Activity Of Analogues Research Articles

Discovery of indole analogues from Periplaneta americana extract and their activities on cell proliferation and recovery of ulcerative colitis in mice

Background: As an important medicinal insect, Periplaneta americana (PA) has been applied for the treatment of wounds, burns, and ulcers with fewer side effects and a reduced recurrence rate, which provides great potential for developing new drugs based on its active constituents.Materials and methods: The main chromatographic peaks determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the PA concentrated ethanol-extract liquid (PACEL) were separated, purified, and identified by semi-preparative LC, mass spectrum, and 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The biological activities of the identified compounds were investigated by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method based on in vitro human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and in vivo experiments based on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) mouse model. Furthermore, RT-qPCR of six genes related to inflammation or intestinal epithelial cell proliferation was employed to investigate the molecular mechanism of the indole analogues recovering UC in mice.Results: Five indole analogues were purified and identified from PACEL, including tryptophan (Trp), tryptamine (pa01), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa02), (1S, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa03), and (1R, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrogen-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (pa04), among which the pa02 and pa04 were reported in PA for the first time. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that PACEL, Trp, and pa02 had promoting HSF proliferation activity and intragastric administration of them could alleviate symptoms of weight loss and colon length shortening in the UC mice. Although recovery activity of the compound pa01 on the colon length was not as obvious as other compounds, it showed anti-inflammatory activity in histological analysis. In addition, The RT-qPCR results indicated that the three indole analogues could alleviate DSS-induced intestinal inflammation in mice by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (MMP7, IL1α) and down-regulating BMP8B expression.Conclusion: This study reported the isolation, purification, structure identification, and biological activity of the active indole analogues in PACEL. It was found for the first time that the PA extract contained many indole analogues and Trp, which exhibited good proliferation activity on HSF fibroblasts as well as anti-UC activity in mice. These indole analogues probably are important components related to the pharmacological activity in PA.

Investigation of novel bis-thiadiazole bearing schiff base derivatives as effective inhibitors of thymidine phosphorylase: Synthesis, in vitro bioactivity and molecular docking study

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is an angiogenic enzyme. It is crucial for the development, invasion and metastasis of tumors as well as angiogenesis. In our current research, we examine how structurally changing bis-thiadiazole bearing bis-schiff bases affects their ability to inhibit TP. Through the oxidative cyclization of pyridine-based bis-thiosemicarbazone with iodine, a series of fourteen analogs of bis-thiadiazole-based bis-imines with pyridine moiety were developed. Newly synthesized scaffolds were assessed in vitro for their thymidine phosphorylase inhibitory potential and showed moderate to good inhibition profile. Eleven scaffolds such as 4a-4d,4f-4 h and 4j-4 m were discovered to be more effective than standard drug at inhibiting the thymidine phosphorylase enzyme with IC50 values of 1.16 ± 1.20, 1.77 ± 1.10, 2.48 ± 1.30, 12.54 ± 1.60, 14.63 ± 1.70, 15.53 ± 1.80, 17.47 ± 1.70, 18.98 ± 1.70, 19.53 ± 1.50, 22.73 ± 2.40 and 24.87 ± 2.80 respectively, while remaining three analogs such as 4n, 4i and 4ewere found to be more potent, but they were less potent than the standard drug. All analogs underwent SAR studies based on the pattern of substitutions around the aryl part of the bis-thiadiazole skeleton. The most active analogs in the synthesized series were then molecular docking study performed to investigate their interactions of active part of enzyme. The results showed that remarkable interactions were exhibited by these analogs with the targeted enzymes active sites. Furthermore, to confirm the structure of synthesized analogs by employing spectroscopic tools such as HREI-MS and NMR.

Deriving Novel Quaternary Ammonium Compound Disinfectant Scaffolds from a Natural Product: Mechanistic Insights of the Quaternization of Ianthelliformisamine C.

In the search for novel quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectants that can evade bacterial resistance, we turned to natural products as a source of inspiration. Herein we used natural product ianthelliformisamine C as a scaffold to design a small library of QACs. We first synthesized ianthelliformisamine C via an amide coupling that allowed for facile purification without the need for protecting groups. We then alkylated and quaternized the internal amines to yield four novel QACs, but all but one demonstrated no antibacterial activity against the tested strains. Using a combination of membrane depolarization and permeabilization assays, we were able to demonstrate that ianthelliformisamine C and the active QAC analog enact cell death via membrane permeabilization, contrary to prior reports on ianthelliformisamine C's mechanism of action.

Design, Synthesis, In Vitro Biological Evaluation and In Silico Molecular Docking Study of Benzimidazole-Based Oxazole Analogues: A Promising Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase Inhibitors.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative neurological condition that severely affects the elderly and is clinically recognised by a decrease in cognition and memory. The treatment of this disease has drawn considerable attention and sparked increased interest among the researchers in this field as a result of a number of factors, including an increase in the population of patients over time, a significant decline in patient quality of life, and the high cost of treatment and care. The current work was carried out for the synthesis of benzimidazole-oxazole hybrid derivatives as efficient Alzheimer's inhibitors and as a springboard for investigating novel anti-chemical Alzheimer's prototypes. The inhibition profiles of each synthesised analogue against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes were assessed. All the synthesized benzimidazole-based oxazole analogues displayed a diverse spectrum of inhibitory potentials against targeted AChE and BuChE enzymes when compared to the reference drug donepezil (IC50 = 2.16 ± 0.12 M and 4.50 ± 0.11 µM, respectively). The most active AChE and BuChE analogues were discovered to be analogues 9 and 14, with IC50 values of 0.10 ± 0.050 and 0.20 ± 0.050 µM (against AChE) and 0.20 ± 0.050 and 0.30 ± 0.050 µM (against BuChE), respectively. The nature, number, position, and electron-donating and -withdrawing effects on the phenyl ring were taken into consideration when analysing the structure-activity relationship (SAR). Molecular docking studies were also carried out on the active analogues to find out how amino acids bind to the active sites of the AChE and BuChE enzymes that were being studied.

Synthesis and SAR of Potential Anti-Cancer Agents of Quinoline Analogues: A Review.

Quinoline has recently become an important heterocyclic molecule due to its numerous industrial and synthetic organic chemistry applications. Quinoline derivatives have been used in clinical trials for a variety of medical conditions that causes cancer. The present literature study is composed of recent progress (mainly from 2010 to the present) in the production of novel quinoline derivatives as potential anti-cancer agents, as well as their structure-activity relationship, which will provide insight into the development of more active quinoline hybrids in the future. The present review comprises the synthetic protocols of biologically active Quinoline analogs with their structure-activity relationship studies as anti-cancer agents, which provide depth view of work done on quinoline derivatives to the medicinal chemist for future research.

Molecular modeling, synthesis, and in vitro acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of novel benzimidazole-bearing thiadiazole derivatives

A new series of benzimidazole-based thiadiazole hybrids analogues (6a–p) as effective Alzheimer's inhibitors were synthesized and then evaluated for their inhibition profile against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) enzymes as compared to Donepezil as standard drug. All the synthesized benzimidazole-based thiadiazole analogues showed varied range of inhibitory potentials against targeted AChE & BuChE enzymes with IC50 values ranging from 1.32 ± 0.10 µM to 19.26 ± 0.60 µM (for AChE) and 1.94 ± 0.10 µM to 21.33 ± 0.70 µM (for BuChE) when compared to standard Donepezil (IC50 = 2.16 ± 0.050 µM for AChE) & 4.50 ± 0.10 µM for BuChE). As structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed that the analogues 4d (bearing ortho‑hydroxy and para-NO2 on N-aryl ring along with ortho-NO2 substitution on another aryl ring) and 6k (that holds ortho‑hydroxy ¶-NO2 substitutions on N-aryl ring and 3,4-diCl moieties on another aryl ring) were emerged as the most potent analogues of AChE & BuChE enzymes having IC50 values of 1.32 ± 0.10 µM & 1.84 ± 0.20 µM (against AChE) and 1.94 ± 0.10 µM & 2.23 ± 0.20 µM (against BuChE) respectively. Furthermore, the active analogues were subjected to molecular docking studies in order to explore the binding interactions possess by potent analogues with the active sites of amino acids of targeted AChE & BuChE enzymes and result obtained shows that these active analogues furnished that several key interactions with targeted enzymes active sites. Additionally, all the synthesized analogues were elucidated structurally using variety of spectroscopic (1H NMR & 13C NMR) and spectrometric (HREI-MS) analysis.

Synthesis, in vitro analysis and molecular docking study of novel benzoxazole-based oxazole derivatives for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is treated by targeting cholinesterase enzymes like acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, and these enzymes' inhibitors serve as important tools for treatment of alzheimer diseases. Hybrid analogues with a 1,3-oxazole moiety based on benzoxazole were designed, developed, and then tested for their cholinesterase inhibition. All the newly synthesized analogues showed moderate to good inhibitory potentials having IC50 values raging between 0.90 ± 0.05 µM to 35.20 ± 0.70 µM against acetylcholinesterase and 1.10 ± 0.10 µM to 37.70 ± 0.60 µM against butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. Among the series, the analogue 11 (IC50 = 0.90 ± 0.05 µM), (IC50 = 1.10 ± 0.10 µM) and 18 (IC50 = 1.20 ± 0.05 µM), (IC50 = 2.10 ± 0.10 µM) being the strongest acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors as compared to standard donepezil drug. Nonetheless, the remaining analogues also displayed better inhibition profile against both these targeted enzymes. Furthermore, the structures of all the synthesized analogues were confirmed by using HREI-MS, 1HNMR and 13CNMR spectroscopy. Additionally, molecular docking experiments were conducted to determine the potential mode of interaction between the majority of active analogues and the enzyme active site. The findings corroborated the experimental data.

Structure-activity relationship of 2,4-D correlates auxinic activity with the induction of somatic embryogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a synthetic analogue of the plant hormone auxin that is commonly used in many in vitro plant regeneration systems, such as somatic embryogenesis (SE). Its effectiveness in inducing SE, compared to the natural auxin indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), has been attributed to the stress triggered by this compound rather than its auxinic activity. However, this hypothesis has never been thoroughly tested. Here we used a library of forty 2,4-D analogues to test the structure-activity relationship with respect to the capacity to induce SE and auxinic activity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Four analogues induced SE as effectively as 2,4-D and 13 analogues induced SE but were less effective. Based on root growth inhibition and auxin response reporter expression, the 2,4-D analogues were classified into different groups, ranging from very active to not active auxin analogues. A halogen at the 4-position of the aromatic ring was important for auxinic activity, whereas a halogen at the 3-position resulted in reduced activity. Moreover, a small substitution at the carboxylate chain was tolerated, as was extending the carboxylate chain with an even number of carbons. The auxinic activity of most 2,4-D analogues was consistent with their simulated TIR1-Aux/IAA coreceptor binding characteristics. A strong correlation was observed between SE induction efficiency and auxinic activity, which is in line with our observation that 2,4-D-induced SE and stress both require TIR1/AFB auxin co-receptor function. Our data indicate that the stress-related effects triggered by 2,4-D and considered important for SE induction are downstream of auxin signalling.

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and in-Silico Molecular Docking Studies of Multifunctional Thiazolidine Derivatives

Herein we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of a new series of thiazolidin-4-one derivatives. The C4 and C5 functionalized, 5-arylidene/alkylidene, 5-bromo, 5-pyridinium, and 4-arylimino analogs of thiazolidine-4-one were prepared efficiently using appropriate synthetic routes and characterized by IR, NMR and Mass spectrometry. Results of antimicrobial evaluation showed that compounds 4 and 8 had significant antibacterial activity comparable to that of the reference drug gentamicin. Compound 5a showed promising antifungal activity compared to amphotericin B as a reference drug. The antitumor activity revealed that compound 4 was the most active analog among the tested series with IC50 values of 28.4 and 12.6 µg/mL against both HCT-116 and HepG-2 cell lines, respectively, compared to standard drug doxorubicin. Results from the biological evaluation, in-silico molecular docking studies, and ADMET analyses confirmed that thiazolidin-4-one is a promising scaffold that can be used to design potential lead compounds for the antibacterial and antitumor agents.

Introducing of novel class of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-5-carbonitrile analogs with potent antimicrobial activity, DNA gyrase inhibition, and prominent pharmacokinetic and CNS toxicity profiles supported by molecular dynamic simulation

Microbiological DNA gyrase is recognized as an exceptional microbial target for the innovative development of low-resistant and more effective antimicrobial drugs. Hence, we introduced a one-pot facile synthesis of a novel pyranopyrazole scaffold bearing different functionalities; substituted aryl ring, nitrile, and hydroxyl groups. All new analogs were characterized with full spectroscopic data. The antimicrobial screening for all analogs was assessed against standard strains of Gm + ve and Gm-ve through in vitro considers. The screened compounds displayed very promising MIC/MBC values against some of the bacterial strains with broad or selective antibacterial effects. Of these, 4j biphenyl analog showed 0.5-2/2-8 µg/mL MIC/MBC for suppression and killing of Gm + ve and Gm-ve strains. Moreover, the antimicrobial screening was assessed for the most potent analogs against certain highly resistant microbial strains. Consequently, DNA gyrase supercoiling assay was done for all analogs using ciprofloxacin as reference positive control. Obviously, the results showed a different activity profile with potent analog 4j with IC50 value 6.29 µg/mL better than reference drug 10.2 µg/mL. Additionally, CNS toxicity testing was done using the HiB5 cell line for attenuation of GABA/NMDA expression to both 4j and ciprofloxacin compounds that revealed better neurotransmitter modulation by novel scaffold. Importantly, docking and dynamic simulations were performed for the most active 4j analog to investigate its interaction with DNA binding sites, which supported the in vitro observations and compound stability with binding pocket. Finally, a novel scaffold pyranopyrazole was introduced as a DNA gyrase inhibitor with prominent antibacterial efficacy and low CNS side effect toxicity better than quinolones. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of carbofuran in food using novel type of modified carbon-based electrode with grafted layers of nickel

A voltammetric determination of carbofuran (CBF) was developed using a novel type of carbon-containing electrode (CCE) modified with carbon ink (CI) and a chromatographic sorbent (CS) based of chromaton (Ch), polyethylene glycol and nickel acetylacetonate with grafted layers of nickel (NiCS, stands for Ni modified CS) further denoted as CI/NiCS/CCE. The surface morphology of this modified electrode was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). CBF which is not electrochemically oxidizable was first hydrolyzed in alkaline medium to give anodically active phenolic analogue CBFP. The electrochemical reactions of CBFP at CI/NiCS/CCE were studied in phosphate buffer (PB) by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep adsorptive stripping voltammetry (LSAdSV) using linear scan voltammetry in the first derivative mode (LSVFD). Linear concentration dependences in the concentration ranges from 0.1 to 10 μM and from 10 to 100 μM were obtained by the LSAdSV with limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) 0.06 and 0.19 μM, respectively. The novel modified CI/NiCS/CCE showed good stability and selectivity and was successfully used to determine CBF in real samples of vegetables and fruits with LOD 0.01 mg kg−1.

Hybrid molecules of thiadiazole-based benzothioate and benzenesulfonothioate: synthesis, structural analysis, and evaluation as potential inhibitors of thymidine phosphorylase and β-glucuronidase through in vitro and in silico approaches

The thiadiazole-based benzothioate (3a-f) and benzenesulfonothioate (5a-f) hybrid derivatives were designed and synthesized in a single step reaction. All the synthesized compounds structures were confirmed through spectroscopic techniques including 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS (ESI). Then, the synthesized compounds were subjected to in vitro thymidine phosphorylase and beta-glucuronidase inhibition profile. All the newly synthesized moieties (3a-f) & (5a-f) were found potent and showed moderately to good inhibition profile. Among benzothioate analogues (3a-f), the analogues 3d and 3c were identified to be active inhibitors of thymidine phosphorylase and beta-glucuronidase enzymes having IC50 values of 2.11 ± 0.31 μM & 3.28 ± 0.20 μM (against thymidine phosphorylase) and 2.50 ± 0.20 μM & 3.71 ± 0.10 μM (against beta-glucuronidase) respectively. However, among benzenesulfonothioate (5a-f) analogues, analogues 5a and 5d were found to be significantly active, even more than standard drugs with IC50 values of 2.23 ± 0.13 μM & 3.10 ± 0.17 μM (against thymidine phosphorylase) and 3.12 ± 0.20 μM & 5.60 ± 0.34 μM respectively. The results were compared to standard drugs such as D-saccharic acid with IC50 values of 10.10 ± 0.10 µM (for benzothioate series) & 8.50 ± 0.10 µM (for benzenesulfonothioate series) and 7-Deazaxanthine having IC50 values of 12.20 ± 0.10 µM (for benzothioate series) & 9.20 ± 0.30 µM (benzenesulfonothioate series) respectively. From structure-activity (SAR) analysis, it was confirmed that any variation found in inhibitory activities of both thymidine phosphorylase beta-glucuronidase enzymes was due to different substitution pattern of substituent(s) at variable position of aryl ring. Moreover, a good protein-ligand interaction (PLI) subjected to molecular docking study against shown by the most active analogues against corresponding target with key binding interactions with least binding energies. These findings reveal that thiadiazole-containing benzothioate (3a-f) and benzenesulfonothioate (5a-f) act as thymidine phosphorylase beta-glucuronidase inhibitors to develop novel therapeutics agents for the purpose of drug discovery.

Next-generation bromodomain inhibitors of the SWI/SNF complex enhance DNA damage and cell death in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with a poor prognosis. While surgical resection is the primary treatment, adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy and radiotherapy only provide slight improvement in disease course and outcome. Unfortunately, most treated patients experience recurrence of highly aggressive, therapy-resistant tumours and eventually succumb to the disease. To increase chemosensitivity and overcome therapy resistance, we have modified the chemical structure of the PFI-3 bromodomain inhibitor of the BRG1 and BRM catalytic subunits of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling complex. Our modifications resulted in compounds that sensitized GBM to the DNA alkylating agent TMZ and the radiomimetic bleomycin. We screened these chemical analogues using a cell death ELISA with GBM cell lines and a cellular thermal shift assay using epitope tagged BRG1 or BRM bromodomains expressed in GBM cells. An active analogue, IV-129, was then identified and further modified, resulting in new generation of bromodomain inhibitors with distinct properties. IV-255 and IV-275 had higher bioactivity than IV-129, with IV-255 selectively binding to the bromodomain of BRG1 and not BRM, while IV-275 bound well to both BRG1 and BRM bromodomains. In contrast, IV-191 did not bind to either bromodomain or alter GBM chemosensitivity. Importantly, both IV-255 and IV-275 markedly increased the extent of DNA damage induced by TMZ and bleomycin as determined by nuclear γH2AX staining. Our results demonstrate that these next-generation inhibitors selectively bind to the bromodomains of catalytic subunits of the SWI/SNF complex and sensitize GBM to the anticancer effects of TMZ and bleomycin. This approach holds promise for improving the treatment of GBM.

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of anti-hyperalgesia, anticonvulsant and antioxidant activity of novel VV-hemorphin-5 analogs.

Two series of new VV-hemorphin-5 analogs with structures Val-Val-Tyr-Xxx-Trp-Thr-Gln-NH2 and Adam-Val-Val-Tyr-Xxx-Trp-Thr-Gln-NH2 , where Xxx is Ac5c (1-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid), Ac6c (1-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid), Ac7c (1-aminocycloheptane-1-carboxylic acid), and Adam is the low-molecular-weight lipophilic adamantyl building block, were synthesized, characterized electrochemically and evaluated for antioxidant, anti-hyperalgesia, and anticonvulsant activity. The design of the compounds followed the strategy to improve the propensity for aqueous solubility and/or to increase their affinity for the target receptor or enzyme. The partition coefficient value shows that the peptide scaffold goes from hydrophilic to lipophilic with the increasing size of the cycloalkane ring and even more with the introduction of the adamantane. The peptides C5-V and C7-V were the only analogs that provoked an immediate antinociceptive effect changing the mechanical pain threshold. The six new peptide analogs produced a significant and long-lasting carrageenan model of inflammatory pain in rats. While the adamantane hemorphin analog Ad7-V was the only compound with the potency to suppress psychomotor seizures in the 6-Hz test, the C6-V and Ad6-V exhibited protective activity against the seizure spread in the maximal electroshock seizure test in mice. The active analogs did not show neurotoxicity or sedative effects. Our results revealed a structure-related specific activity of a newly designed hemorphin analog that could be used as a template for future modification and preparation of compounds with potential analgesic and anticonvulsant activity.

A Reconfigurable Tri-Mode Frequency-Locked Loop Readout Circuit for Biosensor Interfaces.

In this article, a frequency-locked loop (FLL) based multimodal readout integrated circuit (IC) for interfacing with off-chip temperature, electrochemical, and pH sensors is presented. By reconfiguring its switched-capacitor feedback network, the readout circuit is able to measure resistance, current, and voltage without additional active analog front-end circuits. A prototype IC was fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process. Measured results show that when measuring resistance, the input-referred resistance resolution is 10.5 Ω for 100 Hz integration bandwidth. Using an off-chip thermistor, the readout circuit covers a temperature range of 0-75 °C and achieves an equivalent temperature resolution of 16.4 mKrms. In current mode, the readout circuit has an input range of 0.5μA and an input-referred current noise as low as 40.6 pArms for 100 Hz bandwidth. Interfacing with an on-chip potentiostat, glucose chronoamperometry is demonstrated. In voltage mode, a minimum input-referred voltage noise of 31.7 μVrms is achieved, and the IC can measure a pH range from 1.6 to 12 using a commercial pH probe. At a 1.2 V supply, power consumption of the readout circuit is below 10 μW for all three measurement modes. Additionally, the prototype IC includes an integrated wireless transmitter that implements on-off keying modulation, and a wireless multimodal sensing system utilizing the FLL-based readout circuit is demonstrated.

Structure-Guided Design and Synthesis of a Pyridazinone Series of Trypanosoma cruzi Proteasome Inhibitors.

There is an urgent need for new treatments for Chagas disease, a parasitic infection which mostly impacts South and Central America. We previously reported on the discovery of GSK3494245/DDD01305143, a preclinical candidate for visceral leishmaniasis which acted through inhibition of the Leishmania proteasome. A related analogue, active against Trypanosoma cruzi, showed suboptimal efficacy in an animal model of Chagas disease, so alternative proteasome inhibitors were investigated. Screening a library of phenotypically active analogues against the T. cruzi proteasome identified an active, selective pyridazinone, the development of which is described herein. We obtained a cryo-EM co-structure of proteasome and a key inhibitor and used this to drive optimization of the compounds. Alongside this, optimization of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties afforded a suitable compound for mouse efficacy studies. The outcome of these studies is discussed, alongside future plans to further understand the series and its potential to deliver a new treatment for Chagas disease.

Chemical and Photophysical Triggers for the Reduction of Pt(IV) Prodrugs for Anticancer Therapy

AbstractPlatinum(II) complexes are used in approximately 50% of chemotherapeutic treatments worldwide. Despite their undoubtful clinical success, these compounds are associated with severe side effects and poor tumor selectivity. To overcome these drawbacks, the development of platinum(IV) molecular prodrugs and nanoparticle formulations that remain stable and therapeutically inactive in a biological environment, but could be quickly reduced into the therapeutically active analogs through a specific trigger have been thought. Within this article, the mechanisms for chemical and photophysical triggers for the activation of platinum(IV) prodrugs have been critically reviewed.

Characterization of Anticancer Effects of the Analogs of DJ4, a Novel Selective Inhibitor of ROCK and MRCK Kinases.

The Rho associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK1 and ROCK2) and myotonic dystrophy-related Cdc-42 binding kinases (MRCKα and MRCKβ) are critical regulators of cell proliferation and cell plasticity, a process intimately involved in cancer cell migration and invasion. Previously, we reported the discovery of a novel small molecule (DJ4) selective multi-kinase inhibitor of ROCK1/2 and MRCKα/β. Herein, we further characterized the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of DJ4 in non-small cell lung cancer and triple-negative breast cancer cells. To further optimize the ROCK/MRCK inhibitory potency of DJ4, we generated a library of 27 analogs. Among the various structural modifications, we identified four additional active analogs with enhanced ROCK/MRCK inhibitory potency. The anti-proliferative and cell cycle inhibitory effects of the active analogs were examined in non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma cell lines. The anti-proliferative effectiveness of DJ4 and the active analogs was further demonstrated against a wide array of cancer cell types using the NCI-60 human cancer cell line panel. Lastly, these new analogs were tested for anti-migratory effects in highly invasive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Together, our results demonstrate that selective inhibitors of ROCK1/2 (DJE4, DJ-Allyl) inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M but were less effective in cell death induction compared with dual ROCK1/2 and MRCKα/β (DJ4 and DJ110).

In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Dye Compounds

Background: Methylene blue and some of its analogues have known antibacterial activity, however their exact mechanism of action is unknown Objective: In this study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of several methylene blue analogues were determined against five bacterial strains, whereafter the data were used to create and validate a pharmacophore model. Methods: The agar dilution method was used to screen the analogues for antibacterial activity, while the broth microdilution method was used to determine their MIC and MBC. A pharmacophore model was constructed and validated using the rank score, fit value, enrichment factor (EF10%), hit rate (HR10%) and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (ROC-AUC) as metrics. Results: Against Staphylococcus aureus, pyronin B (0.125 µg/ml) was more active than tetracycline (1 µg/ml) and pyronin Y (0.5 µg/ml), 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (2 µg/ml), basic blue 3 (2 µg/ml), new methylene blue (2 µg/ml) and Nile blue (2 µg/ml) had similar activity compared to tetracycline. Pyronin B, 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue and new methylene blue were bactericidal. A pharmacophore model was created (rank score: 36.55, max. fit value: 3), which was able to identify active analogues out of the test set (EF10%: 2.83, HR10%: 28.57%, ROC-AUC: 0.84 ± 0.04). The pharmacophore model highlighted that a positive ionisable, aromatic ring as well as a hydrophobic moiety are important for antibacterial activity. Conclusion: Methylene blue analogues were found to have potent antibacterial activity and a pharmacophore model was created to understand the structural requirements for activity.

Targeting extracellular matrix through phytochemicals: a promising approach of multi-step actions on the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal and dynamic role in the construction of tumor microenvironment (TME), becoming the focus in cancer research and treatment. Multiple cell signaling in ECM remodeling contribute to uncontrolled proliferation, metastasis, immune evasion and drug resistance of cancer. Targeting trilogy of ECM remodeling could be a new strategy during the early-, middle-, advanced-stages of cancer and overcoming drug resistance. Currently nearly 60% of the alternative anticancer drugs are derived from natural products or active ingredients or structural analogs isolated from plants. According to the characteristics of ECM, this manuscript proposes three phases of whole-process management of cancer, including prevention of cancer development in the early stage of cancer (Phase I); prevent the metastasis of tumor in the middle stage of cancer (Phase II); provide a novel method in the use of immunotherapy for advanced cancer (Phase III), and present novel insights on the contribution of natural products use as innovative strategies to exert anticancer effects by targeting components in ECM. Herein, we focus on trilogy of ECM remodeling and the interaction among ECM, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and sort out the intervention effects of natural products on the ECM and related targets in the tumor progression, provide a reference for the development of new drugs against tumor metastasis and recurrence.