-sulfamoylphenyl-benzylamine. These sulfonamides were investigated as inhibitors of the human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms hCA I and II (cytosolic isozymes), as well as hCA IX and XII (transmembrane, tumor-associated enzymes). We noted that the compounds incorporating secondary amine moieties showed a better inhibitory activity against all CA isozymes compared to the corresponding Schiff bases. Low nanomolar CA II, IX and XII inhibitors were detected, whereas the activity against hCA I was less potent. The secondary amines incorporating sulfonamide or similar zinc-binding groups, poorly investigated chemotypes for designing metalloenzyme inhibitors, may offer interesting opportunities in the field due to the facile preparation and possibility to explore a vast chemical space.     

Sulfonamides incorporating heteropolycyclic scaffolds show potent inhibitory action against carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IX and XII

Three series of polycyclic compounds possessing either primary sulfonamide or carboxylic acid moieties as zinc-binding groups were investigated as inhibitors of four physiologically relevant CA isoforms, the cytosolic hCA I and II, as well as the transmembrane hCA IX and XII. Most of the new sulfonamides reported here showed excellent inhibitory effects against isoforms hCA II, IX and XII, but no highly isoform-selective inhibition profiles. On the other hand, the carboxylates selectively inhibited hCA IX (K_Is ranging between 40.8 and 92.7 nM) without inhibiting significantly the other isoforms. Sulfonamides/carboxylates incorporating polycyclic ring systems such as benzothiopyranopyrimidine, pyridothiopyranopyrimidine or dihydrobenzothiopyrano[4,3-c]pyrazole may be considered as interesting candidates for exploring the design of isoform-selective CAIs with various pharmacologic applications.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrazoline-based aromatic sulfamates with potent carbonic anhydrase isoforms II,IV and IX inhibitory efficacy

Herein we report the synthesis of a new series of aromatic sulfamates designed considering the sulfonamide COX-2 selective inhibitors celecoxib and valdecoxib as lead compounds. These latter were shown to possess important human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitory properties, with the inhibition of the tumor-associated isoform hCA IX likely being co-responsible of the celecoxib anti-tumor effects. Bioisosteric substitution of the pyrazole or isoxazole rings from these drugs with the pyrazoline one was considered owing to the multiple biological activities ascribed to this latter heterocycle and paired with the replacement of the sulfonamide of celecoxib and valdecoxib with its equally potent bioisoster sulfamate. The synthesized derivatives were screened for the inhibition of four human carbonic anhydrase isoforms, namely hCA I, II, IV, and IX. All screened sulfamates exhibited great potency enhancement in inhibiting isoform II and IV, widely involved in glaucoma (K_Is in the range of 0.4–12.4 nM and 17.7 and 43.3 nM, respectively), compared to the lead compounds, whereas they affected the tumor-associated hCA IX as potently as celecoxib.     

Synthesis,carbonic anhydrase I and II inhibition studies of the 1,3,5-trisubstituted-pyrazolines

4-(3-(4-Substituted-phenyl)-5-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) benzenesulfonamides (9–16) were successfully synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS spectra. Carbonic anhydrase I and II inhibitory effects of the compounds were investigated. K_i values of the compounds were in the range of 316.7?±?9.6–533.1?±?187.8?nM towards hCA I and 412.5?±?115.4–624.6?±?168.2?nM towards hCA II isoenzymes. While K_i values of the reference compound Acetazolamide were 278.8?±?44.3?nM and 293.4?±?46.4?nM towards hCA I and hCA II izoenzymes, respectively. Compound 14 with bromine and compound 13 with fluorine substituents can be considered as the leader compounds of the series because of the lowest K_i values in series to make further detailed carbonic anhydrase inhibiton studies.     

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase II by steroidal and non-steroidal sulphamates

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are expressed by many solid tumours where they may act to confer a growth advantage on malignant tissues. In this study we have examined the ability of a series of steroidal and non-steroidal sulphamates (originally developed as steroid sulphatase inhibitors) and related compounds to inhibit human CAII (hCAII) activity in vitro. Using a 96-well plate assay, oestrone-3-O-sulphamate (EMATE) and two coumarin-based sulphamate drugs (667 COUMATE and STX 118) were found to have IC(50) values of 25-59 nM for the inhibition of hCAII activity. These compounds therefore have a similar CAII inhibitory potency to that of acetazolamide (IC(50)=25 nM), a known hCAII inhibitor. Docking studies have been performed with selected compounds to the crystal structure of hCAII and excellent correlation of scores with biological activity was observed. This agrees with our recent observations when we were the first to report the inhibition of hCAII by STS inhibitors. These studies and initial results with docking to the crystal structure of the extracellular domain of hCAXII indicate that the STS sulphamate ester inhibitors should also be interesting candidates to pursue as inhibitors of CA isozymes that are over-expressed in human tumours.     

Sulfonamides incorporating piperazine bioisosteres as potent human carbonic anhydrase I,II, IV and IX inhibitors

Starting from the molecular simplification of (R) 4-(3,4-dibenzylpiperazine-1-carbonyl)benzenesulfonamide 9a, a compound endowed with selectivity for human Carbonic Anhydrase (hCA) IV, a series of piperazines and 4-aminopiperidines carrying a 4-sulfamoylbenzamide moiety as Zn-binding group have been designed and tested on human isoforms hCA I, II, IV and IX, using a stopped flow CO₂ hydrase assay. The aim of the work was to derive structure-activity relationships useful for designing isoform selective compounds. These structural modifications changed the selectivity profile of the analogues from hCA IV to hCA I and II, and improved potency. Several of the new compounds showed subnanomolar activity on hCA II. X-ray crystallography of ligand-hCAII complexes was used to compare the binding modes of the new piperazines and the previously synthesized 2-benzyl-piperazine analogues, explaining the inhibition profiles.     

Inhibition and binding studies of carbonic anhydrase isozymes I,II and IX with benzimidazo[1,2-c][1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-sulphonamides

The binding and inhibition strength of a series of benzimidazo[1,2-c][1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-sulphonamides were determined for recombinant human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I, II, and IX. The inhibition strength was determined by a stop-flow method to measure carbon dioxide hydration. Inhibitor-enzyme binding was determined by two biophysical techniques – isothermal titration calorimetry and thermal shift assay. The co-crystal structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Comparing the results obtained using three different inhibition and binding methods increased the accuracy of compound affinity ranking and the ability to determine compound inhibitory specificity towards a particular carbonic anhydrase isoform. In most cases, all three methods yielded the same results despite using very different approaches to measure the binding and inhibition reactions. Some of the compounds studied are submicromolar inhibitors of the isoform IX, a prominent cancer target.     

Synthesis of N-alkyl (aril)-tetra pyrimidine thiones and investigation of their human carbonic anhydrase I and II inhibitory effects

Tetrahydropyrimidine thiones, which are cyclic thiocarbamides derivatives, were synthesised from thiourea, β-diketones and substituted benzaldehydes. A tautomeric form of these derivatives incorporates the thiol functionality, which is known to interact with metal ions from metalloenzymes active sites, such as the carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) among others. This is a superfamily of widespread enzymes, which catalyses a crucial biochemical reaction, the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate and protons (H⁺). The newly synthesised N-alkyl (aril)-tetrahydropyrimidine thiones were tested for inhibition of the cytosolic human isoforms I and II (hCA I and II). Both isoforms were effectively inhibited by the newly synthesised thiones. K_i values were in the range of 218.5?±?23.9–261.0?±?41.5?pM for hCA I, and of 181.8?±?41.9–273.6?±?41.4?pM for hCA II, respectively. This under-investigated class of derivatives may bring interesting insights in the field of non-sulphonamide CA inhibitors.     

Spirobisnaphthalenes effectively inhibit carbonic anhydrase

This study explores the correlation between human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms I and II (hCA I, II) and the inhibitory features of some spirobisnaphthalene derivatives. A group of spirobisnaphthalenes was synthesized and their hCA I and II inhibitory effects was investigated. The K_i values were similar for both CA isoenzymes, the compounds showing good inhibitory activity. K_i values ranged between 1.60 and 460.42?µM for hCA I and between 0.39 and 419.42?µM for hCA II, respectively. The spirobisnaphthalenes derivatives might be useful for designing CA inhibitors belonging to novel chemotypes compared to the highly investigated sulfonamides, sulfamates or coumarins.     

Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IX and XII with secondary sulfonamides incorporating benzothiazole scaffolds

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) catalyze the fundamental reaction of CO₂ hydration in all living organisms, being actively involved in the regulation of a plethora of patho/physiological conditions. A series of benzothiazole-based sulfonamides were synthesized and tested as possible CA inhibitors. Their inhibitory activity was assessed against the cytosolic human isoforms hCA I and hCA II and the transmembrane hCA IX and hCA XII. Several of the investigated derivatives showed interesting inhibition activity and selectivities for inhibiting hCA IX and hCA XII over the off-target ones hCA I and hCA II. Furthermore, computational procedures were used to investigate the binding mode of this class of compounds, within the active site of hCA IX.     

Kinetic and X-ray crystallographic investigations on carbonic anhydrase isoforms I,II, IX and XII of a thioureido analog of SLC-0111

SLC-0111 (4-(4-fluorophenylureido)-benzenesulfonamide) is the first carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) IX inhibitor to reach phase I clinical trials as an antitumor/antimetastatic agent. Here we report a kinetic and X-ray crystallographic study of a congener of SLC-0111 which incorporates a thioureido instead of ureido linker between the two aromatic rings as inhibitor of four physiologically relevant CA isoforms. Similar to SLC-0111, the thioureido derivative was a weak hCA I and II inhibitor and a potent one against hCA IX and XII. X-ray crystallography of its adduct with hCA II and comparison of the structure with that of other five hCA II—sulfonamide adducts belonging to the SLC-0111 series, afforded us to understand the particular inhibition profile of the new sulfonamide. Similar to SLC-0111, the thioureido sulfonamide primarily interacted with the hydrophobic side of the hCA II active site, with the tail participating in van der Waals interactions with Phe131 and Pro202, in addition to the coordination of the deprotonated sulfonamide to the active site metal ion. On the contrary, the tail of other sulfonamides belonging to the SLC-0111 series (2-isopropyl-phenyl; 3-nitrophenyl) were orientated towards the hydrophilic half of the active site, which was correlated with orders of magnitude better inhibitory activity against hCA II, and a loss of selectivity for the inhibition of the tumor-associated CAs.     

Synthesis and carbonic anhydrase inhibitory properties of novel coumarin derivatives

A newly series of water-soluble 1-alkyl-3-(4-methyl-7, 8-dihydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one) benzimidazolium chloride salts (3a-j) were synthesized and their inhibitory effects on the activity of purified human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I and II were evaluated. hCA I and II from human erythrocytes were purified by a simple one step procedure by using Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-sulphanilamide affinity column. The result showed that all the synthesized compounds were inhibited the CA isoenzymes activity. Among them, 3g and 3j were found to be most active (IC₅₀ = 22.09 µM and 20.33 µM) for hCA I and hCA II, respectively.