Quinoxaline and quinoxaline‐1,4‐di‐N‐oxides: An emerging class of antimycobacterials

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly dreaded, infectious, chronic, airborne disease affecting more than two million people all around the world, with more than eight million cases every calendar year. TB is the second leading infectious cause of death after HIV/AIDS. Over the past few decades, numerous efforts have been undertaken to develop new anti‐TB agents. The current frontline therapy for TB consists of administering three or more different drugs (usually isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol) over an extended period of time. But these drugs will take 6–12 months to cure TB, along with many side effects; hence, there is an urgent need to explore new anti‐TB agents. Quinoxaline derivatives are a class of compounds that show a spectrum of biological properties and the interest in these compounds is exponentially growing within the field of medicinal chemistry. Quinoxaline‐1,4‐di‐N‐oxide derivatives have shown to improve the biological results and are endowed with anti‐viral, anti‐cancer, anti‐bacterial, and anti‐protozoal activities with application in many other therapeutic areas. Since quinoxaline derivatives are regarded as a new class of effective anti‐TB candidates, their 1,4‐di‐N‐oxide analogues may show promising in vitro and in vivo anti‐TB activities and might be able to prevent the drug resistance to a certain extent. Therefore, the main aim of this review is to focus on important quinoxaline and quinoxaline‐1,4‐di‐N‐oxide analogues that have shown anti‐TB activities, and their structure–activity relationships for designing anti‐TB agents with better efficacies. The present review will be helpful in providing insights for rational designs of more active and less toxic quinoxaline‐based anti‐TB prodrugs.

     

6‐Hydrogen‐8‐Methylquinolones Active Against Replicating and Non‐replicating Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The screening of an in‐house quinolones library against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H₃₇Rv, followed by a first cycle of optimization, yielded 6‐hydrogen‐8‐methyl derivatives endowed with good potency. The antitubercular activity also encompassed the bacteria in a non‐replicating state (NRP‐TB) with minimum inhibitory concentration values lower than those of the reference agent, moxifloxacin. Among the best compounds, 11w and 11ai , characterized by a properly substituted piperidine at the C‐7 position, were active against single‐drug‐resistant (SDR‐TB) Mtb strains, maintaining overall good potency also against ciprofloxacin‐resistant Mtb. This study expands the body of SAR around antitubercular quinolones leading to reconsider the role played by the usual fluorine atom at the C‐6 position. Further elaboration of the 6‐hydrogen‐8‐methylquinolone scaffold, with a particular focus on the C‐7 position, is expected to give even more potent congeners holding promise for shortening the current anti‐TB regimen.     

Synthesis,biological evaluation,and docking studies of some 5‐chloro‐2(3H)‐benzoxazolone Mannich bases derivatives as cholinesterase inhibitors

A series of N‐substituted‐5‐chloro‐2(3H)‐benzoxazolone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory, and antioxidant activities. The structures of the title compounds were confirmed by spectral and elemental analyses. The cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitory activity studies were carried out using Ellman's colorimetric method. The free radical scavenging activity was also determined by in vitro ABTS (2,2‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid)) assay. The biological activity results revealed that all of the title compounds displayed higher AChE inhibitory activity than the reference compound, rivastigmine, and were selective for AChE. Among the tested compounds, compound 7 exhibited the highest inhibition against AChE (IC₅₀ = 7.53 ± 0.17 μM), while compound 11 was found to be the most active compound against BuChE (IC₅₀ = 17.50 ± 0.29 μM). The molecular docking study of compound 7 showed that this compound can interact with the catalytic active site (CAS) of AChE and also has potential metal chelating ability and a proper log P value. On the other hand, compound 2 bearing a methyl substituent at the ortho position on the phenyl ring showed better radical scavenging activity (IC₅₀ = 1.04 ± 0.04 mM) than Trolox (IC₅₀ = 1.50 ± 0.05 mM).

     

Isoniazid–phytochemical conjugation: A new approach for potent and less toxic anti‐TB drug development

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes one of the most grievous pandemic infectious diseases, tuberculosis (TB), with long‐term morbidity and high mortality. The emergence of drug‐resistant Mtb strains, and the co‐infection with human immunodeficiency virus, challenges the current WHO‐TB stewardship programs. The first‐line anti‐TB drugs, isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF), have become extensively obsolete in TB control from chromosomal mutations during the last decades. However, based on clinical trial statistics, the production of well‐tolerated anti‐TB drug(s) is miserably low. Alternately, semi‐synthesis or structural modifications of first‐line obsolete antitubercular drugs remain as the versatile approach for getting some potential medicines. The use of any suitable phytochemicals with INH in a hybrid formulation could be an ideal approach for the development of potent anti‐TB drug(s). The primary objective of this review was to highlight and analyze available INH–phytochemical hybrid research works. The utilization of phytochemicals through chemical conjugation is a new trend toward the development of safer/non‐toxic anti‐TB drugs.     

Synthesis,molecular docking,and pharmacological evaluation of N‐(2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)benzoxazole‐5‐yl)benzamide derivatives as selective COX‐2 inhibitors and anti‐inflammatory agents

A series of N‐(2‐(3,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)benzoxazole‐5‐yl)benzamide derivatives ( 3am ) was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activity against COX‐1 and COX‐2. The compounds with considerable in vitro activity (IC₅₀ < 1 μM) were evaluated in vivo for their anti‐inflammatory potential by the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. Out of 13 newly synthesized compounds, 3a , 3b , 3d , 3g , 3j , and 3k were found to be the most potent COX‐2 inhibitors in the in vitro enzymatic assay, with IC₅₀ values in the range of 0.06–0.71 μM. The in vivo anti‐inflammatory activity of these six compounds ( 3a , 3b , 3d , 3g , 3j , and 3k ) was assessed by the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema method. Compounds 3d (84.09%), 3g (79.54%), and 3a (70.45%) demonstrated significant anti‐inflammatory activity compared to the standard drug ibuprofen (65.90%) and were also found to be safer than ibuprofen, by ulcerogenic studies. A docking study was done using the crystal structure of human COX‐2, to understand the binding mechanism of these inhibitors to the active site of COX‐2.

     

Synthesis,molecular docking studies,and biological evaluation of novel alkyl bis(4‐amino‐5‐cyanopyrimidine) derivatives

A series of bis(4‐amino‐5‐cyano‐pyrimidines) was synthesized and evaluated as dual inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). To further explore the multifunctional properties of the new derivatives, their antioxidant and antibacterial activities were also tested. The results showed that most of these compounds could effectively inhibit AChE and BChE. Particularly, compound 7c exhibited the best AChE inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 5.72 ± 1.53 μM), whereas compound 7h was identified as the most potent BChE inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 12.19 ± 0.57 μM). Molecular modeling study revealed that compounds 7c, 7f , and 7b showed a higher inhibitory activity than that of galantamine against both AChE and BChE. Anticholinesterase activity of compounds 7h, 7b , and 7c was significant in vitro and in silico for both enzymes, since these compounds have hydrophobic rings (Br‐phenyl, dimethyl, and methoxyphenyl), which bind very well in both sites. In addition to cholinesterase inhibitory activities, these compounds showed different levels of antioxidant activities. Indeed, in the superoxide–dimethyl sulfoxide alkaline assay, compound 7j showed very high inhibition (IC₅₀ = 0.37 ± 0.28 μM). Also, compound 7l exhibited strong and good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Taking into account the results of biological evaluation, further modifications will be designed to increase potency on different targets. In this study, the obtained results can be a new starting point for further development of multifunctional agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.     

Synthesis and In‐Vitro Anti‐Hepatitis‐B Virus Activity of 6H‐[1]Benzothiopyrano[4,3‐b] quinolin‐10‐ols

A series of 9‐methoxy‐6H‐[1]benzothiopyrano[4,3‐b]quinolin‐10‐ols with a Mannich side chain were synthesized and evaluated for their anti‐Hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity in HepG2.2.15 cells. Some compounds showed significant anti‐HBV activity with IC₅₀ values less than 41 μM. Among them, compound 9b was the most effective anti‐HBV agent (IC₅₀ = 1.7 μM, SI = 60.3).     

Synthesis,p38α MAP kinase inhibition,anti‐inflammatory activity,and molecular docking studies of 1,2,4‐triazole‐based benzothiazole‐2‐amines

Recent studies have demonstrated that inhibition of p38α MAP kinase could effectively inhibit pro‐inflammatory cytokines including TNF‐α and interleukins. Thus, inhibition of this enzyme can prove greatly beneficial in the therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases. A new series of N‐[3‐(substituted‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)]‐benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐amines ( 4a–n ) were synthesized and subjected to in vitro evaluation for anti‐inflammatory activity (BSA anti‐denaturation assay) and p38α MAPK inhibition. Among the compounds selected for in vivo screening of anti‐inflammatory activity ( 4b , 4c , 4f , 4g , 4j , 4m , and 4n ), compound 4f was found to be the most active with an in vivo anti‐inflammatory efficacy of 85.31% when compared to diclofenac sodium (83.68%). It was also found to have a low ulcerogenic risk and a protective effect on lipid peroxidation. The p38α MAP kinase inhibition of this compound (IC₅₀ = 0.036 ± 0.12 μM) was also found to be superior to the standard SB203580 (IC₅₀ = 0.043 ± 0.27 μM). Furthermore, the in silico binding mode of the compound on docking against p38α MAP kinase exemplified stronger interactions than those of SB203580.

     

Screening of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for inhibitory effects on the activities of six UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9 and 2B7) using LC‐MS/MS

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used widely to relieve pain and to decrease inflammation. Several clinical studies have reported that NSAIDs inhibit uridine 5′‐diphospho‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes. Therefore, the study evaluated the inhibitory potential of 15 NSAIDs on the activities of six UGT isoforms (i.e. UGT1A1, 1A3, 1A4, 1A6, 1A9 and 2B7) in human liver microsomes (HLMs). Among the 15 NSAIDs tested here, mefenamic acid and diclofenac inhibited all UGTs tested in this study. Piroxicam and niflumic acid inhibited UGT1A9 activity (IC₅₀ = 73.8 μm and 0.38 μm , respectively) and naproxen selectively inhibited UGT2B7 activity (IC₅₀ = 53.1 μm ), whereas it did not inhibit the other UGTs tested (IC₅₀ > 200 μm ). Diflunisal inhibited the UGT1A1 (IC₅₀ = 33.0 μm ) and UGT1A9 (IC₅₀ = 19.4 μm ). Acetaminophen, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam, phenylbutazone, salicylic acid and sulindac showed negligible inhibitory effects on the six UGTs (IC₅₀ > 100 μm ). These results suggest that some NSAIDs have the potential to inhibit UGTs in vitro. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design,synthesis, and evaluation of novel heteroaryldihydropyrimidine derivatives as non‐nucleoside hepatitis B virus inhibitors by exploring the solvent‐exposed region

In continuation of our efforts toward the discovery of potent non‐nucleoside hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibitors with novel structures, we have explored the solvent‐exposed protein region of heteroaryldihydropyrimidine derivatives. Herein, the morpholine ring of GLS4 was replaced with substituted sulfonamides and triazoles to generate novel non‐nucleoside HBV inhibitors with desirable potency. In in vitro biological evaluation, several derivatives showed good anti‐HBV DNA replication activity compared to lamivudine. In particular, compound II‐1 displayed the most potent activity against HBV DNA replication (IC₅₀ = 0.35 ± 0.04 μM). The preliminary structure–activity relationships of the new compounds were summarized, which may help in discovering more potent anti‐HBV agents via rational drug design.     

Design,synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel 3‐(thiophen‐2‐ylthio)pyridine derivatives as potential multitarget anticancer agents

A series of novel 3‐(thiophen‐2‐ylthio)pyridine derivatives as insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF‐1R) inhibitors was designed and synthesized. IGF‐1R kinase inhibitory activities and cytotoxicities against HepG2 and WSU‐DLCL2 cell lines were tested. For all of these compounds, potent cancer cell proliferation inhibitory activities were observed, but not through the inhibition of IGR‐1R. Selected compounds were further screened against various kinases. Typical compound 22 (50% inhibitory concentration [IC₅₀] values, HepG2: 2.98 ± 1.11 μM and WSU‐DLCL2: 4.34 ± 0.84 μM) exhibited good inhibitory activities against fibroblast growth factor receptor‐2 (FGFR2), FGFR3, epidermal growth factor receptor, Janus kinase, and RON (receptor originated from Nantes), with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.14 to 12.20 μM. Additionally, the cell‐cycle analysis showed that compound 22 could arrest HepG2 cells in the G1/G0 phase. Taken together, all the experiments confirmed that the compounds in this series were multitarget anticancer agents worth further optimizing.     

Synthesis and Antitubercular Activity of 2‐(substituted phenyl/benzyl‐amino)‐6‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐methyl‐3,6‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium Chlorides

A series of 2‐(substituted phenyl/benzyl‐amino)‐6‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐(methoxycarbonyl)‐4‐methyl‐3,6‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium chlorides 7–13 and 15 was synthesized in their hydrochloride salt form. The title compounds were characterized by FT‐IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C) and elemental analysis. They were evaluated for their in vitro antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, multidrug resistance tuberculosis and extensively drug resistance tuberculosis by agar diffusion method and tested for the cytotoxic action on peripheral blood mononuclear cells by MTT assay. Among all the tested compounds in the series, compounds 7 and 11 emerged as promising antitubercular agents at 16 μg/mL against multidrug resistance tuberculosis and over 64 μg/mL against extensively drug resistance tuberculosis. The conformational features and supramolecular assembly of the promising compounds 7 and 11 were determined by single crystal X‐ray study.     

Some Hydrazones of 2‐Aroylamino‐3‐methylbutanohydrazide: Synthesis,Molecular Modeling Studies,and Identification as Stereoselective Inhibitors of HIV‐1

In accordance with our antiviral drug development attempt, acylhydrazone derivatives bearing amino acid side chains were synthesized for the evaluation of their antiviral activity against various types of viruses. Among these compounds, 8 _S , 11 _S , and 12 _S showed anti‐HIV‐1 activity with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 123.8 µM (selectivity index, SI > 3), IC₅₀ = 12.1 µM (SI > 29), IC₅₀ = 17.4 µM (SI > 19), respectively. Enantiomers 8 _R , 11 _R , and 12 _R were inactive against the HIV‐1 strain III_B. Hydrazones 8 _S , 11 _S , and 12 _S which were active against HIV‐1 wild type showed no inhibition against a double mutant NNRTI‐resistant strain (K103N;Y181C). Molecular docking calculations of R‐ and S‐enantiomers of 8 , 11 , and 12 were performed using the hydrazone‐bound novel site of HIV‐1 RT.     

Design and syntheses of methyl 2‐methyl‐2‐[2‐(4‐benzoyl‐5‐phenyl‐7‐halo‐2‐azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐3‐ene)]acetates: novel inhibitors of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) with analgesic‐antiinflammatory activity

A group of methyl 2‐methyl‐2‐[2‐(4‐benzoyl‐5‐phenyl‐7‐halo‐2‐azabicyclo[4.1.0]hept‐3‐ene)]acetates ( 10–15 ), and the related acetamide derivative ( 16 ), that possess a variety of C‐7 substituents (Br, Cl, F, H), were designed for evaluation as analgesic‐antiinflammatory agents. The effect of the C‐7 substituent(s) and the nature of the acetic acid ester (R¹ = Ome) or acetamide (R¹ = NH₂) moiety on analgesic activity was determined using a 4% NaCl‐induced abdominal constriction assay. Compounds 10–16 inhibited writhing by 36–82%, relative to the reference drugs aspirin (58% inhibition) and celecoxib (62% inhibition). The nature of the C‐7 substituents was a determinant of analgesic activity in the 7,7‐dihalo group of compounds where the relative activity profile was 7‐Cl₂ > 7‐Br₂ > 7‐F₂ > 7‐Cl,7‐F, and for 7‐monohalo compounds where the potency order was 7‐Br > 7‐Cl. Elaboration of the 7,7‐dibromo methyl acetate ester ( 10 ) to the corresponding acetamide derivative ( 16 ) enhanced analgesic activity. The nature of the 7‐halo substituent(s) in the 7,7‐dihalo group of compounds was a determinant of antiinflammatory activity, determined using the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema assay, where the relative potency order was 7‐Br₂ > 7‐Cl₂ > 7‐F₂ > 7‐Cl,7‐F. The most potent 7,7‐dibromo compound ( 10 ) inhibited inflammation by 62%, relative to the reference drug ibuprofen (44%), and 10 inhibited COX‐2 (IC₅₀ = 26.4 μM) and COX‐1 (IC₅₀ = 227 μM) for a COX‐2 selectivity index of 8.6. Docking 10 in the active site of human COX‐2 showed it binds in the center of the COX‐2 binding site with the C‐5 phenyl ring oriented toward the acetylation site (Ser⁵³⁰), and the phenyl group of the C‐4 benzoyl moiety oriented in the vicinity of the COX‐2 secondary binding pocket near Val⁵²³. Drug Dev. Res. 49:75–84, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel 4‐Aminopiperidinyl‐linked 3,5‐Disubstituted‐1,2,6‐thiadiazine‐1,1‐dione Derivatives as HIV‐1 NNRTIs

Based on the hybridization of the privileged fragments in DABO and DAPY‐typed HIV‐1 NNRTIs, a novel series of 4‐aminopiperidinyl‐linked 3,5‐disubstituted‐1,2,6‐thiadiazine‐1,1‐dione derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro anti‐HIV activities in MT‐4 cells. Most of the target compounds showed weak inhibitory activity against WT HIV‐1. In order to confirm the mode of action of the target compounds, representative compounds Ba8 and Bb8 were selected to perform the HIV‐1 RT inhibitory assay. In this assay, Ba8 and Bb8 displayed good activity with IC₅₀ values of 3.15 and 1.52 μm , respectively. Additionally, preliminary structure–activity relationships (SARs) analysis and molecular docking studies of newly synthesized compounds are also discussed.     

Novel pyridine‐2,4,6‐tricarbohydrazide thiourea compounds as small key organic molecules for the potential treatment of type‐2 diabetes mellitus: In vitro studies against yeast α‐ and β‐glucosidase and in silico molecular modeling

A range of novel pyridine‐2,4,6‐tricarbohydrazide thiourea compounds ( 4a–i ) were synthesized in good to excellent yields (63–92%). The enzyme inhibitory potentials of these compounds were investigated against α‐ and β‐glucosidases because these enzymes play a crucial role in treating type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As compared to the reference compound acarbose (IC₅₀ 38.22 ± 0.12 μM), compounds 4i (IC₅₀ 25.49 ± 0.67 μM), 4f (IC₅₀ 28.91 ± 0.43 μM), 4h (IC₅₀ 30.66 ± 0.52 μM), and 4e (IC₅₀ 35.01 ± 0.45 μM) delivered better inhibition against α‐glucosidase and were quite inactive/completely inactive against β‐glucosidase. The structure–activity relationship of these compounds was developed and elaborated with the help of molecular docking studies.     

In silico approaches and chemical space of anti‐P‐type ATPase compounds for discovering new antituberculous drugs

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most important public health problems around the world. The emergence of multi‐drug‐resistant (MDR) and extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains has driven the finding of alternative anti‐TB targets. In this context, P‐type ATPases are interesting therapeutic targets due to their key role in ion homeostasis across the plasma membrane and the mycobacterial survival inside macrophages. In this review, in silico and experimental strategies used for the rational design of new anti‐TB drugs are presented; in addition, the chemical space distribution based on the structure and molecular properties of compounds with anti‐TB and anti‐P‐type ATPase activity is discussed. The chemical space distribution compared to public compound libraries demonstrates that natural product libraries are a source of novel chemical scaffolds with potential anti‐P‐type ATPase activity. Furthermore, compounds that experimentally display anti‐P‐type ATPase activity belong to a chemical space of molecular properties comparable to that occupied by those approved for oral use, suggesting that these kinds of molecules have a good pharmacokinetic profile (drug‐like) for evaluation as potential anti‐TB drugs.     

Enantiomeric radiochemical synthesis of R and S (1‐(6‐amino‐9H‐purin‐9‐yl)‐3‐fluoropropan‐2‐yloxy)methylphosphonic acid (FPMPA)

Therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients requires chronic multidrug administration. The eventual failure of therapy in some patients has brought into question the tissue concentration of the drugs. With an appropriately radiolabeled compound, we could utilize positron emission tomography to provide quantitative time–activity curves for various tissues. We have developed a fluorine‐18 labeled analog of Tenofovir, the active metabolite of Tenofovir DF, a commonly prescribed component of multidrug therapy. Because (1‐(6‐amino‐9H‐purin‐9‐yl)‐3‐fluoropropan‐2‐yloxy)methylphosphonic acid (FPMPA) has a chiral center, we prepared both enantiomers and confirmed that the S‐isomer exhibited significantly higher antiviral activity than the R‐isomer. In viral replication inhibition assays in human MT4 cells infected with SHIV_DH12R , S‐FPMPA had an IC₅₀ of 1.85 µM (95% CI; 0.8–5.53), while the R‐isomer was inactive. An appropriate chiral precursor was prepared to allow the incorporation of fluorine‐18. The [¹⁸F]FPMPA in racemic, R, or S form was prepared in a 50 min synthesis in 38±5% yield (n=23, corrected for decay). The product was of high radiochemical and enantiomeric purity. The specific activity of the final product was 4.0±1.8 Ci/µmol at EOB (end of bombardment). This product may provide information about drug tissue distribution in animal models under chronic drug treatment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.