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.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of complexes of M(NO3)2; M = MnII,CoII, NiII,and CuII,with pyridine ligands carrying an aminoxyl radical

Four complexes of M(NO₃)₂(4NOPy-OMe)₂, (4NOPy-OMe = 4-(N-tert-butyloxylamino)-2-(methoxymethylenyl)pyridine, and M = Mn^II, 1; Co^II, 2; Ni^II, 3; Cu^II, 4), were prepared and fully characterized. X-ray single crystal analysis reveals that four complexes are isostructural. The molecular structures are distorted octahedral in which the methoxy oxygen atoms coordinate to the metal ion by trans-configuration while the pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the nitrate oxygen atoms coordinate by cis-configuration. The magnetic properties of all complexes were investigated by SQUID magneto/susceptometry. Temperature dependence of the molar magnetic susceptibilities in the temperature range of 2–300 K indicated that the magnetic coupling between aminoxyl radicals and metal ion was antiferromagnetic in the complex 1 and were ferromagnetic in the complexes 2–4. The quantitative analysis based on the spin Hamiltonian, H = −2J(S₁S_M + S_MS₂) yielded the best fit as J/k_B = −13.4 ± 0.1 K, g = 1.94 ± 0.002, and θ = −0.78 ± 0.02 K for the complex 1, J/k_B = 48.7 ± 2.1 K, g = 2.07 ± 0.02, and θ = −2.83 ± 0.41 K for the complex 3 (the data in the temperature range 300–50 K were used), and J/k_B = 57.0 ± 1.2 K, g = 2.002 ± 0.004, and θ = −9.8 ± 0.1 K for the complex 4.     

Novel dual inhibitors against FP-2 and PfDHFR as potential antimalarial agents: Design,synthesis and biological evaluation

A series of novel 2,4-diaminopyrimidine-modified compounds was designed and synthesized. Compound 14 showed micromolar dual inhibitory effect on both FP-2 and PfDHFR, and potential inhibition to the proliferation of P. falciparum 3D7 strain and chloroquine-resistant P. falciparum Dd2 strain.     

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.     

Potential enzyme inhibitor triazoles from aliphatic esters: Synthesis,enzyme inhibition and docking studies

Enzyme inhibitors are vital aspects for studying enzymes and are employed as drugs to treat certain disorders, thus implying pivotal role in drug discovery. In the current study, a series of triazole compounds 4(a-o) were synthesised to explore their inhibitory potential against α-glucosidase and urease enzymes. These derivatives with dichlorophenyl substituents were prepared by cyclization of thiosemicarbazides and their structures were confirmed through spectroanalytical techniques. The in vitro biological screening revealed that the compounds 4a, 4b, 4k, 4l, 4m, 4o having IC₅₀ values of 121.09 ± 1.25, 137.22 ± 0.22, 110.4 ± 2.4, 114.79 ± 1.1, 146.72 ± 1.29, 94.21 ± 0.15 [µM] respectively, exhibited good potential α-glucosidase inhibition, in comparison to Acarbose: IC₅₀ 51.23 µM, while the compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, 4k, 4l, having IC₅₀ values of 48.52 ± 0.39, 52.22 ± 1.37, 60.98 ± 0.34, 37.06 ± 0.51, 38.66 ± 1.7 [µM] respectively exhibited good potential for urease inhibition near to standard(Thiourea: IC₅₀ 24.14 [µM]). These in vitro findings were accompanied further by molecular docking simulations, which revealed significant binding interactions of the synthesized derivatives within the active sites of the enzymes.     

A new luminescent sulfate bridged dimeric copper(II) complex with DNA binding and SO2 fixation ability: Synthesis and structure

New luminescent mononuclear and dinuclear copper(II) (S = 1/2) complexes [Cu(HL)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1a) and [Cu₂(HL)₂(μ-SO₄)₂]·2H₂O (1b) were synthesized with the acyclic tridentate pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-2-pyridylhydrazone ligand, HL (1). Interestingly, the mononuclear complex 1a can be converted into the disulfate bridged dimeric copper(II) complex 1b by passing freshly prepared SO₂ through the basic medium. On excitation at 290 nm, the ligand fluoresces at 364 nm due to an intraligand ¹(π–π1) transition. Upon complexation with copper(II), the emission peak is slightly blue shifted (356 nm, F/F₀ 0.76 for 1a and 354 nm, F/F₀ 0.89 for 1b) with a little quenching in the emission intensity. The association constants (K_ass (5.06 ± 0.004) × 10⁴ for 1a and K_ass (5.46 ± 0.006) × 10⁴ for 1b at 298 K) and the thermodynamic parameters have been determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structure of the complex 1b (Cu?Cu 4.456 Å) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complex 1b exhibits a strong interaction towards DNA as revealed from the K_b (intrinsic binding constant) 6.3 × 10⁴ M^?1 and K_sv (Stern–Volmer quenching constant) 2.93 values.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and thermal behaviour of [La(hfa)3(Phen)2] (hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate,Phen = o-phenanthroline)

The mixed ligand complex [La(hfa)₃(Phen)₂] (I) was obtained by the interaction of La(hfa)₃ and Phen; its composition does not depend on the stoichiometry of the reagents. According to the X-ray single crystal analysis data, complex I crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, with a = 13.583(3) Å, b = 16.959(3) Å, c = 18.860(4) Å, β = 94.71(3)° and Z = 4. The structure of I consists of isolated mononuclear molecules, the coordination number of La being 10. Thermal behaviour and composition of the vapor phase have been studied for I by thermal analysis and mass-spectrometry using a Knudsen cell. The mixed ligand complex I was found to sublime congruently in the temperature range 370–460 K: [La(hfa)₃(Phen)₂]_(s) = [La(hfa)₃(Phen)]_(g) + Phen_(g), Δ_rH⁰(T) = 316.2 ± 1.8 kJ/mol.     

Synthesis,structures and magnetic properties of two novel tetranuclear iron(III) single-molecule magnets: Enhanced energy barriers in solution

[Fe^III₄(acac)₆(Br-mp)₂] (1) and [Fe^III₄(acac)₆(tmp)₂] (2) were obtained from the reaction of Fe(acac)₂ with the appropriate tripodal alcohol. Both magnetic clusters show clear signatures for ferrimagnetic super exchange coupling. A fit of the DC susceptibility of 1 with the Kambe model gives J = ?8.2 ± 0.2 cm^?1, with g = 1.96 ± 0.02. Powder AC susceptibility data display significant frequency dependence for both compounds. The observation of an out-of-phase component demonstrates that these molecules may be single-molecule magnets (SMMs). AC susceptibility data for frozen solutions of 1 and 2 in toluene also show an out-of-phase signal proving these molecules are SMMs in solution. Going from powder to solution, the χ″ signals shift to higher temperatures which points towards an increase in energy barrier for the magnetization relaxation.     

Oxidative homo-coupling of potassium aryltrifluoroborates catalyzed by gold nanocluster under aerobic conditions

Gold(0) nanoclusters, stabilized by poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (Au:PVP-n), catalyzed the oxidative homo-coupling reaction of potassium aryltrifluoroborate in water under air. Catalytic activity was dependent on the size of clusters. The smallest cluster Au:PVP-1 (d_av = 1.3 ± 0.3 nm) gave the highest activity, while Au:PVP-7 (d_av = 9.5 ± 1.0 nm) did not catalyze the homo-coupling. The catalyst was reusable for several times. Positively charged surface on the Au cluster, generated by the adsorption of molecular oxygen, would be the active site of the catalysis.     

Synthesis and structure of a new scorpionate-dithio carboxyl oxovanadium complex and an organic dithio carboxyl compound

A new complex of oxovanadium(IV), V₂O₂[(HB(pz)₃)₂(pyrro)₂ (1) and a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound (C₅H₈NS₂)₂ (2) have been synthesized by the reaction of VOSO₄·nH₂O with NaHB(pz)₃ and pyrrolidine dithio carboxylic acid ammonium salt. They were characterized by element analysis, IR spectra, UV–vis spectra and X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses of 1 and 2 gave the following parameters: 1, triclinic, P-1, a = 7.732(4) Å, b = 14.285(8) Å, c = 17.802(9) Å, α = 101.314(8)°, β = 92.682(9)°, γ = 92.228(9)°, V = 1923.6(18) Å³, and Z = 4; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 13.857(2) Å, b = 10.4213(18) Å, c = 9.436(2) Å, β = 97.099(2), V = 1352.1(4) Å³, and Z = 4. In complex 1, vanadium atom adopts a distorted tetragonal bipyramid structure, which is typical for oxovanadium(IV) complexes. Compound 2 is a dimer-dithio carboxyl compound with S–S bond. In addition, thermal analysis was performed for analyzing the stabilization of the complexes.     

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.     

Copper and cadmium phosphonates based on 2-quinolinephosphonate

Hydrothermal reactions of 2-quinolinephosphonic acid (1) and CuSO₄ or CdSO₄ result in two new compounds with formula Cu(2-C₉H₆NPO₃) (2) and Cd(2-C₉H₆NPO₃)(H₂O) (3). Compound 2 has a layer structure in which dimers of edge-sharing {CuO₄N} square-pyramids are linked by {CPO₃} tetrahedra through corner sharing. Compound 3 shows a new type of layer structure where chains of corner sharing {CdO₅N} octahedra are connected by {CPO₃} tetrahedra into an inorganic layer. The quinoline groups fill in the inter-layer spaces in both cases. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 10.270(2) Å, b = 13.566(3) Å, c = 6.9818(16) Å, β = 101.916(4)°, V = 951.8(4) Å³, Z = 4. For 2: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 13.976(3) Å, b = 7.9398(18) Å, c = 7.8687(18) Å, β = 101.150(5)°, V = 856.7(3) Å³, Z = 4. For 3: monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 17.164(4) Å, b = 5.4870(12) Å, c = 10.850(2) Å, β = 101.557(4)°, V = 1001.1(4) Å³, Z = 4. The magnetic measurement on 2 reveals a dominant antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the Cu(II) centers. A quasi-reversible electrochemical reaction is observed for complex 2 immobilized on the surface of GC electrode, corresponding to the redox couple Cu²⁺/Cu⁺. The fluorescent properties of 1–3 are also investigated.     

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.     

Electrochemical and magnetic properties of inorganic polymers constructed from Mn(II)/Co(II)-substituted heteropolymolybdates

Two inorganic polymers constructed from transition metal-substituted heteropolymolybdates, [(CH₃)₃NH]_5n[PMo₁₁MO₃₉]_n·xH₂O (M = Mn²⁺, x = n (1); M = Co²⁺, x = 2n (2)), have been synthesized in aqueous solutions and characterized by IR, TGA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal data: 1, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 17.1322(7) Å, b = 17.6062(7) Å, c = 17.6459(7) Å, β = 103.2220(10)°, V = 5181.5(4) Å³ and Z = 4; 2, triclinic, P-1, a = 12.1986(7) Å, b = 13.0973(7) Å, c = 16.7736(9) Å, α = 97.1810(10)°, β = 98.5040(11)°, γ = 96.3920(10)°, V = 2606.5(2) Å³ and Z = 2. The cyclic voltammograms of 1 and 2 show irreversible redox peaks in DMF solution and there are three reversible couples after addition of 0.1 M H₂SO₄ aqueous solutions. The cyclic voltammograms of 1/2-modified carbon paste electrode (1-CPE/2-CPE) show two consecutive reversible two-electron redox processes. Especially, 2-CPE shows good electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide. The magnetic properties of the two complexes have also been investigated.     

Catharoseumine,a new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid possessing a peroxy bridge from Catharanthus roseus

Catharoseumine (1), a new monoterpenoid indole alkaloid possessing a unique peroxy bridge moiety, was isolated from the whole plants of Catharanthus roseus. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of NMR, IR, UV, and high-resolution mass spectrometric data, and its absolute configuration was determined by ECD and chemical methods. Catharoseumine (1) exhibited cytotoxicity against HL-60 cell line with IC₅₀ value of 6.28 μM and potential inhibition against Plasmodium falciparum falcipain-2 (IC₅₀ = 4.06 μM). A plausible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.     

Bioinspired synthesis of pure massicot phase lead oxide nanoparticles and assessment of their biocompatibility,cytotoxicity and in-vitro biological properties

Green and ecofriendly route for biosynthesis of lead oxide nanoparticles has been successfully demonstrated using aqueous leaf extracts of Sageretia thea (Osbeck.). Biosynthesized PbO (∼27 nm) nanoparticles were extensively characterized using XRD, FTIR, Raman, EDS etc. Morphology was studied through HR-TEM/SEM. As synthesized nanoparticles were investigated for their iv-vitro biological properties. Antibacterial activities revealed enhancement upon modulation by UV in a concentration dependent manner. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be the most resistant strain (MIC = 250 µg/mL and MIC^uv = 31.25 µg/ml). MTT cytotoxicity on leishmania promastigotes and amastigotes revealed significant inhibition as indicated by their IC₅₀ values of 14.7 µg/mL and 11.95 µg/m respectively. Cytotoxicity was also confirmed using brine shrimp lethality (IC₅₀ = 27.7 µg/mL). Bio-compatibility evaluation indicated cytotoxicity to freshly isolated human macrophages (IC₅₀ = 57.1 µg/mL). Insignificant alpha-amylase inhibition and moderate protein kinase inhibition was revealed. Antioxidant activities indicated free radical scavenging activity (58 ± 2.45) at 200 µg/mL. Moderate total reducing power and total antioxidant activity was also indicated. Overall, we conclude lead oxide as a potential candidate for biological applications, however further studies are recommended on their in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity.     

Syntheses,structures and single-molecule magnetic behaviors of two dicubane Mn4 complexes

The reaction of MnX₂ · 4H₂O (X = Cl or Br) with 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylphenol (H₃L) and NaOH in methanol solution yielded two tetranuclear manganese complexes, [Mn₄(HL)₄(MeOH)₄Cl₂] (1) and [Mn₄(HL)₄(MeOH)₄Br₂] (2). Both compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group C₂/c with cell parameters: a = 26.0945(19) Å, b = 11.4999(8) Å, c = 21.2188(16) Å, β = 121.050(1)° and z = 4 for 1 · 2Et₂O; a = 25.8145(3) Å, b = 11.6734(2) Å, c = 21.3956(3) Å, β = 120.1277(6)° and z = 4 for 2 · 2Et₂O. Both complexes consist of a mixed-valence dicubane structure, which comprises two Mn^II and two Mn^III ions. Magnetic susceptibilities and magnetization of complexes 1 and 2 in the solid state indicate that two clusters have an S = 9 ground state. Frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals of alternating current magnetic susceptibilities were observed in the low temperature range (<3 K) for both complexes indicating a slow magnetic relaxation.     

Hybrid inorganic–organic frameworks containing magnesium: Synthesis and structures of magnesium squarate,diglycolate, and glutarate,and potassium magnesium cyclobutanetetracarboxylate

Four new magnesium containing metal–organic hybrid compounds have been synthesized in an effort to prepare low-density materials for hydrogen storage. The compounds were prepared hydrothermally and characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Three of these compounds are analogs of known transition metal structures with squarate (I, Pn-3n, a = 16.276(5) Å), diglycolate (II, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 6.860(1) Å, b = 9.993(1) Å, c = 10.884(1) Å, R₁ = 0.0341), and glutarate (III, R-3, a = 10.744(2) Å, c = 28.677(5) Å, R₁ = 0.0554) ligands; the fourth is a novel structure using cyclobutanetetracarboxylate (IV, Pccn, a = 9.382(1) Å, b = 14.410(2) Å, c = 8.725(1) Å, R₁ = 0.0465) which contains potassium as well as magnesium cations.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic studies and structures of square-planar nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes derived from 2-{(Z)-[furan-2-ylmethyl]imino]methyl}-6-methoxyphenol

Two new nickel(II) [Ni(L)₂] and copper(II) [Cu(L)₂] complexes have been synthesized with bidentate NO donor Schiff base ligand (2-{(Z)-[furan-2-ylmethyl]imino]methyl}-6-methoxyphenol) (HL) and both complexes Ni(L)₂ and Cu(L)₂ have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–vis, ¹H, ¹³C NMR, mass spectroscopy and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement. The tautomeric equilibria (phenol-imine, O–H?N and keto-amine, O?H–N forms) have been systemetically studied by using UV–vis absorption spectra for the ligand HL. The UV–vis spectra of this ligand HL were recorded and commented in polar, non-polar, acidic and basic media. The crystal structures of these complexes have also been determined by using X-ray crystallographic techniques. The complexes Ni(L)₂ and Cu(L)₂ crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and P2₁/c with unit cell parameters: a = 10.4552(3) Å and 12.1667(4) Å, b = 8.0121(3) Å and 10.4792(3) Å, c = 13.9625(4) Å and 129.6616(3)Å, V = 1155.22(6) Å³ and 1155.22(6) Å³, D_x = 1.493 and 1.476 g cm^?3 and Z = 2 and 2, respectively. The crystal structures were solved by direct methods and refined by full-matrix least squares to a find R = 0.0377 and 0.0336 of for 2340 and 2402 observed reflections, respectively.     

Synthesis of new substituted benzaldazine derivatives,hydrogen bonding-induced supramolecular structures and luminescent properties

Syntheses of three benzaldazine compounds 1–3 with the general formula Ar₁(CH = N–N = HC)Ar₂ (Ar₁ = Ar₂ = 2-OH-3,5-^tBu₂C₆H₂ (1), Ar₁ = Ar₂ = 2-BrC₆H₄ (2), Ar₁ = ortho-C₆H₄(NHC₆H₃-Me₂-2,6), Ar₂ = C₆H₄F-2 (3)) are described. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The different supramolecular structures were obtained through different weak interactions (C ? H···O, O ? H···N and π···π interactions for 1; C ? H···Br and Br···Br interactions for 2; C ? H···F and C ? H···N interactions for 3). Compound 1 shows solvent-dependent fluorescent properties with blue to green emission on the increasing of the solvent polarity. Compounds 2, 3 show blue photoluminescence in different solvents.