Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 14, Issue 5, 2018

Background: Purinergic signaling accounts for a complex network of receptors and extracellular enzymes responsible for the generation, recognition and degradation of extracellular ATP and adenosine. The main components of this system include P2X, P2Y and Adenosine Receptors, ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 and Adenosine Deaminase. The purinergic network recently emerged as a central player in several physiopathological conditions particularly those linked to immune system regulation including type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Methods: Here, we give an overview of recent findings linking purinergic signaling with diabetes pathogenesis, including purines roles in altered glucose homeostasis, impaired metabolic control, and immune system-mediated pancreatic β cells destruction. We particularly focused our attention on established preclinical experimental models of diabetes development and therapy including NOD mice, streptozotocin-induced β islets degeneration, and islet transplantation. Results: The summarized studies delineate a central role of purines, their receptors and degrading enzymes in diabetes by demonstrating that manipulation of the purinergic axis at different levels can prevent or exacerbate the insurgency and evolution of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The reported preclinical data and the availability of several effective compounds targeting the different steps of the purinergic response strongly suggest that P2 and Adenosine Receptors or ecto-nucleotidases will be feasible therapeutic targets for the treatment of diabetes.

Background: HSP90 is necessary for the conformational maturation of proteins, proteins disaggregation, folding newly synthesized peptides and the refolding of denatured proteins. The inhibition of HSP90 leads to proteasomal degradations of client proteins that finally kill cancer cells. Methods: In this research, molecular docking and comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) were used to investigate the interactions of tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives with the N-terminal domain binding site of the HSP90 and predicting their inhibitory activities. Results: A CoMFA model with five components and q2 of 0.81 was developed. R2 for training and test sets were 0.96 and 0.79, respectively. Based on extracted Contour maps for this CoMFA model, three new inhibitors with greater pIC50 with respect to the greatest active molecule in the data-set were designed by modifying molecule m45. Molecule m45 and designed inhibitors were docked to the N-terminal domain binding site of the HSP90. Designed inhibitors obtained lower binding energy with respect to m45. Conclusion: Based on extracted CoMFA contour maps, bulky substituents are favored for the R1 group and in R3 group, short and bulky substituents increase the activity of molecules. Less bulky and longer substituents are favored for R2. The molecular docking analysis of compound m45 with the N-terminal domain binding site of the HSP90 show hydroxyl group on phenyl ring is necessary to form hydrogen bonding with hydrophilic residues in binding site and a conserved water molecule. Molecule m45 has Pi-Sigma interaction with phenyl ring in the side chain of Phenylalanine 138 via isopropyl substituent on meta position of the phenyl ring. Also, Molecule m45 forms carbon-hydrogen bond with oxygen atoms at the side chain of Aspartic acid 54 and Asparagine 51 via its dimethylamine group. Others are Van der Waals interactions.

Background: In the past few decades, design, synthesis, and characterization of novel heterocyclic compounds with auspicious biological profile received the considerable attention of the scientific community. Among them, the small and simple organic molecular backbone like triazole moiety have a broad spectrum of applications in the medicinal as well as diagnostic areas. Objective: The objective of present study was synthesis, characterization, and exploration of biological profile of 4-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-(3-methoxybenzyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-one (5). The tautomeric interconversion of the molecule was observed by the single crystal XRD and DFT analysis. Methods: N-(2-fluorophenyl)-2-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)acetyl]hydrazine carboxamide (4) was synthesized by the condensation of 2-(3-methoxyphenyl)acetohydrazide (3) with 1-fluoro-2- isocyanatobenzene. The dehydrocyclization of compound (4) yielded target compound (5) by refluxing in 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions. The target molecule was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and DFT calculation. The enzymatic assay measurements were carried out by using a microplate reader (OPTI Max, Tunable Microplate Reader; Wavelength range: 340-850 nm; for 96-well plates) while DFT calculation was performed by Gaussian 09 package. Results: The XRD result and DFT calculations showed that molecule 5 predominantly exists in thione conformation and crystallized in the triclinic system of P-1 space group. Furthermore, for the practical applicability of synthesized compound 5, the in vitro acetylcholinesterase as well as α-glucosidase inhibition activities were performed and found moderate enzyme inhibition potential comparable with that of reference inhibitors. Conclusion: This study might be helpful for future design and development of potent enzyme inhibitor to control Alzheimer's as well as diabetic disease. The DFT and single crystal XRD analysis data might be helpful for understanding the mechanism of drug binding and its mode of action.

Background: Candida albicans belongs to the most common fungal pathogens in humans, but recently an increased proliferation of strains called non-albicans Candida has been reported. Species belonging to this group are often characterised by a reduced susceptibility to antifungal agents. Objective: In view of the emergence of non-albicans Candida and their resistance to available antifungals, an attempt has been made to develop novel effective agents. Biological activities of the N,N-dialkyl diosgenyl glycosides, which were previously synthesized, were determined. Method: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for group of clinical nonalbicans Candida isolates by serial dilution method in Sabouraud liquid medium. In order to assess the toxicity towards human cells the minimum haemolytic concentration (MHC) was determined on human erythrocytes by serial dilution method in phosphoric buffer. Results: The saponins exhibited a strong activity towards clinical isolates of C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis comparable or even stronger than that of conventional antimicrobials. A high rate of resistance to fluconazole was shown among C. glabrata isolates. Among clinical strains of C. krusei and C. tropicalis, isolates with a decreased susceptibility to saponins were identified. All the tested C. krusei isolates showed resistance to fluconazole, while among C. tropicalis numerous strains were resistant to all tested azoles. The saponins did not show haemolytic activities at their microbiologically active concentrations. Conclusion: Results of the present work encourage to continue the study on steroidal saponins and their potential application for the treatment of candidemia.

Background: Amidrazones have been reported to have significant anti-tumor properties against several cancer cell lines. Objectives: The current project aims to profile the structure-anticancer activity relationship of phenyl-amidrazons. Methods: Fifteen phenyl-amidrazone-piperazine derivatives were prepared and tested against four cancer cell lines (leukemia, prostate, breast and colon cancers). Results: Six compounds illustrated low micromolar anticancer IC50 values, while the remaining compounds were either inactive or of moderate potencies. All compounds were virtually nontoxic against normal fibroblast cells. Conclusion: Docking into the oncogenic kinase bcr/abl illustrated the critical importance of (i) phalogen substituent on the ligand's phenyl ring and (ii) the presence of positive ionizable moiety at the ligand's piperazine fragment for anticancer activity.

Background: Discovery of novel agents with anticoagulant and antioxidant activity is very important to treat cerebrovascular disease. Lead compound LR3d discovered in our laboratory exhibited stronger anticoagulant ability and good antioxidant activity, compared with scutellarein (2), which is the major in vivo active metabolite of the natural product scutellarin (1). Objective: Design and synthesis novel scutellarein derivatives with improved anticoagulant and antioxidant activity. Methods: By utilizing a scaffold hopping strategy on LR3d, we describe the design and synthesis of a series of novel hexacyclic scutellarein derivatives 4 with a 1,3-oxazine ring fused at positions 7 and 8 in A ring. The thrombin inhibitory activities of all these new compounds were studied by the analysis of thrombin time (TT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and fibrinogen (FIB). The antioxidant abilities of these analogs were evaluated by using 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) method through 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results: Nine new hexacyclic scutellarein derivatives with a 1,3-oxazine ring fused at A-ring were synthesized, the results of the biological activity evaluation showed that compound 4e exhibited stronger anticoagulant and antioxidant ability compared to LR3d. Conclusion: 4e could be used for further development to treat ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Background: The natural products containing a common 3,4-diarylpyrrole skeleton have attracted considerable attention due to their unique structures and multiplex biological activities. In our previous study, lycogarubin C was synthesized and showed cytotoxicity against MDAMB- 231, A549, PC3 and HeLa cell lines and topoisomerase II inhibitory activities. Objective: We present the design, synthesis and antitumor studies of 3,4-diarylprrole derivatives. Their antitumor activities and inhibitory activities against Topo I and Topo IIα of these compounds were assayed. Methods: A series of 3,4-diarylpyrrole analogues have been designed and synthesized. Their antiproliferation activities were evaluated by sulforhodamine B assay on human breast cancer MDAMB- 231, MDA-MB-435 and human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Results: Four compounds showed modest inhibitory activities against the growth of the three cell lines with IC50 below 50 μM. DNA relaxation assay revealed that compound 19o showed potent inhibitory activity against Topo IIα in vitro. 19o also induced DNA breaks in MDA-MB-435 cells evidenced by comet tails and the accumulation of γ-H2AX foci. The ability of 19o in inducing DNA breaks mediated by Topo IIα resulted in G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis. Conclusion: This work indicates that 3,4-diarylpyrrole derivatives represent a novel type of Topo IIα inhibitory scaffold for developing new antitumor chemotherapeutic agents.

Background: Directed Enzyme Prodrugs Therapy (DEPT) as an alternative method against conventional cancer treatments, in which the non-toxic prodrugs is converted to highly cytotoxic derivative, has attracted an ample attention in recent years for cancer therapy studies. Objective: The metabolite profile, cell cytotoxicity and molecular modeling interactions of a series of nitro benzamides with Ssap-NtrB were investigated in this study. Method: A series of nitro-substituted benzamide prodrugs (1-4) were synthesized and firstly investigated their enzymatic reduction by Ssap-NtrB (S. saprophyticus Nitroreductase B) using HPLC analysis. Resulting metabolites were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Molecular docking studies were performed with the aim of investigating the relationship between nitro benzamide structures (prodrugs 1-4) and Ssap-NtrB at the molecular level. Cell viability assay was conducted on two cancer cell lines, hepatoma (Hep3B) and colon (HT-29) cancer models and healthy cell model HUVEC. Upon reduction of benzamide prodrugs by Ssap-NtrB, the corresponding amine effectors were tested in a cell line panel comprising PC-3, Hep3B and HUVEC cells and were compared with the established NTR substrates, CB1954 (an aziridinyl dinitrobenzamide). Results: Cell viability assay resulted in while prodrugs 1, 2 and 3 had no remarkable cytotoxic effects, prodrug 4 showed the differential effect, showing moderate cytotoxicity with Hep3B and HUVEC. The metabolites that obtained from the reduction of nitro benzamide prodrugs (1-4) by Ssap-NtrB, showed differential cytotoxic effects, with none toxic for HUVEC cells, moderate toxic for Hep3B cells, but highly toxic for PC3 cells. Conclusion: Amongst all metabolites of prodrugs after Ssap-NtrB reduction, N-(2,4- dinitrophenyl)-4-nitrobenzamide (3) was efficient and toxic in PC3 cells as comparable as CB1954. Kinetic parameters, molecular docking and HPLC results also confirm that prodrug 3 is better for Ssap-NtrB than 1, 2 and 4 or known cancer prodrugs of CB1954 and SN23862, demonstrating that prodrug 3 is an efficient candidate for NTR based cancer therapy.

Background: Obesity is one of the major health problems with inherent risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, CVDs, etc. Adipogenesis is a major contributor in the process of obesity. Inhibition of adipocytes differentiation is one of the key approaches to treat obesity. Objective: To discover the new inhibitors of adipogenesis as the treatment for obesity. Method: We describe here, the synthesis, and anti-adipogenic activity of thiourea derivatives 1-14. These derivatives were synthesized by the reactions of phenyl and pentafluorophenyl isothiocyanate with different aromatic amines. Pure compounds 1-14 were evaluated for their in vitro antiadipogenesis activity employing 3T3-L1 cells lines. Results: Compounds 1-3, 5-9, and 11-14 significantly inhibited the pre-adipocyte differentiation into adipocytes, which was measured by staining the cells, and through morphological examination. Compound 10 (1-(4"-Chlorophenyl)-3-(pentafluorophenyl)-thiourea) showed a potent inhibition of adipocyte differentiation with IC50 = 740.00 ± 2.36 nM, which was more potent than the standards, epigallocatechin gallate (IC50 = 16.73 ± 1.34 μM), and curcumin (IC50 = 18.62 ± 0.74 μM). All other compounds showed a moderate to weak anti-adipogenesis activity. Compounds 1- 14 were also evaluated for their cytotoxicity. Compounds 3, 10, and 14 showed some toxicity to the cancer cell lines, while compounds 2, 3, 10, 12, and 14 showed a moderate to weak cytotoxicity against the normal cell lines. Conclusion: All the compounds reported in this paper are known, except compound 11. They have been identified as new inhibitors of Adipogenesis. Adipogenesis is the process of adipocytes differentiation from pre-adipocytes. This extensively studied model of cell diff differentiation. Further synthetic modifications, and optimization of anti-adipogenic activity may lead to the development of anti-obesity agents.

Background: Anthranilic acid derivatives are important pharmacophores in drug discovery. Several of them are currently being used, such as mefenamic acid and meclofenamates, possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. Some anthranilic acid-based scaffolds have also been reported for the management of metabolic disorders. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the antiglycation potential of 2-anilino benzoic acid derivatives against (N-phenylanthranilic acid) fructose- human serum albumin (HSA) glycation. The study also analyzed the effects of newly identified antiglycation inhibitors on AGEs-mediated intracellular reactive oxygen species production, and associated impaired proliferation of the hepatocytes. Methods: The present study focuses on the antiglycation activity of 2- anilinobenzoic acid derivatives 1-18 in in-vitro human serum albumin (HSA)- fructose model. These derivatives were also identified as non-toxic to 3T3 mouse fibroblast cell-line using metabolic assay. The effect of the most promising derivative 1, 2- (2, 4- dinitroanilino)benzoic acid, was studied in a dose dependent manner, co-incubated with fructose-derived AGEs (0- 200 μg/mL), on rat hepatocytes proliferation and associated intracellular generation of ROS via MTT assay and DCFH-DA technique, respectively. Results: We found that derivative 1 ameliorates the elevated intracellular oxidative stress and associated diminished proliferation of the hepatocytes in response to AGEs. Conclusion: In conclusion, we identify novel 2- anilino benzoic acid derivatives as antiglycation agents through in-vitro and cellular-based models.

Background: Xanthine oxidase is an important enzyme which catalyzes the production of uric acid and superoxide anion from xanthine. The over-production of these products leads to different disease conditions. For instance, uric acid is responsible for hyperuricemia, gout, and arthritis, while superoxide anion contributes to the oxidative stress, and related diseases. Hence XO is an important pharmacological target for the treatment of a range of diseases. Methods: Based on the structural resemblance of pyrimidines with xanthine, a series of previously synthesized ethyl 6- methyl-2-oxo-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydro-5-pyrimidinecarboxylate derivatives were evaluated for XO inhibitory activity. Results: Among 25 pyrimidone derivatives, 22 were found to be good to weak inhibitors with IC50 values in the range of 14.4 - 418 μM. Compounds 3, 14, 15, 18, and 21-23 were significant inhibitors, and thus analyzed for their kinetic parameters. Among them compounds 14, 15, 18, and 23 were competitive, 21 and 22 showed non-competitive, while 23 was a mixed-type of inhibitor. Molecular docking studies highlighted the interactions of these inhibitors with critical amino acids of XO, such as Val1011, Phe649, Lys771, and others. Moreover, the cytotoxicity studies on these selected inhibitors showed all these compounds to be non-cytotoxic. Conclusion: These non-cytotoxic, significant XO inhibitors can thus be further investigated for the treatment of hyperuricemia, and gout.

Background: Pyrazolones have identified as significant antioxidant agents and many marketed and clinically prescribed NSAIDs have pyrazolone ring as main scaffold. Method: Keeping in consideration the antioxidant potential of pyrazolone scaffold, new bispyrazolones 3-30 were synthesized by a green and enviroment friendly reaction route, in which two equivalents of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-ol were treated with one equivalent of benzaldehyde derivatives without any catalyst. All compounds were structurally characterzied by 1H-NMR and FAB analysis. 13C-NMR of selected compounds was also recorded. All compounds gave satisfactory elemental analyses and found in good agreement with calculated values. Results: Synthetic bis-pyrazolones 3-30 were evaluated for their oxidative burst inhibitory effect of zymosan stimulated whole blood phagocytes by using luminol enhanced chemilluminescence technique. All molecules demonstrated the potent ROS inhibition activity in the range of IC50 = 1.2 ± 0.1-48.8 ± 3.9 μM as compared to the standard ibuprofen (IC50 = 54.2 ± 9.2 μM). The purity of active compounds was checked by HPLC. Conclusion: This study has identified a number of non-acidic lead molecules for future research on ROS inhibitors.