Quinolone inhibition of cytochrome P-450-dependent caffeine metabolism in human liver microsomes

Inhibitory effects of the quinolone antibiotics ofloxacin, lomefloxacin, pipemidic acid, ciprofloxacin, and enoxacin on caffeine metabolism were examined in vitro with human liver microsomes of four donors. All drugs competitively inhibited the activity of 3-demethylation, the major pathway of caffeine metabolism. Enoxacin, ciprofloxacin, and pipemidic acid were strong inhibitors exhibiting Ki values between 0.1 and 0.2 mM. Lomefloxacin and ofloxacin had moderate effects with Ki values of 1.2 and 3.6 mM, respectively. The rate of caffeine 7-demethylation (which amounted to about 25% of that for 3-demethylation) was only slightly affected by the quinolones. Minor, but inconsistent, effects were found on 8-oxidation to 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid. The results indicate that the reduction of caffeine clearance by concomitant quinolone application observed in vivo is primarily due to a competitive interaction of the inhibiting quinolones with the cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme(s) mediating caffeine demethylation.     

4-quinolones inhibit biotransformation of caffeine

Summary The pharmacokinetics of caffeine, including formation of its major metabolite paraxanthine in plasma, has been investigated in 12 healthy males (age 20–40 years) alone and during co-administration of the 4-quinolones ofloxacin, norfloxacin, pipemidic acid, ciprofloxacin, and enoxacin; ciprofloxacin and enoxacin were given in 3 different dose levels.The naphthyridine derivative enoxacin and the pyrido-pyrimidine derivative pipemidic acid had caused marked inhibition of caffeine and paraxanthine metabolism, whereas the genuine quinolone derivatives norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin had little effect, and the pyrido-benzoxacine derivative ofloxacin had no detectable effect.The different molecular and spatial structures of the compounds appear to be responsible for the differences in inhibitory potency.     

Structure-related inhibition of human hepatic caffeine N3-demethylation by naturally occurring flavonoids

The effects of flavonoids on caffeine N3-demethylation, a marker activity of CYP1A2, in human liver microsomes were investigated to elucidate the inhibition mechanism and the structure-activity relationship. Caffeine N3-demethylase activity was inhibited by the presence of various flavonoids, whose structures seem to be closely related to the degree of inhibition. Among twenty-one compounds tested, the most active was chrysin with an IC50 value of 0.2 microM. Others had IC50 values ranging from 1 to more than 500 microM. Kinetic analysis revealed that the mechanism of inhibition varied among the flavonoids. The inhibitory effect was postulated to be governed by factors such as the number of hydroxyl groups and glycosylation of these free hydroxyl groups. An increase in the number of free hydroxyl groups reduced the inhibitory effect on P450 activity. Analysis of the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) showed that the volume to surface area ratio was the most effective factor on the inhibition of caffeine N3-demethylation, and the electron densities on the C3 and C4' atoms exercised significant influence on the inhibitory effect. The calculated inhibitory effect of flavonoids on CYP1A2 activity was highly correlated with the antimutagenicity of flavonoids in 2-amino-3,4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-flquinoline (MelQ)-induced umu response.     

Inhibitory effect of quinolone antimicrobial and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on a medium chain acyl-CoA synthetase.

The inhibitory effects of quinolone antimicrobial agents and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on purified mouse liver mitochondrial medium chain acyl-CoA synthetase catalyzing the first reaction of glycine conjugation were examined, using hexanoic acid as a substrate. Enoxacin, ofloxacin, nalidixic acid, diflunisal, salicylic acid, 2-hydroxynaphthoic acid, and 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid, which do not act as substrates, were potent inhibitors. Diflunisal, nalidixic acid, salicylic acid, 2-hydroxynaphthoic acid, and 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid inhibited competitively this medium chain acyl-CoA synthetase with K(i) values of 0.6, 12.4, 19.6, 13.4, and 15.0 microM, respectively. Enoxacin and ofloxacin inhibited this medium chain acyl-CoA synthetase in a mixed-type manner with K(i) values of 23.7 and 38.2 microM, respectively. Felbinac, which is a substrate, inhibited the activity of this medium chain acyl-CoA synthetase for hexanoic acid (IC50 = 25 microM). The concomitant presence of enoxacin and felbinac strongly inhibited this medium chain acyl-CoA synthetase. These findings indicate that medium chain acyl-CoA synthetases may be influenced by quinolone antimicrobial and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.     

The inhibitory effect of tannic acid on cytochrome P450 enzymes and NADPH-CYP reductase in rat and human liver microsomes.

Tannic acid has been shown to decrease mutagenicity and/or carcinogenicity of several amine derivatives and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in rodents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of tannic acid on cytochrome P450 (CYP)-catalyzed oxidations using rat liver microsomes (RLM) and human liver microsomes (HLM) as the enzyme sources. In RLM, tannic acid showed a non-selective inhibitory effect on 7-methoxyresorufin O-demethylation (MROD), 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD), tolbutamide hydroxylation, p-nitrophenol hydroxylation and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation activities with IC(50) values ranged from 14.9 to 27.4 microM. In HLM, tannic acid inhibited EROD, MROD and phenacetin O-deethylation activities with IC(50) values ranged from 5.1 to 7.5 microM, and diclofenac 4-hydroxylation, dextromethorphan O-demethylation, chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation with IC(50) values ranged from 20 to 77 microM. In baculovirus-insect cell-expressed human CYP 1A1 and 1A2, the IC(50) values of tannic acid for CYP 1A1- and 1A2-catalyzed EROD activities were 23.1 and 2.3 microM, respectively, indicating that tannic acid preferably inhibited the activity of CYP1A2. Tannic acid inhibited human CYP1A2 non-competitively with a Ki value of 4.8 microM. Tannic acid was also found to inhibit NADPH-CYP reductase in RLM and HLM with IC(50) values of 11.8 and 17.4 microM, respectively. These results suggested that the inhibition of CYP enzyme activities by tannic acid may be partially attributed to its inhibition of NADPH-CYP reductase activity.     

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and theophylline metabolism in human liver microsomes: potent inhibition by fluvoxamine.

1. Fluvoxamine and seven other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRRI) were tested for their ability to inhibit a number of human cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYPs). 2. None of the drugs showed potent inhibition of CYP2A6 (coumarin 7-hydroxylase) or CYP2E1 (chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylase), while norfluoxetine was the only potent inhibitor of CYP3A having IC50 values of 11 microM and 19 microM for testosterone 6 beta-hydroxylase and cortisol 6 beta-hydroxylase, respectively. 3. Norfluoxetine, sertraline and fluvoxamine inhibited CYP1A1 (7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase) in microsomes from human placenta (IC50 values 29 microM, 35 microM and 80 microM, respectively). Fluvoxamine was a potent inhibitor of CYP1A2-mediated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity (IC50 = 0.3 microM) in human liver. 4. In microsomes from three human livers fluvoxamine potently inhibited all pathways of theophylline biotransformation, the apparent inhibitor constant, Ki, was 0.07-0.13 microM, 0.05-0.10 microM and 0.16-0.29 microM for inhibition of 1-methylxanthine, 3-methylxanthine and 1,3-dimethyluric acid formation, respectively. Seven other SSRIs showed either weak or no inhibition of theophylline metabolism. 5. Ethanol inhibited the formation of 1,3-dimethyluric acid with K(i) value of 300 microM, a value which is consistent with inhibition of CYP2E1. Ethanol and fluvoxamine both inhibited 8-hydroxylation by about 45% and, in combination, the compounds decreased the formation of 1,3-dimethyluric acid by 90%, indicating that CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 are equally important isoforms for the 8-hydroxylation of theophylline. 6. It is concluded that pharmacokinetic interaction between fluvoxamine and theophylline is due to potent inhibition of CYP1A2.     

Furafylline is a potent and selective inhibitor of cytochrome P450IA2 in man.

1. Furafylline (1,8-dimethyl-3-(2'-furfuryl)methylxanthine) is a methylxanthine derivative that was introduced as a long-acting replacement for theophylline in the treatment of asthma. Administration of furafylline was associated with an elevation in plasma levels of caffeine, due to inhibition of caffeine oxidation, a reaction catalysed by one or more hydrocarbon-inducible isoenzymes of P450. We have now investigated the selectivity of inhibition of human monooxygenase activities by furafylline. 2. Furafylline was a potent, non-competitive inhibitor of high affinity phenacetin O-deethylase activity of microsomal fractions of human liver, a reaction catalysed by P450IA2, with an IC50 value of 0.07 microM. 3. Furafylline had either very little or no effect on human monooxygenase activities catalysed by other isoenzymes of P450, including P450IID1, P450IIC, P450IIA. Of particular interest, furafylline did not inhibit P450IA1, assessed from aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity of placental samples from women who smoked cigarettes. 4. It is concluded that furafylline is a highly selective inhibitor of P450IA2 in man. 5. Furafylline was a potent inhibitor of the N3-demethylation of caffeine and of a component of the N1- and N7-demethylation. This confirms earlier suggestions that caffeine is a selective substrate of a hydrocarbon-inducible isoenzyme of P450 in man, and identifies this as P450IA2. Thus, caffeine N3-demethylation should provide a good measure of the activity of P450IA in vivo in man. 6. Although furafylline selectively inhibited P450IA2, relative to P450IA1, in the rat, this was at 1000-times the concentration required to inhibit the human isoenzyme, suggesting a major difference in the active site geometry between the human and the rat orthologues of P50IA2.     

Effects of antidepressant drugs on the activity of cytochrome P-450 measured by caffeine oxidation in rat liver microsomes

Caffeine is a marker drug for testing the activity of CYP1A2 (3-N-demethylation) in humans and rats. Moreover, it is also a relatively specific substrate of CYP3A (8-hydroxylation). In the case of 1-N- and in particular 7-N-demethylation of caffeine, apart from CYP1A2, other cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes play a considerable role. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of imipramine, amitriptyline and fluoxetine on cytochrome P-450 activity measured by caffeine oxidation in rat liver microsomes. The obtained results showed that imipramine exerted a most potent inhibitory effect on caffeine metabolism. Imipramine decreased the rate of 3-N-, 1-N- and 7-N-demethylations, and 8-hydroxylation of caffeine, the effect on 3-N-demethylation being most pronounced (Ki = 33 microM). Amitriptyline showed distinct inhibition of 3-N- and 1-N-demethylation of caffeine, though its effect was less potent than in the case of imipramine (Ki = 57 and 61 pM, respectively). The influence of amitriptyline on 8-hydroxylation and especially on 7-N-demethylation of caffeine was weaker (Ki = 108 and 190 pM, respectively) than on 3-N- or 1-N-demethylation, suggesting a narrower spectrum of cytochrome P-450 inhibition by amitriptyline than by imipramine, involving mainly the subfamily CYP1A2, and--to a lesser degree--CYP3A. In contrast to the tested tricyclic antidepressants, fluoxetine did not exert any considerable effect on the 3-N- or 1-N-demethylation of caffeine (Ki = 152 and 196 microM, respectively), which indicates its low affinity for CYP1A2. However, fluoxetine displayed a clear inhibitory effect on caffeine 7-N-demethylation (Ki = 72 microM), the reaction which is catalyzed mainly by other than CYP1A2 isoenzymes. Fluoxetine diminished markedly the 8-hydroxylation of the marker drug; as reflected by Ki values, the potency of inhibition of rat CYP3A by fluoxetine was similar to that of imipramine (Ki = 40 and 45 microM, respectively). In summary, CYP1A2 was distinctly inhibited by imipramine and amitriptyline, CYP3A by imipramine and fluoxetine, while other CYP isoenzymes (CYP2B and/or 2E1) by imipramine and fluoxetine.     

Effects of classic and newer antidepressants on the oxidation pathways of caffeine in rat liver. In vitro study

Caffeine undergoes 3-N-demethylation via CYP1A2, as well as 1-N-demethylation, 7-N-demethylation and 8-hydroxylation, which may involve other CYP isoenzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of clomipramine, desipramine, sertraline, nefazodone and mirtazapine on cytochrome P-450 activity measured by caffeine oxidation in rat liver microsomes. The obtained results showed that all the investigated antidepressants, with an exception of mirtazapine, added in vitro to liver microsomes had an inhibitory effect on caffeine metabolism (via competitive or mixed mechanism), though their potency towards particular metabolic pathways was different. Dixon analysis of caffeine metabolism carried out in the control liver microsomes, in the absence and presence of the antidepressant drugs showed that desipramine and clomipramine exerted the most potent inhibitory effect on caffeine metabolism. Desipramine decreased the rates of 1-N-, 3-N- and 7-N-demethylations, and 8-hydroxylation of caffeine (Ki = 23.3, 36.6, 23.3 and 63.3 microM, respectively), the effect on 1-N- and 7-N-demethylation being the most pronounced. Clomipramine showed distinct inibition of 1-N- and 3-N-demethylation and 8-hydroxylation of caffeine, the effects on N-demethylations being the most pronounced (Ki = 38.6, 34.8, 45.6 microM, respectively). Its effect on 7-N-demethylation was rather weak (Ki = 97.8 microM). Sertraline decreased significantly the rate of 1-N- and 3-N-demethylation and 8-hydroxylation (Ki = 37.3, 69.3 and 64 microM, respectively), while its effect on 7-N-demethylation of caffeine was less pronounced (Ki = 92.1 microM). Nefazodone displayed clear effect on 3-N- and 7-N-demethylation (Ki = 68.8 and 66.4 microM, respectively), but was weak in inhibiting 1-N-demethylation and 8-hydroxylation of caffeine (Ki = 110 and 186 microM, respectively). In contrast to the above-tested antidepressants, mirtazapine did not decrease significantly the oxidation rates of 3-N-demethylation or 8-hydroxylation (Ki = 264 and 455 microM, respectively) and had no effect on other oxidation pathways of caffeine. In summary, we have observed intra- and inter-drug differences in the inhibitory effects of the antidepressants on the four oxidation pathways of caffeine in rat liver microsomes. The tested antidepressants (with an exception of mirtazapine) may lead to drug-drug metabolic interactions at a level of a few CYP isoforms. The obtained results provide further indirect evidence that apart from CYP1A2, other CYP isoforms are also important for the metabolism of caffeine.     

Responsiveness of genetically epilepsy-prone rats to aminophylline-induced seizures and interactions with quinolones.

The authors sought to determine whether different responsiveness to seizures induced by aminophylline existed between the genetically epilepsy-prone and normal rats. It was found that the seizure latency was consistently shorter in the genetically epilepsy-prone rats than in normal ones. A different pattern of response was observed in the progression to tonic seizures. In addition, seizures appeared to be more marked in genetically epilepsy-prone than in normal rats. A pretreatment with some quinolones (nalidixic acid, pipemidic acid, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin and enoxacin) significantly increased the convulsant properties of aminophylline. These studies demonstrated that the order of proconvulsant activity was ciprofloxacin greater than enoxacin greater than ofloxacin greater than norfloxacin greater than nalidixic acid greater than pipemidic acid. In addition, the present results showed that quinolones, having a fluorine atom showed the most marked proconvulsant activity.     

Inhibition of human drug metabolizing cytochrome P450 by buprenorphine

The effects of buprenorphine, a powerful mixed agonist/antagonist analgesic, on several cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform specific reactions in human liver microsomes were investigated to predict drug interaction of buprenorphine in vivo from in vitro data. The following eight CYP-catalytic reactions were used in this study: CYPlA1/2-mediated 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, CYP2A6-mediated coumarin 7-hydroxylation, CYP2B6-mediated 7-benzyloxyresorufin O-debenzylation, CYP2C8/9-mediated tolbutamide methylhydroxylation, CYP2C19-mediated S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation, CYP2D6-mediated bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, CYP2E1-mediated chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation, and CYP3A4-mediated testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. Buprenorphine strongly inhibited the CYP3A4- and CYP2D6-catalyzed reactions with Ki values of 14.7 microM and 21.4 microM, respectively. The analgesic also weakly inhibited specific reactions catalyzed by CYP1A1/2 (Ki=132 microM), CYP2B6 (Ki=133 microM), CYP2C19 (Ki=146 microM), CYP2C8/9 (IC50>300 microM), and CYP2E1 (IC50>300 microM), but not CYP2A6 mediated pathway. In consideration of the Ki values obtained in this study and the therapeutic concentration of buprenorphine in human plasma, buprenorphine would not be predicted to cause clinically significant interactions with other CYP-metabolized drugs.     

Synthesis of tyrosinase inhibitory kojic acid derivative

Kojic acid derivative 2 was synthesized by joining two pyrone rings through an ethylene linkage by Horner-Emmons reaction of phosphonate 6 with aldehyde 7. The intermediates 6 and 7 were derived from kojic acid. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of 2 was about 8 times more potent (IC(50) = 3.63 microM) than that of kojic acid (IC(50) = 30.61 microM). Compound 2 also exhibited potent melanin synthesis inhibitory activity (19.53% inhibition at 5 mug) indicating that the connection of two pyrone rings of kojic acid through a suitable linker can be an useful strategy for identification of potent tyrosinase inhibitors.     

Effects of phenothiazine neuroleptics on the rate of caffeine demethylation and hydroxylation in the rat liver

The primary metabolic pathways of caffeine are 3-N-demethylation to paraxanthine (CYP1A2), 1-N-demethylation to theobromine and 7-N-demethylation to theophylline (CYP1A2 and other enzymes), and 8-hydroxylation to 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid (CYP3A). The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of phenothiazine neuroleptics (chlorpromazine, levomepromazine, thioridazine, perazine) on cytochrome P-450 activity measured by caffeine oxidation in rat liver microsomes. The obtained results showed that all the investigated neuroleptics competitively inhibited caffeine oxidation in the rat liver, though their potency to inhibit particular metabolic pathways was not equal. Levomepromazine exerted the most potent inhibitory effect on caffeine oxidation pathways, the effect on 8-hydroxylation being the most pronounced. This indicates inhibition of CYP 1 A2 (inhibition of 3-N- and 1-N-demethylation; Ki = 36 and 32 microM, respectively), CYP3A2 (inhibition of 8-hydroxylations; Ki = 20 microM), and possibly other CYP isoenzymes (inhibition of 7-N-demethylation; Ki = 58 microM) by the neuroleptics. The potency of inhibition of caffeine oxidation by perazine was similar to levomepromazine. Thioridazine was a weaker inhibitor of caffeine 3-N- and 7-N-demethylation, while chlorpromazine was weaker in inhibiting caffeine 1-N- and 7-N-demethylation, compared to levomepromazine. In summary, the obtained results showed that all the investigated neuroleptics had a broad spectra of CYP inhibition in the rat liver. The isoenzymes CYP1A2 and CYP3A2 were distinctly inhibited by all the investigated neuroleptics, while other CYP isoenzymes (CYP2B and/or 2E1) by perazine and levomepromazine. The CYP3A2 inhibition was most pronounced. (Ki = 20-40 microM).     

Inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice and its bitter principal, naringenin, on CYP1A2 dependent metabolism of caffeine in man.

1. The effects of grapefruit juice and naringenin on the activity of the human cytochrome P450 isoform CYP1A2 were evaluated using caffeine as a probe substrate. 2. In vitro naringin was a potent competitive inhibitor of caffeine 3-demethylation by human liver microsomes (Ki = 7-29 microM). 3. In vivo grapefruit juice (1.2 l day-1 containing 0.5 g l-1 naringin, the glycone form of naringenin) decreased the oral clearance of caffeine by 23% (95% CI: 7%-30%) and prolonged its half-life by 31% (95% CI: 20%-44%) (n = 12). 4. We conclude that grapefruit juice and naringenin inhibit CYP1A2 activity in man. However, the small effect on caffeine clearance in vivo suggests that in general the ingestion of grapefruit juice should not cause clinically significant inhibition of the metabolism of other drugs that are substrates of CYPIA2.     

Inhibitory effects of silibinin on cytochrome P-450 enzymes in human liver microsomes

Silibinin, the main constituent of silymarin, a flavonoid drug from silybum marianum used in liver disease, was tested for inhibition of human cytochrome P-450 enzymes. Metabolic activities were determined in liver microsomes from two donors using selective substrates. With each substrate, incubations were carried out with and without silibinin (concentrations 3.7-300 microM) at 37 degrees in 0.1 M KH2PO4 buffer containing up to 3% DMSO. Metabolite concentrations were determined by HPLC or direct spectroscopy. First, silibinin IC50 values were determined for each substrate at respective K(M) concentrations. Silibinin had little effect (IC50>200 microM) on the metabolism of erythromycin (CYP3A4), chlorzoxazone (CYP2E1), S(+)-mephenytoin (CYP2C19), caffeine (CYP1A2) or coumarin (CYP2A6). A moderate effect was observed for high affinity dextromethorphan metabolism (CYP2D6) in one of the microsomes samples tested only (IC50=173 microM). Clear inhibition was found for denitronifedipine oxidation (CYP3A4; IC50=29 microM and 46 microM) and S(-)-warfarin 7-hydroxylation (CYP2C9; IC50=43 microM and 45 microM). When additional substrate concentrations were tested to assess enzyme kinetics, silibinin was a potent competitive inhibitor of dextromethorphan metabolism at the low affinity site, which is not CYP2D6 (Ki.c=2.3 microM and 2.4 microM). Inhibition was competitive for S(-)-warfarin 7-hydroxylation (Ki,c=18 microM and 19 microM) and mainly non-competitive for denitronifedipine oxidation (Ki,n=9 microM and 12 microM). With therapeutic silibinin peak plasma concentrations of 0.6 microM and biliary concentrations up to 200 microM, metabolic interactions with xenobiotics metabolised by CYP3A4 or CYP2C9 cannot be excluded.     

Methotrexate analogues. 26. Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase and folylpolyglutamate synthetase activity and in vitro tumor cell growth by methotrexate and aminopterin analogues containing a basic amino acid side chain

Analogues of the antitumor antifolate methotrexate (MTX) were synthesized in which the glutamate (Glu) moiety was replaced by ornithine (Orn), 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (Dab), or 2,3-diaminopropionic acid (Dap). An aminopterin (AMT) analogue with Orn in place of Glu was also synthesized. The MTX analogues were obtained by reaction of 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-methylpteroic acid (mAPA) and N omega-Boc-alpha,omega-diaminoalkanoic acids in the presence of diethyl phosphorocyanidate, followed by deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) or by reaction of p-nitrophenyl-mAPA and N omega-Boc-alpha,omega-diaminoalkanoic acids and subsequent treatment with TFA. The AMT analogue (APA-Orn) was synthesized by reaction of p-nitrophenyl 4-amino-4-deoxy-N10-formylpteroate with silylated N delta-Boc-L-ornithine in DMF at 55 degrees C for 3 days (45% yield), saponification (83%), and TFA cleavage (89%). APA-Orn was a potent inhibitor of both dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from L1210 mouse leukemia (IC50 = 0.072 microM) and partly purified folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) from mouse liver (Ki = 0.15 +/- 0.06 microM). The MTX analogue (mAPA-Orn) was likewise active against both enzymes, with an IC50 of 0.160 microM for DHFR and a Ki of 20.4 +/- 7.7 microM for FPGS inhibition. The other MTX analogues and the previously reported lysine derivative (mAPA-Lys) showed DHFR affinity similar to that of mAPA-Orn but lacked activity as FPGS inhibitors. The positively charged amino group appears to be detrimental to cellular uptake, as evidenced by the low cytotoxicity of these compounds (IC50 = 0.40-2.4 microM) in comparison with MTX and AMT (IC50 = 0.002 microM) against wild-type L1210 cells. On the other hand, mAPA-Orn and APA-Orn were both more potent than the corresponding Glu derivatives MTX and AMT against L1210/R81 cells, suggesting that in these MTX-resistant cells there may occur a "self-potentiation" process involving enhanced antifolate activity via interference with the polyglutamylation of reduced folates. APA-Orn is the most potent dual inhibitor of DHFR and FPGS discovered to date, but its effectiveness as a therapeutic agent may require some form of prodrug modification to neutralize the terminal amino group of the side chain.     

In vitro activity of seven gyrase inhibitors of a group of heterocyclic carbonic acids against nonfermenting gram negative rods (nonfermenters)

MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) determinations for nalidixic acid, cinoxacin, pipemidic acid, norfloxacin, enoxacin, and ciprofloxacin were done by agar dilution on isosensitest agar (oxoid). Bacterial strains investigated were 189 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 164 Acinetobacter lwoffii, 4 Ps. maltophilia, 3 Ps. putrefaciens and 3 Ps. odorans. The results in summary are: Ciprofloxacin is the most active gyrase inhibitor against Ps. aeruginosa as well as against other nonfermentative gram-negative rods, versus Ps. aeruginosa norfloxacin is a little more active than ofloxacin, against nonfermentative gram-negative rods other than Ps. aeruginosa norfloxacin is markedly less active than ofloxacin. Problems concerning cross-resistance of new gyrase inhibitors are discussed.     

Effects of caffeine and paracetamol alone or in combination with acetylsalicylic acid on prostaglandin E(2) synthesis in rat microglial cells

Paracetamol has mild analgesic and antipyretic properties and is, along with acetylsalicylic acid, one of the most popular "over the counter" analgesic agents. However, the mechanism underlying its clinical effects is unknown. Another drug whose mechanism of action is unknown is caffeine, which is often used in combination with other analgesics, augmenting their effect. We investigated the inhibitory effect of paracetamol and caffeine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cyclooxygenase (COX)- and prostaglandin (PG)E(2)-synthesis in primary rat microglial cells and compared it with the effect of acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid, and dipyrone. Furthermore, combinations of these drugs were used to investigate a possible synergistic inhibitory effect on PGE(2)-synthesis. Both paracetamol (IC(50)=7.45 microM) and caffeine (IC(50)=42.5 microM) dose-dependently inhibited microglial PGE(2) synthesis. In combination with acetylsalicylic acid (IC(50)=3.12 microM), both substances augmented the inhibitory effect of acetylsalicylic acid on LPS-induced PGE(2)-synthesis. Whereas paracetamol inhibited only COX enzyme activity, caffeine also inhibited COX-2 protein synthesis. These results are compatible with the view that the clinical activity of paracetamol and caffeine is due to inhibition of COX. Furthermore, these results may help explain the clinical experience of an adjuvant analgesic effect of caffeine and paracetamol when combined with acetylsalicylic acid.     

Chitin synthase 2 inhibitory activity of O-methyl pisiferic acid and 8,20-dihydroxy-9(11),13-abietadien-12-one, isolated from Chamaecyparis pisifera

In the course of search for potent chitin synthase inhibitors from plant extracts, the chitin synthase 2 inhibitors, O-methyl pisiferic acid and 8,20-dihydroxy-9(11),13-abietadien-12-one which have diterpene skeleton, were isolated from the leaves of Chamaecyparis pisifera. These compounds inhibited chitin synthase 2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the IC50 values of 5.8 and 226.4 microM, respectively. Especially, O-methyl pisiferic acid showed 15.3-fold stronger inhibitory activity than polyoxin D (IC50=88.6 microM), a well-known chitin synthase inhibitor. These compounds exhibited weaker inhibitory activities against chitin synthase 1 than chitin synthase 2, whereas it showed no inhibitory activity for chitin synthase 3. The compound exhibited mixed competitive inhibition with respect to UDP-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine as substrate (Ki=5 microM). These results indicated that O-methyl pisiferic acid is a specific inhibitor of chitin synthase 2. The compound also inhibited chitin synthase 1 of Candida albicans, which represents analogues to chitin synthase 2 of S. cerevisiae, with an IC50 of 75.6 microM, which represents 1.8-fold weaker activity than that of polyoxin D. Although O-methyl pisiferic acid has been reported for antibacterial and insecticidal activities, the present study is the first report on its inhibitory activity against chitin synthase 2.     

Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of analogues of aminoglutethimide based on phenylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione

A series of (aminophenyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-diones has been prepared that bear structural similarities to aminoglutethimide (1, 3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-ethylpiperidine-2,6-dione). The inhibitory activity of these compounds was evaluated toward human placental aromatase and bovine adrenal cholesterol side chain cleavage (CSCC) enzyme assay systems. Selective, competitive inhibition of the aromatase enzyme system was demonstrated by 5 (3-(4-aminophenyl)-1-methyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione, Ki = 1.75 microM), 6 (3-(4-aminophenyl)-1,3-dimethylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione, Ki = 1.75 microM), 7 (3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione, Ki = 0.8 microM), and 8 (3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-ethylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione, Ki = 1.0 microM). Compound 15 (3-(4-aminophenyl)pyrrolidine-2,5-dione) proved unexpectedly difficult to prepare following standard methods and was only moderately inhibitory toward aromatase (IC50 = 20 microM). Compound 16 (3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidine-2,5-dione) was weakly inhibitory toward testosterone aromatization and totally inactive toward androstenedione aromatization. These compounds were either weak or ineffective inhibitors of the CSCC enzyme systems, while 1 gave Ki values toward aromatase and CSCC enzymes of 0.68 and 14 microM, respectively. The unsubstituted phenylpyrrolidinediones were inactive in either system, and the 4-nitrophenyl derivatives exhibited weak, nonselective inhibition, indicating the importance of the primary amine moiety for potent inhibition of aromatase activity.