Compounds 4b Research Articles

Novel Tricyclo[4.2.1]Nonane and Bicyclo[2.2.1]Heptane Derivatives: Synthesis, in Vitro Biological Activities and in Silico Studies.

The target benzothiazole derivatives (8a-g) were synthesized starting from norbornene. The addition of dichloroketene to norbornene followed by the reduction of chlorine atoms were synthesized tricyclo[4.2.1.02,5]non-7-en-3-one (4). The condensation of benzaldehyde derivatives with compound 4 were obtained chalcone analogs (6a-g). Finally, benzothiazole derivatives (8a-g) were obtained by the reaction of the chalcone analogs with 2-aminobenzothiol in an acidic medium. The antiproliferative activities of compounds 6a-g and 8a-g were determined against C6 (rat brain tumor) and HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) cell lines using a BrdU cell proliferation ELISA assay with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as a standard. In both series, when compared with 5-FU (IC50=3.8 μM for C6 and 16.33 μM for HeLa), the most active compounds against C6 cells were 6a and 8g with IC50 values of 14.13 μM and 29.99 μM, respectively. With this, 6a, 6e, 6f, and 8b were the most active compounds against HeLa cells with IC50 values of 0.8, 1.21, 19.33 and 18.13 μM, respectively. Additionally, the SwissADME online web tool was used to predict the physicochemical and ADME properties of the tested compounds. The results showed that all compounds possess promising predicted physiochemical and pharmacokinetic properties and comply with Lipinski's rule of 5, indicating that they are predicted to be orally bioavailable that they possess a predicted bioavailability score of 0.55. Furthermore, in the SwissADME Boiled-Egg chart, all compounds showed high predicted GIT absorption, while compounds 6a-g showed blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeation, and compounds 8a-g did not. Moreover, none of the compounds was (P-gp) substrates. This study investigated the potential interactions between the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bcl-w, Brag-1, Bfl-1, and Mcl-1 and compounds 6a, 8b, and 8g through molecular docking studies. The findings suggest that these compounds may effectively inhibit antiapoptotic proteins, as evidenced by significant hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, particularly with Bcl-xl.

Utilizing MEDT analysis of [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction: x-ray crystallography of spirooxindole linked with thiophene/furan heterocycles and triazole framework.

Hybridization of spirooxindole with different pharmacophores such as triazole and heterocycle such as thiophene and furan moiety was achieved by the [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction approach. Structural investigations of the compounds 4a and 4b were performed using X-ray single crystal structure determinations and Hirshfeld analysis. Both compounds crystallized in monoclinic crystal system. The space group is P21/c for 4a and P21/n for 4b. The crystal parameters are a = 10.2619(3) Å, b = 13.6776(3) Å, c = 10.9318(3), β = 116.640(4)° for the former while a = 13.0012(1) Å, b = 14.9692(1) Å, c = 14.1178(1) Å, β = 97.101(1)° for the latter. In both compounds, the aryl group and the triazole moieties are twisted from one another. The twist angle is 84.75˚for 4a while 86.64˚ for 4b. Based on Hirshfeld calculations, the Cl…H, O…H, N…H and C…H non-covalent interactions in 4a while the O…H interactions in 4b are the most important. The molecular mechanism of the key 32CA reaction between the in situ generated azomethine ylides and the corresponding chalcones has been studied within the Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT). The MEDT study reveals that the low activation energies and high experimental selectivity are the result of the supernucleophilic character of the ylides and the strong electrophilicity of the chalcones, which favour the process through a high polar character. This high polar character accounts for the total endo selectivity experimentally found.

Benzocarbazoledinones as SARS-CoV-2 Replication Inhibitors: Synthesis, Cell-Based Studies, Enzyme Inhibition, Molecular Modeling, and Pharmacokinetics Insights

Endemic and pandemic viruses represent significant public health challenges, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality over time. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for the development and discovery of new, potent antiviral agents. In this study, we present the synthesis and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of a series of benzocarbazoledinones, assessed using cell-based screening assays. Our results indicate that four compounds (4a, 4b, 4d, and 4i) exhibit EC50 values below 4 μM without cytotoxic effects in Calu-3 cells. Mechanistic investigations focused on the inhibition of the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) have used enzymatic assays. Notably, compounds 4a and 4b showed Mpro inhibition activity with IC50 values of 0.11 ± 0.05 and 0.37 ± 0.05 µM, respectively. Furthermore, in silico molecular docking, physicochemical, and pharmacokinetic studies were conducted to validate the mechanism and assess bioavailability. Compound 4a was selected for preliminary drug-likeness analysis and in vivo pharmacokinetics investigations, which yielded promising results and corroborated the in vitro and in silico findings, reinforcing its potential as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 lead compound.

In Silico and In Vitro Investigation of Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis of Acridine/Sulfonamide Hybrids Targeting Topoisomerases I and II

Background: Sulfonamide acridine derivatives have garnered significant attention from medicinal chemists due to their diverse range of biological activities. Methods: In this study, eleven compounds were synthesized according to the literature, and their impact on cell growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution were assessed in three different cell lines. Their inhibitory effects on the topoisomerase (Topo) I and II were investigated in vitro. Molecular docking studies were conducted to predict the binding affinities of these compounds for crystallized downloaded topoisomerases. Results: The compounds were examined in vitro for their anticancer activity against human hepatic (HepG2) colon (HCT-8) and breast (MCF-7) carcinoma cell lines. Compound 8b was the most active against HepG2, HCT-116, and MCF-7 with IC50 14.51, 9.39, and 8.83 µM, respectively, compared to Doxorubicin as reference. In addition, it demonstrated the highest potency among the tested compounds against Topo-I, with an IC50 value of 3.41 µg/mL compared to the control camptothecin (IC50 of 1.46 μM). Compound 7c displayed a significant inhibitory effect on Topo-II, with an IC50 of 7.33 μM, compared to an IC50 value of 6.49 μM via Doxorubicin, the control. Compounds 7c and 8b were assessed against topoisomerases showing induction of apoptosis and a reduction in the S phase of the cell cycle. Molecular docking demonstrated interaction with the active site as with those exhibited by the co-crystallized ligands of the crystallized proteins in both topoisomerases. Conclusion: Compounds 7c and 8b hold promise as potential anticancer drugs due to their anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effects, which are mediated by their action on the topoisomerase enzyme, particularly Topo II.

New Copper(I) oxide biocatalyst based on functionalized olive stone for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles under very mild conditions

An efficient methodology for coating silanized olive stone with copper(I) oxide has been described and fully characterized using various techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), electronic microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), moisture content, electrophoretic mobility and particle size distribution. The applicability of this new biocatalyst in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition click reaction between alkynes and azides has been demonstrated leading to the obtention of a great variety of 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles with good to excellent conversions. The new biocatalyst showed promising features in terms of recyclability and industrial or biomedical application. It could be recycled up to five times with minimal loss of catalytic activity when synthezing compound 3a-3n. Additionally, it was effective in the multi-gram scale synthesis of compounds 3b and 3e, which were tested for the first time in cells, specifically on the human fibroblast-derived M1 cell line, demonstrating that these compounds are non-cytotoxic and thus suitable for potential uses in biomedicine.

Synthesis of 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-bistriazoles: Evaluation as G-quadruplex binders and anti-tumor activity.

Novel 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-bistriazoles derivatives have been synthesized by copper-catalyzed azide/alkyne cycloaddition reactions and assessed for their ability to bind and stabilize G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Ten novel compounds were evaluated using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) melting, circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy on several G4 sequences. Biophysical characterization led to the identification of compounds 4a, 4b, and 5b as good G4 ligands of KRAS G4 sequences. The cell viability of all derivatives was also assessed, revealing weak effects. However, compound 2a exhibited cytotoxicity activity on A549 and H1299 cancer cells and low cytotoxicity towards non-malignant cells MRC-5 not connected with its G4-binding ability. Flow cytometry showed that 2a induced a cell viability decrease in S and G2/M phases for A549 and H1299; thus, more studies should be performed to explore the proteins involved in cell cycle regulation.

Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Benzimidazole Derivatives as IL-6 Inhibitors and Their Role in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a major role in the development of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). In the present study, benzimidazole and benzene sulfonyl scaffold were identified as pharmacophore by analysis of literature reports and novel small molecule IL-6 inhibitors were designed. These were screened via docking with IL-6 (PDB: 1ALU), then and through Lipinski's rule of 5. Based on docking score, 10 best compounds (4a-4e and 7a-7e) were selected for synthesis and evaluated for IL-6 inhibitory activity invitro. Compounds 4b and 7b showed the maximum inhibition of IL-6 (87.55% and 82.75%, respectively). These compounds were further explored for anti-arthritic activity invivo using the Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant Model and by morphological and histopathological studies of the inflamed paw. Compound 4b was significantly more active than compound 7b and both were found to be slightly less active than methotrexate. These findings indicate that a benzimidazole nucleus linked to a benzene sulphonyl moiety may prove to be a useful template for the development of new chemical moieties against RA.

Non-nucleophilic base promoted synthesis of azo-linked oxazolone-pyrazole hybrids: Antimicrobial, antitubercular, anticancer evaluations and in-silico modeling insights

Ten new non-nucleophilic base (DBU) catalyzed oxazolone-bearing pyrazole derivatives were created to treat infectious diseases caused by bacterial, mycobacterial strains, and cancerous cell lines. Compounds 7b and 7c showed excellent antibacterial and antifungal activity. Compound 7b was highly effective against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, with a MIC of 0.06 μg/mL and significant binding affinities to AcrB of E. coli (−12 Kcal/mol), TriABC of P. aeruginosa (−12.5 Kcal/mol), and MepR of S. aureus (−10.6 Kcal/mol). Based on the findings, compounds 7b, 7c, and 7e exhibit proficient binding affinity with two essential targets, namely Enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase and Topoisomerase I, of M. tuberculosis. Compound 7b showed superior cytotoxic activity against all cancer types except leukemia with GI50 values of 1.26–1.83 µM and LC50 values of 5.36–7.88 µM. Compound 7a demonstrated remarkable anticancer activity against colon, melanoma, ovarian, renal, and breast cancer cell lines with GI50 values of 1.60–2.55 µM.

New vatalanib analogs: Design, synthesis, in silico study and biological evaluation for anticancer activity

In our attempts to improve pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics characters of vatalanib, four strategies of the drug design were applied to design and synthesis new quinoxaline based vatalanib analogs. Antiproliferative activities of the synthesized compounds were investigated against two tumor cell lines (HepG2 and HCT‐116) using vatalanib as a positive control. The new candidates showed promising anticancer activity against two tested cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 6.04 ± 0.19 to 100.15 ± 3.26 µM, in particular compounds 11b and 11c which were more potent than vatalanib. The most potent was the 4-benzoylquinoxaline derivative 11b (IC50 = 6.04 ± 0.19 µM and 15.58 ± 0.58 µM) compared to vatalanib (IC50 of 25.27 ± 0.84 µM and 43.91 ± 1.64 µM) against HepG2 and HCT116, respectively. The selectivity indices of 11b were found to be approximately 14 and 5 towards HepG2 and HCT116, respectively. While vatalanib showed selectivity indices of about 5 and 3 towards HepG2 and HCT116, respectively. The most promising compound 11b was further investigated in HepG‐2 cells for its apoptotic effect, cell cycle arrest and in vitro VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity as the main mechanisms of cell death. It was found that 11b can induce apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at the at G1 phase in addition to, compound 11b showed effective inhibition of VEGFR-2 with IC50 of 0.918 ± 0.033 µM compared to vatalanib (IC50 of 0.265 ± 0.009 µM). Deep computational studies were created for the designed compounds including molecular docking, physicochemical properties, profiling pharmacokinetics, ADMET studies, and toxicity predictions to evaluate the prospective drug candidates. The results of the docking study were consistent with biological testing, furthermore, in silico ADMET study revealed the superior pharmacokinetics characters of the new candidates over vatalanib. So, the current work suggests that the 4-benzoylquinoxaline-1-yl-acetamide derivatives, especially 11b, can serve as lead molecules for development of new effective anticancer drugs.

Multicomponent Syntheses Enable the Discovery of Novel Quisinostat-Derived Chemotypes as Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors

In this study, we synthesized and evaluated novel histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors derived from the clinical candidate quisinostat. A library of 16 compounds categorized in three novel chemotypes was rapidly generated using multicomponent reactions (MCRs), enabling efficient structure-activity relationship studies. First, the compounds were evaluated for their activity against the Plasmodium falciparum strains 3D7 and Dd2, the main malaria-causing parasite, identifying compound 18b of the type C series as the most potent. It demonstrated low nanomolar IC50 values (IC50 (3D7) = 0.023 μM; IC50 (Dd2) = 0.047 μM) and high parasite selectivity (SIMRC-5/Pf3D7 > 2174). HDAC inhibition assays confirmed substantial inhibition of the P. falciparum enzyme PfHDAC1 (IC50 = 0.037 μM) as well as of human HDAC1 (IC50 = 0.021 μM) and HDAC6 (IC50 = 0.25 μM). Docking studies suggested distinct binding modes of 18b in P. falciparum and human HDAC1. Additionally, the in vitro anticancer activity was evaluated in Cal27 (head-neck carcinoma), HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), A2780 (ovarian carcinoma), and U87 (glioblastoma) cell lines. Compounds 9b, 9d, and 13f showed potent antiproliferative activity and caspase 3/7 activation, in contrast to 18b. Furthermore, these compounds caused hyperacetylation of histone H3 and α-tubulin, indicating robust cellular target engagement. Overall, in this work we have identified the HDAC inhibitor 18b with selective antiplasmodial and 9b, 9d, and 13f with selective anticancer activities, providing valuable hits for further drug development efforts aimed at creating derivatives with reduced cytotoxicity against non-cancer cells compared to quisinostat.

Identification of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines-pyrazole-pyran hybrids as potent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) inhibitors: Synthesis, molecular docking, DFT studies and ADME prediction

In this study, we aimed to identify new anticancer agents by synthesizing a series of Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines fused with pyrazole-pyran scaffolds 7a–g in good yields (75–85 %) under microwave irradiation. The synthesis was performed through a one-pot, three-component cyclocondensation reaction of 2-(p-substituted)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carbaldehyde 4a-g, malononitrile 5, and 5-methyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one 6 in the presence of triethylamine as a catalyst in acetonitrile. The characterization of all synthesized compounds was accomplished through various spectroscopic techniques. All the synthesized compounds were investigated for their anticancer potential in vitro, using an MTT-based assay against A549 lung cancer cell lines. Compounds 7b, 7e, and 7c demonstrated notable anti-proliferative activity against the A549 cell line, while compound 7e showed a significantly lower fluorescence generation (24-fold less) in the G6PD inhibition assay compared to the other compounds.

Ionic Liquid Assisted Green Synthesis of Quinoxaline Based Bisspirooxindoles: Anticancer Evaluation and Molecular Dynamics

AbstractIn this study, we have synthesized a series of novel quinoxaline based bisspirooxindoles through green protocol using ionic liquid [Bmim]BF4. All the compounds were well characterized by spectroscopic methods like FT‐IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass and finally the structures were authenticated by single crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) (4e). The target compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity with different cancer cell lines like MDAMB‐231, MCF‐7, MCF‐10A, HCC‐1395, Molt‐4, and FaDU. The compounds 4d, 4g, 4m, and 4n showed 42.0%, 43.3%, 52.7%, and 56.0 percentage of growth inhibition respectively with the T cell acute lymphoblastic Molt‐4 cell line. The compounds 4b, 4c, 4 h, 4k, and 4m have shown 30%–39% of growth inhibition against FaDU cell line. Further, anticancer activity was validated with in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The outcomes of dynamics simulations exclusively emphasize that the compounds bind to HIS862 and TYR896 residues which are among the catalytic triad of PARP1. Finally, the results of ADME is also used to assess the drug likeness, which clearly shows that our target compounds are adaptable as potential drug pathways for medicinal chemists.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel Thiazole-Containing Algicides Inspired by Bacillamide A

The pursuit of highly effective, low-toxicity, and eco-friendly algicides for controlling and eradicating harmful algal blooms (HABs) is of paramount importance. The natural allelochemical bacillamide A has displayed impressive algicidal activity against harmful algae with favorable safety profiles. However, the poor synthetic efficiency and large dose requirements of bacillamide A limit its further application. In this paper, 17 thiazole-containing bacillamide derivatives (BDs) were designed and synthesized in three linear steps as potential algicides. Eight compounds (6a, 6c, 6j, 7b, 7c, 7d, 7e, and 7g) displayed potent inhibitory effects against Prorocentrum minimum, Skeletonema costatum, and Alexandrium pacificum, and they had similar or better activity than the positive control (CuSO4) and bacillamide A. Compound 6a exhibited the most potent algicidal activity against S. costatum (half-maximal effective concentration [EC50] = 0.11 μg/mL), being 23-fold more potent than bacillamide A, 28-fold more potent than CuSO4, and 39-fold more potent than Diuron. Compound 6j exhibited significant algicidal activity against the toxic dinoflagellates P. minimum (EC50 = 1.0 μg/mL) and A. pacificum (EC50 = 0.47 μg/mL), being 3–5-fold more potent than natural bacillamide A, Diuron, and CuSO4. Micrographs and SEM images revealed that 6j induced cell wall rupture and cellular content leakage. Biochemical and physiological studies indicated that 6j might partially disrupt the antioxidant and photosynthetic systems in algal cells, resulting in morphological changes, cell wall rupture, and inclusion leakage. Our work suggests that 6j has a distinct mode of action from CuSO4 and provides a promising candidate for the development of new algicides, worthy of further investigation.

Isatin-1,2,3-triazole derivatives: synthesis, molecular docking and evaluation against acute experimental toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis remains a challenge for both public health and animal husbandry which created a constant demand to develop novel compounds using innovative methods. To join this relentless quest for an ideal chemotherapeutic agent, herein, we developed newly synthesized isatin-1,2,3-triazole derivatives. Three compounds (5a, 5b and 5c) were synthesized, characterized, and loaded on chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) and then evaluated accordingly. Initially, a molecular docking study was carried out which revealed the effective interaction with the target enzymes; purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNPase) and T. gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase-1 (TgCDPK1). This was further substantiated by in vivo evaluation of the three compounds (5a-c) and their nanoformulae (5a-CNPs, 5b-CNPs, and 5c-CNPs) against acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in murine model. It is worthy of note that all tested compounds and their nanoformulae produced a significant reduction of parasite burden in both peritoneal fluid and liver impression smear and profound ultrastructural alterations, detected by scanning electron microscopy, compared to the infected non-treated control. The nanoformula 5c-CNPs yielded the most outstanding results with the highest tachyzoite reduction percentage in both peritoneal fluid (98.1%) and liver impression smear (95.3%). Furthermore, the serum levels of liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), and renal function tests (urea and creatinine) in mice were within normal limits which makes them more appealing candidates with proven safety. To the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first in silico and in vivo study proving the anti-Toxoplasma effect of isatin-1,2,3- triazoles which paves the way for further development of isatin and triazole-based leads for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

Ferrocenyl Aminocresols Display Multimodal Activity Against Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro

AbstractTriple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks expression of the oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu), has an aggressive tumor phenotype, shows only a partial response to chemotherapy, and lacks clinically established targeted therapies. Therefore, there is a need to develop more effective drugs for the treatment of TNBC. The ferrocenyl benzoxazine and α‐aminocresols class of compounds gave a potential source of multimodal inhibitors of cancer based on previous studies. In this study, a set of ferrocenyl benzoxazines and α‐aminocresols were screened and characterized as potential inhibitors of TNBC in vitro. A panel of 11 compounds was screened for selective cytotoxicity to cancer cells over normal cell equivalents. Focusing on the previously proposed modes of action of their building blocks, α‐aminocresols 3a and 3b exhibited significant DNA binding capabilities and caused robust DNA damage in TNBC cells. In addition, both compounds exhibited significant ROS generation capability; however, introducing a ROS quencher in a cell viability assay only partially rescued the cells from the cytotoxicity effects of the α‐aminocresols. This, together with the observation that compounds 3a and 3b triggered significant protein aggregation in HCC1806 cells, supports a mixed mode of action for these compounds.

Synthesis and Molecular Docking Study of Hydrazone Schiff Bases of α‐Naphthalene‐Containing Alkyl Phenyl Ether Fragment as Potent α‐Amylase and α‐Glucosidase Inhibitors

AbstractIn this study, new Schiff base derivatives of α‐naphthalene acetic acid containing alkyl phenyl ether fragment have been effectively synthesized through multistep reaction process, characterized by 1H‐NMR and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. These derivatives have been tested for their in vitro α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities. In the series, 8 compounds (2j, 2f, 2e, 2m, 2a, 2b, 2l, and 2c) exhibited promising α‐amylase inhibition with IC50 values from 5.38 ± 0.36 to 14.59 ± 0.64 µg/mL. Similarly, in the case of α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity, 10 derivatives (2e, 2f, 2j, 2m, 2b, 2c, 2i, 2d, 2a, and 2l) exhibited excellent activity having IC50 values from 6.96 ± 0.39 to 16.27 ± 0.31 µg/mL, wheras the remaining derivatives exhibited good‐to‐least antidiabetic potential. The ADME properties were calculated for all Schiff base derivatives using Swiss‐ADME web tool. Furthermore, the docking studies identified the binding modes of the compounds.

Palladium immobilized on functionalized halloysite: A robust catalyst for ligand free Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling and synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole motifs via four component cascade reaction and their in-silico antitubercular screening

This research introduces a novel organically functionalized halloysite-supported palladium catalyst, HMF-EDA-TMS@HAL-Pd(II) that was synthesized and thoroughly characterized using various analytical techniques like HR-TEM, FEG-SEM, EDX, XPS, FTIR, XRD, TGA, ICP-AES, EXAFS and DFT studies. The catalyst exhibited exceptional performance in Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling reactions, demonstrating high efficiency and reusability up to seven cycles in aqueous ethanol medium. Motivated by its promising catalytic activity, we extended our investigation to explore its applicability in the synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole motifs via a four-component cascade reaction affording the desired products in good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope under green reaction conditions. In-silico antitubercular screening of pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole motifs against DprE1 enzyme have shown promising results with inhibition constants ranging between 0.030 and 0.1 μM for compounds 5b, 5k and 5 l. This protocol has the advantages of wide substrate scope, high yield, excellent functional group tolerance, high efficiency and environmental benign procedure. These findings emphasized the catalyst's versatility and potential in diverse organic transformations, highlighting its importance in advancing sustainable synthetic methodologies.

Design and Synthesis of Ester Linked 1,2,3‐Triazole Quinoline Derivatives with Pancreatic β Cells Protective Activity against Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress for Better Management of Type II Diabetes Mellitus

AbstractUnresolved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and oxidative stress lead to the pathogenesis of type II diabetes mellitus (DM). Connecting links between the ER stress and oxidative stress pathways might play an important role in treatment and pathogenesis of diabetes. Here, we used network pharmacology approach to find the target proteins linking the ER stress and oxidative stress pathways. CHOP emerged as a hub protein from our results and was targeted by 16 newly designed and synthesized ester linked 1,2,3‐triazole quinoline derivatives by molecular docking. Drug likeliness prediction studies revealed all compounds as good druggable candidates. Compounds 5b (R = H, R1 = F), 5j (R = CH3, R1 = F), 5m (R = OCH3, R1 = H), and 5n (R = OCH3, R1 = F) were found to have considerable binding energies and active site amino acid interactions with CHOP. We further showed that compounds 5b, 5m, and 5n exhibited low toxicity with more than 50% cell survival and low IC50 values. These were therefore subjected to evaluate their effects on ER stress and oxidative stress. Finally, compound 5n (R = OCH3, R1 = F) was found to alleviate ER stress and is also a good antioxidant. Identification of such targets and compounds effective in improving ER stress and oxidative stress may provide new insights in the development of therapies and management of T2DM.

Discovery of peptidomimetic spiropyrrolidine derivatives as novel 3CLpro inhibitors against SARS-CoV -2

Given the high pathogenicity and rapid mutation rates of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it is imperative to sustain efforts in drug research and development. Herein, we present the design, synthesis, and evaluation of peptidomimetic spiropyrrolidine derivatives as potent 3CLpro inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2. Among the synthesized derivatives, several compounds exhibited high potency in inhibiting 3CLpro, with IC50 values ranging from 21 nM to 53 nM. Notably, compounds 9b and 9h displayed improved enzymatic inhibition (IC50 = 25 nM and 21 nM, respectively) compared to nirmatrelvir (47 nM). Compound 9b showed enhanced stability in human and mouse liver microsomes compared to nirmatrelvir, whereas 9h exhibited similar stability to nirmatrelvir in both species. Furthermore, compound 9h displayed exceptional potency in cellular assays targeting the SARS-CoV-2 replicon within Huh7 cells, with a single-digit nanomolar activity that is 5.6 times better than that of nirmatrelvir. In a pharmacokinetic study in mice (PO, 20 mg/kg), compound 9h exhibited a prolonged plasma half-life (T1/2 = 2.58 h) compared to nirmatrelvir (T1/2 = 0.51 h) and demonstrated an AUC(0-t) value (1106 h∗ng/mL) equivalent to that of nirmatrelvir (1023 h∗ng/mL). These findings indicate that compound 9h is a promising lead for developing a novel 3CLpro inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2.

Synthesis, molecular docking, ADMET studies and antimicrobial activities of coumarin-chalcone hybrid derivatives

The exploitation of naturally derived drugs can become a replacement for ineffective drugs due to the relentless antimicrobial resistance. A series of natural-product-based coumarin-chalcones (4a-4i) were synthesised via facile Steglich esterification. The coumarin-chalcones (4a-4i) showed effective inhibition against P. aeruginosa (7–13 mm) and E. coli (8–12 mm) in comparison to the standard drug ampicillin and coumarin alone. Compounds 4b and 4g exhibited the highest inhibition zone against P. aeruginosa (13 mm) and E. coli (12 mm) respectively. The hybridisation of chalcone in the coumarin network introduced active C = CH, C = O and C-O moieties, contributing to significant microbial inhibition. The molecular docking of 4b exhibited the highest binding affinity −10.1 kcal/mol as compared to 4a, 4c and 4g −9.2 kcal/mol, −9.2 kcal/mol and −9.1 kcal/mol respectively. The ADMET studies also supported natural-product-based coumarin-chalcones as suitable drug candidates. This study is noteworthy for coumarin-based drug development in the medicinal field.