Indole-Based Tubulin Inhibitors: Binding Modes and SARs Investigations

Tubulin inhibitors can interfere with normal cell mitosis and inhibit cell proliferation through interfering with the normal structure and function of microtubules, forming spindle filaments. Indole, as a privileged pharmacological skeleton, has been widely used in anti-cancer inhibitors. A variety of alkaloids containing an indole core obtained from natural sources have been proven to inhibit tubulin polymerization, and an ever-increasing number of synthetic indole-based tubulin inhibitors have been reported. Among these, several kinds of indole-based derivatives, such as TMP analogues, aroylindoles, arylthioindoles, fused indole, carbazoles, azacarbolines, alkaloid nortopsentin analogues and bis-indole derivatives, have shown good inhibition activities towards tubulin polymerization. The binding modes and SARs investigations of synthetic indole derivatives, along with a brief mechanism on their anti-tubulin activity, are presented in this review.     

Unexpected formation of fluorine-containing tetrahydrocarbazole during the reaction of indole, paraformaldehyde, and fluorine-containing β-ketoesters

A surprise and mild method to prepare fluorine-containing indole derivatives through a one-pot three-component condensation reaction sequence is presented. To our surprise, during the reaction of preparation of fluorine-containing indole derivatives, unexpected formation of fluorine-containing tetrahydrocarbazole was found. Moreover, this method has been demonstrated in the preparation of functionalized polycyclic indole derivatives in a straightforward and atom-economical manner.     

On the Synthesis and Reactions of Indole-2-carboxylic Acid Hydrazide

Summary.  Indole-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide was prepared and allowed to react with aromatic aldehydes in acidic medium to give the corresponding hydrazone derivatives in good yields. The hydrazones were cyclized to indolo[2,3-d]pyridazine derivatives by refluxing with acetyl chloride. The indole carbohydrazide was converted to 2-triazolylindoles which acted as starting materials for several indole derivatives. A number of new indole derivatives were also prepared and structurally confirmed. Received October 17, 2000. Accepted (revised) December 12, 2000     

Synthesis of latonduine derivatives via intramolecular Heck reaction

The synthesis of indole ring-fused benzazepinone series as latonduine derivatives has been developed via an intramolecular Heck reaction. The scope has been enlarged not only to indole moiety but also to pyrrolo and benzo[b]thiophene nuclei. Several derivatives prepared have been evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative activities on breast cancer cell lines. Some of them showed promising cytotoxic activities.     

Characterizing the electrospray ionization mass spectral fragmentation pattern of indole derivatives synthesized from 2-keto glycosides

Four indole derivatives synthesized from 2-keto glycosides were analyzed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MSn) with low-energy collision-induced dissociation to establish a general structural elucidation of indole derivatives. Their fragmentation pathways are proposed on the basis of the MSn studies and deuterium-labeled experiments. Indole derivatives undergo complicated gas-phase rearrangements in addition to simple bond cleavages. A rearrangement, which involves a contraction of the six-membered ring, was observed and a mechanism was proposed. The observations may have some potential applications in the interpretation of the mass spectra of indole derivatives.     

Direct C–H amination for indole synthesis from N-Ts-2-Styrylaniline derivatives catalyzed by copper salt

A direct C–H amination reaction of N-Ts-2-Styrylaniline derivatives to realize the synthesis of indole derivatives was developed in the presence of copper salt. A variety of N-Ts-2-Styrylaniline derivatives were transformed into the corresponding indole products in good to excellent yield under mild conditions with the oxidation of potassium persulfate.     

Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxic evaluation of N-substituted benzo[5,6]cycloheptal[b]indoles

A new series of V-substituted benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[b]indole derivatives were synthesised and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against L1210 murine leukemia and HT29 cell lines. Among them, several compounds showed potent antitumor activity and blocked cell cycle progression of L1210 cells in G2+M phase.     

An efficient synthesis of indolo[3,2-a]carbazoles via the novel acid catalyzed reaction of indoles and diaryl-1,2-diones

A mild and efficient one pot method for the synthesis of indolo[3,2-a]carbazole derivatives by the para-toluenesulfonic acid catalyzed condensation of indole with acyclic 1,2-diones is described. With cyclobutene-1,2-diones the reaction afforded indole substituted carbazole derivatives in good yield.     

Wang resin-supported sulfonic acid-catalyzed multicomponent reaction in water leading to 4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydroindole derivatives

A greener approach for the synthesis of 4-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro indole derivatives has been achieved through Wang-OSO₃H-mediated three-component reaction involving dimedone, phenacyl bromide, and primary amine in water. A variety of indole derivatives were prepared using this operationally simple and straight forward methodology in acceptable yields.     

New Trimethoxybenzamides and Trimethoxyphenylureas Derived from Dimethylcarbazole as Cytotoxic Agents. Part I

A convenient synthesis of novel functionalized 1,4‐dimethylcarbazole derivatives containing 3,4,5‐trimethoxybenzamido‐ureido or N‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)ureido group starting from their corresponding indole derivatives is reported. Three derivatives prepared ( 5g , 6c , and 6g ) were active against leukemia cell lines HL60. Both 5g and 6g showed potent antiproliferative activity against KB cell lines, likely associated with the inhibition of tubulin polymerization.     

1,6-Stannatropic strategy: effective generation and cyclization of 1,5-dipoles from o-stannylmethylated thioanilides or phenyl isothiocyanates

[reaction: see text] A new method for the generation of 1,5-dipoles from o-stannylmethylated thioanilides via 1,6-stannatropy under neutral conditions was developed. Cyclization of the 1,5-dipoles afforded indole derivatives effectively. The strategy has potential for application to the generation of alternative 1,5-dipoles from o-stannylmethylated aryl isothiocyanates leading to indole derivatives having a stannylthio group that was readily converted to other functional groups.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluation of indole derivatives as novel inhibitors targeting B-Raf kinase

A series of novel indole derivatives were designed and synthesized and their inhibitory activity against B-Raf and HepG2 cell were also described. Among them, compounds 7a and 7b exhibited excellent potency, which showed the potential for further research as lead compounds.     

TiCl4/Et3N-promoted three-component condensation between aromatic heterocycles, aldehydes, and active methylene compounds

A one-pot methodology for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized indole derivatives by a TiCl4/Et3N-promoted trimolecular condensation of aldehydes, indole heterocycles, and various activated carbonyl compounds is reported. Rationalization of these reactions and extension to other heterocyclic systems is also described.     

A one-pot three-component reaction for the preparation of highly functionalized tryptamines

We have developed a general one-pot method to provide highly functionalized tryptamine derivatives, via a Fischer indole type pathway. In this article, we demonstrate optimal conditions for a one-pot indole synthesis, allowing for the synthesis of a broad scope of 2-methyl tryptamine derivatives and a precursor for the synthesis of the core structure of some akuammiline alkaloids. Additionally, further modification of the indole products is described.     

Brønsted Acid‐Catalyzed Cascade Reactions Involving 1,2‐Indole Migration

A cascade reaction of indoles with propargylic diols involving an unprecedented metal‐free 1,2‐indole migration onto an alkyne was carried out. DFT calculations support a mechanism consisting of a concerted nucleophilic attack of the indole nucleus with loss of water, followed by the 1,2‐migration and subsequent Nazarov cyclization. This Brønsted acid‐catalyzed protocol affords indole‐functionalized benzofulvene derivatives in high yields.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-Butyl (2<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolylsulfonyloxy)propionate — a suitable reagent for the direct alkylation of indole derivatives

A new method is proposed for the synthesis of indole derivatives containing a chiral substituent at the nitrogen atom, which includes the direct alkylation of indole derivatives with tert-butyl (2S)-(p-tolylsulfonyloxy)propionate, obtained from commercial ethyl (S)-lactate with subsequent conversion to the corresponding p-toluenesulfonyloxy derivative by hydrolysis, and esterification. Dedicated to Academician B. A. Trofimov on his 70^th birthday. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 9, 1391–1398, September, 2008.     

Novel synthesis of indolylquinoline derivatives via the C-alkylation of Baylis-Hillman adducts

A new and simple method for the C-alkylation of indoles by various Baylis-Hillman adducts and the one-pot reductive cyclization of C-alkylated indole derivatives generated from 2-nitro-Baylis-Hillman adduct to form indolylquinoline derivatives is described.     

2-Phenylindole derivatives as anticancer agents: synthesis and screening against murine melanoma,human lung and breast cancer cell lines

Indole derivatives have attractive anticancer properties and may be a future hope for better anticancer drug(s) of low toxicity and high potency. In this paper, syntheses of 2-phenylindole derivatives have been described via Fischer indole synthesis through a one-pot solvent-free method. The synthesized compounds were screened for anticancer potential in vitro against murine melanoma (B16F10), human lung cancer (A549), and human breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines. The results highlighted that 2-phenylindole derivatives are also promising anticancer agents in case of melanoma and lung cancer along with the breast cancer. Molecular docking analyses with possible targets for melanoma (NEDD4-1) and lung cancer (EGFR) were also performed to understand specific interactions of 2-phenylindole derivatives with the amino acid residues of the receptors.     

An efficient and clean Michael addition of indoles to electron‐deficient olefins under solvent‐ and catalyst‐free condition

An efficient Michael addition of indoles to electron‐deficient olefins under solvent‐ and catalyst‐free condition afforded biologically important 3‐substituted indole derivatives in good to excellent yields was reported. The acidic N? H proton of indole plays a key role in Michael addition of indoles to electron‐deficient olefins. This very simple procedure provides an efficient and clean process for the synthesis of indole derivatives. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).     

Enantioselective separation of indole derivatives by liquid chromatography using immobilized cellulose (3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phase

A new chiral stationary phase of 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamates of cellulose chemically bonded to 3-aminopropyl silica gel was prepared, which may be used with a wide range of solvents including standard and non-standard ones. Several racemic indole derivatives have been resolved using standard and non-standard solvents on the immobilized chiral column (15 cm × 0.46 cm) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min or 0.5 mL/min with a UV detection at 230 nm. Separation of indole derivatives on immobilized and coated chiral stationary phases (CSP) in HPLC using a mixture of hexane/2-propanol as mobile phase was compared. The resolution factors for immobilized and coated chiral column were 0.57–2.02 and 0.61–4.03, respectively. It was found that both coated and immbolized chiral stationary phases were suitable for the separation of indole derivatives; however, the coated CSP possesses a higher resolving power than the immobilized one. The article is published in the original.