Heterocyclic Alkaloids Research Articles

Discovery of Structural Diversity Guided N‐S Heterocyclic Derivatives Based on Natural Benzothiazole Alkaloids as Potential Cytotoxic Agents

ABSTRACTBenzothiazole alkaloids are a class of rare heterocyclic alkaloids with unique structures and exhibit a wide range of biological activities. So, the aim of this work is to investigate structural diversity‐guided N‐S heterocyclic derivatives based on natural benzothiazole alkaloids as potential cytotoxic agents. Three series of novel benzothiazole derivatives, including 22 compounds, were designed and synthesized using pharmacophore hybridization, and their in vitro cytotoxic activities against Huh‐7 and A875 were fully evaluated. The results indicated that some of these benzothiazole derivatives had significantly good cytotoxic activities against two tested cell lines compared with the positive control 5‐fluorouracil, and other compounds 3f–3i displayed good selectivity between A875 and Huh‐7 cell lines, which might be used as promising lead molecule for discovery of novel benzothiazole‐type cytotoxic agents.

Novel anti-inflammatory diketopiperazine alkaloids from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium brasilianum

Diketopiperazine alkaloids have proven the most abundant heterocyclic alkaloids up to now, which usually process diverse scaffolds and rich biological activities. In our search for bioactive diketopiperazine alkaloids from marine-derived fungi, two novel diketopiperazine alkaloids, penipiperazine A (1) and its biogenetically related new metabolite (2), together with a known analogue neofipiperzine C (3), were obtained from the strain Penicillium brasilianum. Their planar structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, 13C NMR calculation, Marfey’s, ECD, and ORD methods. Compound 1 featured a unique 6/5/6/6/5 indole-pyrazino-pyrazino-pyrrolo system, and its plausible biogenetic pathway was also proposed. Additionally, compounds 1–3 have been tested for their inflammatory activities. 1 and 2 significantly inhibited the release of NO and the expression of related pro-inflammatory cytokines on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, suggesting they could be attracting candidate for further development as anti-inflammatory agent.Key points• A novel diketopiperazine alkaloid featuring a unique 6/5/6/6/5 indole-pyrazino-pyrazino-pyrrolo system was isolated from the marine fungus Penicillium brasilianum.• The structure of 1 was elucidated by detailed analysis of 2D NMR data, 13C NMR calculation, Marfey’s, ECD, and ORD methods.• Compounds 1 and 2 significantly inhibited the release of NO and the expression of related pro-inflammatory cytokines on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.Graphical

Papaverinol-N-Oxide: A Microbial Biotransformation Product of Papaverine with Potential Antidiabetic and Antiobesity Activity Unveiled with In Silico Screening.

Bioconversion of biosynthetic heterocyclic compounds has been utilized to produce new semisynthetic pharmaceuticals and study the metabolites of bioactive drugs used systemically. In this investigation, the biotransformation of natural heterocyclic alkaloid papaverine via filamentous fungi was explored. Molecular docking simulations, using protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase (PL) as target enzymes, were performed to investigate the antidiabetic potential of papaverine and its metabolites in silico. The metabolites were isolated from biotransformation of papaverine with Cunninghamella elegans NRRL 2310, Rhodotorula rubra NRRL y1592, Penicillium chrysogeneum ATCC 10002 and Cunninghamella blackesleeana NRRL 1369 via reduction, demethylation, N-oxidation, oxidation and hydroxylation reactions. Seven metabolites were isolated: namely, 3,4-dihydropapaverine (metabolite 1), papaveroline (metabolite 2), 7-demethyl papaverine (metabolite 3), 6,4'-didemethyl papaverine (metabolite 4), papaverine-3-ol (metabolite 5), papaverinol (metabolite 6) and papaverinol N-oxide (metabolite 7). The structural elucidation of the metabolites was investigated with 1D and 2D NMR and mass spectroscopy (EI and ESI). The molecular docking studies showed that metabolite 7 exhibited better binding interactions with the target enzymes PTP1B, α-glucosidase and PL than did papaverine. Furthermore, papaverinol-N-oxide (7) also displayed inhibition of α-glucosidase and lipase enzymes comparable to that of their ligands (acarbose and orlistat, respectively), as unveiled with an in silico ADMET profile, molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for enhanced inhibition of PTP1B, α-glucosidase and PL via some papaverine fungal transformation products and, therefore, potentially better antidiabetic and antiobesity effects than those of papaverine and other known therapeutic agents.

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of novel copper complexes containing a β-carboline derivative and amino acids.

Copper complexes have long been considered as a promising class of anticancer or antibacterial therapeutics. In this paper, two novel copper(II) complexes containing a β-carboline derivative and amino acids, namely [Cu(1-Im-βc)(L-Val)]ClO4·0.5H2O (Cu1) and [Cu(1-Im-βc)(L-Phe)]ClO4·0.5H2O (Cu2), where 1-Im-βc = 1-(2-imidazolyl)-β-carboline, L-Val = L-valine, and L-Phe = L-phenylalanine, were designed and synthesized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, molar conductivity measurements, and mass spectrometry to determine their spatial structures and compositions. Both complexes bind to DNA by insertion. The complexes also show a good affinity for human serum albumin (HSA). In addition, the antitumor activity of the two complexes against lung cancer cells (A549), cervical cancer cells (HeLa), and breast cancer cells (MBA-MD-231) is significantly superior to that of the traditional antitumor drug, cisplatin. Finally, the anticancer mechanism results show that the complexes can induce apoptosis in HeLa cells, which is associated with mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and activation of the caspase protein family. This study demonstrates that the introduction of aromatic heterocyclic alkaloid ligands with a broad spectrum of biological activities and water-soluble amino acid ligands into copper complexes can regulate their amphiphilic properties and biological activity, so as to obtain highly efficient copper-based therapeutics.

Efficient and Practical Radiosynthesis of Novel [131I]-Xanthine and [131I]-Hypoxanthine

Natural products (NPs) have been the basis for the discovery and development of pharmacologically relevant drug-related molecules, including radiopharmaceuticals. Xanthine (3,7-dihydropurine-2,6-dione) and hypoxanthine (1,9-dihydro-6H-purin-6-one) are purine-based natural heterocyclic alkaloids that are generally found in some plants, animals, and the human body (e.g., muscle tissue, blood, and urine). The purpose of this study was to label xanthine and hypoxanthine with radioactive iodine-131 (a theranostic radionuclide) by a direct labeling method using chloramine-T as an oxidizing agent. Several experiments were performed to optimize the labeling efficiency by changing reaction conditions, including the ratio of starting material and chloramine-T, pH, solvent, temperature, and reaction time. Overall, labeling at acidic conditions in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) resulted in considerable low radiochemical yields (RCYs) (< 4.0 %), and therefore the focus was shifted to exploit the alkaline reaction conditions. The optimized reaction condition: pH (10.5-11.0), xanthine:chloramine-T ratio (1:2), reaction temperature (27 ºC), and reaction time (30 min), provided [ 131 I]-xanthine with a RCY of 65.8 ± 0.1 %. After purification with extraction using chloroform (CHCl 2 ), the radiochemical purity (RCP) of 95.1 % was achieved, as indicated by radio-thin layer chromatography (radio-TLC) analysis. In addition, the labeling of hypoxanthine was accomplished in a maximum 60.3 ± 0.2 % RCY, and after purification a RCP of 94.2 % was obtained. The present results provide an efficient and practical labeling method for xanthine and hypoxanthine with iodine-131, suggesting that these radiolabeled compounds can be further investigated in in vitro and in vivo studies for their theranostics potential.

Computational investigation of the radical-mediated mechanism of formation of difluoro methyl oxindoles: Elucidation of the reaction selectivity and yields.

Oxindoles are an important class of heterocyclic alkaloids with demonstrated pharmacological activity at multiple biological targets. Preparation of new analogs through novel synthetic routes is therefore highly attractive. In this work, we report a computational study to investigate the synthesis of ethoxycarbonyldifluoromethylated oxindoles from N-arylmethacrylamides. The reaction tolerates a diverse range of acrylamides, shows yields ranging from approximately 38%-96%. We have applied density functional theory (DFT) to explore the reaction mechanism, kinetics and thermodynamics to gain further understanding. We demonstrate that a radical-based ring closure reaction is energetically more favorable than a heterolytic process, that the rate-determining step is the formation of the arylmethacrylamide radical, and that the product yields and selectivities are consistent with experiment. The results demonstrate that theoretical methods can prove useful to understand how such reaction and could be potentially employed to rapidly explore the reaction scope further.

Transition of Therapeutic to Toxicological Effects of Certain Plant Alkaloids: A Critical Review Based on their Forensic Perspective

The secondary metabolites have a significant property of therapy as well as toxicity. One among the secondary metabolite that is enormously present in plants is alkaloids. The occurrence of the alkaloid is found to be about 20% in the plants. These compounds have a useful therapeutic application in health disorders. On the other hand, they also cause toxicity to humans as well as animals. Their toxicity levels in humans may tend to affect the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. In this review, occurrence, synthesis and the toxicity levels of non-heterocyclic alkaloids viz. N-methyl tyramine and colchicine as well as heterocyclic alkaloids, viz. derivatives of pyrrolizidine (seneciphylline, echimidine), purine (caffeine, theobromine), indole (ergotamine, brucine) and glycoalkaloids (solanine, tomatine) are discussed. The detection of these alkaloids by chromatographic techniques is also underlined.

Alkaloids Modulate the Functioning of Ion Channels Produced by Antimicrobial Agents via an Influence on the Lipid Host.

It is widely recognized that an alteration in membrane physical properties induced by the adsorption of various drugs and biologically active compounds might greatly affect the functioning of peptides and proteins embedded in the membrane, in particular various ion channels. This study aimed to obtain deep insight into the diversity of the molecular mechanisms of membrane action of one of the most numerous and extremely important class of phytochemicals, the alkaloids. Protoalkaloids (derivatives of β-phenylethylamine, benzylamines, and colchicines), heterocyclic alkaloids (derivatives of purine, quinolysidine, piperidine, pyridine, quinoline, and isoquinoline), and steroid alkaloids were tested. We evaluated the effects of 22 compounds on lipid packing by investigating the thermotropic behavior of membrane lipids and the leakage of a fluorescent marker from unilamellar lipid vesicles. The alteration in the transmembrane distribution of the electrical potential was estimated by measuring the alkaloid induced changes in the boundary potential of planar lipid bilayers. We found that benzylamines, the chili pepper active components, capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, strongly affect not only the elastic properties of the lipid host, but also its electrostatics by dramatic decrease in membrane dipole potential. We concluded that the increase in the conductance and lifetime of gramicidin A channels induced by benzylamines was related to alteration in membrane dipole potential not to decrease in membrane stiffness. A sharp decrease in the lifetime of single ion pores induced by the antifungal lipopeptide syringomycin E, after addition of benzylamines and black pepper alkaloid piperine, was also mainly due to the reduction in dipole potential. At the same time, we showed that the disordering of membrane lipids in the presence of benzylamines and piperine plays a decisive role in the regulation of the conductance induced by the antifungal polyene macrolide antibiotic nystatin, while the inhibition of steady-state transmembrane current produced by the antimicrobial peptide cecropin A was attributed to both the dipole potential drop and membrane lipid disordering in the presence of pepper alkaloids. These data might lead to a better understanding of the biological activity of alkaloids, especially their action on voltage-gated and mechanosensitive ion channels in cell membranes.

Newly reported alkaloids produced by marine-derived Penicillium species (covering 2014-2018).

Alkaloids, especially heterocyclic alkaloids, have received remarkable attention due to their intriguing structures and potential pharmacological activities. The marine fungi residing in extreme environmental conditions are among the richest sources of these basic nitrogen-containing compounds. Fungal species belonging to the genus Penicillium have been studied worldwide for their biosynthetic potential for generating bioactive alkaloids. This paper offers a systematic review of the newly reported alkaloids produced by marine-derived Penicillium species over the past five years (covering the literature from the beginning of 2014 through the end of 2018) and describes the structural diversity, biological activities, and plausible biosynthetic pathway of the reported compounds. A total of 106 alkaloids and 81 references are included in this review, which is expected to be beneficial for drug development and biosynthesis in the near future.

Recent Discovery of Heterocyclic Alkaloids from Marine-Derived Aspergillus Species.

Nitrogen heterocycles have drawn considerable attention due to of their significant biological activities. The marine fungi residing in extreme environments are among the richest sources of these basic nitrogen-containing secondary metabolites. As one of the most well-known universal groups of filamentous fungi, marine-derived Aspergillus species produce a large number of structurally unique heterocyclic alkaloids. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive summary of the structural diversity and biological activities of heterocyclic alkaloids that are produced by marine-derived Aspergillus species. Herein, a total of 130 such structures that were reported from the beginning of 2014 through the end of 2018 are included, and 75 references are cited in this review, which will benefit future drug development and innovation.

Heterocyclic Alkaloids as Antimicrobial Agents of Aspergillus fumigatus D Endophytic on Edgeworthia chrysantha

Heterocyclic Alkaloids as Antimicrobial Agents of Aspergillus fumigatus D Endophytic on Edgeworthia chrysantha

Characterization and Synthesis of Eudistidine C, a Bioactive Marine Alkaloid with an Intriguing Molecular Scaffold.

An extract of Eudistoma sp. provided eudistidine C (1), a heterocyclic alkaloid with a novel molecular framework. Eudistidine C (1) is a racemic natural product composed of a tetracyclic core structure further elaborated with a p-methoxyphenyl group and a phenol-substituted aminoimidazole moiety. This compound presented significant structure elucidation challenges due to the large number of heteroatoms and fully substituted carbons. These issues were mitigated by application of a new NMR pulse sequence (LR-HSQMBC) optimized to detect four- and five-bond heteronuclear correlations and the use of computer-assisted structure elucidation software. Synthesis of eudistidine C (1) was accomplished in high yield by treating eudistidine A (2) with 4(2-amino-1H-imidazol-5-yl)phenol (4) in DMSO. Synthesis of eudistidine C (1) confirmed the proposed structure and provided material for further biological characterization. Treatment of 2 with various nitrogen heterocycles and electron-rich arenes provided a series of analogues (5-10) of eudistidine C. Chiral-phase HPLC resolution of epimeric eudistidine C provided (+)-(R)-eudistidine C (1a) and (-)-(S)-eudistidine C (1b). The absolute configuration of these enantiomers was assigned by ECD analysis. (-)-(S)-Eudistidine C (1b) modestly inhibited interaction between the protein binding domains of HIF-1α and p300. Compounds 1, 2, and 6-10 exhibited significant antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.

Microfluidic-based G-quadruplex ligand displacement assay for alkaloid anticancer drug screening

Some natural heterocyclic alkaloids containing planar group show potential to complex with specific promoter region of protooncogene for stabilizing the G-quadruplex (G4) structure which nowadays promises to be a target in anticancer drug design. However, in view of the polymorphic characteristics and structural complexity of heterocyclic alkaloids, it is desirable to develop high-throughput and low-consumption approach for anticancer drug screening. In this paper, an intensive study on alkaloid ligand/G4 DNA interaction has been conducted, demonstrating that the end-stacking interaction is the favorable binding mode between the oncogene-related Pu22 G4 DNA and the heterocyclic alkaloid ligand. Based on structural feasibility and energy minimization, a ligand displacement assay for screening alkaloid ligand in stabilizing the oncogene target G4 has been developed, which also helps to facilitate the assessment of drug specificity. Coupled with microfluidic-based DNAzyme-catalytic chemiluminescence detection, the approach showed the advantages of high sensitivity, high throughput with low sample and reagent consumptions.

ChemInform Abstract: Recent Developments in the Chemistry of Quinazolinone Alkaloids

AbstractReview: [53 refs.

Bioactive heterocyclic alkaloids with diterpene structure isolated from traditional Chinese medicines

The diterpenoid alkaloids as one type of heterocyclic alkaloids have been found in many traditional herbal medicines, such as genus Consolida, Aconitum, and Delphinium (Ranunculaceae). Pharmacological researches have indicated that many diterpenoid alkaloids are the main bioactive components which have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, cardiotonic, and anti-arrhythmic activities. Studies focused on the determination, quantitation and pharmacological properties of these alkaloids have dramatically increased during the past few years. Up to now, newly discovered diterpenoid alkaloids with important biological activities have been isolated and synthesized. Considering their significant role and diffusely used in many disease treatments, we summarized the information of their analysis methods, bioactivity, metabolism and biotransformation in vivo as well as the pharmacological mechanisms. Based on above review, the further researches are suggested.

ChemInform Abstract: Targeting G‐Quadruplex Nucleic Acids with Heterocyclic Alkaloids and Their Derivatives

AbstractReview: 140 refs.

Structural Elucidation and Synthesis of Eudistidine A: An Unusual Polycyclic Marine Alkaloid that Blocks Interaction of the Protein Binding Domains of p300 and HIF-1α.

Low oxygen environments are a hallmark of solid tumors, and transcription of many hypoxia-responsive genes needed for survival under these conditions is regulated by the transcription factor HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor 1). Activation of HIF-1 requires binding of its α-subunit (HIF-1α) to the transcriptional coactivator protein p300. Inhibition of the p300/HIF-1α interaction can suppress HIF-1 activity. A screen for inhibitors of the protein binding domains of p300 (CH1) and HIF-1α (C-TAD) identified an extract of the marine ascidian Eudistoma sp. as active. Novel heterocyclic alkaloids eudistidines A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the extract, and their structures assigned by spectroscopic analyses. They contain an unprecedented tetracyclic core composed of two pyrimidine rings fused with an imidazole ring. Eudistidine A (1) was synthesized in a concise four-step sequence featuring a condensation/cyclization reaction cascade between 4-(2-aminophenyl)pyrimidin-2-amine (3) and 4-methoxy-phenylglyoxal (4), while eudistidine B (2) was synthesized in a similar fashion with glyoxylic acid (5) in place of 4. Naturally occurring eudistidine A (1) effectively inhibited CH1/C-TAD binding with an IC50 of 75 μM, and synthetic 1 had similar activity. The eudistidine A (1) scaffold, which can be synthesized in a concise, scalable manner, may provide potential therapeutic lead compounds or molecular probes to study p300/HIF-1α interactions and the role these proteins play in tumor response to low oxygen conditions. The unique structural scaffolds and functional group arrays often found in natural products make these secondary metabolites a rich source of new compounds that can disrupt critical protein-protein binding events.

Structure elucidation of phase I metabolites of the microtubule perturbagens: ceratamines A and B.

The heterocyclic alkaloids, ceratamines A and B, are isolates from a marine Pseudoceratina sp. sponge. They behave as antimitotic agents, with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The mechanism of this activity involves the disruption of microtubule dynamics; therefore, the ceratamines are of great interest in cancer drug discovery. Studies of in vitro metabolism were performed using rat liver microsomes to begin to understand the pharmacokinetics of these unique natural products. A total of eight metabolites were identified using UV and LC-MS/MS techniques. The majority of metabolites were formed as a result of various demethylation reactions. The formation of two metabolites, M1 and M3, involved monooxygenation, most likely on the aromatic ring, however the exact structure has not been determined. UV absorbance revealed a hypsochromic shift as a result of monooxygenation, an observation that may suggest the loss of aromaticity; however, further investigation is required. The structures of two major metabolites of ceratamine B, M4 and M6, were confirmed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. These metabolites formed as a result of demethylation at the methoxy and aminoimidazole, respectively.

ChemInform Abstract: Vasicine and Structurally Related Quinazolines

AbstractReview: 74 refs.

Vasicine and structurally related quinazolines

Natural products are diverse sources of important chemical constituents. Most of the metabolites isolated from them are heterocycles possessing diverse pharmacological actions. Vasicine, a heterocyclic alkaloid possessing a privileged quinazoline nucleus is primarily present in the leaves o the plant Adhatoda vasica nees, family Acanthaceae. Vasicine and structurally related quinazolines have been an area of interest for the researchers all around the world. The present review provides an up to date compilation of the alkaloid vasicine, its biosynthesis, synthesis, biological attributes, design of its synthetic analogues along with structurally related quinazolines.