2,5-Disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles: thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors

Abstract

A series of 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles (1–16) were synthesized via microwave irradiation and screened against thymidine phosphorylase enzyme. Four members of the series have demonstrated thymidine phosphorylase inhibitory activities with IC50 values between 37 and 320 μM. Pyridinyl-containing 1,3,4-oxadiazoles exhibited an enhanced inhibitory potential, while phenyl analogs did not show substantial inhibitory potential. Compound 9, a dipyridinyl residue having an IC50 value of 37 ± 0.76 μM was found to be the most potent in the series superior to standard inhibitor 7-deazaxanthine (IC50 = 39.28 ± 0.76 μM).