Synthesis,characterization and molecular docking studies of thiouracil derivatives as potent thymidylate synthase inhibitors and potential anticancer agents

Thymidylate synthase (TS), one of folate-dependent enzymes, is a key and well-recognized target for anticancer agents. In this study, a series of 6-aryl-5-cyano thiouracil derivatives were designed and synthesized in accordance with essential pharmacophoric features of known TS inhibitors. Nineteen compounds were screened in vitro for their anti-proliferative activities toward HePG-2, MCF-7, HCT-116, and PC-3 cell lines. Compounds \(\mathbf{21}_{\mathbf{c}}\), \(\mathbf{21}_{\mathbf{d}}\), and 24 exhibited high anti-proliferative activity, comparable to that of 5-fluorouracil. Additionally, ten compounds with potent anti-proliferative activities were further evaluated for their ability to inhibit TS enzyme. Six compounds (\(\mathbf{21}_{\mathbf{b}}\), \(\mathbf{21}_{\mathbf{c}}\), \(\mathbf{21}_{\mathbf{d}}\), 22, 23 and 24) demonstrated potent dose-related TS inhibition with \(\hbox {IC}_{50}\) values ranging from 1.57 to \(3.89\,\upmu \hbox {M}\). The in vitro TS activity results were consistent with those of the cytotoxicity assay where the most potent anti-proliferative compounds of the series showed good TS inhibitory activity comparable to that of 5-fluorouracil. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were carried out to investigate the binding pattern of the designed compounds with the prospective target, TS (PDB-code: 1JU6).     

Discreteness of space from the generalized uncertainty principle

Various approaches to Quantum Gravity (such as String Theory and Doubly Special Relativity), as well as black hole physics predict a minimum measurable length, or a maximum observable momentum, and related modifications of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle to a so-called Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP). We propose a GUP consistent with String Theory, Doubly Special Relativity and black hole physics, and show that this modifies all quantum mechanical Hamiltonians. When applied to an elementary particle, it implies that the space which confines it must be quantized. This suggests that space itself is discrete, and that all measurable lengths are quantized in units of a fundamental length (which can be the Planck length). On the one hand, this signals the breakdown of the spacetime continuum picture near that scale, and on the other hand, it can predict an upper bound on the quantum gravity parameter in the GUP, from current observations. Furthermore, such fundamental discreteness of space may have observable consequences at length scales much larger than the Planck scale.     

Regioselectivity in dipolar cycloaddition reactions of N-phenylcinnamonitrilimine

The regioselectivity of the cycloadditions of α,β-unsaturated nitrilimine derived from N-phenylcinnamo-hydrazidoyl chloride 2 to C = Se, C = S and C = C double bonds of the resonance stabilized selenocyanate and thiocyanate anions, enol tautomer of dibenzoylmethane and benzalacetophenone was investigated. The results indicate that the reactions studied are dipole-LUMO-dipolarophile-HOMO controlled and that the larger orbital coefficient in the LUMO of N-phenylcinnamonitrilimine is on the carbon atom bearing the styryl group. The structures of the cycloadducts were assigned and confirmed on the basis of their elemental analyses and spectra.     

Synthesis of Some 1,3-Thiazole, 1,3,4-Thiadiazole, Pyrazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine, and 1,2,4-Triazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine Derivatives Based on the Thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazole Moiety

3-(3-Methylthiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-2-yl)-3-oxopropionitrile was synthesized by refluxing ethyl 3-methylthiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazole-2-carboxylate, acetonitrile, and sodium hydride. Treatment of 3-(3-methylthiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-2-yl)-3-oxopropionitrile with phenyl isothiocyanate, in the presence of KOH, furnished the corresponding potassium salt which was converted into thioacetanilide derivative upon neutralization. The thioacetanilide derivative reacts with α-chloroacetylacetone and ethyl α-chloroacetoacetate to give the 1,3-thiazole derivatives, while the reaction of the'thioacetanilide derivative with hydrazonyl chlorides gave 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives. On the other hand, 3-(3-methylthiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-2-yl)-3-oxopropionitrile reacted with the diazonium salt of both 3-phenyl-5-amino-(1H)-pyrazole and 5-amino-l,2,4-(1H)-triazole to afford the corresponding hydrazones. The latter hydrazones underwent an intramolecular cyclization upon boiling in pyridine to give pyrazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine and 1,2,4-triazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine derivatives. Moreover, the behavior of thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazol-3(2H)-one towards phenyl isothiocyanate followed by the reaction with α-chloroketones or hydrazonyl chlorides was investigated. Some of the latter compounds exhibited moderate effects against some bacterial and fungal species.     

Beitr?ge zur analytischen Chemie des Zirkoniums

Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird eine neue Anreicherungsmethode des Zirkoniums mittels der stark basischen Anionenaustauscher Amberlite IRA-400, Dowex-1 und -2 (Sulfatformen) beschrieben. Zirkonium bildet in einer natriumfluoridhaltigen 0,1 n Schwefelsäure einen negativ geladenen Fluoridkomplex, der zum Unterschied von den löslichen Fluoridkomplexen der meisten anderen Elemente stark von diesen Harzen festgehalten wird. Die Abtrennung des Zirkoniumfluorids von den schwer löslichen Fluoriden der Erdalkalimetalle und Seltenen Erden wird durch die Anwesenheit von Aluminiumionen ermöglicht, die ein Copräcipitation des Zirkoniums an diesen Fluoriden verhindern. Das mit dem Zirkonium auf den Austauschern als ebenfalls negativ geladenem Fluoridkomplex mitadsorbierte Titan wird durch spezifische Elution mittels H₂O₂-haltiger 0,1 n Schwefelsäure vom Zirkonium getrennt. Ebenso wird durch die in der Sorptionslösung anwesenden Fluoridionen die Möglichkeit geschaffen, das Zirkonium von Phosphorsäure in allen praktisch zu erwartenden Verhältnissen zu trennen. Die Elution des Zirkoniums wird mit 4 n Salzsäure durchgeführt. Die Zirkoniumbestimmung im Eluat erfolgt auf chelatometrischem Wege durch Titration mit ÄDTA unter Verwendung des Farbstoffes Solochromviolett R⁴. Bei der Anwendung der vorliegenden Methode auf Silicatgesteine wurden gute Ergebnisse erzielt.Herrn Hofrat Dr. O. Hackl, Wien, Geologische Bundesanstalt, gewidmet.II. Mitteilung siehe diese Z. 166, 81 (1959).Diese Arbeit wurde durch das großzügige Entgegenkommen von Herrn Prof. Dr. F. Hecht ermöglicht, dem wir hier unseren Dank sagen.     

Photodegradation of organic compounds using chromium oxide-doped nano-sulfated zirconia

ZrO₂ is considered a huge-gap semiconductor (band gap ≈ 5 eV). To improve the visible-light photocatalytic activities of ZrO₂, an efficient Cr, SO₄ ^2? co-doped ZrO₂ photocatalyst was synthesized by the simple impregnation method followed by calcination at different calcination temperatures (300, 400, 500, and 600 °C) for 3 h. The synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy analysis, scanning electron microscopy analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis, FT-IR spectroscopic technique, potentiometric titration and UV–Vis spectroscopy analysis. ZrO₂ co-doped with Cr and SO₄ ^2? shows more efficiency than SO₄ ^2?-doped ZrO₂ in several aspects like surface structure, decreasing electron–hole recombination and band gap energy. The photodegradation of methylene blue dye for SO₄ ^2?-doped ZrO₂ and Cr, SO₄ ^2?-co-doped ZrO₂ has been investigated. The photocatalytic reaction confirmed that the co-doped ZrO₂ photocatalyst showed higher photocatalytic activity than mono-doped ZrO₂.