Prediction of HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity of 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones: QSAR study

Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) protease is an important strategy for the treatment of HIV and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Therefore, HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity of dihydropyranone derivatives has been analyzed with different physico-chemical parameters. In the present work, QSAR studies were performed on a series of 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones to explore the physico-chemical parameters responsible for their HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity. Physico-chemical parameters were calculated using WIN CAChe 6.1. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to derive QSAR models which were further evaluated for statistical significance and predictive power by internal and external validation. The selected best QSAR model was having correlation coefficient (R)?=?0.875 and cross-validated squared correlation coefficient (Q²)?=?0.707. The developed significant QSAR model indicates that hydrophobicity of whole molecule and the substituent present at sixth position of dihydropyranones play an important role in the HIV-1 protease inhibitory activities of 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydropyran-2-ones.     

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of teucrium royleanum (Labiatea)

The crude methanolic extract and subsequent fractions of Teucrium royleanum (Labiatea) were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Against tested pathogens, crude extract and subsequent fractions demonstrated moderate to excellent antibacterial activities. Highest antibacterial activity was displayed by the ethyl acetate fraction against S. typhi (100%), against E.coli (76.7%) and against P. aerugenosa (70.8%) followed by the chloroform fraction against S. typhi (85.7%). Similarly, the crude extract and its subsequent fractions showed mild to excellent activities in the antifungal bioassay with maximum antifungal activity against M. canis (87%) by the chloroform fraction followed by the ethyl acetate (71%) and n-butanol (70%) fractions.     

Improved synthesis of EM-1745, preparation of its C17-ketone analogue and comparison of their inhibitory potency on 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1

Endocrine therapies are widely used for the treatment of estrogen-sensitive diseases. 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) is involved in the last step of the biosynthesis of potent estrogen estradiol (E₂). This enzyme catalyzes the reduction of the C17-ketosteroid estrone (E₁) into the C17β-hydroxy steroid E₂ using the cofactor NAD(P)H. The X-ray analysis of E₂/adenosine bisubstrate inhibitor EM-1745 proven that this compound interacts with both the substrate- and the cofactor-binding sites. However, E₁ is a better substrate of 17β-HSD1 than E₂. Thus, in order to improve the inhibitory potency of EM-1745, the C17-ketone analogue was prepared. During this work, a new and more efficient method for synthesizing EM-1745 was developed using an esterification and a cross-metathesis as key steps. Contrary to what was expected, the C17-ketone analogue of EM-1745 is a less potent inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 12 nM) than the C17-alcohol (IC₅₀ = 4 nM) in homogenated HEK-293 cells overexpressing 17β-HSD1. Our results contribute to the knowledge of an unexpected observation: the C17-ketone steroidal inhibitors of 17β-HSD1 are less potent than their corresponding C17-alcohol derivatives.     

A potential role of alkaloid extracts from Salsola species (Chenopodiaceae) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

From the aerial parts of Salsola oppositofolia, S. soda and S. tragus an alkaloid extract was obtained and tested to evaluate antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase activities. The in vitro study of the antioxidant activity by the DPPH method revealed a significant activity of Salsola alkaloid extracts with IC₅₀ values ranging from 16.30 μg/mL for S. oppositifolia to 26.17 μg/mL for S. tragus. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activities were evaluated. S. tragus alkaloid extract exerted the highest inhibitory activity against AChE (IC₅₀ of 30.2 μg/mL) and BChE (IC₅₀ of 26.5 μg/mL). Interestingly, S. soda and S. oppositifolia exhibited a selective inhibitory activity against BChE with IC₅₀ values of 34.3 μg/mL and 32.7 μg/mL, respectively. Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids were identified and quantified by GC/MS analysis.     

Chemical composition and protective effect of oregano (Origanum heracleoticum L.) ethanolic extract on oxidative damage and on inhibition of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

The present study shows the chemical profile and the in vitro properties (antioxidant and inhibition of nitric oxide production) of the Origanum heracleoticum L. (Lamiaceae). The ethanolic extract of the aerial parts is characterized by terpenes and fatty acids. The extract, with high total phenol and flavonoid content, showed a significant radical-scavenging activity (IC₅₀ value of 12.8 μg/mL) using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test and an interesting antioxidant activity with the β-carotene bleaching test (IC₅₀ values of 12.9 and 14.1 μg/mL at 30 and 60?min of incubation, respectively). The test for the inhibition of NO production, performed using the murine monocytic macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line, showed that the extract had significant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 108.5 μg/mL. The cytotoxic effect of O. heracleoticum extract in presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/mL) was evaluated but found to be negligible.     

Galinsosides A and B,bioactive flavanone glucosides from Galinsoga parviflora

Galinsosides A (1) and B (2), new flavanone glucosides together with two known flavanones, 7,3′,4′-trihydroxyflavanone (3) and 3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavanone (4) have been isolated from an ethyl acetate- soluble fraction of Galinsoga parviflora. Their structures were assigned on the basis of spectral studies. Compound 1 showed significant antioxidant and urease inhibitory activity while compound 2 was moderately active. On the other hand, 2 showed inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase.     

Synthesis and antibacterial properties of new N4-acetylated hexahydro-2,7-dioxopyrido[2,3-f]quinoxaline-8-carboxylic acids

Direct interaction between 7-chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid and primary α-amino acids (exemplified by glycine, alanine, and l-valine) in aqueous ethanolic NaHCO₃ at 70–80°C for 24–72?h produced the respective N-(4-oxoquinolin-7-yl)-α-amino acids (6a–c). The latter derivatives underwent reductive lactamization upon treatment with Na₂S₂O₄ in aqueous ethanol to afford moderate yields of the corresponding pyrido[2,3-f]quinoxaline-8-carboxylic acids (8a–c). Acetylation of 8a–c using acetyl chloride afforded N₄-acetylated hexahydro-2,7-dioxopyrido[2,3-f]quinoxaline-8-carboxylic acids (9a–c). The structures, assigned to these new heterocyclic products, are supported by analytical and spectral data. The synthesized compounds (6a–c/9a–c) showed appreciable antibacterial activity as compared with ciprofloxacin.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: purification and inhibition studies of pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica) red blood cell carbonic anhydrase with sulfonamides

A carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) from red blood cells of pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica), clCA, was purified to homogeneity. Its kinetic parameters for the CO₂ hydration reaction were measured. With a k_cat/K_m of 1.1?×?10⁸ M^?1 s^?1, and a k_cat of 1.3?×?10⁶ s^?1, clCA has a high activity, similar to that of the human isoform hCA II. A group of 25 aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides incorporating the sulfanilamide, homosulfanilamide, benzene-1,3-disulfonamide, and acetazolamide scaffolds showed variable inhibitory activity against the pigeon enzyme, with K_Is in the range of 1.9–3460?nM. Red blood cells of pigeons, like those of ostriches, contain thus just one CA isoform, unlike the blood of mammals, which normally contain two isoforms, one of low (CA I-like) and one of very high activity (CA II-like). However, from the sulfonamide inhibition viewpoint, the pigeon enzyme was more similar to hCA II than to the ostrich enzyme.     

Thermal solvent-free synthesis of chromonyl chalcones,pyrazolines and their in vitro antibacterial,antifungal activities

A facile and ecofriendly synthesis of new chromonyl chalcones 3a-b from 3-formylchromone 1 and active methyl compounds 2a-b is reported under thermal solvent-free heating condition in good yields. The chromonyl chalcones 3a-b were used as intermediates under green condition for the synthesis of new bioactive pyrazoline derivatives 4a-f. The compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity by disk diffusion assay with slight modifications against Gram-positive, Gram-negative strains of bacteria as well as fungal strains. The investigation of antimicrobial screening revealed that compounds 3a-b and 4a-f showed antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Design,synthesis, spectral analysis and in vitro microbiological evaluation of 2-phenyl-3-(4,6-diarylpyrimidin-2-yl)thiazolidin-4-ones

A series of novel 2-phenyl-3-(4,6-diarylpyrimidin-2-yl)thiazolidin-4-ones 23-33 were synthesized, and studied for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against clinically isolated strains. Generally compounds possessing electron donating groups showed good antibacterial activity. Compound 31, which contain both electron withdrawing chloro and electron donating methyl groups showed potent activity against all the tested Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial strains whereas compounds 32 and 33 which contain electron donating methoxy functional group at the para position of the phenyl ring attached to pyrimidine ring showed promising activity against S.aureus, S.typhii and E.coli. Compounds 32 and 33, both containing electron withdrawing groups (-Cl, -F) showed excellent activities against all the tested A. flavus, Mucor, Rhizopus and M.gypsuem fungal strains. while against Mucor, compound 27 which contains an electron donating methyl group at the para position of the phenyl ring attached to pyrimidine ring showed promising activity. Also compound 31, which contains both electron withdrawing chloro and electron donating methyl groups showed potent activity against A. flavus and Rhizopus.