Synthesis of some new amide-linked bipyrazoles and their evaluation as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

Four series of new bipyrazoles comprising the N-phenylpyrazole scaffold linked to polysubstituted pyrazoles or to antipyrine moiety through different amide linkages were synthesized. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition study revealed that compound 16b possessed the lowest IC₅₀ value against both COX-1 and COX-2. Moreover, the effect of the most promising compounds on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) protein expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated rat monocytes was also investigated. The results revealed that some of the synthesized compounds showed anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic activity with less ulcerogenic potential than the reference drug diclofenac sodium and are well tolerated by experimental animals. Moreover, they significantly inhibited iNOS and COX-2 protein expression induced by LPS stimulation. Compounds 16b and 18 were proved to display anti-inflammatory activity superior to diclofenac sodium and analgesic activity equivalent to it with minimal ulcerogenic potential.     

Synthesis and characterization of biologically significant 5,5′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1-N-alkoxyphthalimido-3-aryl-2-pyrazoline) derivatives

A facile synthesis of 5,5′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(3-aryl-2-pyrazolines) 4a-g has been achieved by the cyclo-addition reaction of hydrazine hydrate with bis-substituted chalcones 3a-g, which in turn were prepared by the Clasien-Schmidt condensation of p-substituted acetophenones 1a-g with terephthaldehyde. Condensation of 4a-g with ω-bromoalkoxyphthalimides 5a-b afforded the titled compounds 6a-n, some of which exhibited significant antimalarial as well as antimicrobial activity.     

Peroxynitrite-scavenging constituents from the brown alga<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sargassum thunbergii</Emphasis>

Peroxynitrite formationin vivo is implicated in numerous human diseases and there is considerable interest in the use of antioxidants and natural products for their treatment. The three components (1–3) isolated fromSargassum thunbergii as well as the organic solventsoluble fractions and the aqueous layer ofS. thunbergii were evaluated for their potential to scavenge authentic ONOO and ONOO derived from 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1). The antioxidant activity of the individual fractions was in the order of 85% aquaous (aq.) MeOH>n-BuOH>n-hexane> H₂O. The three known compounds sargahydroquinoic acid (1), sargaquinoic acid (2) and sargachromenol (3) showed peroxynitrite-scavenging activities comparable to those of L-ascorbic acid and penicillamine. These results showed a possible antioxidant activity in major constituents ofS. thunbergii.     

3D-QSAR studies of checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors based on molecular docking and CoMFA

Three-dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship (3D-QSAR) studies were performed on a series of substituted 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles inhibitors, using molecular docking and comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). The docking results from GOLD 3.0.1 provide a reliable conformational alignment scheme for the 3D-QSAR model. Based on the docking conformations and alignments, highly predictive CoMFA model was built with cross-validated q ² value of 0.534 and non-cross-validated partial least-squares analysis with the optimum components of six showed a conventional r ² value of 0.911. The predictive ability of this model was validated by the testing set with a conventional r ² value of 0.812. Based on the docking and CoMFA, we have identified some key features of the 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles derivatives that are responsible for checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitory activity. The analyses may be used to design more potent 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles derivatives and predict their activity prior to synthesis.     

Cholinesterase inhibitory triterpenoids from the bark of Garcinia hombroniana

Abstract

Context: Garcinia hombroniana Pierre, known as manggis hutan in Malaysia is a rich source of xanthones and benzophenones.

Objectives: This study was aimed to isolate and characterize potential cholinesterase inhibitors from the extracts of G. hombroniana bark and investigate their interactions with the enzymes.

Materials and methods: The dichloromethane extract afforded five triterpenoids which were characterized by NMR and mass spectral techniques. Cholinesterase inhibitory assay and molecular docking were performed to get insight of the inhibitory activity and molecular interactions of the compounds. The compounds were also tested for their antioxidant capacity.

Results: The isolated triterpenoids were identified as: 2β-hydroxy-3α-O-caffeoyltaraxar-14-en-28-oic acid (1), taraxerol (2), taraxerone (3), betulin (4) and betulinic acid (5). Compound 1 was the most active dual inhibitor of both AChE and BChE. Compound 1 also showed good antioxidant activities.

Conclusion: Compound 1 had dual and moderate inhibitory activity on AChE and BChE worthy for further investigations.     

Antidiabetic activity of phenolic compounds from Pecan bark in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The n-butanol fraction (BF) of bark of Pecan tree, Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh) K. Koch (Juglandaceae) afforded two new flavonol methyl ether: caryatin-3′ sulfate (6) and caryatin-3′ methyl ether-7-O-β-d-glucoside (7) while five known phenolics (1–5) were isolated from its ethyl acetate fraction (EAF). The structures of isolated compounds were established based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The isolated compounds were investigated for their hypoglycaemic, antioxidant as well as the aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory effect in lenses of streptozocin diabetic rats. All the isolated compounds showed significant hypoglycaemic and antioxidant activities, except 5 and 6. A marked AR-inhibitory effect was identified for compounds 2, 3 and 7.     

New quinoxalinone inhibitors targeting secreted phospholipase A2 and α-glucosidase

Elevated blood glucose and increased activities of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) are strongly linked to coronary heart disease. In this report, our goal was to develop small heterocyclic compound that inhibit sPLA2. The title compounds were also tested against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. This array of enzymes was selected due to their implication in blood glucose regulation and diabetic cardiovascular complications. Therefore, two distinct series of quinoxalinone derivatives were synthesised; 3-[N′-(substituted-benzylidene)-hydrazino]-1H-quinoxalin-2-ones 3a–f and 1-(substituted-phenyl)-5H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-4-ones 4a–f. Four compounds showed promising enzyme inhibitory effect, compounds 3f and 4b–d potently inhibited the catalytic activities of all of the studied proinflammatory sPLA2. Compound 3e inhibited α-glucosidase (IC₅₀?=?9.99?±?0.18 µM); which is comparable to quercetin (IC₅₀?=?9.93?±?0.66 µM), a known inhibitor of this enzyme. Unfortunately, all compounds showed weak activity against α-amylase (IC₅₀?>?200 µM). Structure-based molecular modelling tools were utilised to rationalise the SAR compared to co-crystal structures with sPLA2-GX as well as α-glucosidase. This report introduces novel compounds with dual activities on biochemically unrelated enzymes mutually involved in diabetes and its complications.     

Preparation of New Spiropyrazole,Pyrazole and Hydantoin Derivatives and Investigation of Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities.

In this study, the synthesis of new spiropyrazoles, pyrazole and hydantoin heterocycles is reported by three component reactions of parabanic acids, hydrazine derivatives, and phenacyl bromides in the presence of triphenylphosphine as a nucleophile and triethylamine as a base in good to high yields (69–91 %). Evaluation of the synthesized compounds revealed a good to excellent antioxidant activities (37.6–96.2 %) using DPPH inhibitory potency. Among these compounds, hydantoin derivatives displayed higher antioxidant activities (93.7–96.2 %) comparing with spiropyrazoles and pyrazoles. The obtained results showed that Cl and Br substituents on the phenyl ring increased antioxidant activities of the related heterocycles. The antibacterial activities of the synthesized compounds were examined against two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. Among the synthesized heterocycles, 2-[1,3-dimethyl-2,5-dioxo-4-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)imidazolidin-4-yl]hydrazine-1-carbothioamide exhibited the excellent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

两种盐生植物内生真菌多样性及其功能预测

【背景】植物内生菌是微生物群落中一类非常重要的组成部分,是重要的微生物资源库,在植物促生、抗逆等多个领域有重要的研究和应用价值。【目的】进一步了解干旱荒漠区盐生植物内生真菌的多样性、群落结构和潜在功能特征。【方法】对生长在乌兹别克斯坦西咸海岸边的两种盐生植物毛足假木贼(Anabasis eriopoda abbreviated as AE)和展枝假木贼(A. truncata abbreviated as AT)的内生真菌群落进行扩增子测序分析。【结果】共获得166个ampliconsequencingvariants(ASVs),涉及4门49属,其中Neocamarosporium、Botryosphaeria和Alternaria及其所属高级分类单元是优势类群。多样性和群落组成分析显示两种盐生植物的内生真菌存在较为明显的差异,并包含一些潜在的新分类单元。基于PICRUSt2和FUNGuild的功能预测结果表明这两种盐生植物内生真菌的潜在功能和营养方式多样且表现出宿主差异性。【结论】盐生植物内生真菌具有较高的多样性和潜在的资源价值,有待进一步挖掘和研究。     

Biosynthesis of mycobacterial lipids by polyketide synthases and beyond

Abstract

Over a decade ago, the analysis of the complete sequence of the genome of the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis revealed an unexpectedly high number of open reading frames encoding proteins with homology to polyketide synthases (PKSs). PKSs form a large family of fascinating multifunctional enzymes best known for their involvement in the biosynthesis of hundreds of polyketide natural products with diverse biological activities. The surprising polyketide biosynthesis capacity of M. tuberculosis has been investigated since its initial inference from genome analysis. This investigation has been based on the genes found in M. tuberculosis or their orthologs found in other Mycobacterium species. Today, the majority of the PKS-encoding genes of M. tuberculosis have been linked to specific biosynthetic pathways required for the production of unique lipids or glycolipid conjugates that are critical for virulence and/or components of the extraordinarily complex mycobacterial cell envelope. This review provides a synopsis of the most relevant studies in the field and an overview of our current understanding of the involvement of PKSs and several other polyketide production pathway-associated proteins in critical biosynthetic pathways of M. tuberculosis and other mycobacteria. In addition, the most relevant studies on PKS-containing biosynthetic pathways leading to production of metabolites from mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis are reviewed.     

构建链霉菌无细胞平台挖掘套索肽类天然产物

【目的】套索肽作为一类核糖体翻译后修饰肽(RiPPs)广泛分布于放线菌中,以其独特的修饰结构和多样的生理活性受到了广泛的关注。为了更好地研究未知的套索肽,期望开发基于链霉菌的无细胞转录翻译平台(下称“无细胞平台”)实现无细胞合成套索肽或其前体肽。【方法】首先尝试以不同的链霉菌构建无细胞合成平台,并以绿色荧光蛋白为报告蛋白对平台产率进行优化;在构建合适稳定的表达体系后,将包含有套索肽生物合成基因的质粒引入体系中以探索套索肽的无细胞合成。【结果】在对基于模式菌株Streptomyces lividans TK24的无细胞体系进行制备工艺、体系组分、反应条件等多个参数进行优化后,该体系最高能达到90μg/mL的荧光蛋白表达量;基于该体系成功表达了目标套索肽的前体肽,并通过融合SUMO标签增加前体肽在该体系中的稳定性。【结论】本研究成功构建了一类链霉菌无细胞平台,为丰富来源的基因表达提供了可能性。尽管该体系在对表达套索肽未知蛋白的适用性上仍有待进一步提升,但无细胞平台在天然产物的探索中将起到越来越重要的作用。     

LC-MS导向分离山壳骨中主成分及其生物活性研究

为了解山壳骨(Pseuderanthemum latifolium)的化学成分和生物活性,运用LC-MS联用技术分离得到羽扇豆醇(1)和豆甾醇(2)。体外活性评价结果表明,化合物1和2均具有中等的抗MRSA活性,但不具有神经保护作用。这是首次对山壳骨进行化学成分和生物活性研究,为综合开发与利用山壳骨提供科学依据。     

The discovery of novel HDAC3 inhibitors via virtual screening and in vitro bioassay

Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) is a potential target for the treatment of human diseases such as cancers, diabetes, chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, we proposed a virtual screening (VS) pipeline named “Hypo1_FRED_SAHA-3” for the discovery of HDAC3 inhibitors (HDAC3Is) and had thoroughly validated it by theoretical calculations. In this study, we attempted to explore its practical utility in a large-scale VS campaign. To this end, we used the VS pipeline to hierarchically screen the Specs chemical library. In order to facilitate compound cherry-picking, we then developed a knowledge-based pose filter (PF) by using our in-house quantitative structure activity relationship- (QSAR-) modelling approach and coupled it with FRED and Autodock Vina. Afterward, we purchased and tested 11 diverse compounds for their HDAC3 inhibitory activity in vitro. The bioassay has identified compound 2 (Specs ID: AN-979/41971160) as a HDAC3I (IC₅₀?=?6.1?μM), which proved the efficacy of our workflow. As a medicinal chemistry study, we performed a follow-up substructure search and identified two more hit compounds of the same chemical type, i.e. 2–1 (AQ-390/42122119, IC₅₀?=?1.3?μM) and 2–2 (AN-329/43450111, IC₅₀?=?12.5?μM). Based on the chemical structures and activities, we have demonstrated the essential role of the capping group in maintaining the activity for this class of HDAC3Is. In addition, we tested the hit compounds for their in vitro activities on other HDACs, including HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC8, HDAC4 and HDAC6. We have identified these compounds are HDAC1/2/3 selective inhibitors, of which compound 2 show the best selectivity profile. Taken together, the present study is an experimental validation and an update to our earlier VS strategy. The identified hits could be used as starting structures for the development of highly potent and selective HDAC3Is.     

Synthesis of 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-cyclopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine derivatives as antimicrobial agents

A series of novel substituted 1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3-cyclopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amine benzamides 9(a–h) were synthesized to determine their antibacterial and antifungal activities as well as possible structure–activity relationships (SARs) to improve therapeutic efficacy. The pyrazol-5-amine benzamides were screened for their antibacterial activity against standard strains of Gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogenes NCIM 2608, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29737, Bacillus subtilis NCIM 2010) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 20852, Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC 618) bacteria by using streptomycin as positive control. They were also tested for their antifungal activities against mycotoxic strains of Fusarium verticillioides, Aspergillus ochraceous, Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata, and Penicillium chrysogenum using nystatin as positive control. Among the synthesized compounds, 9d, 9g, and 9h showed potent antimicrobial activities.     

喙尾琵琶甲肠道来源链霉菌(Streptomyces sp.)BPA71次级代谢产物的分离鉴定及其生物活性评价

【背景】昆虫是世界上种类最多、肠道菌群资源最丰富且多样的动物类群之一。昆虫肠道微生物具有产生活性次级代谢产物的能力,是活性天然产物的重要来源。【目的】研究药用昆虫喙尾琵琶甲(Blaps rynchopetera)成虫肠道来源链霉菌(Streptomyces sp.) BPA71的次级代谢产物及其生物活性。【方法】利用正相硅胶柱色谱、葡聚糖凝胶Sephadex LH-20柱色谱等方法分离纯化该菌株的发酵粗提物,采用牛津杯法进行抗菌活性追踪,确定抗菌活性部位,通过ESI-MS、NMR等波谱数据分析对化合物结构进行鉴定,采用微量肉汤稀释法测定最低抑菌浓度(minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC),采用MTS法测定抗肿瘤活性。【结果】从Streptomyces sp. BPA71的固体发酵提取物中共分离得到4个已知化合物,通过对比核磁数据确定为糠酸甲酯(1)、吡咯甲酰胺A (2)、吡咯甲酰胺B (3)和吲哚-3-乙酸甲酯(4)。抗菌活性结果显示化合物2具有广谱抗菌活性。此外,化合物2对宫颈癌细胞HeLa、肺癌细胞A549、肝癌细胞SMMC-7721、乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231和结肠癌细胞SW480这5株肿瘤细胞均有明显的抑制活性。【结论】喙尾琵琶甲肠道来源Streptomyces sp. BPA71可产生丰富的生物活性物质,该研究结果为进一步挖掘喙尾琵琶甲肠道链霉菌的活性天然产物奠定了基础,同时丰富了人们对喙尾琵琶甲肠道微生物的认识。     

3-Methyl-2-phenyl-1-substituted-indole derivatives as indomethacin analogs: design,synthesis and biological evaluation as potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

In a new group of 3-methyl-2-phenyl-1-substituted-indole derivatives (10a–f), the indomethacin analogs were prepared via the Fisher indole synthesis reaction of propiophenone with appropriately substituted phenylhydrazine hydrochloride. This is followed by the insertion of the appropriate benzyl or benzoyl fragment. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory (in vitro and in vivo) and analgesic activities. The methanesulphonyl derivatives 10d, e and f showed the highest anti-inflammatory (in vitro and in vivo) and analgesic activities. In addition, molecular docking studies were performed on compounds 10a–f and the results were in agreement with that obtained from the in vitro COX inhibition assays. The significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities exhibited by 10d and 10e warrant continued preclinical development as potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.     

Molecular hydrogen alleviates motor deficits and muscle degeneration in mdx mice

Objective: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating muscle disease caused by a mutation in DMD encoding dystrophin. Oxidative stress accounts for dystrophic muscle pathologies in DMD. We examined the effects of molecular hydrogen in mdx mice, a model animal for DMD.

Methods: The pregnant mother started to take supersaturated hydrogen water (>5?ppm) ad libitum from E15.5 up to weaning of the offspring. The mdx mice took supersaturated hydrogen water from weaning until age 10 or 24 weeks when they were sacrificed.

Results: Hydrogen water prevented abnormal body mass gain that is commonly observed in mdx mice. Hydrogen improved the spontaneous running distance that was estimated by a counter-equipped running-wheel, and extended the duration on the rota-rod. Plasma creatine kinase activities were decreased by hydrogen at ages 10 and 24 weeks. Hydrogen also decreased the number of central nuclei of muscle fibers at ages 10 and 24 weeks, and immunostaining for nitrotyrosine in gastrocnemius muscle at age 24 weeks. Additionally, hydrogen tended to increase protein expressions of antioxidant glutathione peroxidase 1, as well as anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, in skeletal muscle at age 10 weeks.

Discussion: Although molecular mechanisms of the diverse effects of hydrogen remain to be elucidated, hydrogen potentially improves muscular dystrophy in DMD patients.     

Synthesis of 4-amino-4,5-dideoxy-l-lyxofuranose derivatives and their evaluation as fucosidase inhibitors

The nitrone 4 (4,5-dideoxy-4-hydroxylamino-3,4-O-isopropylidene-l-lyxofuranose) was synthesised from d-ribose and used as key intermediate for the preparation of fucosidase inhibitors. We describe two transformations of 4. Hydrolysis with aqueous sulfur dioxide gave the known potent nanomolar inhibitor 4-amino-4,5-dideoxy-l-lyxofuranose (3). 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition with enol ethers led to the related 1,2,5,6-tetradeoxy-2,5-imino-l-altroheptonic ester 2a, acid 2b and the corresponding heptitol 2c. The new iminosugars have been evaluated for their inhibitory activity against α-l-fucosidase from bovine kidney. The alcohol 2c turned out to be a potent inhibitor in the same range as the amino-sugar 3 (K_i = 8 vs 10 nM).     

Synthesis,characterization and biological evaluation of novel 4′-fluoro-2′-hydroxy-chalcone derivatives as antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents

Abstract

In an effort to develop safe and potent anti-inflammatory agents, a series of novel 4′-fluoro-2′-hydroxychalcones 5a–d and their dihydropyrazole derivatives 6a–d was prepared. It was synthesized via aldol condensation of 4′-fluoro-2′-hydroxyacetophenone with appropriately substituted aldehydes followed by cyclization with hydrazine hydrate. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cyclooxygenase inhibition selectivity and analgesic activities. The dimethoxychalcone 5a and its dihydropyrazole derivative 6a showed the highest antioxidant activity, while the monomethoxychalcone 5d and its dihydropyrazole derivative 6d showed the highest analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. It was also found that there is a close correlation between 4′-fluoro-2′-hydroxychalcones 5a–d and their dihydropyrazole derivatives 6a–d in the screened biological activities. To explain the correlation between the synthesized chalcones and their dihydropyrazole derivatives, especially for the anti-inflammatory activity, docking studies were performed.