Synthesis of febrifuginol analogues and evaluation of their biological activities

A new series of febrifuginol analogues was prepared from l-glutamic acid. An antimalarial activity evaluation against chloroquine-sensitive (T96) and chloroquine-resistant (K1) Plasmodium falciparum indicated that all the tested compounds had very strong inhibitory activity. Compounds 4 and 17b′ were inactive against KB, MCF7, HepG2 and LU1 cell lines even at a concentration of 100 μM, while they exhibited significant inhibition towards P. falciparum. Comparison of the antimalarial activity and the cytotoxic properties revealed that the 2′S isomers were more active than the corresponding 2′R isomers for this series of febrifuginol analogues, indicating that the C-2′ position is critical for the biological activity of this class of compounds.     

Cytotoxic arylbenzofuran and stilbene derivatives from the twigs of Artocarpus heterophyllus

Four new natural products, including three arylbenzofurans named heterophyllenes A-C (1–3), and one stilbene named heterophyllene D (4), together with twenty-one known compounds were isolated from the twigs of Artocarpus heterophyllus and their structures elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of selected compounds against KB, MCF-7 and NCI-H187 cell lines was evaluated. Heterophyllene C (3) exhibited cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 12.56 μM. Additionally, the known compounds norartocarpin and artocarpin showed cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and KB cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 10.04 and 13.57 μM, respectively. Both compounds also displayed cytotoxicity against the NCI-H187 cell line with values of 14.78 and 14.21 μM, respectively.     

Gold-catalyzed oxazoles synthesis and their relevant antiproliferative activities

Nine 5-aryl-2-methyloxazole derivatives were synthesized via gold-catalyzed alkyne oxidation. All of the compounds have been screened for their antiproliferative activities against MCF-7 cell （human breast carcinoma）, A549 cell （human lung carcinoma） and Hela cell （human cervical carcinoma） lines in vitro. The results revealed that compounds 1b, 1c and 1d exhibited strong inhibitory activities against the MCF-7 cell lines （with ICso values of 4.6, 9.7 and 2.2 μmol/L, respectively）.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological evaluation of purine nucleoside analogues

We present a convenient route for the synthesis of C6-amino-C5′-N-cyclopropyl carboxamido-C2-alkynylated purine nucleoside analogues 11a–g via Sonogashira coupling reaction. The nine step synthesis is easy to perform, employing commercially available reagents. Compound 9 is used as key intermediate for the synthesis of analogues 11a–g. Synthetic intermediates and final products are appropriately characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and Mass. The modified nucleoside analogues 11a–g is evaluated for in vitro anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 and Caco-2 cell lines. Screening data reveals that compounds 11b and 11e displayed potent IC₅₀ value of 7.9, 6.8 µg/mL respectively against MDA-MB-231 and of 7.5, 8.3 µg/mL respectively against Caco-2 than the standard drug doxorubicin, thus establishing the potential anti-cancer properties of these newer derivatives.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 2-phenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-​indole derivatives as potential anticancer agents and tubulin polymerization inhibitors

A new series of 2-phenyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-?indole derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors were synthesized and evaluated for the anti-proliferative activities. All newly prepared compounds were tested for their antiproliferative activity in vitro on the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549). Among them, compound 7b with a 4-methoxyl substituent at the phenylhydrazone moiety exhibited the most potent anticancer activity against MCF-7 and A549 with IC₅₀ values of 1.77 ± 0.37 and 3.75 ± 0.11 μM, respectively. Interestingly, 7b displayed significant selectivity in inhibiting cancer cells over LO2 (normal human liver cells). Further mechanism studies revealed that 7b significantly arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, 7b effectively inhibited tubulin polymerization with an inhibitory manner similar to that of colchicine. Furthermore, molecular docking study suggested that 7b had high binding affinities for the colchicine binding pocket of tubulin. Hence, this study demonstrates for the first time that tetrahydroindole can be used as a functional group for the design and development of new tubulin polymerization inhibitors.     

Artanomadimers A–F: six new dimeric guaianolides from Artemisia anomala

A novel dimeric guaianolide with an unprecedented skeleton, named artanomadimer A (1), and five new analogues, artanomadimers B–F (2–6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia anomala. Their structures and stereochemistry were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, and the absolute stereochemistry of compound 4 was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Artanomadimer A (1) is probably formed through a Diels–Alder reaction with the new carbon–carbon bond formation of C-11/C-2′ and C-13/C-5′ based on its structure. A cytotoxic evaluation showed that compounds 1 and 6 exhibited significant inhibitory effects against the cell growth of BGC-823 tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 2.71 and 6.25 μM, respectively.     

Dialkyl- and diaryl-platinum(II) complexes with secondary phosphines: Preparation,structure and thermal reaction giving the metallopolymer

Alkyl and arylplatinum complexes with 1,5-cyclooctadiene ligand, [PtR₂(cod)] (R = Me, Ph, C₆H₄-p-CF₃, C₆F₅), react with secondary phosphines, PHR′₂ (R′ = i-Bu, t-Bu, Ph), to afford the mononuclear platinum complexes, cis-[PtR₂(PHR′₂)₂] (1a: R = Me, R′ = i-Bu; 1b: R = Me, R′ = t-Bu; 1c: R = Me, R′ = Ph; 2a: R = Ph, R′ = i-Bu; 2b: R = Ph, R′ = t-Bu; 2c: R = R′ = Ph; 3a: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = i-Bu; 3b: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = t-Bu; 3c: R = C₆H₄-p-CF₃, R′ = Ph; 4a: R = C₆F₅, R′ = i-Bu; 4c: R = C₆F₅, R′ = Ph) in 81–98% yields. Molecular structures of the complexes except for 1a, 1c and 2a were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1b has a square-planar structure with Pt–C(methyl) bonds of 2.083(8) and 2.109(8) Å, while the Pt–C(aryl) bonds of 2b–c, 3a–c, 4a and 4c (2.055(1)–2.073(8) Å) are shorter than them. Thermal decomposition of 1b, 2a–c, and 3a–c releases methane, biphenyl or 4,4′-bis(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl as the organic products, which are characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The solid product of the thermal reactions of 2b and 2c were characterized as the metallopolymers formulated as [Pt(PR′₂)₂]_n (5b: R′ = ^tBu; 5c: R′ = Ph), based on the solid-state NMR and elemental analyses.     

Palladium-catalyzed domino sequence for the synthesis of N-aryl quinolinone-3-carboxylate derivatives and their anti-proliferative activity

An efficient and an operationally simple Palladium-catalyzed domino reaction for the synthesis of N-aryl quinolinone-3-carboxylate derivatives has been developed via the reaction between diethyl 2-(2-bromobenzylidine) malonate and anilines. These newly synthesized compounds exhibited good to moderate anti-proliferative activity with GI₅₀ values ranging from 0.41 µM to 45.77 µM. Among them, compounds 6j, 6k and 6m demonstrated potential activity particularly against MCF-7 (breast) and KB (oral) cancer cell lines.     

Design, synthesis and antiproliferative activities of novel 5H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indoles

A novel series of 5H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indoles were designed and synthesized in order to find novel potent anticancer compounds.The structures were confirmed by ~1H NMR and MS.Their antiproliferative activities against two cancer cell lines were tested by the MTT method in vitro.Three of compounds (1e,1g,and 1h) exhibited potent antiproliferative activities,especially compound 1h (with IC_(50) values of 5.2μmol/L and 1.9μmol/L against Bel-7402 and HT-1080,respectively).The preliminary structure-activity relationships of 5H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole derivatives were discussed.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and spectroscopic properties of two new organotin (IV) complexes and their antiproliferative effect against cancerous and non-cancerous cells

Cancer has become a leading cause of death worldwide, which is responsible for 7.6 million cancer deaths according to GLOBOCAN survey conducted in 2008. The exploration of cis-platin analogues (carboplatin, lobaplatin, nedaplatin, oxaliplatin) and their incorporation to the treatment of cancer patients has further led interest in exploring metal-based anticancer drugs. The current study describes the synthesis of two new tetra-coordinated mono- and tetranuclear organotin(IV) carboxylate complexes and their in vitro anticancer studies. Each one of the complexes (1–2) has been characterized by analytical (micro- and gravimetric analysis) and spectroscopic (FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn-NMR) techniques. Furthermore, molecular structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated using X-ray crystallography. The characterization data showed that the coordination took place via oxygen atoms from the carboxylate anions to generate 1 as an organodistannoxane dimer and 2 as a mononuclear complex. Exceptionally, the NMR spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic study showed that acetone molecules also took part in crystallizing 2. Both complexes were tested against three cancerous (colon cancer HCT 116, breast cancer MCF 7, leukemia K562) and one non-cancerous (3T3-L1) cell lines. Both complexes showed same IC₅₀ value (0.2 μM) against HCT 116, whereas for the other two cancer cell lines (MCF 7 and K562) and a normal cell line (3T3-L₁), 2 showed results better than 1. Importantly, the complexes showed exceptional activity against MCF 7 and K562 cell lines and the IC₅₀ values were calculated in nanomoles (MCF 7, IC_50s = 86.5 and 53.4 nM; K 562, IC_50s = 22.9 and 49.6 nM for 1 and 2, respectively). Both, 1 and 2, showed IC₅₀ values many times better than the standard drugs (5-FU, Tamoxifen, betulinic acid and cis-platin) used. Compared to cancerous cell lines, the complexes showed mild toxicity against normal cells (3T3-L1). Overall, two remained relatively effective.     

Design,synthesis and molecular modeling studies of few chalcone analogues of benzimidazole for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor in search of useful anticancer agent

In the present investigation, few 3-(substitutedphenyl)-1-[2-(1-hydroxy-ethyl)]-1H-benzimidazol-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-ones are EGFR antagonist are designed, by molecular docking analysis. The synthesized compounds were tested for their in vitro anticancer activity by propidium iodide fluorescent assay and Trypan blue viability assay against colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116) and non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (H460). Human Epithelial Kidney cell lines (HEK) are used as normal cell lines for studying effect of drug on non-cancerous cells within human body. Evaluation of cytotoxic studies of synthesized compounds CHL(1–8) reveal that compound CHL1 [IC₅₀ = 7.31 and 10.16 μM against HCT116 and H460 cell lines respectively, by PI assay] and CHL8 [IC₅₀ = 12.52 and 6.83 against HCT116 and H460 μM cell lines respectively] possess promising cytotoxic activity.     

Design and synthesis of some novel pyridothienopyrimidine derivatives and their biological evaluation as antimicrobial and anticancer agents targeting EGFR enzyme

A new series of pyridothienopyrimidine derivatives was designed and evaluated as antimicrobial and anticancer agents. The target compounds were synthesized starting with 3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-carboxamide derivative 1 which underwent cyclocondensation reaction with aromatic aldehydes to give the key intermediates 2a,b. By further treatment of 2a,b with various reagents, the target 2,4-disubstituted-pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines 3a,b–11a,b were obtained. To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the new compounds, they were tested against five bacterial and five fungal strains. Compounds 6c, 8b, 9a and 9b revealed the most significant antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms with MIC values range (4–16 μg/mL). Also, compounds 2a,b–11a,b were screened for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against HepG-2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines compared with doxorubicin and cisplatin as references drugs. Moreover, compounds (2b, 4a, 6a, 7b, 7c and 9a) which exhibited the most potent anticancer activity, were further subjected to EGFR^WT enzyme inhibition assay utilizing erlotinib as a standard drug. The compounds 6a, 7b, 7c and 9a which showed the most promising suppression effects were also evaluated as inhibitors against the mutant forms EGFR^L858R and EGFR^T790M. The 4-aminopyrazolone analogue 9a showed superior anticancer activity against both HepG-2 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC50 = 1.27, 10.80 μM, respectively) and more potent enzymatic inhibition activity against EGFR^WT and its mutant forms EGFR^L858R and EGFR^T790M than that obtained by erlotinib (IC₅₀ = 0.021, 0.053, 0.081 µM, respectively, IC_50erlotinib; 0.027, 0.069, 0.550 µM, respectively). Finally, the molecular docking study showed good binding patterns of the most active compounds with the prospective target EGFR^WT.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,theoretical, antimicrobial,DNA interaction and in vitro anticancer studies of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with pyrimidine-morpholine based Schiff base ligand

Novel Cu(II) (1) and Zn(II) (2) complexes with 4-(1-(4-morpholinophenyl)ethylideneamino)pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile) (L) have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. DFT (density functional theory) studies result confirms that, LMCT mechanism have been done between L and M(II) ions. The antimicrobial studies indicate that the ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 exhibit higher activity against the E. coli bacteria and C. albicans fungi. The groove binding mode of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 with CT-DNA have been confirmed by electronic absorption, competitive binding, viscometric and cyclic voltammetric studies. The electronic absorption titration of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 with DNA have been carried out in different buffer solutions (pH 4.0, 7.0 & 10.0). The K_b values of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 are higher in acidic buffer at pH 4.0 (K_b = 2.42 × 10⁵, L; 2.8 × 10⁵, 1; 2.65 × 10⁵, 2) and the results revealed that, the interaction of synthesized compounds with DNA were higher in the acidic medium than basic and neutral medium. Furthermore, CT-DNA cleavage studies of ligand L and complexes 1 & 2 have been studied. The in vitro anticancer activities results show that complexes 1 & 2 have moderate cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and low toxicity on normal cell line than ligand L.     

Evaluation of structural,spectral characterization and in vitro cytotoxic activity studies of some polycyclic aromatic compounds

The present study aims to introduce three known and three new stable polycyclic aromatic compounds synthesized. With MALDI-Mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, all new compounds were characterized. In the DMF solution were carried out the electrochemical and photophysical properties of the polyaromatic compounds. The compounds are highly fluorescent showing green-red emission when excited at one single wavelength. For the compound 3, it was shown that the highest Stokes Shift (191 nm) appeared which may be due to the excited state energy transfer. The compounds also indicated the blue-orange region of the electromagnetic spectrum strong emission bands. Additionally, compounds 1, 3, 4, and 5 were investigated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against PC-3 prostate cancer cells, L-929 non-cancerous cells, and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The results obtained from the experiment demonstrated that compounds had different cytotoxic activity against cell lines. Compound 3 was indicated to be inactive against L-929 cells and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, whereas compounds 1, 4 and 5 indicated a dose and time-dependent cytotoxic activity against PC-3, MDA-MB-231, and L-929 cell lines. It was found that the most sensitive cells to compound 5 were MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Additionally, it became clear that compounds 1 and 3 had significant selectivity for human PC-3 prostate cancer cells, and compounds 1, 4 and 5 had considerable selectivity for human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Also, the quantum chemical examinations of six organic compounds were conducted at the B3LYP/6-31G level in the gas phase and water. According to calculated results, compound 5 was found to be the best candidate for NLO applications.     

Copper(II)-methylmalonate complexes with unidentate N-donor ligands: Syntheses,structural characterization and magnetic properties

Two new methylmalonate-bridged copper(II) complexes with the formulas [Cu(3-Ipy)(Memal)(H₂O)] (1) and [Cu(2,4′-bpy)(Memal)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O (2) [Memal = methylmalonate dianion, 3-Ipy = 3-iodopyridine, 2,4′-bpy = 2,4′-bipyridine] have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and Z = 4, with unit cell parameters a = 8.5874(13) Å, b = 7.1738(14) Å, c = 19.093(5) Å, β = 99.509(15)° in 1 and a = 17.375(4) Å, b = 7.3305(14) Å, c = 14.247(3) Å, β = 111.409(15)° in 2. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of zigzag chains of anti-syn carboxylate-bridged copper(II) ions running along the b direction. The pyridine-like ligands occupy one equatorial position of the copper environment avoiding the formation of the sheet-like arrangement observed in previously reported Memal complexes. The chains are grouped together in hydrophilic layers through hydrogen bonds and the layers are pillared through the 3-Ipy (1) and 2,4′-bpy (2) ligands which are stacked through π–π interactions involving alternatively aromatic ligands from two adjacent chains. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of both compounds in the temperature range 2–290 K show the occurrence of intrachain ferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions [J = +2.66(2) cm^?1 (1) and J = +2.62(2) cm^?1 (2)].     

Do lipases also catalyse the ring cleavage of inactivated cyclic trans-β-lactams?

Twelve-membered cyclic cis- and trans-β-lactams 1b and 2b and the corresponding cyclic cis- and trans-β-amino acid enantiomers, 1a, 1c and 2a, 2c were prepared through the CAL-B-catalysed enantioselective ring cleavage of racemic cis-13-azabicyclo[10.2.0]tetradecan-14-one, (±)-1, and trans-13-azabicyclo[10.2.0]tetradecan-14-one, (±)-2. High enantioselectivities (E >200) were observed for the ring opening of both the cis- and trans-β-lactams when the Lipolase-catalysed reactions were performed with 0.5 equiv of H₂O in i-Pr₂O at 70 °C. The resolved β-lactams 1b and 2b (yield ⩾47%) and β-amino acids 1a and 2a (yield ⩾32%) could be easily separated.     

Ferromagnetic interaction in iron(II)–bis-Schiff base complexes

The preparation and magnetic properties of three Fe(II)–bis-Schiff base complexes, [Fe₂(L1)2(4,4′-bpy)] · MeOH (1), [Fe(L2)(EtOH)] (2) and [Fe(L3)(MeOH)] (3) (L1 = N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediimine; L2 = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine; L3 = N,N′-bis(5-Cl-salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine; 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) are reported. X-ray single crystal structure analyses for 1–3 reveal that 1 shows a dinuclear Fe(II)–bis-Schiff base complex bridged by 4,4′-bpy, while 2 and 3 show mononuclear structures. Molecular packing of 2 shows a uniform one-dimensional chain structure through hydrogen bonds and Fe?π interaction and that of 3 indicates significant π–π interaction to form a dimmer structure. The χT–T plots of 1–3 show all ferromagnetic interaction at low temperature. The origin of the ferromagnetic interaction observed in 2 is tentatively ascribed to the dimer formation through Fe?π interaction at low temperature.     

Synthesis of palladium–biscarbene complexes derived from 1,1′-methylenebis(1,2,4-triazole) functionalized in the methylene bridge

Palladium–biscarbene complexes derived from N,N′-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methane, which bear an alkyl chain functionalized with a hydroxyl group, have been synthesized ([Pd(L1)Br₂] (6) and [Pd(L1)I₂] (7) [L1 = 1,1′-(3-hydroxypropylidene)bis(4-butyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene)]). Each product is obtained as a non-equimolecular mixture of two conformers. The hydroxyl group has been replaced by bromide and methanesulphonate and ( [Pd(L2)Br₂] [L2 = 1,1′-(3-bromopropylidene)bis(4-butyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene)] (9)) and ([Pd(L3)Br₂] [L3 = 1,1′-(3-methanesulphonyloxypropylidene)-bis(4-butyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene)] (10)) were obtained, respectively, as mixtures of conformers. All compounds consist of a six-membered metallacyclic structure in a boat conformation. Major conformers present the functionalized chain in the axial position, while in minor conformers it is located in the equatorial position.     

Lewis acid-assisted olefin cross-metathesis reaction: an efficient approach for the synthesis of glycosidic-pyrroloquinolinone based novel building blocks of camptothecin and evaluation of their antitumor activity

A series of glycosidic-pyrroloquinolinone based novel building blocks of camptothecin (2a–g) were synthesized via Lewis acid-assisted olefin cross-metathesis reaction using Ti(OⁱPr)₄ 30 mol % and 10 mol % of Grubb’s second generation catalyst with good to excellent yields. Most of these compounds exhibited significant growth inhibitory effects on all the tested cancer cell lines and three compounds (2c, 2d and 2e) showed potent cytotoxic activity.     

A pair of tirucallane C27-triterpenoid cyclopentenone epimers from the stem barks of Aphanamixis grandifolia

Two novel tirucallane C₂₇-triterpenoid epimers, aphagranins A (1) and B (2), featuring an unprecedented enolized cyclopentenone presented in the side-chain at C-17, were isolated from the stem barks of Aphanamixis grandifolia. Extensive spectroscopic analyses helped the establishment of the structures of the two isolates, whose absolute configurations were determined using density functional theory (DFT) calculations of optical rotation, and electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Remarkable discrepancies in the inhibitory activities against the growth of six lines of human cancer cells (MCF-7, A549, HepG2, Bel-7402, SGC-7901, and BGC-823) were found for the two epimers: with IC₅₀ less than 10 μM, aphagranin A exhibited much stronger antiproliferative activity than aphagranin B, showing no such activities with IC₅₀ over 20 μM.