Medicinal Chemistry - Volume 16, Issue 6, 2020

Background: Inflammation is a biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, so it is desirable to search for novel anti-inflammatory agents with improved pharmaceutical profiles and reduced adverse effects. Objective: This study was to explore natural anti-inflammatory agents and improve therapeutic application of glycyrrhetic acid (GA) through molecular hybridization with active aromatics. Methods: Fourteen novel GA-aromatic hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for their antiinflammatory activities by inhibiting LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) release in RAW264.7 cells. The synthesized compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS. Results: The structure-activity relationship (SAR) study indicated that compounds with styryl displayed better NO inhibitory activity. Among them, compounds 2a and 3c exhibited the most promising activity with IC50 values of 9.93 μM and 12.25 μM, respectively. In addition, X-ray singlecrystal diffraction data for compounds 2e and 3c showed that the absolute configuration of GA skeleton was consistent with that of natural 18 β-glycyrrhetic acid. Conclusion: The results showed that GA-aromatic hybrids were a new class of anti-inflammatory agents and this study provided useful information on further optimization.

Background: In the recent past, we have synthesized and reported different derivatives of oxadiazoles as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors, keeping in mind, the pharmacological aspects of oxadiazole moiety and in continuation of our ongoing research on the chemistry and bioactivity of new heterocyclic compounds. Methods: 1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives (1-14) have been synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques such as 1H-, 13C-NMR and HREI-MS. Results: The synthetic derivatives were screened for α-glucosidase inhibitory potential. All compounds exhibited good inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging between 0.80 ± 0.1 to 45.1 ± 1.7 μM in comparison with the standard acarbose having IC50 value 38.45 ± 0.80 μM. Conclusion: Thirteen compounds 1-6 and 8-14 showed potential inhibitory activity as compared to the standard acarbose having IC50 value 38.45 ± 0.80 μM, however, only one compound 7 (IC50 = 45.1 ± 1.7 μM) was found to be less active. Compound 14 (IC50 = 0.80 ± 0.1 μM) showed promising inhibitory activity among all synthetic derivatives. Molecular docking studies were also conducted for the active compounds to understand the ligand-enzyme binding interactions.

Background: Prostate cancer is still one of the serious causes of mortality and morbidity in men. Despite recent advances in anticancer therapy, there is a still need of novel agents with more efficacy and specificity in the treatment of prostate cancer. Because of its function on angiogenesis and overexpression in the prostate cancer, methionine aminopeptidase-2 (MetAP-2) has been a potential target for novel drug design recently. Objective: A novel series of Flurbiprofen derivatives N-(substituted)-2-(2-(2-fluoro-[1,1'- biphenyl]-4-il)propanoyl)hydrazinocarbothioamide (3a-c), 4-substituted-3-(1-(2-fluoro-[1,1'-biphenyl]- 4-yl)ethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione (4a-d), 3-(substitutedthio)-4-(substituted-phenyl)- 5-(1-(2-fluoro-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl)ethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (5a-y) were synthesized. The purpose of the research was to evaluate these derivatives against MetAP-2 in vitro and in silico to obtain novel specific and effective anticancer agents against prostate cancer. Methods: The chemical structures and purities of the compounds were defined by spectral methods (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HR-MS and FT-IR) and elemental analysis. Anticancer activities of the compounds were evaluated in vitro by using MTS method against PC-3 and DU-143 (androgenindependent human prostate cancer cell lines) and LNCaP (androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma) prostate cancer cell lines. Cisplatin was used as a positive sensitivity reference standard. Results: Compounds 5b and 5u; 3c, 5b and 5y; 4d and 5o showed the most potent biological activity against PC3 cancer cell line (IC50= 27.1 μM, and 5.12 μM, respectively), DU-145 cancer cell line (IC50= 11.55 μM, 6.9 μM and 9.54 μM, respectively) and LNCaP cancer cell line (IC50= 11.45 μM and 26.91 μM, respectively). Some compounds were evaluated for their apoptotic caspases protein expression (EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway) by Western blot analysis in androgen independent- PC3 cells. BAX, caspase 9, caspsase 3 and anti-apoptotic BcL-2 mRNA levels of some compounds were also investigated. In addition, molecular modeling studies of the compounds on MetAP-2 enzyme active site were evaluated in order to get insight into binding mode and energy. Conclusion: A series of Flurbiprofen-thioether derivatives were synthesized. This study presented that some of the synthesized compounds have remarkable anticancer and apoptotic activities against prostate cancer cells. Also, molecular modeling studies exhibited that there is a correlation between molecular modeling and anticancer activity results.

Background: Pyrazole and its derivatives are known to exhibit significant biological and pharmacological activities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, analgesic, antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-glycemic, antiamoebic, and antidepressive. Considering the immense biological properties, pyrazole is one of the most widely studied nitrogen- containing heterocyclic nuclei. Fused pyrazole derivatives are composed of the pyrazole nucleus attached to other heterocyclic moieties. Objective: The objective of this article is the synthesis of some new pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and pyrazolo[5,1-c]1,2,4-triazine derivatives with potential anticancer and antimicrobial activities. Methods: The in vitro growth inhibitory rates (%) and inhibitory growth activity (as measured by IC50) of the newly synthesized compounds were determined against the MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line in comparison with the well-known anticancer drug doxorubicin as the standard, using the MTT viability assay. The data generated were used to plot a dose-response curve from which the concentration (μM) of tested compounds required to kill 50% of the cell population (IC50) was determined. Cytotoxic activity was expressed as the mean IC50 of three independent experiments. The difference between inhibitory activities of all compounds with different concentrations was statistically significant p < 0.001. All compounds were structurally characterized by different spectroscopic techniques EI-MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR, and evaluated for their anticancer and antimicrobial activities (antibacterial and antifungal). Results: Several pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized from the reaction of 2-(4- (5-amino-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenyl)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione with the appropriate active methylene compounds in boiling ethanol. Also, pyrazolo[5,1-c]triazines were obtained through the reaction of 2-(4-(5-(chlorodiazenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenyl)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione with various active methylene compounds in ethanol containing sodium acetate at 0-5 °C. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis, spectral data, and alternative synthetic routes whenever possible. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antitumor activity against a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and a human colon cancer cell line (HCT-116). The results revealed that the tested compounds showed high variation in the inhibitory growth rates and activities against the tested tumor cell lines. All newly synthesized compounds screen towards microorganisms e.g. Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria, and Fungi. Conclusion: 2-(4-(5-Amino-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione proved to be a useful precursor for the synthesis of various pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and pyrazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4- triazines. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral data and elemental analyses. The newly synthesized compounds were tested in vitro against the MCF-7, HCT-116 human cancer cell line and compared with doxorubicin as the standard, using the MTT viability assay. Most of the tested compounds were found to have moderate to high anticancer activity.

Background: One of the most successful reagents used in the synthesis of the reactive enaminone is DMF-DMA, but it is very expensive with harmful effects on the human health and reacts with special compounds to generate the enaminone such as active methylene centers. Aim: In this article, we synthesized a new ketenaminal by simple method with inexpensive reagents (through desulfurization in diphenylether). Methods: Thus, a novel reactive ketenaminal (enaminone) was synthesized from the desulfurization of 2-((2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-oxoethyl)thio)-5,7-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin- 4(3H)-one with diphenylether. The starting keteneaminal was coupled with diazotized anilines via the known coupling conditions to give a new series of 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-(arylhydrazono)-2- oxoethyl)-5,7-bis(4-methoxy-phenyl)pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones. Results: The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on their IR, 1H-NMR, 13CNMR, and Mass spectra. Moreover, the potency of these compounds as antimicrobial agents has been evaluated. The results showed that some of the products have high activity nearly equal to that of the used standard antibiotic. Additionally, the docking study was done to get the binding mode of the synthesized compounds with the binding site of the DHFR enzyme. The results of molecular docking of the synthesized arylhydrazono compounds are able to fit in DHFR binding site with binding energies ranging from -4.989 to -8.178 Kcal/mol. Conclusion: Our goal was achieved in this context by the synthesis of new ketenaminal from inexpensive reagents, which was utilized in the preparation of bioactive arylhydrazone derivatives.

Background: Although several research efforts have been made worldwide to discover novel drug candidates for the treatment of Chagas disease, the nitroimidazole drug benznidazol remains the only therapeutic alternative in the control of this disease. However, this drug presents reduced efficacy in the chronic form of the disease and limited safety after long periods of administration, making it necessary to search for new, more potent and safe prototypes. Objective: We described herein the synthesis and the trypanocidalaction of new functionalized carbohydrazonamides (2-10) against trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Methods: These compounds were designed through the application of molecular hybridization concept between two potent anti-T. cruzi prototypes, the nitroimidazole derivative megazol (1) and the cinnamyl N-acylhydrazone derivative (14) which have been shown to be twice as potent in vitro as benznidazole. Results: The most active compounds were the (Z)-N'-((E)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-acryloyl)-1-methyl-5- nitro-1H-imidazol-2-carbohydrazonamide (6) (IC50=9.50 μM) and the (Z)-N'-((E)-3-(4- hydroxyphe-nyl)-acryloyl)-1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-2-carbohydrazonamide (8) (IC50=12.85 μM), which were almost equipotent to benznidazole (IC50=10.26 μM) used as standard drug. The removal of the amine group attached to the imine subunit in the corresponding N-acylhydrazone derivatives (11-13) resulted in less potent or inactive compounds. The para-hydroxyphenyl derivative (8) presented also a good selectivity index (SI = 32.94) when tested against mammalian cells from Swiss mice. Conclusion: The promising trypanocidal profile of new carbohydrazonamide derivatives (6) and (8) was characterized. These compounds have proved to be a good starting point for the design of more effective trypanocidal drug candidates.

Background: Leishmaniosis is a neglected tropical disease and glyceraldehyde 3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a key enzyme in the design of new drugs to fight this disease. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate potential inhibitors of GAPDH enzyme found in Leishmania mexicana (L. mexicana). Methods: A search for novel antileishmanial molecules was carried out based on similarities from the pharmacophoric point of view related to the binding site of the crystallographic enzyme using the ZINCPharmer server. The molecules selected in this screening were subjected to molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Results: Consensual analysis of the docking energy values was performed, resulting in the selection of ten compounds. These ligand-receptor complexes were visually inspected in order to analyze the main interactions and subjected to toxicophoric evaluation, culminating in the selection of three compounds, which were subsequently submitted to molecular dynamics simulations. The docking results showed that the selected compounds interacted with GAPDH from L. mexicana, especially by hydrogen bonds with Cys166, Arg249, His194, Thr167, and Thr226. From the results obtained from molecular dynamics, it was observed that one of the loop regions, corresponding to the residues 195-222, can be related to the fitting of the substrate at the binding site, assisting in the positioning and the molecular recognition via residues responsible for the catalytic activity. Conclusion: The use of molecular modeling techniques enabled the identification of promising compounds as inhibitors of the GAPDH enzyme from L. mexicana, and the results obtained here can serve as a starting point to design new and more effective compounds than those currently available.

Background: Kisspeptin is one of the most potent stimulators of GnRH secretion and consequent gonadotropin release from the anterior pituitary. Kisspeptin is considered critical in regulating reproductive function in relation to metabolic cues. Reproductive function is gated by the energy reserves of the individual. Conditions of energy insufficiency, such as Anorexia Nervosa, often disturb reproductive function and fertility. Objective: The aim of this research was to investigate similar or comparable hormonal patterns in kisspeptin mechanics using computational methodology tools. Methods: Twenty-two females with typical or atypical anorexia nervosa and fifteen control females, were recruited from the Center for Adolescent Medicine of the University of Athens. Serum levels of Prolactin (PRL), 17-Hydroxy-Progesterone (17OHPR), Free Triiodothyronine (FT3), Triiodothyronine (T3), Free Thyroxine (FT4), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Estradiol (E2) were measured in patients and controls. Data were modelled computationally in order to find similar or comparable patterns between control and anorexic participants, with respect to kisspeptin. Results: Kisspeptin manifested symmetrical regression plots between controls and anorexics with respect to 17OHPR, LH and FSH, as well as a threshold pattern among controls, typical and atypical anorexics. Conclusion: Kisspeptin seems to participate in the anorexic hormonal milieu through threshold or symmetrical mechanisms.

Background: The discovery of novel ligand binding domain (LBD) of peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has recently attracted attention to few research groups in order to develop more potent and safer antidiabetic agents. Objective: This study is focused on docking-based design and synthesis of novel compounds combining benzothiazole and pyrazolidinedione scaffold as potential antidiabetic agents. Methods: Several benzothiazole-pyrazolidinedione hybrids were synthesized and tested for their in vivo anti-hyperglycemic activity. Interactions profile of title compounds against PPARγ was examined through molecular modelling approach. Results: All tested compounds exhibited anti-hyperglycemic activity similar or superior to the reference drug Rosiglitazone. Introducing chlorine atom and alkyl group at position-6 and -5 respectively on benzothiazole core resulted in enhancing the anti-hyperglycemic effect. Docking study revealed that such groups demonstrated favorable hydrophobic interactions with novel LBD Ω- pocket of PPARγ protein. Conclusion: Among the tested compounds, N-(6-chloro-5-methylbenzo[d]thiazol-2-yl-4-(4((3,5- dioxopyrazolidin-4-ylidene)methyl)phenoxy)butanamide 5b was found to be the most potent compound and provided valuable insights to further develop novel hybrids as anti-hyperglycemic agents.

Background: Results of our previous studies on antiglycation activity, and the noncytotoxicity of 2-mercapto benzothiazoles, encouraged us to further widen our investigation towards the identification of leads against diabetes mellitus. Methods: 33 derivatives of 2-mercapto benzothiazoles 1-33 were evaluated for in vitro α- glucosidase inhibitory activity. Mode of inhibition was deduced by kinetic studies. To predict the interactions of 2-mercapto benzothiazole derivatives 1-33 with the binding pocket of α-glucosidase enzyme, molecular docking studies were performed on the selected inhibitors. Results: Compounds 2-4, 6-7, 9-26, 28 and 30 showed many folds potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in the range of IC50 = 31.21-208.63 μM, as compared to the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 875.75 ± 2.08 μM). It was important to note that except derivative 28, all other derivatives were also found previously to have antiglycating potential in the range of IC50 = 187.12-707.21 μM. Conclusion: A number of compounds were identified as dual nature as antiglycating agent and α- glucosidase inhibitors. These compounds may serve as potential lead candidates for the management of diabetes mellitus.