Design and Synthesis of (2-oxo-1,2-Dihydroquinolin-4-yl)-1,2,3-triazole Derivatives via Click Reaction: Potential Apoptotic Antiproliferative Agents

A mild and versatile method based on Cu-catalyzed [2+3] cycloaddition (Huisgen-Meldal-Sharpless reaction) was developed to tether 3,3’-((4-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)phenyl)methylene)bis(4-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-ones) with 4-azido-2-quinolones in good yields. This methodology allowed attaching three quinolone molecules via a triazole linker with the proposed mechanism. The products are interesting precursors for their anti-proliferative activity. Compound 8g was the most active one, achieving IC₅₀ = 1.2 ± 0.2 µM and 1.4 ± 0.2 µM against MCF-7 and Panc-1 cell lines, respectively. Moreover, cell cycle analysis of cells MCF-7 treated with 8g showed cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase (supported by Caspase-3,8,9, Cytochrome C, BAX, and Bcl-2 studies). Additionally, significant pro-apoptotic activity is indicated by annexin V-FITC staining.     

Protective Effects of Thymoquinone,an Active Compound of Nigella sativa,on Rats with Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Lung Injury through Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Benzopyrene [B(a)P] is a well-recognized environmental carcinogen, which promotes oxidative stress, inflammation, and other metabolic complications. In the current study, the therapeutic effects of thymoquinone (TQ) against B(a)P-induced lung injury in experimental rats were examined. B(a)P used at 50 mg/kg b.w. induced lung injury that was investigated via the evaluation of lipid profile, inflammatory markers, nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. B(a)P also led to a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) (34.3 vs. 58.5 U/mg protein), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (42.4 vs. 72.8 U/mg protein), catalase (CAT) (21.2 vs. 30.5 U/mg protein), and total antioxidant capacity compared to normal animals. Treatment with TQ, used at 50 mg/kg b.w., led to a significant reduction in triglycerides (TG) (196.2 vs. 233.7 mg/dL), total cholesterol (TC) (107.2 vs. 129.3 mg/dL), and inflammatory markers and increased the antioxidant enzyme level in comparison with the group that was administered B(a)P only (p < 0.05). B(a)P administration led to the thickening of lung epithelium, increased inflammatory cell infiltration, damaged lung tissue architecture, and led to accumulation of collagen fibres as studied through haematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Sirius red, and Masson’s trichrome staining. Moreover, the recognition of apoptotic nuclei and expression pattern of NF-κB were evaluated through the TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The histopathological changes were found to be considerably low in the TQ-treated animal group. The TUNEL-positive cells increased significantly in the B(a)P-induced group, whereas the TQ-treated group showed a decreased apoptosis rate. Significantly high cytoplasmic expression of NF-κB in the B(a)P-induced group was seen, and this expression was prominently reduced in the TQ-treated group. Our results suggest that TQ can be used in the protection against benzopyrene-caused lung injury.     

Novel Semi-Synthetic Cu (II)–Cardamonin Complex Exerts Potent Anticancer Activity against Triple-Negative Breast and Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Inhibition of the Akt Signaling Pathway

Cardamonin is a polyphenolic natural product that has been shown to possess cytotoxic activity against a variety of cancer cell lines. We previously reported the semi-synthesis of a novel Cu (II)–cardamonin complex (19) that demonstrated potent antitumour activity. In this study, we further investigated the bioactivity of 19 against MDA-MB-468 and PANC-1 cancer cells in an attempt to discover an effective treatment for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Results revealed that 19 abolished the formation of MDA-MB-468 and PANC-1 colonies, exerted growth-inhibitory activity, and inhibited cancer cell migration. Further mechanistic studies showed that 19 induced DNA damage resulting in gap 2 (G2)/mitosis (M) phase arrest and microtubule network disruption. Moreover, 19 generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may contribute to induction of apoptosis, corroborated by activation of caspase-3/7, PARP cleavage, and downregulation of Mcl-1. Complex 19 also decreased the expression levels of p-Akt and p-4EBP1, which indicates that the compound exerts its activity, at least in part, via inhibition of Akt signalling. Furthermore, 19 decreased the expression of c-Myc in PANC-1 cells only, which suggests that it may exert its bioactivity via multiple mechanisms of action. These results demonstrate the potential of 19 as a therapeutic agent for TNBC and pancreatic cancer.     

Voltammetry coupled to mass spectrometry in the presence of isotope O labeled water for the prediction of oxidative transformation pathways of activated aromatic ethers: Acebutolol

The coupling between an electrochemical cell (EC) and a mass spectrometer (MS) is a useful screening tool (EC-MS) to study the oxidative transformation pathways of various electroactive species. For that purpose, we showed that the EC-MS method, carried out in the presence and absence of isotope ¹⁸O labeled water leads not only to a fast identification of oxidation products but also leads to a fast elucidation of the mechanism pathway reaction. We examined herein the case of the electrochemical hydrolysis of activated aromatic ether. Acebutolol (β-blockers) was selected herein as model of activated aromatic ether, and its electrochemical oxidation was examined in both the presence and absence of isotope ¹⁸O labeled water. To elucidate electrochemical hydrolysis pathway reaction: O-dealkylation or O-dealkoxylation, our approach was used to prove its applicability. The electrochemical oxidation mechanism was then elucidated showing an O-dealkoxylation reaction. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations fully support the experimental conclusions.     

Highly Regioselective Ring Opening of Epoxides with Thiols Catalyzed by SbCl3 Under Solvent-Free Conditions

The ring-opening reaction of epoxides with thiols by SbCl ₃ supported on Kieselguhr under solvent-free conditions, afforded high yields of β-hydroxy sulfides. Nucleophilic attack of the thiols occurs regioselectively at the less hindered side of the epoxides.     

Synthesis and anticancer activity of some novel diethyl {(chromonyl/pyrazolyl) [(4-oxo-2-phenyl-quinazolin-3(4H)-yl)amino]methyl}phosphonates

Abstract

The synthesis of some novel chromonyl and pyrazolyl α-aminophosphonates containing a quinazolinone ring was carried out by applying Pudovik and Kabachnik-Fields reactions under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions. The anticancer activities of these compounds were evaluated against five cancer cell lines. 3-{[(3-Phenyl/1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylidene]amino}-2-phenyl-quinazolin-4(3H)-ones (3d,e) and diethyl {[3-phenyl/1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl][(4-oxo-2-phenyl-quinazolin-3(4H) yl)amino] methyl}phosphonates (4d,e) displayed the potent anticancer activities against HCT116, MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines in comparison with the standard drug.     

Triphenylphosphine Mediated Simple Synthesis of Vinyl-Substituted Benzimidazoles

N -isopropenylbenzimidazolone undergoes a smooth reaction with triphenylphosphine and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates to produce highly functionalized salt-free phosphorus ylides in good yields. These stabilized phosphorus ylides exist as a mixture of two geometrical isomers as a result of restricted rotation around the carbon-carbon partial double bond resulting from conjugation of the ylide moiety with the adjacent carbonyl group. These ylides are converted to dialkyl 2-(1-isopropenyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-but-2-enedioates in boiling toluene.     

Addition Reaction Between Trimethyl Phosphite and Dibenzoylacetylene in the Presence of SH- or NH-Acids

The reactive 1:1 intermediate produced in the addition reaction between trimethyl-phosphite and dibenzoylacetylene was trapped by SH- or NH-acids such as 4-nitroimidazole, 4-methyl-5-nitroimidazole, succinimide, or mercaptoacetic acid to produce 2-substituted 1,4-diphenylbutane-1,4-diones.     

AB INITIO MOLECULAR ORBITAL STUDY OF 1,2-DITHIANE AND 1,2,4,5-TETRATHIANE

Ab initio calculations at HF/6-31+G? level of theory for geometry optimization, and MP2/6-31+G?//HF/6-31+G? and B3LYP/6-31+G?//HF/6-31+G? levels for a single-point total energy calculation, are reported for the chair and twist conformations of 1,2-dithiane (1), 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-1,2-dithiane (2), 1,2,4,5-tetrathiane (3), and 3,3,6,6-tetramethyl-1,2,4,5-tetrathiane (4). The C₂ symmetric chair conformations of 1 and 2 are calculated to be 21.9 and 8.6 kJ mol^?1 more stable than the corresponding twist forms. The calculated energy barriers for chair-to-twist processes in 1 and 2 are 56.3 and 72.8 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The C_2h symmetric chair conformation of 3 is 10.7 kJ mol^?1 more stable than the twist form. Interconversion of these forms takes place via a C₂ symmetric transition state, which is 67.5 kJ mol^?1 less stable than 3-Chair. The D₂ symmetric twist-boat conformation of 4 is calculated to be 4.0 kJ mol^?1 more stable than the C_2h symmetric chair form. The calculated strain energy for twist to chair process is 61.1 kJ mol^?1.