Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of 1,2-disubstituted ferrocenes and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes

Seven different ferrocene derivatives have been tested in vitro against Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. Neither ferrocene nor the monosubstituted derivative N,N-dimethylaminomethylferrocene showed cytotoxic activity (IC₅₀ > 1000 μM for 3 h treatments). Better results were obtained with 1,2-disubstituted derivatives. The IC₅₀ values ranged from 376.6 μM for 1,2-diformylferrocene to 71.2 μM for racemic 2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)ferrocenecarboxamide. The latter derivative was also encapsulated in native β-cyclodextrin (CD), heptakis-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-β-CD (TRIMEB) and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-CD (HPβCD) to give 1:1 (host:guest) inclusion compounds. The existence of true inclusion complexes in the solid state was confirmed by a combination of powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy. The IC₅₀ value for the β-CD inclusion compound was identical to that obtained for the nonincluded ferrocene derivative. By contrast, the inclusion compounds comprising TRIMEB and HPβCD yielded IC₅₀ values of 25.2 and 20.0 μM, respectively. No obvious relationship could be established between the redox behavior of the compounds determined by cyclic voltammetry and the biochemical data.     

Depsipeptides from a Guamanian Marine Cyanobacterium, Lyngbya bouillonii, with Selective Inhibition of Serine Proteases

Bouillomides A (1) and B (2) are two depsipeptide analogues of dolastatin 13. Isolated from a Guamanian sample of Lyngbya bouillonii, the planar structures were elucidated on the basis of HR-ESI-MS and NMR data, while the absolute configurations were determined by employing functional group conversions, modified Marfey’s analysis, and detailed analyses of ROESY correlations. Compounds 1 and 2 selectively inhibited serine proteases elastase (IC₅₀ = 1.9 μM for both) and chymotrypsin (IC₅₀ = 0.17 and 9.3 μM, respectively) while showing no inhibition of trypsin (IC₅₀ >100 μM).     

Clausenawallines A and B, two new dimeric carbazole alkaloids from the roots of Clausena wallichii

Two new dimeric carbazole alkaloids, clausenawallines A and B, were isolated from the roots of Clausena wallichii. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Clausenawalline A was evaluated for its biological activities [anti-malaria (IC₅₀ 2.46 μg/mL), anti-TB (MIC 12.50 μg/mL)] and cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines [KB (IC₅₀ 7.87 μg/mL), MCF7 (IC₅₀ 25.43 μg/mL), and NCI-H187 (IC₅₀ 10.97 μg/mL)].     

Diaporthichalasin, a novel CYP3A4 inhibitor from an endophytic Diaporthe sp.

A novel CYP3A4 inhibitor, diaporthichalasin, together with pycnidione were isolated from an endophytic fungus, Diaporthe sp. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and the structure of diaporthichalasin was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Diaporthichalasin exhibited significantly potent inhibition of CYP3A4 with an IC₅₀ value of 0.626 μM, while the IC₅₀ value of pycnidione was 465 μM.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of analogs of altohyrtin C (spongistatin 2)

Several structural analogs that contain only part of the altohyrtin structure have been prepared and compared with synthetic altohyrtin C (2) for in vitro cytotoxicity against human colon (HCT116) and ovarian (A2780) cell lines. Whereas altohyrtin C was found to be exceedingly potent against these lines (IC₅₀=0.0003 μM), analogs 3-5 were >27,000-fold less potent (IC₅₀>8 μM). Analogs 6 and 7 also demonstrated weak cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ values for the HCT116 and A2780 cells of 4.8 μM and 2.4 μM, respectively, for 6.     

Antiplasmodial and antiviral cyclohexadepsipeptides from the endophytic fungus Pullularia sp. BCC 8613

Four new cyclohexadepsipeptides, pullularins A-D, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Pullularia sp. BCC 8613. Structures of these compounds were elucidated by interpretation of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. The absolute configurations of amino acid and hydroxy acid residues were determined by HPLC analysis of depsipeptide acid hydrolyzates using a chiral column and Marfey's method. Pullularin A exhibited activities against the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum K1 (IC₅₀ 3.6 μg/mL) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1; IC₅₀ 3.3 μg/mL), whereas it showed weak cytotoxicity to Vero cells (IC₅₀ 36 μg/mL).     

Photocytotoxic and anaerobic DNA cleavage activity of binuclear 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid cobalt(II) complexes having phenanthroline bases

Dicobalt(II) complexes [{(B)Co^II}₂(μ-dtdp)₂] (1–3) of 3,3′-dithiodipropionic acid (dtdp) and phenanthroline bases (B), viz. 1,10-phenanthroline (phen in 1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline (dpq in 2) and dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz in 3), have been prepared, characterized and their photo-induced anaerobic DNA cleavage activity studied. The elemental analysis and mass spectral data suggest binuclear formulation of the complexes. The redox inactive complexes have magnetically non-interacting dicobalt(II) core showing magnetic moment of ∼3.9 μ_B per cobalt(II) center. The complexes show good binding propensity to calf thymus DNA giving K_b values within 4.3 × 10⁵–4.0 × 10⁶ M⁻¹. Thermal melting and viscosity data predict DNA groove binding and/or partial intercalative nature of the complexes. The complexes show significant anaerobic DNA cleavage activity in green light under argon atmosphere possibly involving radical species generated from the disulfide moiety in a type-I pathway. The DNA cleavage reaction under aerobic medium in green light is found to involve hydroxyl radical species. The dppz complex 3 exhibits significant photocytotoxicity in HeLa cervical cancer cells with an IC₅₀ value of 2.3 μM in UV-A light of 365 nm, while it is essentially non-toxic in dark giving an IC₅₀ value of >200 μM. A significant reduction of the dark toxicity of the organic dppz base (IC₅₀ = 8.3 μM in dark) is observed on binding to the cobalt(II) center while essentially retaining its photocytotoxicity in UV-A light (IC₅₀ = 0.4 μM).     

Synthesis and biological activity of ferrocenyl derivatives of the non-steroidal antiandrogens flutamide and bicalutamide

A series of ferrocenyl derivatives of the two non steroidal antiandrogens flutamide and bicalutamide have been prepared. Ferrocenyl bicalutamide complexes were initially synthesized in their racemic forms, and subsequently prepared as pure (R) and (S) enantiomers, and their structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Most of the complexes retain a modest affinity for the androgen receptor and show an antiproliferative effect on both hormone-dependent (LNCaP) and -independent (PC-3) prostate cancer cells. Ferrocenyl derivatives of bicalutamide are the most cytotoxic (IC₅₀ values on PC-3 around 15 μM); however, they are less potent than the ferrocenyl derivatives of ethynyltestosterone or nilutamide (IC₅₀ around 5 μM).     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity studies of new dimethylamino-functionalised and heteroaryl-substituted titanocene anti-cancer drugs

From the carbolithiation of N,N-dimethylamino fulvene (3a) and different ortho-lithiated heterocycles (furan, thiophene and N-methylpyrrole), the corresponding lithium cyclopentadienide intermediate (4a-c) was formed. These three lithiated intermediates underwent a transmetallation reaction with TiCl₄ resulting in dimethylamino-functionalised titanocenes 5a-c. When these titanocenes were tested against LLC-PK cells, the IC₅₀ values obtained were of 240, and 28 μM for titanocenes 5a and 5b, respectively. The most cytotoxic titanocene 5c with an IC₅₀ value of 5.5 μM is found to be almost as cytotoxic as cis-platin, which showed an IC₅₀ value of 3.3 μM, when tested on the LLC-PK cell line, and titanocene 5c is approximately 400 times better than titanocene dichloride itself.     

Searching for gallium bioactive compounds: Gallium(III) complexes of tridentate salicylaldehyde semicarbazone derivatives

In the search for gallium bioactive compounds five Ga(III) complexes, [Ga^III(L-H)₂](NO₃), with tridentate salicylaldehyde semicarbazone derivatives as ligands (L) have been synthesized and characterized in the solid state and in solution by different techniques. The crystal structure of [Ga^III(L4-H)₂](NO₃)·2H₂O, where L4 is 3-ethoxysalicylaldehyde semicarbazone, was solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The gallium(III) ion is in a distorted octahedral environment, coordinated to two nearly planar and mutually perpendicular 3-ethoxysalicylaldehyde semicarbazonato anions acting as tridentate ligands through their phenol and carbonyl oxygen atoms and their azomethine nitrogen atom. Their biological potential has been explored by evaluating their activity on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, causative agent of tuberculosis, and their cytotoxicity on tumor cell lines. Three different human tumor cell lines were selected that show different degrees of resistance to metallodrugs: ovarian A2780 (low resistance), breast MCF7 (medium resistance) and prostate PC3 (high resistance) cells. Although the complexes have not shown activity on M. tuberculosis, complexation with gallium has led to the enhancement of the cytotoxic potencies of the organic compounds. Those complexes that contain a bromide substituent at the phenolate ring have shown the highest cytotoxicities. In particular, [Ga^III(L2-H)₂](NO₃), where L2 is 5-bromosalicylaldehyde semicarbazone,·has shown a remarkable cytotoxicity on A2780 tumor cell line with an IC₅₀ value of the same order than cisplatin (IC_{50 Ga-L2} = 2.4 ± 0.3 μM; IC_{50 cisplatin} = 2.0 ± 0.1 μM, 72 h incubation at 37 °C). Interestingly, this complex has also shown moderate cytotoxicity against MCF7 and PC3 cells (IC_{50 MCF7} = 30 ± 6; IC_{50 PC3} = 18 ± 3 μM). Therefore, this gallium compound could be considered a promising wide spectrum potential anti-tumor agent.     

Synthesis and l-fucosidase inhibitory activity of a new series of cyclic sugar imines—in situ formation and assay of their saturated counterparts

The synthesis of a series of aryl-substituted cyclic sugar imines was performed via a tandem nucleophilic addition/substitution reaction. The so-obtained ketimines displayed fucosidase inhibitory activities (IC₅₀ = 46-556 μM). Their reduced counterparts were prepared and assayed after addition of sodium borohydride to the enzymatic assay stock solution. The pyrrolidines strongly inhibit fucosidase (IC₅₀ = 0.65-150 μM).     

The synthesis, structural characterization and in vitro anti-cancer activity of novel N-(3-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters and novel N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters

N-(3-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide esters (5-7) and N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide esters (8-10) were prepared by coupling either 3-ferrocenylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid 2 or 6-ferrocenylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid 4 to the dipeptide ethyl esters GlyAla(OEt) (5, 8), AlaGly(OEt) (6, 9), and AlaAla(OEt) (7, 10) using the standard N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol. All the compounds were fully characterized using a combination of ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT-135 and ¹H-¹³C COSY (HMQC) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In vitro, the cytotoxic effects of compounds 5-10 show improvements over the corresponding N-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl derivatives, with IC₅₀ values against the H1299 lung cancer cells ranging from 1.2 μM to 8.0 μM. N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl)-glycine-l-alanine ethyl ester 8 was found to be the most active derivative of the naphthoyl series so far, displaying an IC₅₀ value of 1.3 ± 0.1 μM. This value is slightly lower than that found for the clinically employed anti-cancer drug cisplatin (IC₅₀ = 1.5 ± 0.1 μM against H1299).     

Enzymatic cyclization of 26- and 27-methylidenesqualene to novel unnatural C31 polyprenoids by squalene:hopene cyclase

Squalene:hopene cyclase (SHC) from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius accepted 26-methylidenesqualene (26-MS) and 27-methylidenesqualene (27-MS) as a substrate and converted to novel pentacyclic C₃₁ polyprenoids; a dammarene derivative with a 6.6.6.5+6 ring system and 26-methylidene-hop-22(29)-ene, respectively. The broad substrate specificity of the enzyme provided important information on the structure and function of SHC. Interestingly, 27-MS was also found to be a potent inhibitor of the bacterial SHC (IC₅₀=5 μM), while 26-MS just showed poor enzyme inhibition (IC₅₀=ca. 100 μM).     

4-C-Me-DAB and 4-C-Me-LAB - enantiomeric alkyl-branched pyrrolidine iminosugars - are specific and potent α-glucosidase inhibitors; acetone as the sole protecting group

The syntheses of 4-C-Me-DAB [1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-4-C-methyl-d-arabinitol] from l-erythronolactone and of 4-C-Me-LAB [from d-erythronolactone] require only a single acetonide protecting group. The effect of pH on the NMR spectra of 4-C-Me-DAB [pK_a of the salt around 8.4] is discussed and illustrates the need for care in the analysis of both coupling constants and chemical shift. 4-C-Me-DAB (for rat intestinal sucrase K_i 0.89 μM, IC₅₀ 0.41 μM) is a competitive—whereas 4-C-Me-LAB (for rat intestinal sucrase K_i 0.95 μM, IC₅₀ 0.66 μM) is a non-competitive—specific and potent α-glucosidase inhibitor. A rationale for the α-glucosidase inhibition by DAB, LAB, 4-C-Me-DAB, 4-C-Me-LAB and isoDAB—but not isoLAB—is provided. Both are inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident α-glucosidase I and II.     

Discovery of the first non-planar flavonoid that can strongly inhibit xanthine oxidase: protoapigenone 1′-O-propargyl ether

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a key enzyme in purine metabolism with an important role in various pathologies. Several flavonoids have been reported for their capacity to inhibit this enzyme, and, for these compounds, the ability to adopt a planar 3D structure has been accepted as fundamental prerequisite for such activity. Here we report the in vitro investigation of a series of non-planar protoflavone derivatives as XO inhibitors, among which protoapigenone 1′-O-propargyl ether was found to be an efficient competitive inhibitor of the enzyme with an IC₅₀ value of 3.61 μM, significantly (p <0.001) stronger than the anti-gout drug allopurinol (IC₅₀ = 8.72 μM). Methoxy substitution at C-7, however, resulted in complete loss of activity. In silico docking supported the observed structure–activity relationships, based on which a ‘planar structure’ itself can no longer be considered as a criterion for flavonoid-type inhibitors of XO.     

Fascioquinols A-F: bioactive meroterpenes from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp.

Chemical investigation of a southern Australian deep-water marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp., returned the new meroterpene sulfate fascioquinol A (1) together with a series of acid mediated hydrolysis/cyclization products, fascioquinols B (2), C (3) and D (4), and strongylophorine-22 (5). Additional co-metabolites include the new meroterpenes fascioquinol E (6) and fascioquinol F (8), together with the known sponge metabolite geranylgeranyl 1,4-hydroquinone (7). Structures were assigned to 1-8 on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, chemical interconversion, mechanistic and biosynthetic considerations, and literature comparisons. The known 1,4-hydroquinone 7 was identified as the dominant cytotoxic principle in the Fasciospongia sp. extract, with selective inhibitory activity against gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS, IC₅₀ 8 μM) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y, IC₅₀ 4 μM) cell lines. By contrast, while the fascioquinols displayed little or no inhibitory activity towards human cell lines, 1 and 2 displayed promising Gram-positive selective antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus (IC₅₀ 0.9-2.5 μM) and Bacillus subtilis (IC₅₀ 0.3-7.0 μM).     

Pauferrol A, a novel chalcone trimer with a cyclobutane ring from Caesalpinia ferrea mart exhibiting DNA topoisomerase II inhibition and apoptosis-inducing activity

Pauferrol A (1), a unique chalcone derivative was isolated from the stems of Caesalpinia ferrea Mart, and the structure was determined on the basis of 2D-NMR spectroscopy to be a chalcone trimer fused by a cyclobutane ring. This new chalcone trimer showed potent inhibitory activity against human topoisomerase II, with an IC₅₀ value of 2.1 μM, and cell proliferation inhibitory activity through the induction of apoptosis in human leukemia HL60 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 5.2 μM. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation and structure of this chalcone trimer and its biological activity.     

Cytotoxic eremophilane sesquiterpenoids from the saprobic fungus Berkleasmium nigroapicale BCC 8220

Berkleasmins A-E, five new eremophilane sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the saprobic fungus Berkleasmium nigroapicale BCC 8220. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analyses of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data in combination with chemical means. Berkleasmins A and C exhibited cytotoxic activity against cancer cell-lines (NCI-H187, MCF-7, and KB) as well as nonmalignant Vero cells with IC₅₀ values of 1.1-7.5 μg/mL, and these compounds also showed antimalarial activity with respective IC₅₀ of 3.1 and 2.8 μg/mL.     

Neosappanone A, a xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitory dimeric methanodibenzoxocinone with a new carbon skeleton from Caesalpinia sappan

A novel dimeric methanodibenzoxocinone, named neosappanone A (1), possessing a unique unprecedented novel carbon framework, has been isolated from the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan L. of Vietnam, and its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Neosappanone A (1) competitively inhibited xanthine oxidase in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀, 29.7 μM; K_i, 16.3 μM).     

Preparation of a set of 4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-ones as potential Hsp90 ligands

A synthetic route for the preparation of 4,5-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidin-4-ones characterized by a decorated benzyl moiety at different positions of the five-membered ring has been developed, and some compounds have been tested as Hsp90 ligands. One of them displayed IC₅₀ = 50 μM representing an interesting starting point for further investigations.