Synthesis, Conformational Analysis, and Biological Evaluation of Heteroaromatic Taxanes

The asymmetric syntheses of heteroaromatic 3-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-2-azetidinones 12-16 via chiral ester enolate-imine cyclocondensation chemistry are described. The azetidinones contain heteroaromatic moieties which, in certain cases, contribute to a decrease in enantioselectivity due to possible alternate coordinations in the transition states. The (3R,4S)-3-[(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy]-4-heteroaryl-2-azetidinones were subsequently converted to the heteroaromatic taxanes 31-36 and 43-45. Conformational analyses of the 3'-(2-pyridyl) analogue 31 and 3'-(2-furyl) analogue 43 indicate they have solution conformational preferences virtually identical to paclitaxel and docetaxel. Heteroaromatic N-acyl paclitaxel analogues 47-51 were prepared from N-debenzoylpaclitaxel via Schotten-Baumann acylation. The majority of the 14 analogues displayed good to excellent activity in a microtubule assembly assay in comparison to paclitaxel. The analogues were also tested for cytotoxicity against B16 melanoma cells. 3'-Dephenyl-3'-(2-pyridyl)paclitaxel (31), 3'-dephenyl-3'-(2-furyl)paclitaxel (34), N-BOC-3'-dephenyl-3'-(2-furyl)paclitaxel (43), 3'-dephenyl-3'-(2-furyl)-N-(hexanoyl)paclitaxel (44), and N-debenzoyl-N-(3-furoyl)paclitaxel (51) were found to be more cytotoxic than paclitaxel against this cell line. 3'-Dephenyl-3'-(4-pyridyl)paclitaxel (33) and N-debenzoyl-N-(2-furoyl)paclitaxel (50) displayed cytotoxicity against B16 melanoma cells similar to paclitaxel.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation and molecular docking study of dihydropyrimidine derivatives as potential anticancer agents

A series of dihydropyrimidine analogues were prepared via one-pot Biginelli three-component condensation reaction and characterized by NMR, FT-IR, MS spectra, and element analysis. Subsequently, they were screened for in vitro anticancer effect. These analogues revealed good cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines including MCF-7, HepG-2, and A549. Among these analogues, compounds 4d and 4h were the most potent against three cell lines. Cell viability assays indicated 4a and 4c had lower cytotoxicity. In vitro cytotoxicity study on all synthesized compounds demonstrated that introduction of electron withdrawing substituents on C4 position of phenyl ring of dihydropyrimidine contributed to the antiproliferative potency. Moreover, in silico molecular docking results stipulated a sign of good correlation between experimental activity and calculated binding affinity. It proved 4d and 4h as the strongest compounds. Binding modes of analogues proposed the involvement of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds with Eg5 active site. Structure activity relationship studies indicated that incorporating electron withdrawing substituents on C4 position of phenyl ring of dihydropyrimidine are important for this biological activity.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel curcumin analogues

Five novel curcumin analogues bearing different substituents at 4-position of phenyl group were synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by NMR and HRMS spectrum. Their cytotoxic activities against six tumor cell lines were tested by the standard MTT assay in vitro. The results indicated that four analogues （1A-1C, 1E） with solubilizing moieties showed selective potent cytotoxicity against HepG2, HeLa and CT26 cell lines, and analogue 1A and 1C exhibited more potent cytotoxicity than curcumin against CT26 cell line. It was suggested that introduction of appropriate substituents to 4-position of phenyl group might be a potential option for structural modification of curcumin.     

Synthesis of 7- and 10-spermine conjugates of paclitaxel and 10-deacetyl-paclitaxel as potential prodrugs

Efficient syntheses of two taxol analogs bearing the linear polyamine spermine at 7- and 10-positions of paclitaxel and 10-deacetyl-paclitaxel have been developed. These polyamine-taxol-conjugates were isolated as water soluble difluoride salts. The aim of the present work was to introduce a chemical modification into taxol skeleton in order to increase drug selectivity toward tumor cells. The cytotoxic activity of these conjugates was evaluated in MCF7 and MCF7-R cell lines. The observed low cytotoxicity suggests that these conjugates could act as potential prodrugs.     

Paclitaxel‐Loaded Stabilizer‐Free Poly(D,L‐lactide‐co‐glycolide) Nanoparticles Conjugated with Quantum Dots for Reversion of Anti‐Cancer Drug Resistance and Cancer Cellular Imaging

We prepared the PLGA‐loaded anti‐cancer drug and coated it with quantum dots to make it a dual‐function nanoparticles, and analyzed its potential use in cellular imaging and curing cancers. Two cancer cell lines, paclitaxel‐sensitive KB and paclitaxel‐resistant KB paclitaxel‐50 cervical carcinoma cells, were the relativistic models for analysis of the cytotoxicity of free paclitaxel and paclitaxel‐loaded PLGA conjugated with quantum‐dot nanoparticles. The paclitaxel‐loaded PLGA conjugated with quantum dots nanoparticles were significantly more cytotoxic than the free paclitaxel drug in paclitaxel‐resistant KB paclitaxel‐50 cells. This might have been because the cancer cells developed multi‐drug resistance (MDR), which hampered the action of free paclitaxel by pumping its molecules to extracellular areas. Addition of verapamil, a P‐glycoprotein inhibitor, reversed the MDR mechanism and significantly reduced KB paclitaxel‐50 cell viability. As a result, KB paclitaxel‐50 was highly associated with MDR on the cell membrane. The cytotoxicity results indicated that PLGA nanoparticles served as drug carriers and protected the drugs from MDR‐accelerated efflux. Combined quantum dots with PLGA nanoparticles allowed additional functionality for cellular imaging.     

Design,synthesis of (Z)‐3‐benzyl‐5‐((1‐phenyl‐3‐(3‐((1‐ substituted phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methoxy)phenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)methylene)thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione analogues as potential cytotoxic agents

In an attempt to achieve promising cytotoxic agents, a series of new (Z)‐3‐benzyl‐5‐((1‐phenyl‐3‐(3‐((1‐substituted phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methoxy)phenyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)methylene)thiazolidine‐2,4‐diones 10 a‐n were designed, synthesized, and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and ESI‐MS techniques. These compounds synthesized from appropriate reaction procedures with better yields. All the novel synthesized compounds 10a‐n were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the MCF‐7 cell line (Human breast cancer cell line) at different concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 μM, respectively. The cytotoxic evaluation assay is presented in terms of IC₅₀ values and percentage cell viability reduction compared against standard drug cisplatin. Among all novel synthesized compounds 10a‐n , some of the representative analogues particularly 10g and 10e exhibit remarkable cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values 0.454 and 0.586 μM, comparable to that of the standard drug cisplatin, and some analogues 10d , 10f , 10k, and 10m also have shown significant activity.     

Discovery,Characterization, and Analogue Synthesis of Bohemamine Dimers Generated by Non‐enzymatic Biosynthesis

Dibohemamines A–C ( 5 – 7 ), three new dimeric bohemamine analogues dimerized through a methylene group, were isolated from a marine‐derived Streptomyces spinoverrucosus. The structures determined by spectroscopic analysis were confirmed through the semi‐synthetic derivatization of monomeric bohemamines and formaldehyde. These reactions, which could occur under mild conditions, together with the detection of formaldehyde in the culture, revealed that this dimerization is a non‐enzymatic process. In addition to the unique dimerization of the dibohemamines, dibohemamines B and C were found to have nm cytotoxicity against the non‐small cell‐lung cancer cell line A549. In view of the potent cytotoxicity of compounds 6 and 7 , a small library of bohemamine analogues was generated for biological evaluation by utilizing a series of aryl and alkyl aldehydes.     

In vitro evaluation of antiproliferative effect of ethyl gallate against human oral squamous carcinoma cell line KB

Although some polyphenols are known to possess anticancer activity against different cancer cell lines through induction of apoptosis, the mode of antiproliferative effect of ethyl gallate against human oral squamous carcinoma cell line KB was not studied until now. Therefore, the antiproliferative effect of ethyl gallate was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in comparison with the reference drug paclitaxel. Generation of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, DNA damage and apoptosis were determined using 2,7-diacetyldichlorofluorescein fluorescence, uptake of rhodamine-123 by mitochondria, comet assay and acridine orange/ethidium bromide dual-dye staining method. Both ethyl gallate and paclitaxel exhibited cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration for ethyl gallate was 30 and 20 μg/mL for paclitaxel. A volume of 50 μg/mL of ethyl gallate was found to be significantly effective (P < 0.05) in controlling the cancer cell proliferation leading to acute apoptosis.     

In vitro antitumor activity,ADME-Tox and 3D-QSAR of synthesized and selected natural styryl lactones

Prostate cancer is a common cause of death in men and a novel treating methods should be developed. In order to find a new drug for prostate cancer, a series of novel conformationally constrained analogues of (+)-goniofufurone and 7-epi-(+)-goniofufurone, as well as the newly synthesized styryl lactones containing the cinnamic acid ester groups were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cell (PC-3). Furthermore, prediction of physicochemical characteristics and drugability as well as in silico ADME-Tox tests of investigated compounds were performed. The 3D-QSAR model was established using the comparative molecular field analysis method. According to obtained results, the tricyclic compounds 9 and 10 had the highest potency with IC₅₀ < 20 μM. Evaluation of structural features through 3D-QSAR model identified steric field feature on the cinnamic acid ester groups at C-7 as a crucial for the cytotoxic activity. This research suggests that most of the analysed compounds have desirable properties for drug candidates and high potential in drug development, which recommend them for further research in treatment of prostate cancer. Furthermore, obtained 3D-QSAR model is able to successfully identify styryl lactones that have significant cytotoxic activity and provide information for screening and design of novel inhibitors against PC-3 cell line that could be used as drugs in treatment of the prostate cancer.     

Synthetically Tuning the 2‐Position of Halogenated Quinolines: Optimizing Antibacterial and Biofilm Eradication Activities via Alkylation and Reductive Amination Pathways

Agents capable of eradicating bacterial biofilms are of great importance to human health as biofilm‐associated infections are tolerant to our current antibiotic therapies. We have recently discovered that halogenated quinoline (HQ) small molecules are: 1) capable of eradicating methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) and vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) biofilms, and 2) synthetic tuning of the 2‐position of the HQ scaffold has a significant impact on antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. Here, we report the chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of 39 HQ analogues that have a high degree of structural diversity at the 2‐position. We identified diverse analogues that are alkylated and aminated at the 2‐position of the HQ scaffold and demonstrate potent antibacterial (MIC≤0.39 μm ) and biofilm eradication (MBEC 1.0–93.8 μm ) activities against drug‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecium strains while demonstrating <5 % haemolysis activity against human red blood cells (RBCs) at 200 μm . In addition, these HQs demonstrated low cytotoxicity against HeLa cells. Halogenated quinolines are a promising class of antibiofilm agents against Gram‐positive pathogens that could lead to useful treatments against persistent bacterial infections.     

The stereocontrolled total synthesis of altohyrtin A/spongistatin 1: fragment couplings, completion of the synthesis, analogue generation and biological evaluation

The antimitotic marine macrolide altohyrtin A/spongistatin 1 has been synthesised in a highly convergent and stereocontrolled manner, thus contributing to the replenishment of the largely exhausted material from the initial isolation work. Coupling of the AB- and CD-spiroacetal subunits by a stereoselective aldol reaction was achieved by using either a lithium (67 : 33 dr) or boron enolate (90 : 10 dr). A highly (Z)-selective Wittig coupling was used to unite the northern hemisphere aldehyde with the southern hemisphere phosphonium salt . Deprotection and subsequent regioselective macrolactonisation on a triol seco-acid completed the synthesis of altohyrtin A. Two structural analogues were also prepared and evaluated as growth inhibitory agents against a range of human tumour cell lines, including Taxol-resistant strains, alongside altohyrtin A and paclitaxel (Taxol), revealing that dehydration in the E-ring is tolerated and results in enhanced cytotoxicity (at the low picomolar level), whereas the presence of the full C44-C51 side-chain appears to be crucial for biological activity.     

新型紫杉烷类衍生物的制备及生物活性评价

多药耐药性问题是导致第一代紫杉烷药物在临床化疗失败的主要原因。本文对紫杉醇C7、C10、C14、C3′多个位点的取代基进行改造,针对合成的6个新型的紫杉烷化合物,在体外考察其对多药耐药肿瘤细胞株以及人结肠癌HCT-116干细胞的增殖抑制活性,实验结果表明6个化合物的抗多药耐药活性均优于紫杉醇。采用P-gp高表达的犬肾细胞MDCK-MDR1进一步研究高活性候选化合物JT-3与P-gp的相互作用。以此研发抗多药耐药型的新一代紫杉烷类药物,对开发扩大抗癌新适应症的新一代紫杉烷类抗癌药意义重大。     

Synthesis, modeling, and anti-tubulin activity of a D-seco paclitaxel analogue

[reaction: see text] We have previously described a model of paclitaxel-microtubule binding that led to the prediction that analogues of paclitaxel lacking any D ring could stabilize microtubules as well as paclitaxel if the substituent present at C4 did not have unfavorable steric interactions with the binding pocket. We report the synthesis of a 4-methyl paclitaxel analogue, compound 1, which bears this prediction out. Compound 1 is as potent as paclitaxel at microtubule stabilization in vitro; however, it has only about one-four-hundredth the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological activity of new mixed ammine/amine platinum(IV) complexes

A series of mixed ammine/amine platinum(IV) complexes with lipophilic ligands in their axial positions were designed, synthesized, and spectrally characterized. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of these complexes and their lead compounds have been carried out against A549, SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and SW480 human cancer cell lines. The introduction of carboxylate ions as leaving group can improve the aqueous solubility and stability of the platinum(II) complexes. The carboxylato ligands and chloride ligands in the axial position markedly increased the lipophilicity and cytotoxicity of compounds C4 and C5. Particularly, compound C5 showed two to eight times higher cytotoxicity than cisplatin and satraplatin against selected cell lines. For its oral activity and no cross-resistance potentiality, C5 is expected to be an antitumor platinum drug candidate. This novel class of platinum compounds represents a valuable lead in the development of new-generation agents capable of demonstrating cytotoxicity superior to that of the clinically established cisplatin.     

Design,Synthesis, and Evaluation of Tetraethylene Glycol Tethered Ciprofloxacin–Isatin Hybrids as Novel Antitubercular Agents

A new set of tetraethylene glycol tethered ciprofloxacin–isatin hybrids 5a–l with greater lipophilicity than the parent ciprofloxacin was designed, synthesized, and screened for their in vitro antimycobacterial activity against drug‐sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H₃₇Rv and multidrug‐resistant MTB strains as well as toxicity in a mammalian VERO cell line. The preliminary results revealed that all hybrids exhibited considerable activity against MTB H₃₇Rv with minimum inhibitory concentration in a range of 0.205–14.186 μg/mL. Especially, hybrid 5a with low cytotoxicity displayed highest activity against both drug‐sensitive MTB H₃₇Rv and two clinically isolates multidrug‐resistant MTB strains, suggesting that it may serve as a new and promising candidate for further study.     

Diverted total synthesis of melodorinol analogues and evaluation of their cytotoxicity

A series of melodorinol analogues were synthesized via a diverted total synthesis approach, leading to structural modifications on several regions of the molecule. Their cytotoxicity was evaluated against five human cancer cell lines (KB, HeLa-S3, MCF-7, HT-29 and A549). Structure-activity relationship studies revealed key parameters that affect the cytotoxicity. In particular, the novel 4-bromo-furanone analogues exhibited greater cytotoxicity compared to the corresponding non-brominated analogues. The stereochemistry at C-6 and the nature of acyl substituents on the C-6 and C-7 hydroxyl groups also play an important role. The most potent analogues exhibit approximately 15-fold higher cytotoxicity towards KB and HeLa-S3 than melodorinol and also show exceptionally high potency against MCF-7, HT-29 and A549 cell lines.     

Reviving chloroquine for anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatment with cucurbit[7]uril-based supramolecular formulation

The wide-spreading SARS-CoV-2 virus has put the world into boiling water for more than a year, however pharmacological therapies to act effectively against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain elusive. Chloroquine (CQ), an antimalarial drug, was found to exhibit promising antiviral activity in vitro and in vivo at a high dosage, thus CQ was approved by the FDA for the emergency use authorization (EUA) in the fight against COVID-19 in the US, but later was revoked the EUA status due to the severe clinical toxicity. Herein, we show that supramolecular formulation of CQ by a macrocyclic host, curcurbit[7]uril (CB[7]), reduced its non-specific toxicity and improved its antiviral activity against coronavirus, working in synergy with CB[7]. CB[7] was found to form 1:1 host-guest complexes with CQ, with a binding constant of ∼10⁴ L/mol. The CQ-CB[7] formulation decreased the cytotoxicity of CQ against Vero E6 and L-02 cell lines. In particular, the cytotoxicity of CQ (60 μmol/L) against both Vero E6 cell line and L-02 cell lines was completely inhibited in the presence of 300 μmol/L and 600 μmol/L CB[7], respectively. Furthermore, the CB[7] alone showed astonishing antiviral activity in SARS-CoV-2 infected Vero E6 cells and mouse hepatitis virus strain A59 (MHV-A59) infected N2A cells, and synergistically improved the antiviral activity of CQ-CB[7], suggesting that CB[7]-based CQ formulation has a great potential as a safe and effective antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirus.     

Effects of novel taxanes SB-T-1213 and IDN5109 on tubulin polymerization and mitosis

SB-T-1213 and IDN5109 are semisynthetic, orally available taxanes that are up to 400-fold more active than paclitaxel against drug-resistant cells. IDN5109 is in clinical trials. We investigated the primary target for SB-T-1213 and IDN5109 and whether the compounds interact with microtubules differently than paclitaxel. Unlike paclitaxel, at 1-10 microM both novel taxanes initiate microtubule polymerization in vitro with no lag. They enhance polymerization equally or more potently than paclitaxel. SB-T-1213 induces unusual microtubules with attached extra protofilaments or open sheets, and IDN5109 induces large protofilamentous sheets. Both inhibit HeLa cell proliferation, block mitosis at the metaphase/anaphase transition, bundle microtubules at high drug concentrations, and induce abnormal metaphase spindles and apoptosis. They target microtubules but alter their polymerization and structure differently than paclitaxel. These differences may play a role in their enhanced cytotoxicity and efficacy.     

Characterization and preparation of core–shell type nanoparticle for encapsulation of anticancer drug

The aim of this study is to prepare delivery vehicles of paclitaxel using low molecular weight water-soluble chitosan (LMWSC) and evaluate them as an anticancer drug delivery system. LMWSC was modified with methoxy polyethylene glycol (LMWSC-MPEG, ChitoPEG), and then it was conjugated with cholesterol (LMWSC-MPEG-Chol). Core–shell type LMWSC-MPEG-Chol nanoparticles (LMWSC-NPs) were prepared by the dialysis method, and the core–shell structure was confirmed by ¹H NMR analysis. To this polymer, paclitaxel was encapsulated and core–shell type nanoparticles were prepared. The release tests indicated that release of paclitaxel from the core–shell type nanoparticles and its transport across the dialysis membrane was slower than dialysis of free paclitaxel. In a cytotoxicity study using CT26 cell, the paclitaxel-encapsulated core–shell type nanoparticles (LMWSC-NPs) showed a toxicity against tumor cells similar to paclitaxel itself. The results of a tumor inhibition test with CT26 implanted upon mouse tumor models in vivo indicated that the application of a dose of 10 mg/kg of LMWSC-NPT showed a superior survival rate, and a slower tumor growth than when paclitaxel alone was administered, although the tumor growth and survival rate were not significantly changed at a dose of 2 mg/kg. The LMWSC-NPT dose above 10 mg/kg showed a superior antitumor activity.     

Chemical modification and anticancer effect of prenylated flavanones from Taiwanese propolis

Our previous studies demonstrated that eight prenylated flavanones (1-8), isolated from Taiwanese propolis, were capable of a broad spectrum of biological activities. Among them, nymphaeol A (3), nymphaeol B (4) and nymphaeol C (7), abundant in Taiwanese propolis, exhibited cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines. It therefore seemed interesting to improve their activity via a semi-synthetic strategy. In this study, 12 novel prenylated flavanones were synthesised in our laboratory and their activities were assessed for two human prostate cancer cell lines, PC-3 and DU-145, and a human hepatoma cell line, Hep-3B. Of these compounds, 10c, 11 and 12 showed more potent cytotoxicity against the PC-3 cell line than 5-Fu. Using cytometric analysis followed by double staining with annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide, it was observed that these compounds induced apoptosis as well. This suggests that prenylated flavanones 10c, 11 and 12 may have anticancer potential for further development.