Phenotype-based screening rediscovered benzopyran-embedded microtubule inhibitors as anti-neuroinflammatory agents by modulating the tubulin–p65 interaction

Neuroinflammation is one of the critical processes implicated in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Therefore, alleviating neuroinflammation has been highlighted as a therapeutic strategy for treating CNS disorders. However, the complexity of neuroinflammatory processes and poor drug transport to the brain are considerable hurdles to the efficient control of neuroinflammation using small-molecule therapeutics. Thus, there is a significant demand for new chemical entities (NCEs) targeting neuroinflammation. Herein, we rediscovered benzopyran-embedded tubulin inhibitor 1 as an anti-neuroinflammatory agent via phenotype-based screening. A competitive photoaffinity labeling study revealed that compound 1 binds to tubulin at the colchicine-binding site. Structure–activity relationship analysis of 1’s analogs identified SB26019 as a lead compound with enhanced anti-neuroinflammatory efficacy. Mechanistic studies revealed that upregulation of the tubulin monomer was critical for the anti-neuroinflammatory activity of SB26019. We serendipitously found that the tubulin monomer recruits p65, inhibiting its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus and blocking NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathways. Further in vivo validation using a neuroinflammation mouse model demonstrated that SB26019 suppressed microglial activation by downregulating lba-1 and proinflammatory cytokines. Intraperitoneal administration of SB26019 showed its therapeutic potential as an NCE for successful anti-neuroinflammatory regulation. Along with the recent growing demands on tubulin modulators for treating various inflammatory diseases, our results suggest that colchicine-binding site-specific modulation of tubulins can be a potential strategy for preventing neuroinflammation and treating CNS diseases.Subject terms: Drug discovery, Neurodegeneration     

Unusual Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of acetylenic amides: formation of bistriazoles

C-carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazoles have recently attracted much interest due to their potent biological activity. While synthesizing C-carbamoyl-1,2,3-triazoles by the copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of organic azides 1 and acetylenic amides 2, we found that the expected 1,2,3-triazole products 3 were obtained as the only products in excellent yields when CuSO₄ and sodium ascorbate were used as the Cu(I)-catalyst. Surprisingly, the unexpected bistriazole products 4 were one of the major products obtained along with the 1,2,3-triazoles 3 when using a direct Cu(I)-catalyst such as CuI or CuBr.     

Regioselective synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted thiophenes

A highly regioselective route was established to 2-aryl-, 2-cyclohexyl-, and 2-(2-arylethyl)4-alkylthiophenes, which are potential candidates as liquid crystalline compounds of low viscosity. The key synthetic intermediates, 2-substituted-4-(chloromethyl)thiophenes 6, 14, and 20 were prepared respectively from the reactions of β, γ-epoxycarbonyl compounds 5, 13, and 19 with Lawesson's reagent in the presence of a catalytic amount of p -toluenesulfonic acid. The epoxycarbonyl compounds were obtained from the TiCl₄-mediated reactions of 2-(chloromethyl)-3-(trimethylsliyl)propene (10) with acid chlorides followed by epoxidation with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, or from prior epoxidation followed by oxidation with pyridinium dichromate of homoallylic alcohols 3. The homoallylic alcohols 3 were synthesized from the reactions of 2-(chloromethyl)-3-(trichlorosilyl)propene (2) with aldehydes in N, N-dimethylformamide. Copper (I) catalysed cross-coupling reactions of 2-substituted-4-(bromomethyl)thiophenes (which were prepared by transhalogenation of 2-substituted-4- (chloromethyl)thiophenes with NaBr in acetone) with Grignard reagents afforded 2,4-disubstituted thiophenes. Using this method, eleven 2,4-disubstituted thiophenes were synthesized and their potentials as liquid crystalline compound of low viscosity were examined. The synthesized 2-(4-cyanophenyl)-4-pentylthiophene was observed to have a lower melting point than the corresponding 2,5-disubstituted thiophene. This observation is consistent with the expectation from the basis of molecular linearity which can affect the viscosity and/or melting point of crystalline compounds.     

Improvement of asymmetric viewing angle properties in single-domain fringe-field-switching liquid crystal mode by using parallel-rubbed alignment surfaces

In this paper, we discuss the viewing angle properties of single-domain fringe-field-switching (FFS) liquid crystal (LC) mode aligned by using parallel-rubbed polyimide surfaces. Due to the reduced initial tilting angle distribution in the bulk LC layer under parallel-rubbed surface alignment conditions, the problems of greyscale inversion and off-axis colour shift in the dark state and luminance asymmetry distribution in the low grey level, observed in the conventional single-domain FFS LC mode, can be improved effectively. The viewing angle properties of the proposed structure were analysed by using the Póincare sphere and fringe-field-induced LC distribution.     

Single‐step modified QuEChERS for determination of chlorothalonil in shallot (Allium ascalonicum) using GC‐μECD and confirmation via mass spectrometry

A single extraction method was developed for chlorothalonil in shallot using gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC‐μECD). Samples were extracted with single‐step modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method using ethyl acetate as an extraction solvent. Significant matrix effects were observed, and the calibration curve was constructed from the matrix. The linearity of the analytical response across the studied range of concentrations (0.01–1.00 mg/L) was excellent, obtaining a correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.996. >0.996. Recovery studies were carried out on spiked shallot blank samples, at two concentration levels (0.4 and 2.0 mg/kg) with three replicates performed at each level. Mean recoveries of 97.2–104.9% with RSDs of 1.3–2.7% were obtained. The method is demonstrated to be suitable for the determination of chlorothalonil in shallot. The dissipation rates of chlorothalonil were described using first‐order kinetics, and its half‐life was 2.8 days. Based on the dissipation pattern of the pesticide residues, the pre‐harvest residue limit (PHRL) was also calculated. Residues were confirmed via mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data for 21 naphthalenyl‐phenyl‐pyrazoline derivatives

To find potent new chemotherapy drugs, we designed and synthesized a series of naphthochalcones bearing naphthalenyl‐phenyl‐pyrazoline moieties. The complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR data for these compounds are reported here and can be used to identify further new naphthochalcones bearing the desired pyrazoline moieties. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactions of antimicrobial species to imidazole-microwave plasma reacted poly(dimethylsiloxane) surfaces

Microwave plasma reactions of imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, and 2-ethylimidazole on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces resulted in the formation of species containing conjugated surface domains which can be utilized for further reactions. When imidazole and its derivatives were used, polymerization of imidazole and the formation of C=C and CN conjugated species occurred. However, the extent of reactions for each monomer depends on not only the reaction time but also the molecular structure. For methyl- and ethyl-substituted imidazole, more stable radical species are generated and sustain their excited state in the high-energy plasma environments. Specifically, dehydrogenated 2-methyl, 2-ethylimidazole radicals and (*)N=CR-NH(*) (R = -CH(3), -CH(2)CH(3)) species exhibit higher stability than dehydrogenated imidazole radicals and (*)N=CH-NH(*) species under plasma reaction conditions. Such prepared surfaces are capable of attaching antimicrobial drugs via the Pinner synthesis. These studies show that it is possible to react antimicrobial species such as chloramphenicol, and this promising approach offers numerous applications of microwave plasma reactions in biotechnology. Quantitative analysis of the depth of surface reactions was accomplished by using variable angle ATR FT-IR spectroscopy.