Study of nitrogen- and sulfur-containing heterocycles. 54. Properties and conversions of pyrimido[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]-1,4-benzothiazepines. Synthesis of a novel heterocyclic system: Pyrimido[5,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>]isoquinoline

We have studied some properties and conversions of pyrimido[4,5-b]-1,4-benzothiazepines: reduction, oxidation, reactions with nucleophilic reagents (methanol, hydrazine, hydroxylamine, o-methylhydroxylamine, and thiosemicarbazide). We have synthesized derivatives of a novel heterocyclic system: pyrimido[5,4-c]isoquinoline.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 12, pp. 1863–1872, December, 2004.For Communication 53, see [1].     

Synthesis, Crystalline Structure, and Spectra of 3,3-Dimethyl-1-(3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-onylidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline

3,3-Dimethyl-1-(3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-onylidene-4)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline has been synthesized and its crystalline and molecular structures determined. It was found by IR and electronic absorption spectroscopic methods that the structure of this compound is not changed in solutions.     

Reactions of isoquinoline derivatives with pyridinium salts yielding 4-naphthylpyridines

Regiospecific introduction of the 2-naphthyl residue into position 4 of the pyridine ring occurs in the reactions of isoquinolinium salts with 4-methylpyridinium salts through the intermolecular transformation of the isoquinoline bicyclic system involving the methyl group of the pyridinium salt. The reaction occurs under the action of methylammonium sulfite in an aqueous medium on heating. This method provides ring transformation not only for isoquinolinium salts but even for unsubstituted isoquinoline.     

Synthesis ad Some Conversions of Partially Hydrogenated 1-Aminopyrano(thiopyrano)[4,3-d]pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines and Pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinolines

We have synthesized derivatives of pyrano(thiopyrano)[4,3-d]pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine and pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline, and we have also carried out some conversions with them.     

Reaction mechanism studies on isoquinoline with hydroxyl radical in aqueous solutions

The reaction mechanism between isoquinoline and ·OH radical in aqueous dilute solutions under different conditions was studied by pulse radiolysis. The main characteristic peaks in these transient absorption spectra were attributed and the growth-decay trends of several transient species were investigated. Under neutral or alkaline conditions, the reaction of ·OH radical and isoquinoline produces OH-adducts with respective rate constants of 3.4 × 10⁹ and 6.6 × 10⁹ mol⁻¹ · dm³ · s⁻¹ while under acidic conditions, the isoquinoline was firstly protonated and then ·OH added to the benzene ring and produced protonated isoquinoline OH-adducts with a rate constant of 3.9 × 10⁹ mol⁻¹ · dm³ · s⁻¹. With a better understanding on radiolysis of isoquinoline, this study is of help for its degradation and for environmental protection. __________ Translated from Journal of Fudan University (Natural Science), 2006, 45(6): 774–778 [8BD1;81EA: 590D;65E6;5B66;62A5;(自然科学版)]     

Development of an HPLC‐DAD method for the determination of five alkaloids in Stephania yunnanensis Lo and in rat plasma after oral dose of Stephania yunnanensis Lo extracts

For the rational utilization and the quantitative quality control of the Stephania yunnanensis Lo, an HPLC‐DAD method was developed for the quantitative and simultaneous determination of five alkaloids in rat plasma (stepharine, sinomenine, palmatine, isocorydine and tetrahydropalmatine), which were the main active chemical constituents of this plant and belong to four kinds of isoquinoline‐type alkaloids (protoberberine, morphine, aporphine and protaporphine alkaloids). The contents of five alkaloids ranged from 0.09 to 2.32% (w/w). The method validation was tested for the linearity (r² > 0.9975), precision (intra‐day RSD < 4.8% and inter‐day RSD < 4.9%), extraction recovery (85.49 ± 2.29% to 99.21 ± 1.48%) and stability (98.5 ± 5.3% to 101.2 ± 3.4%). We developed an HPLC‐DAD method to simultaneously measure these alkaloids in rat plasma after oral administration of the extract of this plant to rats. The results supported the hypothesis that isoquinoline alkaloids were the compounds responsible for the main pharmacological activities for anti‐inflammatory and analgesic.     

Synthesis of [1,2,3]Triazolo[5,1-a]isoquinoline Derivatives via a Selective Cascade Cyclization Sequence of 1,2-bis(Phenylethynyl)benzene Derivatives

A direct, concise, synthetic method for the generation of [1,2,3]triazolo[5,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives, using a selective cascade cyclization of unsymmetrical substituted 1,2-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene derivatives with NaN₃, has been developed. The reaction gave different substituted [1,2,3]triazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolines in moderate to good yields. It was found that the substituents on the alkynes were important for the selectivities of the cascade cyclization sequences.     

Mono- and Diamination of 4,6-Dichloropyrimidine, 2,6-Dichloropyrazine and 1,3-Dichloroisoquinoline with Adamantane-Containing Amines

N-heteroaryl substituted adamantane-containing amines are of substantial interest for their perspective antiviral and psychotherapeutic activities. Chlorine atom at alpha-position of N-heterocycles has been substituted by the amino group using convenient nucleophilic substitution reactions with a series of adamantylalkylamines. The prototropic equilibrium in these compounds was studied using NMR spectroscopy. The introduction of the second amino substituent in 4-amino-6-chloropyrimidine, 2-amino-chloropyrazine, and 1-amino-3-chloroisoquinoline was achieved using Pd(0) catalysis.     

Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Sanguinaria canadensis Extracts against Human Melanoma Cells and Comparison of Their Cytotoxicity with Cytotoxicity of Some Anticancer Drugs

Melanoma is an enormous global health burden, and should be effectively addressed with better therapeutic strategies. Therefore, new therapeutic agents are needed for the management of this disease. The aim of this study was the investigation of cytotoxic activity of some isoquinoline alkaloid standards and extracts obtained from Sanguinaria canadensis—collected before, during, and after flowering—against three different human melanoma cells (A375, G361, SK-MEL-3). The cytotoxicity of these extracts was not previously tested on these melanoma cell lines. Determination of alkaloid contents was performed by HPLC-DAD using Polar RP column and mobile phase containing acetonitrile, water, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate. The cytotoxicity of alkaloid standards was investigated by determination of cell viability and calculation of IC₅₀ values. Significant differences were observed in the alkaloids content and cytotoxic activity of the extracts, depending on the season of collection of the plant material. In the Sanguinaria canadensis extracts high contents of sanguinarine (from 4.8543 to 9.5899 mg/g of dry plant material) and chelerythrine (from 42.7224 to 6.8722 mg/g of dry plant material) were found. For both of these alkaloids, very high cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines were observed. The IC₅₀ values were in the range of 0.11–0.54 µg/mL for sanguinarine and 0.14 to 0.46 µg/mL for chelerythrine. IC₅₀ values obtained for Sanguinaria canadensis extracts against all tested cell lines were also very low (from 0.88 to 10.96 µg/mL). Cytotoxic activity of alkaloid standards and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts were compared with the cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs—etoposide, cisplatin, and hydroxyurea. In all cases except the one obtained for cisplatin against A375, which was similar to that obtained for Sanguinaria canadensis after flowering against the same cell line, IC₅₀ values obtained for anticancer drugs were higher than the IC₅₀ values obtained for sanguinarine, chelerythrine, and Sanguinaria canadensis extracts. Our results showed that Sanguinaria canadensis extracts and isoquinoline alkaloids, especially sanguinarine and chelerythrine, could be recommended for further in vivo experiments in order to confirm the possibility of their application in the treatment of human melanomas.     

Determination of Cytotoxic Activity of Selected Isoquinoline Alkaloids and Plant Extracts Obtained from Various Parts of Mahonia aquifolium Collected in Various Vegetation Seasons

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that begins in cells known as melanocytes. While it is less common than the other forms of skin cancer, melanoma is more dangerous because of its ability to spread to other organs more rapidly if it is not treated at an early stage. The number of people diagnosed with melanoma has increased over the last few decades. The most widely used treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The search for new drugs to treat various cancers is one of the most important challenges of modern scientific research. Some isoquinoline alkaloids found in different plant species have strong cytotoxic effects on various cancer cells. We tested the effect of isoquinoline alkaloids and extracts obtained from various parts of Mahonia aquifolium collected in various vegetation seasons on human melanoma cancer cells and our data indicated that investigated extract induced significant reduction in cell viability of Human malignant melanoma cells (A375), human Caucasian malignant melanoma cell line (G361), and human malignant melanoma cell line (SKMEL3 cancer cell lines in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Differences in cytotoxic activity were observed for extracts obtained from various parts of Mahonia aquifolium. Significant differences were also obtained in the alkaloids content and cytotoxic activity of the extracts depending on the season of collection of plant material. Our investigations exhibit that these plant extracts can be recommended for further in vivo experiments in order to confirm the possibility of their use in the treatment of human melanomas.