Furoxan Derivatives Research Articles

Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation of Novel Hybrid Compounds to Treat Sickle Cell Disease Symptoms. Part II: Furoxan Derivatives

Phthalimide derivatives containing furoxanyl subunits as nitric oxide (NO)-donors (3a-g) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated in vitro and in vivo for their potential uses in the oral treatment of sickle cell disease symptoms. All compounds (3a-g) demonstrated NO-donor properties at different levels. Moreover, compounds 3b and 3c demonstrated analgesic activity. Compound 3b was determined to be a promising drug candidate for the aforementioned uses, and it was further evaluated in K562 culture cells to determine its ability to increase levels of γ-globin expression. After 96 h at 5 μM, compound 3b was able to induce γ-globin expression by nearly three times. Mutagenic studies using micronucleus tests in peripheral blood cells of mice demonstrated that compound 3b reduces the mutagenic profile as compared with hydroxyurea. Compound 3b has emerged as a new leading drug candidate with multiple beneficial effects for the treatment of sickle cell disease symptoms and provides an alternative to hydroxyurea treatment.

Synthesis and preliminary biological profile of new NO-donor tolbutamide analogues

We describe a new class of NO-donor hypoglycemic products obtained by joining tolbutamide, a typical hypoglycemic sulfonylurea, with a NO-donor moiety through a hard link. As NO-donors we chose either furoxan (1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) derivatives or the classical nitrooxy function. A preliminary biological characterization of these compounds, including stimulation of insulin release from cultured rat pancreatic β-cells and in vitro vasodilator and anti-aggregatory activities, is reported.

Searching for new NO-donor aspirin-like molecules: Furoxanylacyl derivatives of salicylic acid and related furazans

A new group of derivatives of salicylic acid containing NO-donor furoxans, and the related des-NO-furazans, were synthesized and evaluated as new aspirin-like molecules. Their stability was assessed in acid (pH 1) and physiological solutions (pH 7.4), and in human serum. No compound exhibited COX-inhibitory activity against COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms, when tested up to 100 μM, respectively, on isolated platelets and on monocytes. Phenylsulfonyl- and cyano-substituted furoxans inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen in human platelet-rich plasma, through a cGMP dependent mechanism. Furoxan derivatives displayed cGMP-dependent vasodilator activities, tested on rat aorta strips precontracted with phenylephrine. All products showed anti-inflammatory activity similar to that of ASA, tested on rats by the carrageenan-induced paw edema assay. Unlike ASA, all products showed markedly reduced gastrotoxicity in a rat lesion model.

A study of the reaction mechanism of 3-nitro-4-R-furoxans formation by nitrosation of dipotassium salts of 1-hydroxyimino-2,2-dinitro-1-R-ethanes

The mechanism proposed earlier for explanation of the furoxan ring formation in the nitrosation of dipotassium salts of 1-hydroxyimino-2,2-dinitro-1-R-ethanes with NaNO2/AcOH was confirmed experimentally by determining the ionization constants of the dinitromethyl and oxime fragments in the starting dipotassium salt and by examining 1H, 13C, 14N, and 15N NMR and mass spectra of isomeric 3(4)-nitro-4(3)-R-furoxans with the 15N(5) and 15N(2) ring atoms, respectively, and 3,4-diarylfuroxan with both 15N-labeled ring atoms. A comparative analysis of the IR and Raman spectra of the 15N-labeled furoxan derivatives obtained and their unlabeled analogs allowed refinement of the literature data on interpretation of the vibrational spectra of furoxan derivatives.

Theoretical studies of furoxan-based energetic nitrogen-rich compounds

Density functional theory calculations were performed to study the effects of different substituents and nitrogen-containing heterocyclic rings on the heats of formation (HOFs), energetic properties, and thermal stability for a series of furoxan derivatives. The isodesmic reaction method was employed to calculate the HOFs of the derivatives using total energies obtained from electronic structure calculations. The detonation velocities and pressures were evaluated by using the semiempirical Kamlet–Jacobs equations, based on the theoretical densities and HOFs. The bond dissociation energies and bond orders for the weakest bonds were analyzed to investigate the thermal stability of the furoxan derivatives. These results provide basic information for the molecular design of novel high energy density materials.

Phenylsulfonylfuroxans as Modulators of Multidrug-Resistance-Associated Protein-1 and P-Glycoprotein

A series of furoxan derivatives were studied for their ability to interact with P-gp and MRP1 transporters in MDCK cells overexpressing these proteins. 3-Phenylsulfonyl substituted furoxans emerged as the most interesting compounds. All of them were capable of inhibiting P-gp, and a few also were capable of inhibiting MRP1. Substituents at the 4-position of 3-phenylsulfonylfuroxan scaffold were able to modulate the selectivity and the intensity of inhibition. In some cases, they reverted MRP1 inhibitor activity, namely, they were capable of potentiating MRP1 dependent efflux. When compounds 16 and 17 were coadministered with doxorubicin, they restored a high degree of the activity of the antibiotic. Preliminary immunoblotting studies carried out on these two compounds indicate that they are capable of nitrating P-gp, which in this form is likely unable to efflux the antibiotic.

Synthesis and preliminary pharmacological characterisation of a new class of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs)

A new series of bisphosphonates bearing either the nitrogen-containing NO-donor furoxan (1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) system or the related furazan (1,2,5-oxadiazole) in lateral chain has been developed. pKa values and affinity for hydroxyapatite were determined for all the compounds. The products were able to inhibit osteoclastogenesis on RAW 246.7 cells at 10μM concentration. The most active compounds were further assayed on human PBMC cells and on rat microsomes. Unlike most nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates which target farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, experimental and theoretical investigations suggest that the activity of our derivatives may be related to different mechanisms. The furoxan derivatives were also tested for their ability to relax rat aorta strips in view of their potential NO-dependent vasodilator properties.

Studies of the potential genotoxic effects of furoxans: The case of CAS 1609 and of the water-soluble analogue of CHF 2363

CAS 1609 (compound 1) and CHF 2363 (compound 2) are two furoxan derivatives able to release nitric oxide (NO) under physiological conditions, and display typical NO-dependent vasodilator activity. The potential genotoxic effects of compound 1 and of the water-soluble analogue of CHF 2363 (compound 2a) were investigated. The results show that the two compounds induce genotoxic effects only at concentrations that significantly reduce cell viability. However, in the case of compound 1 this range of concentrations is one order of magnitude higher than the one leading to the beneficial effects, while in the case of compound 2a these ranges partially overlap. In both cases the release of NO plays a key role in the induction of the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, since the non-NO-donating furazan analogues display a different toxicological profile, and since the effects were reduced in the presence of oxyhaemoglobin, a well-known NO-scavenger.

Nitric Oxide Donor β2-Agonists: Furoxan Derivatives Containing the Fenoterol Moiety and Related Furazans

The structure of fenoterol, a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist used in therapy, has been joined with furoxan NO-donor moieties to give new NO-donor beta2-agonists. The furazan analogues, devoid of the property to release NO, were also synthesized for comparison. All the compounds retained beta2-agonistic activity at micromolar or submicromolar concentration when tested on guinea pig tracheal rings precontracted with carbachol. Among the furoxan derivatives, the NO contribution to trachea relaxation was evident with product 15b at micromolar concentrations. All the new NO-donor hybrids were able to dilate rat aortic strips precontracted with phenylephrine. Both furoxan and furazan derivatives displayed antioxidant activity greater than that of fenoterol.

Mechanism of action of novel NO‐releasing furoxan derivatives of aspirin in human platelets

Incorporation of a nitric oxide (NO)-releasing moiety in aspirin can overcome its gastric side effects. We investigated the NO-release patterns and antiplatelet effects of novel furoxan derivatives of aspirin (B8 and B7) in comparison to existing antiplatelet agents. Cyclooxygenase (COX) activity was investigated in purified enzyme using an electron paramagnetic resonance-based technique. Concentration-response curves for antiplatelet agents +/- the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, ODQ (50 microM) were generated in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and washed platelets (WP) activated with collagen using turbidometric aggregometry. NO was detected using an isolated NO electrode. The furoxan derivatives of aspirin (B8, B7) and their NO-free furazan equivalents (B16, B15; all 100 microM) significantly inhibited COX activity (P < 0.01; n = 6) in vitro and caused aspirin-independent, cGMP-dependent inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation in WP. B8 was more potent than B7 (PRP IC(50) = 0.62 +/- 0.1 microM for B8; 400 +/- 89 microM for B7; P < 0.0001. WP IC(50)s = 0.6 +/- 0.1 and 62 +/- 10 microM, respectively). The NO-free furazan counterparts were less potent antiplatelet agents (WP IC(50)s = 54 +/- 3 microM and 62 +/- 10 microM, respectively; P < 0.0001, B8 vs B16). Of the hybrids investigated, only B8 retained antiplatelet activity in PRP.NO release from furoxan-aspirin hybrids was undetectable in buffer alone, but was accelerated in the presence of either plasma or plasma components, albumin (4%), glutathione (GSH; 3 microM) and ascorbate (50 microM), the effects of which were additive for B7 but not B8. NO generation from furoxans was greatly enhanced by platelet extract, an effect that could largely be explained by the synergistic effect of intracellular concentrations of GSH (3 mM) and ascorbate (1 mM). We conclude that the decomposition of furoxan-aspirin hybrids to generate biologically active NO is catalysed by endogenous agents which may instil a potential for primarily intracellular delivery of NO. The blunting of the aspirin effects of furoxan hybrids is likely to be due to loss of the acetyl moiety in plasma; the observed antiplatelet effects are thereby primarily mediated via NO release. Compounds of this class might represent a novel means of inhibiting platelet aggregation by a combination of NO generation and COX inhibition.

Synthesis and Characterization of Thiol Containing Furoxan Derivatives as Coligands for the Preparation of Potential Bioreductive Radiopharmaceuticals

The synthesis and characterization of thiol-containing 1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxide (TONO) derivatives and their use as monodentate coligands for the preparation of (99m)Tc complexes is presented. 3-Mercaptomethyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol N(2)-oxide and 3-(4-mercaptophenylmethylidenhydrazinocarbonyloxymethyl)-4-phenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol N(2)-oxide were successfully synthesized and combined with the tridentate ligand N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethylethylenediamine (BMEDA) to prepare "3+1 mixed ligand" technetium complexes. The( 99m)Tc complexes were obtained in high yield and radiochemical purity using low concentration of ligand and coligand. An alternative procedure using a xantate and a disulphide precursor of 3-mercaptomethyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazol N(2)-oxide yielded the same complex. Biological evaluation of the potentiality of the( 99m)Tc complexes as bioreductive radiopharmaceuticals was performed in normal CD1 mice and in mice bearing induced sarcoma. Tumour uptake was moderate but tumour/soft tissue ratio was favourable. Although these results are encouraging, further development is still necessary in order to achieve higher tumour uptake and lower gastrointestinal activity.

The Furoxan System: Design of Selective Nitric Oxide (NO) Donor Inhibitors of COX-2 Endowed with Anti-Aggregatory and Vasodilating Activities

Several NO donor 3,4-diphenylfuroxan (= 3,4-diphenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) derivatives were synthesized and tested for their COX-inhibiting activities. The products were found to be selective COX-2 inhibitors, similar to the structurally related furazans (3,4-diphenyl-1,2,5-oxadiazole), devoid of the NO release property. This behavior was confirmed by a molecular-docking study. The NO-dependent platelet anti-aggregatory and vasodilating activities of the new furoxans 5-7 were studied in vitro. These properties can be modulated by inserting an appropriate spacer between the 4-phenyl group and the furoxan ring, giving rise to new, selective COX-2 furoxan derivatives endowed with anti-aggregatory and vasodilating activities, and with potentially reduced cardiotoxicities.

Synthesis and antimalarial activities of some furoxan sulfones and related furazans

Furoxan derivatives bearing a sulfone moiety at position 3 or 4 were synthesized and tested for their antimalarial action on the chloroquine-sensitive D10 and the chloroquine-resistent W2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The furazan analogues were considered for comparison. The most active compounds were the products in which the –SO 2R groups are at the 3-position of the furoxan system. These latter substances displayed an antimalarial activity in the μM range, possibly related in part to their ability to release NO.

Pharmacological Properties of Furoxans and Benzofuroxans: Recent Developments

The chemistry of furoxans (1, 2, 5-oxadiazole-2-oxides) and benzofuroxans (benzo[1, 2-c]1, 2, 5-oxadiazole-1-oxides) is very well known. These systems are widely used in organic chemistry as intermediate compounds for the synthesis of numerous heterocycles. In the other hand, furoxan and benzofuroxan derivatives were extensively studied as bioactive compounds. They possess remarkable biological activities, such as anti-microbial and anti-parasitic properties, mutagenic, immunosuppressive and anticancer effects, anti-aggregating and vasorelaxant activity, among others. In some cases, molecular mode of action was proposed. Recently, the research and development in the medicinal chemistry of these systems have produced hybrid compounds in which furoxan or benzofuroxan moieties together with a classical drug moieties are present in a single molecule. So, new anti-ulcer drugs, calcium channel modulators and vasodilator derivatives were described and they are currently in study. In this presentation recent developments in the medicinal chemistry of furoxans and benzofuroxans will be reviewed.

Monocyclic and cascade rearrangements of furoxans

Monocyclic rearrangements of azoles are extensively studied as alternative methods for the preparation of new heterocyclic systems. The present work is devoted to investigation of monocyclic and cascade rearrangements of 1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide (furoxan) derivatives. It was found during investigations that rearrangements of furoxan ring had some peculiarities in comparison with analogous rearrangements of other azoles. Therefore, three different kinds of rearrangements were found. The first of them occurred through a dinitroso-ethylene intermediate and resulted in the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole 1-oxides [oximes of 5-acetyl-4-phenyl(methyl)-2-phenyl-2H -1,2,3-triazole 1-oxides and 2-(furoxan-4-yl)-4-nitro-5-R-2H -1,2,3-triazole 1-oxides ]by thermal recyclization accordingly of 3-methyl-4-acetyl(benzoyl)furoxans phenylhydrazones and 3,3'-(R)-disubstituted-4,4'-azofuroxans. The latter reaction was performed in an oxidizing medium. The second kind of rearrangement (classical variant) was the synthesis of new azoles containing the 1-nitroalkyl substituent. These rearrangements were performed using three examples: base-induced interconversion of furoxanyl ketone phenylhydrazones into 5-(1-nitroalkyl)-2H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives and of 1-alkyl(aryl)-3-(furoxan-4-yl)amidines into 1-substituted 3-(1-nitroalkyl)-1,2,4-triazoles as well as a thermally induced rearrangement of 4-thioureido-3-R-furoxans into derivatives of 5-amino-3-(1-nitroalkyl)-1,2,4-thiadiazole including (5-amino-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)nitro-formaldehyde arylhydrazones (where R =N=N –Ar). Rearrangements of the third kind were those of the cascade type. Three new cascade rearrangements of azofuroxan derivatives [3,3'-azo-4,4'-bis(acetylamino)furoxans, 3-arylazo-4-acetylaminofuroxans, and 3-arylazo-4-(3- ethoxycarbonylureido)furoxans] into 4-amino-5-nitro-2H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives were discovered. These three reactions were assumed to include two consecutive (cascade) rearrangements: a 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring was formed at the first step and then transformed into a 1,2,3-triazole ring with the participation of an azo group.

Cytotoxicity of Furoxans: Quantitative Structure—Activity Relationships Study.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

Cytotoxicity of furoxans: quantitative structure-activity relationships study

Furoxans are interesting biological active compounds. Recent studies demonstrate that they are cytotoxic under aerobic conditions. This paper shows that this cytotoxicity could be related with E LUMO, calculated LogP and Mulliken charge on heterocycle nitrogen 2 calculated at ab initio level (3-21G* basis). It was possible to propose a tentative mechanism of cytotoxicity and structural modifications to modulate the cytotoxic potency of furoxan derivatives.

Synthesis of Furoxan Derivatives Based on 4‐Aminofuroxan‐3‐carboxylic Acid Azide.

AbstractFor Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.

NO donors: Focus on furoxan derivatives

Abstract The article focuses attention on furoxan derivatives (1,2,5 oxadiazole 2-oxides) as NO donors. Possible mechanisms for NO release from these products in physiological solution and in segments of rabbit femoral artery are briefly considered. The in vitro anti aggregatory activities and the in vitro and in vivo vasodilating properties of a number of furoxans are examined with particular reference to involvement of NO in these actions. The use of the furoxan system to design new NO donor/drug hybrids is discussed in connection with the problem of the balance between NO- and drug dependent activities of the resulting structures. Whether other biological activities (as yet, little studied) of furoxans, such as their antiparasite, antimicrobial, and antitumoral effects, are NO dependent, is a matter still to be explored.

3-(1H-Imidazol-4-yl)propyl]guanidines containing furoxan moieties: a New Class of H3-Antagonists endowed with NO-Donor properties

Synthesis and pharmacological characterisation of a series of products obtained by coupling the H3-antagonist SKF 91486 through appropriate spacers with the NO-donor 3-phenylfuroxan-4-yloxy and 3-benzenesulfonylfuroxan-4-yloxy moieties, as well as with the corresponding furazan substructures, devoid of NO-donating properties, are reported. All the products were tested for their H3-antagonistic and H2-agonistic properties on electrically-stimulated guinea-pig ileum segments and guinea-pig papillary muscle, respectively. The whole series of compounds displayed good H3-antagonist behaviour and feeble partial H2-agonist activity. Among furoxan derivatives, the benzenesulfonyl hybrid 28, a good NO-donor, triggered a dual NO-dependent muscle relaxation and H3-antagonistic effect on guinea-pig intestine.