In recent decade, the entrance of α-N-heterocyclic thiosemicarbazones derivates (Triapne, COTI-2 and DpC) in clinical trials for cancer and HIV-1 has vastly increased the interests of medicinal chemists towards this class of organic compounds. In the given study, a series of eighteen new (3a-r) 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde-based thiosemicarbazones (TSC), bearing aryl and cycloalkyl substituents, were synthesized and assayed for their pharmacological potential against carbonic anhydrases (hCA I and hCA II), cholinesterases (AChE and BChE) and α-glycosidase. The hCA I isoform was inhibited by these novel 3-ethoxysalicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone derivatives (3a-r) in low nanomolar levels, the Ki of which differed between 144.18 ± 26.74 and 454.92 ± 48.32 nM. Against the physiologically dominant isoform hCA II, the novel compounds demonstrated Kis varying from 110.54 ± 14.05 to 444.12 ± 36.08 nM. Also, these novel derivatives (3a-r) effectively inhibited AChE, with Ki values in the range of 385.38 ± 45.03 to 983.04 ± 104.64 nM. For BChE was obtained with Ki values in the range of 400.21 ± 35.68 to 1003.02 ± 154.27 nM. For α-glycosidase the most effective Ki values of 3l, 3n, and 3q were with Ki values of 12.85 ± 1.05, 16.03 ± 2.84, and 19.16 ± 2.66 nM, respectively. Moreover, the synthesized TCSs were simulated using force field methods whereas the binding energies of the selected compounds were estimated using MM-GBSA method. The findings indicate the present novel 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde-based thiosemicarbazones to be excellent hits for pharmaceutical applications.
Garcinia hombroniana (seashore mangosteen) in Malaysia is used to treat itching and as a protective medicine after child birth. This study was aimed to investigate the bioactive chemical constituents of the bark of G. hombroniana. Ethyl acetate and dichloromethane extracts of G. hombroniana yielded two new (1, 9) and thirteen known compounds which were characterized by the spectral techniques of NMR, UV, IR and EI/ESI-MS, and identified as; 2,3',4,5'-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxybenzophenone(1), 2,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-6-methoxybenzophenone (2), 2,3',4,6-tetrahydroxybenzophenone (3), 1,3,6,7-tetrahydroxyxanthone (4), 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone (5),3,3',5,5',7-pentahydroxyflavanone (6), 3,3',4',5,5',7-hexahydroxyflavone (7), 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone-7-rutinoside (8), 18(13→17)-abeo-3β-acetoxy-9α,13β-lanost-24E-en-26-oic acid (9), garcihombronane B (10), garcihombronane D (11), friedelan-3-one (12), lupeol (13), stigmasterol (14) and stigmasterol glucoside (15). In the in vitro cytotoxicity against MCF-7, DBTRG, U2OS and PC-3 cell lines, compounds 1 and 9 displayed good cytotoxic effects against DBTRG cancer cell lines. Compounds 1-8 were also found to possess significant antioxidant activities. Owing to these properties, this study can be further extended to explore more significant bioactive components of this plant.
Thymidine phosphorylase is an enzyme involved in pyrimidine salvage pathway that is identical to platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) and gliostatin. It is enormously up regulated in a variety of solid tumors. Furthermore, surpassing of TP level protects tumor cells from apoptosis and helps cell survival. Thus TP is identified as a prime target for developing novel anticancer therapies. A new class of exceptionally potent isatin based oxadiazole (1-30) has been synthesized and evaluated for thymidine phosphorylase inhibitory potential. All analogs showed potent thymidine phosphorylase inhibition when compared with standard 7-Deazaxanthine, 7DX (IC50 = 38.68 ± 1.12 µM). Molecular docking study was performed in order to determine the binding interaction of these newly synthesized compounds, which revealed that these synthesized compounds established stronger hydrogen bonding network with active site of residues as compare to the standard compound 7DX.
α-Glucosidase is a catabolic enzyme that regulates the body's plasma glucose levels by providing energy sources to maintain healthy functioning. 2-Amino-thiadiazole (1-13) and 2-amino-thiadiazole based Schiff bases (14-22) were synthesized, characterized by 1H NMR and HREI-MS and screened for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. All twenty-two (22) analogs exhibit varied degree of α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 values ranging between 2.30 ± 0.1 to 38.30 ± 0.7 μM, when compare with standard drug acarbose having IC50 value of 39.60 ± 0.70 μM. Among the series eight derivatives 1, 2, 6, 7, 14, 17, 19 and 20 showed outstanding α-glucosidase inhibitory potential with IC50 values of 3.30 ± 0.1, 5.80 ± 0.2, 2.30 ± 0.1, 2.70 ± 0.1, 2.30 ± 0.1, 5.50 ± 0.1, 4.70 ± 0.2, and 5.50 ± 0.2 μM respectively, which is many fold better than the standard drug acarbose. The remaining analogs showed good to excellent α-glucosidase inhibition. Structure activity relationship has been established for all compounds. The binding interactions of these compounds were confirmed through molecular docking.
Three benzimidazolium salts (III-V) and respective selenium adducts (VI-VIII) were designed, synthesized and characterized by various analytical techniques (FT-IR and NMR 1H, 13C). Selected salts and respective selenium N-Heterocyclic carbenes (selenium-NHC) adducts were tested in vitro against Cervical Cancer Cell line (Hela), Breast Adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7), Retinal Ganglion Cell line (RGC-5) and Mouse Melanoma Cell line (B16F10) using MTT assay and the results were compared with standard drug 5-Fluorouracil. Se-NHC compounds and azolium salts showed significant anticancer potential. Molecular docking studies of compounds (VI, VII and VIII) showed strong binding energies and ligand affinity toward following angiogenic factors: VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor A), EGF (human epidermal growth factor), HIF (Hypoxia-inducible factor) and COX-1 (Cyclooxygenase-1) suggesting that the anticancer activity of adducts (VI, VII and VIII) may be due to their strong anti-angiogenic effect. In addition, compounds III-VIII were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal potential. Adduct VI was found to be potent anti-fungal agent against A. Niger with zone of inhibition (ZI) value 27.01 ± 0.251 mm which is better than standard drug Clotrimazole tested in parallel.
Benzothiazole and its natural or synthetic derivatives have been used as precursors for several pharmacological agents for neuroprotective, anti-bacterial, and anti-allergic activities. The objective of the present study was to evaluate effects of benzothiazole analogs (compounds 1-26) for their immunomodulatory activities. Eight compounds (2, 4, 5, 8-10, 12, and 18) showed potent inhibitory activity on PHA-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with IC50 ranging from 3.7 to 11.9 μM compared to that of the standard drug, prednisolone <1.5 μM. Some compounds (2, 4, 8, and 18) were also found to have potent inhibitory activities on the production of IL-2 on PHA/PMA-stimulated PBMCs with IC50 values ranging between <4.0 and 12.8 μM. The binding interaction of these compounds was performed through silico molecular docking. Compounds 2, 8, 9, and 10 significantly suppressed oxidative burst ROS production in phagocytes with IC50 values between <4.0 and 15.2 μM. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitrites in murine macrophages cell line J774 were found to be inhibited by compounds 4, 8, 9, and 18 at a concentration of 25 μg/mL by 56%, 91%, 58%, and 78%, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 5, 8, 12, and 18 showed significant (P<0.05) suppressive activity on Th-2 cytokine, interleukin 4 (IL-4) with an IC50 range of <4.0 to 40.3 μM. Interestingly compound 4 has shown a selective inhibitory activity on IL-2 and T cell proliferation (naïve T cell proliferation stage) rather than on IL-4 cytokine, while compound 12 displayed an interference with T-cell proliferation and IL-4 generation. Moreover compound 8 and 18 exert non-selective inhibition on both IL-2 and IL-4 cytokines, indicating a better interference with stage leading to humoral immune response and hence possible application in autoimmune diseases.
Current study based on the synthesis of new thiazole derivatives via "one pot" multicomponent reaction, evaluation of their in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activities, and in silico studies. All synthetic compounds were fully characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and EIMS. CHN analysis was also performed. These newly synthesized compounds showed activities in the range of IC50=9.06±0.10-82.50±1.70μM as compared to standard acarbose (IC50=38.25±0.12μM). It is worth mentioning that most of the compounds such as 1 (IC50=23.60±0.39μM), 2 (IC50=22.70±0.60μM), 3 (IC50=22.40±0.32μM), 4 (IC50=26.5±0.40μM), 6 (IC50=34.60±0.60μM), 7 (IC50=26.20±0.43μM), 8 (IC50=14.06±0.18μM), 9 (IC50=17.60±0.28μM), 10 (IC50=27.16±0.41μM), 11 (IC50=19.16±0.19μM), 12 (IC50=9.06±0.10μM), 13 (IC50=12.80±0.21μM), 14 (IC50=11.94±0.18μM), 15 (IC50=16.90±0.20μM), 16 (IC50=12.60±0.14μM), 17 (IC50=16.30±0.29μM), and 18 (IC50=32.60±0.61μM) exhibited potent inhibitory potential. Molecular docking study was performed in order to understand the molecular interactions between the molecule and enzyme. Newly identified α-glucosidase inhibitors except few were found to be completely non-toxic.
Novel derivatives of flurbiprofen 1-18 including flurbiprofen hydrazide 1, substituted aroyl hydrazides 2-9, 2-mercapto oxadiazole derivative 10, phenacyl substituted 2-mercapto oxadiazole derivatives 11-15, and benzyl substituted 2-mercapto oxadiazole derivatives 16-18 were synthesized and characterized by EI-MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. All derivatives 1-18 were screened for α-amylase inhibitory activity and demonstrated a varying degree of potential ranging from IC50 = 1.04 ± 0.3 to 2.41 ± 0.09 µM as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 0.9 ± 0.04 µM). Out of eighteen compounds, derivatives 2 (IC50 = 1.69 ± 0.1 µM), 3 (IC50 = 1.04 ± 0.3 µM), 9 (IC50 = 1.25 ± 1.05 µM), and 13 (IC50 = 1.6 ± 0.18 µM) found to be excellent inhibitors while rest of the compounds demonstrated comparable inhibition potential. A limited structure-activity relationship (SAR) was established by looking at the varying structural features of the library. In addition to that, in silico study was conducted to understand the binding interactions of the compounds (ligands) with the active site of α-amylase enzyme.
A new series of urea/thiourea derivatives have been efficiently synthesized from the reaction of L-3-hydroxytyrosine with selective isocyanates/isothiocyanates and characterized by Infra-red, proton & carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectral and mass spectrometry studies. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for their antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl1-2-picrylhydrazyl radical assay, ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and also studied their molecular docking interaction profiles against 1N8Q and 3NRZ enzymatic proteins. The in vitro antioxidant activity has further supported by quantitative structure activity relationship, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion & toxicity studies, bioactivity studies & enzyme inhibition assay and identified that they were potentially bound to ASP490 & ASP361 aminoacid residue in chain A of 1N8Q protein and GLN1194 aminoacid residue in chain L of 3NRZ protein and are responsible for potential antioxidant activity. It is proved that urea derivatives linked with 4-fluoro & 4-nitro and thiourea derivatives linked with 3-chloro & 4-fluoro have exhibited promising antioxidant activity. In eventual synthesized compounds have been identified as potential blood-brain barrier penetrable compounds and proficient central nervous system active neuro-protective antioxidant agents as they have envisaged as easily penetrable to blood-brain barrier thresholds, a neuroprotective property.
Four series of thirteen new coumarin-chalcone hybrids (DPCU 1-13, DPCT 1-13, DCCU 1-13 and DCCT 1-13) were designed and synthesized using Biginelli synthesis, Pechmann condensation, Acetylation, and Claisen-Schmidt reactions. Synthesized compounds were tested for insulin receptor in silico docking studies (PDB ID: 1IR3); DCCU 13 and DCCT 13 derivatives received the lowest docking score; Streptozocin (STZ) and Nicotinamide (NA) induced type II diabetes was tested for their anti-diabetic activity in rats. In vivo tests suggested that fasting blood glucose levels of animals treated with DCCU 13 (30 mg/kg body weight) and DCCT 13 (30 mg/kg body weight) were significantly and moderately suppressed, respectively, relative to fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic control animals. Similarly, therapy with DCCU 13 and DCCT 13 attenuated oxidative stress parameters such as lipid peroxidation (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increased the glutathione (GSH) in the liver and pancreas in a dose-dependent manner. In comparison, therapy with DCCU 13 (30 mg/kg body weight) mitigated alterations in the histological architecture of the liver and pancreatic tissue. These results indicated that the hybrids DUUC 13 and DCCT 13 at 30 mg/kg had an anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant impact on STZ + NA mediated type II diabetes in rats. Further detailed work could be required to determine the precise mode of action of the anti-diabetic behavior of hybrids.
A series of 1-(2,3-dihydro-1H-indan-1-yl)-3-aryl urea/thiourea derivatives (4a-j) have been synthesized from the reaction of 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-amine (2) with various aryl isocyanates/isothiocyanates (3a-j) by using N,N-DIPEA base (Hunig's base) catalyst in THF at reflux conditions. All of them are structurally confirmed by spectral (IR, 1H &13C NMR and MASS) and elemental analysis and screened for their in-vitro antioxidant activity against DPPH and NO free radicals and found that compounds 4b, 4i, 4h &4g are potential antioxidants. The obtained in vitro results were compared with the molecular docking, ADMET, QSAR and bioactivity study results performed for them and identified that the recorded in silico binding affinities were observed in good correlation with the in vitro antioxidant results. The Molecular docking analysis had unveiled the strong hydrogen bonding interactions of synthesized ligands with ARG 160 residue of protein tyrosine kinase (2HCK) enzyme and plays an effective role in its inhibition. Toxicology studies have assessed the potential risks of 4a-j and inferred that all of them were in the limits of potential drugs. The conformational analysis of 4a-j inferred that the urea/thiourea spacer linking 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-amino and substituted aryl units has facilitated all these molecules to effectively bind with ARG 160 amino acid residue present on the α-helix of the protein tyrosine kinase (2HCK) enzyme specifically on chain A of hemopoetic cell kinase. Collectively this study has established a relationship between the antioxidant potentiality and ligands binding with ARG 160 amino acid residue of chain A of 2HCK enzyme to inhibit its growth as well as proliferation of reactive oxygen species in vivo.
Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEFGR) and its co-receptor neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is an interesting vascular strategy. tLyp-1 is a tumor-homing and penetrating peptide of 7 amino acids (CGNKRTR). It is a truncated form of Lyp-1 (CGNKRTRGC), which is known to target NRP-1 receptor, with high affinity and specificity. It is mediated by endocytosis via C-end rule (CendR) internalization pathway. The aim of this study is to evaluate the importance of each amino acid in the tLyp-1 sequence through alanine-scanning (Ala-scan) technique, during which each of the amino acid in the sequence was systematically replaced by alanine to produce 7 different analogues. In silico approach through molecular docking and molecular dynamics are employed to understand the interaction between the peptide and its analogues with the NRP-1 receptor, followed by in vitro ligand binding assay study. The C-terminal Arg is crucial in the interaction of tLyp-1 with NRP-1 receptor. Substituting this residue dramatically reduces the affinity of this peptide which is clearly seen in this study. Lys-4 is also important in the interaction, which is confirmed via the in vitro study and the MM-PBSA analysis. The finding in this study supports the CendR, in which the presence of R/K-XX-R/K motif is essential in the binding of a ligand with NRP-1 receptor. This presented work will serve as a guide in the future work pertaining the development of active targeting agent towards NRP-1 receptor.
A bio-assay guided fractionation strategy based on cholinesterase assay combined with 13C NMR-based dereplication was used to identify active metabolites from the bark of Mesua lepidota. Eight compounds were identified with the aid of the 13C NMR-based dereplication software, MixONat, i.e., sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), α-amyrin (3), friedelin (6), 3β-friedelinol (7), betulinic acid (9), lepidotol A (10) and lepidotol B (11). Further bio-assay guided isolation of active compounds afforded one xanthone, pyranojacareubin (12) and six coumarins; lepidotol A (10), lepidotol B (11), lepidotol E (13), lepidotin A (14), and lepidotin B (15), including a new Mammea coumarin, lepidotin C (16). All the metabolites showed strong to moderate butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition. Lepidotin B (15) exhibited the most potent inhibition towards BChE with a mix-mode inhibition profile and a Ki value of 1.03 µM. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations have revealed that lepidotin B (15) forms stable interactions with key residues within five critical regions of BChE. These regions encompass residues Asp70 and Tyr332, the acyl hydrophobic pocket marked by Leu286, the catalytic triad represented by Ser198 and His438, the oxyanion hole (OH) constituted by Gly116 and Gly117, and the choline binding site featuring Trp82. To gauge the binding strength of lepidotin B (15) and to pinpoint pivotal residues at the binding interface, free energy calculations were conducted using the Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) approach. This analysis not only predicted a favourable binding affinity for lepidotin B (15) but also facilitated the identification of significant residues crucial for the binding interaction.
The synthetic indole Mannich bases 1-13 have been investigated for their ability to modulate immune responses measured in vitro. These activities were based on monitoring their affects on T-lymphocyte proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), IL (interleukin)-2, IL-4, and nitric oxide production. Compound 5 was found to be the most potent immunomodulator in this context. Four of the synthesized compounds, 5, 11, 12, and 13, have significant potent inhibitory effects on T-cell proliferation, IL-4, and nitric oxide production. However, none of the thirteen indole compounds exerted any activity against ROS production.
In search of potent anti-inflammatory agents, twenty-four chalcone derivatives including seven new compounds (13 - 17, 21 and 23) containing pyrrole moiety were designed, synthesized, and assessed for their nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) suppression ability on IFN-γ/LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Results showed that none of the synthesized compounds were PAINS-associated molecules, with 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-prop-2-en-1-one (compound 16) exhibiting remarkable inhibition activity towards PGE2 and NO production with IC50 values of 0.5 ± 1.5 µM and 12.1 ± 1.5 µM, respectively. Physicochemical and ADMET studies showed that majority of the compounds obey to Lipinski's rule of five (RO5) having high blood brain barrier (BBB) penetration, human intestinal absorption (HIA), P- glycoprotein (PgP) inhibition and plasma binding protein (PPB) inhibition. The obtained atomic coordinates for the single-crystal XRD of 16 were then applied in a molecular docking simulation, and compound 16 was found to participate in a number of important binding interactions in the binding sites of ERK and mPGES-1. Based on these results, we have observed the potential of compound 16 as a new hit anti-inflammatory agent, and these findings could serve as a basis for further studies on its mechanism of action.
A set of two series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole (11a-n) and 1,2,4-Triazole (12a, c, e, g, h, j-n) based topsentin analogues were prepared by replacing imizadole moiety of topsentin through a multistep synthesis starting from indole. All the compounds synthesized were submitted for single dose (10 µM) screening against a NCI panel of 60-human cancer cell lines. Among all cancer cell lines, colon (HCC-2998) and Breast (MCF-7, T-47D) cancer cell lines were found to be more susceptible for this class of compounds. Among the compounds tested, compounds 11a, 11d, 11f, 12e and 12h, were exhibited good anti-proliferative activity against various cancer cell lines. Compounds 11d, 12e and 12h demonstrated better activity with IC50 2.42 µM, 3.06 µM, and 3.30 µM respectively against MCF-7 human cancer cell line than that of the standard drug doxorubicin IC50 6.31 µM. Furthermore, 11d induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase and also disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential with reducing cell migration potential of MCF-7 cells in dose dependent manner. In vitro microtubule polymerization assays found that compound 11d disrupt tubulin dynamics by inhibiting tubulin polymerization with IC50 3.89 μM compared with standard nocodazole (IC50 2.49 μM). In silico docking studies represented that 11d was binding at colchicine binding site of β-tubulin. Compound 11d emerged as lead molecule from the library of compounds tested and this may serve as a template for further drug discovery.
Twenty five derivatives of indole carbohydrazide (1-25) had been synthesized. These compounds were characterized using 1H NMR and EI-MS, and further evaluated for their α-amylase inhibitory potential. The analogs (1-25) showed varying degree of α-amylase inhibitory potential. ranging between 9.28 and 599.0µM when compared with standard acarbose having IC50 value 8.78±0.16µM. Six analogs, 25 (IC50=9.28±0.153µM), 22 (IC50=9.79±0.43µM), 4 (IC50=11.08±0.357µM), 1 (IC50=12.65±0.169µM), 8 (IC50=21.37±0.07µM) and 14 (IC50=43.21±0.14µM) showed potent α-amylase inhibition as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50=8.78±0.16µM). All other analogs displayed good to moderate inhibitory potential. Structure-activity relationship was established through the interaction of the active compounds with enzyme active site with the help of docking studies.
A series of hydrazinecarboxamide derivatives were synthesized and examined against urease for their inhibitory activity. Among the series, the 1-(3-fluorobenzylidene)semicarbazide (4a) (IC50 = 0.52 ± 0.45 µM), 4u (IC50 = 1.23 ± 0.32 µM) and 4h (IC50 = 2.22 ± 0.32 µM) were found most potent. Furthermore, the molecular docking study was also performed to demonstrate the binding mode of the active hydrazinecarboxamide with the enzyme, urease. In order to estimate drug likeness of compounds, in silico ADME evaluation was carried out. All compounds exhibited favorable ADME profiles with good predicted oral bioavailability.
A series of semicarbazone, thiosemicarbazone, thiazole, and oxazole derivatives were designed, synthesized, and examined for monoamine oxidase inhibition using two isoforms, i.e., MAO-A and MAO-B. Among all the analogues, 3c and 3j possessed substantial activity against MAO-A with IC50 values of 5.619 ± 1.04 µM and 0.5781 ± 0.1674 µM, respectively. Whereas 3d and 3j were active against monoamine oxidase B with the IC50 values of 9.952 ± 1.831 µM and 3.5 ± 0.7 µM, respectively. Other derivatives active against MAO-B were 3c and 3g with the IC50 values of 17.67 ± 5.6 µM and 37.18 ± 2.485 µM. Moreover, molecular docking studies were achieved for the most potent compound (3j) contrary to human MAO-A and MAO-B. Kinetic studies were also performed for the most potent analogue to evaluate its mode of interaction with MAO-A and MAO-B.
The current study describes the discovery of novel inhibitors of α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes. For that purpose, new hybrid analogs of N-hydrazinecarbothioamide substituted indazoles 4-18 were synthesized and fully characterized by EI-MS, FAB-MS, HRFAB-MS, 1H-, and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Stereochemistry of the imine double bond was established by NOESY measurements. All derivatives 4-18 with their intermediates 1-3, were evaluated for in vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzyme inhibition. It is worth mentioning that all synthetic compounds showed good inhibition potential in the range of 1.54 ± 0.02-4.89 ± 0.02 µM for α-glucosidase and for α-amylase 1.42 ± 0.04-4.5 ± 0.18 µM in comparison with the standard acarbose (IC50 value of 1.36 ± 0.01 µM). In silico studies were carried out to rationalize the mode of binding interaction of ligands with the active site of enzymes. Moreover, enzyme inhibitory kinetic characterization was also performed to understand the mechanism of enzyme inhibition.