Anticancer and antimicrobial evaluation of newly synthesized steroidal 5,6 fused benzothiazines

A series of new 5α-cholestano [5,6-b] benzothiazines (4–6) has been synthesized by the reaction of 5α-cholestan-6-one (1–3) with 2-aminothiophenol in the presence of iodine. The structures of newly synthesized compounds have been established on the basis of spectral and analytical data. Compounds (1–6) were screened for in vitro anticancer activity against the human cancer cell lines; SW480 (colon adenocarcinoma cells), A549 (lung carcinoma cells), HepG2 (hepatic carcinoma cells) and HeLa (cervical cancer cells) using MTT assay during which the products (4–6) showed marked increase in anticancer activity and in particular, compound 6 showed IC₅₀ = 13.73 μmol L⁻¹ against HeLa cells, being more effective than Doxorubicin against the same cells. Compounds 4 and 6 also showed minimum IC₅₀ of 15.83 μmol L⁻¹ and 16.89 μmol L⁻¹ against HepG2 and A549 cells, respectively. Compounds (1–6) were also tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity against different bacterial as well as fungal strains during which newly synthesized compounds (4–6) were found more potent than starting compounds (1–3). Compound 4 was found to be more potent than the reference drug, Chloramphenicol, in the case of Escherichia coli while compound 5 was found almost equally potential antifungal agent against P. marneffei in comparison with the reference drug, Nystatin.     

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.     

Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of Piper porphyrophyllum (Fam. Piperaceae)

The crude extracts and isolated compounds of Piper porphyrophyllum (Piperaceae) were evaluated for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The ethyl acetate extract and 3′,4′,5,7-tetramethoxyflavone exhibited the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus giving values of MIC = 62.5 and 250 μg/mL, respectively. 5-Hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone and 4′,5-dihydroxy-3′,7-dimethoxyflavone were active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both with MIC value 125 μg/mL. The hexane extract and 4′,5-dihydroxy-3′,7-dimethoxyflavone gave the highest anti-inflammatory activity in in vitro quantitative lipoxygenase inhibition assay with inhibitory activity of (IE) 99.72% and 91.81%, respectively.     

Thiazolylhydrazone dervatives as inhibitors for insect N-acetyl-β-d-hexosaminidase and chitinase

Insect chitinase and N-acetyl-β-d-hexosaminidases (Hex) are potential targets for developing new pesticides. Here, a series of thiazolylhydrazones I (with substituted group R₁ at N3) and II (with substituted group R₁ at N2) were designed, synthesised and evaluated as competitive inhibitors of OfHex1 and OfChi-h, from the agricultural pest Ostrinia furnacalis. Derivatives I-3d and II-3d, with phenoxyethyl group at R₁, demonstrated the best inhibitory activities against OfHex1 and OfChi-h. Molecular docking analysis indicated that the branched conformation compound II-3d (K_i = 1.5 μmol/L) formed more hydrogen bonds with OfHex1 than the stretched conformation compound I-3d (K_i = 5.9 μmol/L). The differences in compounds’ binding conformations with OfChi-h explained differences in inhibitory activity of compounds I-3d (K_i = 1.9 μmol/L) and II-3d (K_i = 4.1 μmol/L). This work suggests a novel scaffold for developing specific Hex and Chi-h inhibitors.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and Structure Activity Relationships (SARs) study of 8-(substituted)aryloxycaffeine

A series of 8-(substituted)aryloxycaffeine were prepared from 8-bromocaffeine and (substituted)phenols by modified Ullmann reaction. In vitro antibacterial activity, inhibitory activity on topoisomerase II and pharmacological activities were evaluated for the synthesized 8-(substituted)aryloxycaffeine. Among the synthesized compounds, 8-(5-chloropyridin-3-yloxy)caffeine (3k) showed strong inhibitory activity (MIC = 15.6 μg/mL) against the tested gram negative (−) bacteria Salmonella enteritidis. 8-(quinolin-8-yloxy)caffeine (3g) showed the strongest inhibitory activity against topoisomerase II. And the compounds 8-(6-methylpyridin-2-yloxy)caffeine (3j) and 8-(3-chloro-6-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yloxy)caffeine (3m) showed analgesic effect without the central nervous system stimulation.     

Versatile Ru-based metathesis catalysts designed for both homogeneous and heterogeneous processes

The synthesis of new ruthenium-based catalysts applicable for both homogeneous and heterogeneous metathesis is described. Starting from the Hoveyda-Grubbs first generation (1) and the Hoveyda-Grubbs second generation (2) catalysts the homogeneous catalysts [RuCl((RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COO)(CH–o-O–iPr–C₆H₄)(SIMes)] (4: R = Et, R′ = H; 5: R = R′ = Me) (SIMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) were prepared by substitution of one chloride ligand with trialkoxysilyl functionalized silver carboxylates (RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COOAg (3a: R = Et, R′ = H; 3b: R = R′ = Me). These homogeneous ruthenium-species are among a few known examples with mixed anionic ligands. Exchange of both chloride ligands afforded the catalysts [Ru((RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COO)(CH–o-O–iPr–C₆H₄)(SIMes)] (9: R = Et, R′ = H; 11: R = R′ = Me) and [Ru((RO)₃Si–C₃H₆–N(R′)–CO–C₃F₆–COO)(CH–o-O–iPr–C₆H₄)(PCy₃)] (8: R = Et, R′ = H; 10: R = R′ = Me). The reactivity of the new complexes was tested in homogeneous ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of N,N-diallyl-p-toluenesulfonamide and TONs of up to 5000 were achieved. Heterogeneous catalysts were obtained by reaction of 4, 5 and 8–11 with silica gel (SG-60). The resultant supported catalysts 4a, 5a, 8a–11a showed reduced activity compared to their homogenous analogues, but rival the activity of similar heterogeneous systems.     

Preparation of various enantiomerically pure (benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols

(S)-(−)-(Benzotriazol-1-yl)- and (S)-(−)-(benzotriazol-2-yl)-alkan-2-ols 7a–9a, 7b–9b and their (R)-(+)-acetates 10a–12a and 10b–12b were prepared in high enantiomeric excess via lipase from Pseudomonas fluorescens (Amano AK) catalyzed enantioselective acetylation of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b with vinyl acetate in tert-butyl methyl ether or toluene at 23 °C. The enantioselectivity of this transformation was dependent on the length of the alkyl chain with E-values ranging from 30 to 57. Several benzotriazole substituted ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b were synthesized from 1H-benzotriazole and corresponding haloketones. These compounds were stereoselectively reduced with Baker’s yeast in water or in organic solvent containing 5% v/v of water at 30 °C to give the (S)-(−)-alcohol. Better stereoselectivity was observed in the kinetic resolution of racemic alcohols 4a–6a and 4b–6b (ee = 69–92% at 44–52% conversion) compared to reduction of corresponding prochiral ketones 1a–3a and 1b–3b with Baker’s yeast (ee = 40–67% at 39–89% conversion). Enhanced enantioselectivities were observed at lower temperatures.     

Anti-inflammatory chromone alkaloids and glycoside from Dysoxylum binectariferum

Herein we report isolation of a new chromone alkaloid chrotacumine K (12) from fruits and a chromone glycoside schumaniofioside A (13) from leaves of Dysoxylum binectariferum Hook f. Schumaniofioside A is reported for the first time from Meliaceae family. Other known alkaloids isolated include rohitukine (1) and chrotacumine E (6). The structure of new alkaloid 12 was elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis, synthesis and chemical hydrolysis. Chemically, chrotacumine K (12) is a 3′-O-acetyl rohitukine which on chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis produces rohitukine. The new alkaloid 12 is also present in seeds and stem-barks of this plant. The glycoside schumaniofioside A (13) is present only in leaves, and in abundance (～1% w/w of dried leaves). The isolated compounds and extracts were evaluated for in vitro effect on the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in human monocytic THP-1 cells. The alkaloid 12 displayed potent inhibition (57%) of TNF-α at 0.3 µM, and was non-toxic to THP-1 cells up to 40 µM, indicating its excellent therapeutic window. Furthermore, a nitrobenzoyl ester analog 15e showed better inhibition of IL-6 than parent natural product chrotacumine K.     

Stereoselective synthesis of novel tetrahydroxypyrrolizidines

N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-2,5-dideoxy-2,5-imino-3,4-O-isopropylidene-l-ribose 12a has been converted into (1R,2S,6R,7S,7aS)-5 and (1R,2S,6S,7R,7aR)-1,2,6,7-tetrahydroxypyrrolidin-5-ones 6 and (1R,2S,6S,7S,7aS)-7 and (1R,2S,6R,7R,7aS)-1,2,6,7-tetrahydroxypyrrolizidines 8 following stereoselective paths. These new compounds have been assayed for their inhibitory activities towards 25 glycosidases. Pyrrolizidines 7 and 8 are moderate but selective inhibitors of amyloglucosidase from Rhizopus mold (7: IC₅₀=130 μM, K_i=120 μM; 8: IC₅₀=200 μM, K_i=180 μM, mixed type of inhibition).     

Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxic investigations of novel bis(indole) analogues besides antimicrobial study

Two series of novel bis(indole) analogues viz., N′-((5-substituted-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-n-(1H-indol-3-yl)alkanehydrazides (7a–f) and N′-((5-substituted-1-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-n-(1H-indol-3-yl)acetohydrazide (8a–f) were synthesized and characterized by spectral analysis. The target molecules were screened for their antimicrobial, anticancer activities and structure and activity relationship (SAR) was investigated. Compounds 7a, 7c and 8a were found to be active in antimicrobial screening. Anticancer screening reveals that Compound 7c was active against HeLa cell line with an IC₅₀ of 43.1 μM and compound 7d was found to be interesting candidate with an IC₅₀ of 26.0 and 30.2 μM against Colo-205 and Hep G2 cell lines respectively.     

Versatile binding properties of di-pyridyl ligands with Cu(II) complexes: The syntheses,structural characterization and thermal analysis of six new species

A novel series of 4,4′-bipyridine- and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane-Cu(II) complexes were synthesized using a variety of amine ligands (DPA = di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, Medpt = 3,3′-diamino-N-methyldipropylamine, Hbpca = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amine, TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) and cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane). Different complexes were obtained including mononuclear [Cu(cyclen)(4,4′-bipy)](ClO₄)₂ (1), dinuclear {[Cu(μ₂-bpca)(4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)]ClO₄}₂ (2), [Cu₂(DPA)₂(μ₂-4,4′-bipy)(ClO₄)₄)]·H₂O (3), [Cu₂(cyclen)₂(μ₂-bpe)](ClO₄)₄ (4) and [Cu₂(TPA)₂(μ₂-bpe)](ClO₄)₄ (5) and the 1-D polymer, {[Cu(Medpt)(μ₂-4,4′-bipy)](ClO₄)₂}_n (6). In the 1–6 samples, cooling up to 100 K produces only the expected, minor, changes in cell constants given no space group changes. Therefore, data for the 100 K structures are reported only. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography reveals the monodentate coordination of the 4,4′-bipy in 1 and 2, and the bridged nature of the di-pyridyl ligands in the dinuclear complexes 2–5 and in the polymeric complex 6. In this series, structures 3–6 consist of the 4,4′-bipy or bpe bridging the two Cu(II) centers, the coordination by the tri- or the tetra-N donors of the amine, and the ClO₄^? groups as counter ions in 4–6 complexes. In the complexes 3–6, the Cu···Cu distances across the bridged di-pyridyl ligands were found to be greater than 11 Å. The magnetic properties of complex 3 reveal no evidence for magnetic coupling between the two Cu(II) centers (J = ?0.58 cm^?1).     

Pseudoalteromone A: a novel bioactive ubiquinone from a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. CGH2XX (Pseudoalteromonadaceae)

A novel ubiquinone derivative, pseudoalteromone A (1), possessing a 9C nor-monoterpenoid moiety was produced from a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. CGH2XX. This bacterium is originally isolated from a cultured-type octocoral Lobophytum crassum. The structure of ubiquinone 1 was established by spectroscopic methods. Pseudoalteromone A (1) exhibited significant cytotoxicity toward the MOLT-4 (human acute lymphoblastic leukemia, IC₅₀ = 3.764 μg/mL) cells and displayed a significant inhibitory effect (inhibition rate 45.1%) on the release of elastase by human neutrophils at a concentration of 10 μg/mL.     

Synthesis of the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-stereoisomers of the respective E- and Z-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoate using yeast whole cell bioreduction of the parent ketones

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, strain DBM 2115, was successfully employed in the reduction of the separated Z- and E-isomers of ethyl 4-[(2-oxocyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 1 and 2, in order to prepare the (1S,2S)- and (1R,2S)-enantiomers of the corresponding ethyl 4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)methyl]phenoxy-3-methyl-2-butenoates 3–6. The products were obtained with the required absolute configuration: (1S,2S)-3 (ee = 98%; yield 48%), (1R,2S)-4 (ee = >99%; yield 45%), (1S,2S)-5 (ee = 98.5%; yield 47%), and (1R,2S)-6 (ee = >99%; chemical yield 44%).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 1,2,4-triazole containing 1,2,3-thiadiazole derivatives

A series of novel 1,2,4-triazoles containing 1,2,3-thiadiazole derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by melting points, IR, 1H NMR, and elemental analysis and ESI-MS or HRMS. Preliminary bioassays indicated that these compounds exhibited very good insecticidal activity against Aphis laburni at 100 μg/mL, with mortality no less than 95%. Compounds 6a, 6c, 6f, 61 showed higher curative activity against TMV and compound 6h showed a higher induction effects against TMV in vivo at 100 μg/mL. Collectively, our data demonstrate a new strategy for control of insects and viruses.     

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.     

Synthesis and reactions of heterodinuclear organopalladium–cobalt complexes acting as copolymerization catalyst for aziridine and carbon monoxide

A series of heterodinuclear acylpalladium–cobalt complexes having a bidentate nitrogen ligand, L₂(RCO)Pd–Co(CO)₄ (L₂ = bpy, R = Me (5), Ph (6); L₂ = tmeda, R = Me (7), Ph (8); L₂ = phen, R = Me (9), Ph (10)) are prepared by metathetical reactions of PdRIL₂ with Na⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻ followed by treatment with CO. These complexes are characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies and elemental analyses, and the molecular structures of 6, 8, and 9 are determined by X-ray structure analysis. Geometry at Pd is essentially square planar and the Co atom is considered to have d¹⁰ tetrahedral structure, where cobalt(-I) anion coordinates to palladium(II) cation. Heterodinuclear organopalladium–cobalt complexes are shown to catalyze copolymerization of aziridines and CO under mild conditions. Reaction of (dppe)MePd–Co(CO)₄ (1) with aziridine gives a cationic (aziridine)palladium(II) complex with [Co(CO)₄]⁻ anion, [PdMe(aziridine)(dppe)]⁺[Co(CO)₄]⁻ (13).     

Synthesis and anti-neuroinflammatory activity studies of substituted 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-amine derivatives

We demonstrate the synthesis of multifunctional 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-amine derivatives 4 through a three-component condensation reactions of a substituted o-phenylenediamines 1 (OPDA), diverse ketones 2 and various isocyanides 3 in the presence of a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) affording excellent yields (82–96%) and 10 mol % of silica gel supported sulfuric acid with good yields (85–98%) in ethanol at room temperature (2–4 h). We also carried out the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-amine derivatives and some of the compounds exhibited good activity.     

Synthesis,structures and magnetic properties of two hexanuclear complexes

The reaction of salicylaldoxime (H₂salox) with Mn(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, NaN(CN)₂ and NEt₃ in MeOH affords a Mn^III₆ hexanuclear complex of [Mn₆O₂(salox)₆(MeOH)₆(NCNCONH₂)₂] (1), while reaction of H₂salox with MnCl₂ · 4H₂O and NEt₄OH in EtOH affords a Mn^III₆ hexanuclear complex of [Mn₆O₂(salox)₆(EtOH)₄(H₂O)₂Cl₂] (2). Both complexes 1 and 2 contain a [Mn^III₆(μ₃-O)₂]¹⁴⁺ core, which is a known structural type in the family of Mn₆ complexes. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities and magnetization measurement of complexes 1 and 2 have been carried out. Exchange interactions of metal centers for complexes 1 and 2 are fitted by a full diagonalization matrix method. The fitting results indicate that both complexes 1 and 2 have the ground-state spin value of S = 4, and the ground state of complex 1 has the much closer energy to low-lying spin states than that of complex 2. Magnetization measurements at 2.0–4.0 K and 10–70 kG confirm that the ground state is S = 4, with significant magnetoanisotropy as gauged by the D value of ?0.82 cm^?1 and ?1.18 cm^?1, for 1 and 2, respectively. The frequency dependence of the out-of-phase component in alternating current magnetic susceptibilities for both complexes 1 and 2 indicates the slow magnetic relaxation of superparamagnetic behaviour with a U_eff of 27.0(1) K and τ₀ = 3.8(2) × 10^?9 s for complex 1, and U_eff of 25.1(6) K and τ₀ = 4.6(1) × 10^?8 s for complex 2.     

Tuning the electronic properties of Fe2(μ-arenedithiolate)(CO)6−n(PMe3)n (n = 0, 2) complexes related to the [Fe–Fe]-hydrogenase active site

Complexes [Fe₂(μ-S₂Ar)(CO)₆] (S₂Ar) = benzene-1,2-dithiolate (1a) toluene-3,4-dithiolate (2a), 3,6-dichloro-1,2-benzenedithiolate (3a), quinoxaline-2,3-dithiolate (7a) have been prepared to investigate the electronic effect that different bridging arenedithiolate ligands have on the appended Fe₂(CO)₆ sites. Dinuclear complexes [Fe₂(μ-S₂Ar)(CO)₄(PMe₃)₂] (1–3,7)b and mononuclear complexes [Fe(S₂Ar)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂] (1–3,7)c were synthesized from their parent hexacarbonyl complexes (1–3,7)a. IR spectroscopic, crystallographic and electrochemical analyses show that an increase of the electron-withdrawing character (where quinoxaline-2,3-dithiolate > 3,6-dichloro-1,2-benzenedithiolate > 1,2-benzenedithiolate ≥ toluene-3,4-dithiolate) of the bridging ligand leads to a decreased electron density at the iron centers, which yield a milder reduction potential and higher eCO stretching frequencies. This effect is coherent for all of the investigated complexes. Electrocatalytic proton reduction by complex 3a (with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid) was evidenced by cyclic voltammetry. As a result of the milder reduction potential of 3a itself, proton reduction that is promoted by 3a proceeds at a potential that is milder than that for the 1a-catalyzed process.     

Two acridones and two coumarins from the roots of Paramignya trimera

Two acridones, paratrimerins C (1) and D (2), and two coumarins, paratrimerins E (3) and F (4), were isolated from the CHCl₃ and EtOAc extracts of Paramignya trimera (Rutaceae), together with twelve known compounds (5–16). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. All isolated compounds possessed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in a concentration-dependent manner, and showed more potent inhibitory activity, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 14.6 to 112.2 μM, than the positive control acarbose (IC₅₀, 214.5 μM). The biosynthesis of the isolated coumarins and acridones was proposed.