Design,synthesis and biological activities of tetrandrine and fangchinoline derivatives as antitumer agents

The isolation and modification of natural products is always a very important resources to anti-tumor drugs. Therefore, a novel series of tetrandrine and fangchinoline derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their antiproliferative activities against HepG2, MCF-7 cells were evaluated and described. From the activity result obtained, high to very high activity in vitro has been found, one of the tested compounds (compound 5d) exhibited the most significant cytotoxic effects. Compound 5d increased 29.2, 7.37 times anti-proliferative activity for HepG2 cells and MCF-7 cells compared to sunitinib (IC₅₀ = 16.06 μM and 25.41 μM). Finally flow cytometry determined that compound 5d could indeed inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells via inducing apoptosis.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel steroidal 5α,8α-epidioxyandrost-6-ene-3β-ol-17-(O-phenylacetamide)oxime derivatives as potential anticancer agents

Inspired by the significant anti-cancer activity of our previously screened natural ergosterol peroxide (EP, 1), we synthesized and characterized a series of novel 5α,8α-epidioxyandrost-3β-ol-17-(O-phenylacetamide)oxime derivatives (9a–o). The anti-proliferative activity of the synthesized compounds against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2, Sk-Hep1) and human breast cancer cells (MCF-7, MDA-MB231) were investigated. Compounds 9d, 9f, 9h, 9j and 9m displayed good anti-proliferative activity (most IC₅₀ < 20 μM) in vitro. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging showed that the designed coumarin-9d conjugate (12) localized mainly in mitochondria, leading to enhanced anticancer activities over the parent structure.     

Artemisinin-indole and artemisinin-imidazole hybrids: Synthesis,cytotoxic evaluation and reversal effects on multidrug resistance in MCF-7/ADR cells

A series of artemisinin derivatives with MDR reversal activity were designed and synthesized. All hybrids were screened to anticancer activities against four human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, HepG-2, MDA-MB-231) and normal human hepatic cell (L02) in vitro. Most of the new compounds showed higher anticancer activities than artemisinin, among which compounds 11a and 11c displayed superior potency with IC₅₀ 6.78?μM and 5.25?μM against MCF-7, respectively. The further research indicated that the most potent 11c induced cell cycle arrest at G2 phase in MCF-7. Additionally, compound 11c showed remarkable MDR reversal activity which reversed adriamycin against MCF-7/ADR cells with IC₅₀ 0.76?μM.     

Novel coumarin-6-sulfonamides as apoptotic anti-proliferative agents: synthesis,in vitro biological evaluation,and QSAR studies

Herein, we report the synthesis of different novel sets of coumarin-6-sulfonamide derivatives bearing different functionalities (4a, b, 8a–d, 11a–d, 13a, b, and 15a–c), and in vitro evaluation of their growth inhibitory activity towards the proliferation of three cancer cell lines; HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and Caco-2 (colon cancer). HepG2 cells were the most sensitive cells to the influence of the target coumarins. Compounds 13a and 15a emerged as the most active members against HepG2 cells (IC₅₀?=?3.48?±?0.28 and 5.03?±?0.39?µM, respectively). Compounds 13a and 15a were able to induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells, as assured by the upregulation of the Bax and downregulation of the Bcl-2, besides boosting caspase-3 levels. Besides, compound 13a induced a significant increase in the percentage of cells at Pre-G1 by 6.4-folds, with concurrent significant arrest in the G2-M phase by 5.4-folds compared to control. Also, 13a displayed significant increase in the percentage of annexin V-FITC positive apoptotic cells from 1.75–13.76%. Moreover, QSAR models were established to explore the structural requirements controlling the anti-proliferative activities.     

Cytotoxic Effects of the Benzophenanthridine Alkaloids Isolated from Eomecon chionantha on MCF-7 Cells and Its Potential Mechanism

Seven benzophenanthridine alkaloids ( 1–7 ) were obtained from the 75 % EtOH extract of Eomecon chionantha, and exhibited moderate biological activity against MCF-7 cells. 8,12-dimethoxysanguinarine ( 1 , DSG) strongly decreased the cell viability of MCF-7 cell lines with an IC₅₀ value of 7.12 μΜ. Based on RNA-sequencing measure and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis results, the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were associated with Pathways in Cancer and PI3 K-AKT signaling pathways in DSG treated group. The potential molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the effect of DSG induces necroptosis in MCF-7 cells via molecular docking, TEM analysis, and ROS measurement. Besides, DEGs of bone metastasis-related genes such as PI3 K, IGF1R, Notch, and Wnt mRNA were significantly downregulated in the DSG-treated group on MCF-7 cells. DSG might be selected as a bone metastasis proteins inhibitor of IL-1β, IL-6, IκBα, IGF1R, Notch, NF-κB, PTHrp, PI3 K, PKB/AKT, PTEN, TNF-α, and Wnt via molecular docking. DSG suppressed bone metastasis by regulating the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, PTH, CROSS, TP1NP, and OSTEOC on MCF-7 cells using ELISA measurement. Thus, our findings reveal that DSG could be a lead compound for suppressing tumor cells to bone metastasis in breast cancer cells.     

Design,synthesis, docking studies and biological evaluation of novel chalcone derivatives as potential histone deacetylase inhibitors

A group of novel chalcone derivatives comprising hydroxamic acid or 2-aminobenzamide group as zinc binding groups (ZBG) were synthesized. The structure of the prepared compounds was fully characterized by IR, NMR and elemental microanalyses. Most of the tested compounds displayed strong to moderate HDAC inhibitory activity. Some of these compounds showed potent anti-proliferative activity against human HepG2, MCF-7 and HCT-116 cell lines. In particular, compounds 4a and 4b exhibited significant anti-proliferative activity against the three cell lines compared to SAHA as reference drug and displayed promising profile as anti-tumor candidates. The results indicated that these chalcone derivatives could serve as a promising lead compounds for further optimization as antitumor agents.     

Cytotoxic derivatives of (22R,23R)-dihydroxystigmastane

(22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one, (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3,6-dione, (22R,23R)-3β,5α,6β,22,23-pentahydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5α,6α-oxido-3β,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5β,6β-oxido-3β,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, and (22R,23R)-3β,6β,22,23-tetrahydroxystigmast-4-ene were synthesized. Their cytotoxicities were comparatively studied using the MCF-7 line of carcinoma cells of human mammary gland and cells of human hepatoma of the Hep G2 line.     

Spirostanoids with 1,4-dien-3-one or 3β,7α-diol-5,6-ene moieties from Solanum violaceum

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the CHCl₃ layer of Solanum violaceum areal parts methanolic extract led to the isolation of four new steroidal sapogenins, indiosides L–O (1–4), along with eight known steroids, one lignin, and a coumarin. Indioside L is a rare spirostanoid possessing a 1,4-dien-3-one moiety in ring A. Moreover, compounds 3 and 4 represent rare examples of spirostene with the 3β,7α-diol-5,6-ene moiety compared to the normal 3β,7β-diol-5,6-ene derivatives. The cytotoxic activity of the isolates (5–14) was evaluated against human hepatoma (HepG2 and Hep3B), human lung carcinoma (A549), and human breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7).     

一株深海热液口嗜热芽孢杆菌SY27F代谢产物活性的研究

【目的】对一株来源于深海热液口嗜热芽孢杆菌的次生代谢产物进行抑菌活性和抗肿瘤活性的初步研究。【方法】采用纸片法和微量肉汤稀释法检测嗜热芽孢杆菌SY27F次生代谢产物的抑菌活性,采用CCK-8法测定其次生代谢产物的抗肿瘤活性。【结果】抑菌实验表明,嗜热芽孢杆菌代谢产物对大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌均有抑菌作用,其最低抑菌浓度分别为1.56 mg/mL和3.13 mg/mL;细胞实验表明,其代谢产物对肿瘤细胞A549、HepG2、HeLa、MCF-7均有一定的抑制作用,其半致死浓度分别为0.390、0.451、0.704、1.105 mg/mL;与人肝肿瘤细胞(HepG2)相比,其对人正常肝细胞(L02)表现出良好的生物相容性。【结论】嗜热芽孢杆菌SY27F次生代谢产物具有一定的抑菌和抗肿瘤活性,可为寻找新型抑菌抗肿瘤活性物质提供优质资源。     

Synthesis,anticancer activity and molecular docking studies on 1,2-diarylbenzimidazole analogues as anti-tubulin agents

Twenty-four 1,2-diarylbenzimidazole derivatives were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated. It turned out that most of them were potential anticancer drugs. Among them, compound c24 showed the highest anti-tumor activity (GI₅₀ = 0.71–2.41 μM against HeLa, HepG2, A549 and MCF-7 cells), and low toxicity to normal cells (CC₅₀ > 100 μM against L02 cells). In the microtubule binding assay, c24 showed the most potent inhibition of microtubule polymerization (IC₅₀ = 8.47 μM). The binding ability of compound c24 to tubulin crystal was verified by molecular docking simulation experiment. Further studies on HepG2 and HeLa cells showed that compound c24 could cause mitotic arrest of tumor cells to G2/M phase then inducing apoptosis. To sum up, compound c24 is a promising microtubule assembly inhibitor.     

Aldo-keto reductase 1C3 expression in MCF-7 cells reveals roles in steroid hormone and prostaglandin metabolism that may explain its over-expression in breast cancer

Aldo-keto reductase (AKR) 1C3 (type 5 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and prostaglandin F synthase), may stimulate proliferation via steroid hormone and prostaglandin (PG) metabolism in the breast. Purified recombinant AKR1C3 reduces PGD₂ to 9α,11β-PGF₂, Δ⁴-androstenedione to testosterone, progesterone to 20α-hydroxyprogesterone, and to a lesser extent, estrone to 17β-estradiol. We established MCF-7 cells that stably express AKR1C3 (MCF-7-AKR1C3 cells) to model its over-expression in breast cancer. AKR1C3 expression increased steroid conversion by MCF-7 cells, leading to a pro-estrogenic state. Unexpectedly, estrone was reduced fastest by MCF-7-AKR1C3 cells when compared to other substrates at 0.1 μM. MCF-7-AKR1C3 cells proliferated three times faster than parental cells in response to estrone and 17β-estradiol. AKR1C3 therefore represents a potential target for attenuating estrogen receptor α induced proliferation. MCF-7-AKR1C3 cells also reduced PGD₂, limiting its dehydration to form PGJ₂ products. The AKR1C3 product was confirmed as 9α,11β-PGF₂ and quantified with a stereospecific stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry method. This method will allow the examination of the role of AKR1C3 in endogenous prostaglandin formation in response to inflammatory stimuli. Expression of AKR1C3 reduced the anti-proliferative effects of PGD₂ on MCF-7 cells, suggesting that AKR1C3 limits peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling by reducing formation of 15-deoxy-Δ^12,14-PGJ₂ (15dPGJ₂).     

Indole-3-carbinol and its N-alkoxy derivatives preferentially target ERα-positive breast cancer cells

Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is a natural anti-carcinogenic compound found at high concentrations in Brassica vegetables. I3C was recently reported to inhibit neutrophil elastase (NE) activity, while consequently limiting the proteolytic processing of full length cyclin E into pro-tumorigenic low molecular weight cyclin E (LMW-E). In this study, we hypothesized that inhibition of NE activity and resultant LMW-E generation is critical to the anti-tumor effects of I3C. LMW-E was predominately expressed by ERα-negative breast cancer cell lines. However, ERα-positive cell lines demonstrated the greatest sensitivity to the anti-tumor effects of I3C and its more potent N-alkoxy derivatives. We found that I3C was incapable of inhibiting NE activity or the generation of LMW-E. Therefore, this pathway did not contribute to the anti-tumor activity of I3C. Gene expression analyzes identified ligand-activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which mediated sensitivity to the anti-tumor effects of I3C in ERα-positive MCF-7 cells. In this model system, the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced upregulation of ATF-3 and pro-apoptotic BH3-only proteins (e.g. NOXA) contributed to the sensitivity of ERα-positive breast cancer cells to the anti-tumor effects of I3C. Overexpression of ERα in MDA-MB-231 cells, which normally lack ERα expression, increased sensitivity to the anti-tumor effects of I3C, demonstrating a direct role for ERα in mediating the sensitivity of breast cancer cell lines to I3C. Our results suggest that ERα signaling amplified the pro-apoptotic effect of I3C-induced AhR signaling in luminal breast cancer cell lines, which was mediated in part through oxidative stress induced upregulation of ATF-3 and downstream BH3-only proteins.     

New NF-κB Inhibitory Steroids from the Marine Sponge Dysidea avara Collected from the South China Sea

Chemical investigation of the marine sponge Dysidea avara, collected from the South China Sea, yielded 13 steroids, including nine new ( 1 – 9 ) and four known ( 10 – 13 ) ones. The new structures were elucidated as (3S,14R)-3,14-dihydroxycholesta-5,8-dien-7-one ( 1 ), (22E,24R)-7α-ethoxy-5α,6α-epoxyergosta-8(14),22-dien-3β-ol ( 2 ), 3β-hydroxy-7α-ethoxy-5α,6α-epoxy-8(14)-cholestene ( 3 ), 3β,5α-dihydroxy-6α-ethoxychofesta-7,9(11)-diene ( 4 ), 3β,5α-dihydroxy-6β-ethoxycholest-7-ene ( 5 ), (22E,24R)-24-ethoxy-3β,5α-dihydroxy-6β-ethoxyergosta-7,22-diene ( 6 ), (22E)-3β,5α-dihydroxy-6β-ethoxycholesta-7,22-diene ( 7 ), 24-ethoxy-3β,5α-dihydroxy-6β-ethoxycholest-7-ene ( 8 and 9 ), by extensive spectroscopic analyses, such as HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The absolute configuration of 1 was assigned by comparison the experimental ECD spectra with the calculated ones. Among the 13 metabolites, compounds 1 , 4 , 11 , 12 , and 13 showed NF-κB inhibitory activities in human HER-293 cells with IC₅₀ values of 6.4, 18.7, 8.1, 9.6, and 7.5 μM, respectively. Preliminary structure−activity relationship analysis unveiled that the conjugated ketones or unsaturated double bonds might be the functional groups for the five active steroids.     

Semisynthesis,cytotoxicity, antimalarial evaluation and structure-activity relationship of two series of triterpene derivatives

In this report, we describe the semisynthesis of two series of ursolic and betulinic acid derivatives through designed by modifications at the C-3 and C-28 positions and demonstrate their antimalarial activity against chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum (W2 strain). Structural modifications at C-3 were more advantageous to antimalarial activity than simultaneous modifications at C-3 and C-28 positions. The ester derivative, 3β-butanoyl betulinic acid (7b), was the most active compound (IC₅₀?=?3.4?µM) and it did not exhibit cytotoxicity against VERO nor HepG2 cells (CC₅₀?>?400?µM), showing selectivity towards parasites (selectivity index?>?117.47). In combination with artemisinin, compound 7b showed an additive effect (CI?=?1.14). While docking analysis showed a possible interaction of 7b with the Plasmodium protease PfSUB1, with an optimum binding affinity of ?7.02?kcal/mol, the rather low inhibition displayed on a Bacillus licheniformis subtilisin A protease activity assay (IC₅₀?=?93?µM) and the observed accumulation of ring forms together with a delay of appearance of trophozoites in vitro suggests that the main target of 3β-butanoyl betulinic acid on Plasmodium may be related to other molecules and processes pertaining to the ring stage. Therefore, compound 7b is the most promising compound for further studies on antimalarial chemotherapy. The results obtained in this study provide suitable information about scaffolds to develop novel antimalarials from natural sources.     

Investigation on<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Semecarpus Lehyam</Emphasis>—a<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Siddha</Emphasis> medicine for breast cancer

The use of complementary and alternative medicines for breast cancer patients has been increasing every year. Traditional Indian systems of medicine, such as Siddha, have been reported to benefit patients in India through herbal interventions for cancer. One such herbal medicine is Semecarpus Lehyam (SL), and this study aims at providing a scientific basis for the anti-tumor property of SL with respect to breast cancer. SL was subjected to serial extraction with four organic solvents of increasing polarity (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water). The solvents from all fractions were removed, dried and dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide for testing their anti-tumor activity against two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 [estrogen receptor (ER)-positive] and MDA 231 (ER-negative) using cell viability and apoptosis assays. The most potent SL fractions were also combined with radiation and doxorubicin to determine the radio- and chemo-sensitizing effects of SL on these breast cancer cell lines. In terms of cytotoxicity as well as induction of apoptosis, the n-hexane and chloroform fractions of SL were more significantly active against MDA 231 cells than MCF-7 cells. The n-butanol fraction of SL showed some activity against MCF-7 cells. When combined with radiation or doxorubicin, the n-hexane and chloroform fractions enhanced the radio-sensitivity (11.8-fold) and chemo-sensitivity (6.5-fold) of MDA 231 cells. This study demonstrated SL to be a potent anti-tumor agent against the ER-negative breast cancer cell line. The study is also the first step in the scientific validation of SL for use against breast cancer, particularly the ER-negative type.     

Two new cembranic diterpenoids from the flowers of Nicotiana tabacum L.

Two new cembranoids, together with fifteen known ones, were isolated from the flowers of Nicotiana tabacum L. The structures of the new compounds were established as (1βH,2E,4αOH,6αOH,7E,10αH,11αH,12βOH)-10,11-epoxy-2,7-cembradiene-4,6,12-triol (1) and (1βH,2E,4αOH,6αOH,7E,10βH,11βH,12αOH)-10,11-epoxy-2,7-cembradiene-4,6, 12-triol (2) by using spectroscopic analysis, including HRESIMS, IR, one- and two-dimensional NMR. A plausible biogenetic relationship of the isolated cembranoids was proposed. The antitumor activities of selected compounds against a panel of three human cancer HepG2, A549 and HCT-116 cell lines were evaluated by the MTT assay. Compound 5 exhibited moderate activity against Hep-G2 cell lines with an IC₅₀ value of 14.38 μM.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Biological Applications of α‐Fluorinated β‐Amino Acids and Derivatives

This review gives a broad overview of the state of play with respect to the synthesis, conformational properties, and biological activity of α‐fluorinated β‐amino acids and derivatives. General methods are described for the preparation of monosubstituted α‐fluoro‐β‐amino acids (Scheme 1). Nucleophilic methods for the introduction of fluorine predominantly involve the reaction of DAST with alcohols derived from α‐amino acids, whereas electrophilic sources of fluorine such as NFSI have been used in conjunction with Arndt? Eistert homologation, conjugate addition or organocatalyzed Mannich reactions. α,α‐Difluoro‐β‐amino acids have also been prepared using DAST; however, this area of synthesis is largely dominated by the use of difluorinated Reformatsky reagents to introduce the difluoro ester functionality (Scheme 9). α‐Fluoro‐β‐amino acids and derivatives analyzed by X‐ray crystal and NMR solution techniques are found to adopt preferred conformations which are thought to result from stereoelectronic effects associated with F located close to amines, amides, and esters (Figs. 2–6). α‐Fluoro amide and β‐fluoro ethylamide/amine effects can influence the secondary structure of α‐fluoro‐β‐amino acid‐containing derivatives including peptides and peptidomimetics (Figs. 7–9). α‐Fluoro‐β‐amino acids are also components of a diverse range of bioactive anticancer (e.g., 5‐fluorouracil), antifungal, and antiinsomnia agents as well as protease inhibitors where such fluorinated analogs have shown increased potency and spectrum of activity.     

Optimization of Insecticidal Triterpene Derivatives by Biomimetic Oxidations with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodosobenzene Catalyzed by MnIII and FeIII Porphyrin Complexes

Semisynthetic functionalized triterpenes (4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione; 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3‐one and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐en‐3β‐yl acetate), previously prepared from 31‐norlanostenol, a natural insecticide isolated from the latex of Euphorbia officinarum, have been subjected to oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and iodosobenzene (PhIO) catalyzed by porphyrin complexes (cytochrome P‐450 models) in order to obtain optimized derivatives with high regioselectivity. The main transformations were epoxidation of the double bonds and hydroxylations of non‐activated C–H groups and the reaction products were 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholesta‐7,9(11)‐dien‐3β‐yl acetate (59 %), 25‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐8‐ene‐3,7,11‐trione (60 %), 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (22 %), 8‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α‐cholest‐9(11)‐ene‐3,7‐dione (16 %), 12α‐hydroxy‐4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,7β‐7,8‐epoxycholest‐9(11)‐en‐3‐one (16 %), and 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate (26 %), respectively. We also investigated the insect (Myzus persicae, Rhopalosiphum padi and Spodoptera littoralis) antifeedant and postingestive effects of these terpenoid derivatives. None of the compounds tested had significant antifeedant effects, however, all were more effective postingestive toxicants on S. littoralis larvae than the natural compound 31‐norlanostenol, with 4α,14‐dimethyl‐5α,8α‐8,9‐epoxycholestan‐3β‐yl acetate being the most active. The study of their structure–activity relationships points out at the importance of C3 and C7 substituents.     

Synthesis and in vitro anticancer evaluation of some fused indazoles,quinazolines and quinolines as potential EGFR inhibitors

derivatives of benzo[g]indazole 5a, b, benzo[h]quinazoline 7, 12a-c, 13a-c and 15a-c and benzo[h]quinoline 17a-c and 19a-c were synthesized from 6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-one (1). Anticancer activity of all the synthesized compounds was evaluated against four cancerous cell lines; HepG2, MCF-7, HCT116 and Caco-2. MCF-7 cells emerged as the most sensitive cell line against the target compounds. All the examined compounds, except 5a and 5b, displayed potent to moderate anticancer activity against MCF-7 cells with an IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.21 to 21.55 µM. In particular, compounds 15c and 19b emerged as the most potent derivatives against EGFR-expressing MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values = 7.70 ± 0.39 and 7.21 ± 0.43 μM, respectively. Additionally, both compounds did not display any significant cytotoxicity towards normal BHK-21 fibroblast cells (IC₅₀ value > 200 µM), thereby providing a good safety profile as anticancer agents. Furthermore, compounds 15c and 19b displayed potent inhibitory activity towards EGFR in the sub-micromolar range (IC₅₀ = 0.13 ± 0.01 and 0.14 ± 0.01 μM, respectively), compared to that of Erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 0.11 ± 0.01 μM). Docking studies for 15c and 19b into EGFR active site was carried out to explore their potential binding modes. Therefore, compounds 15c and 19b can be considered as interesting candidates for further development of more potent anticancer agents.