Inhibition of chitin synthases and antifungal activities by 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde from Pleuropterus ciliinervis and its derivatives

In the course of search for potent chitin synthase inhibitors from natural resources, a novel chitin synthases inhibitor, 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde (2'-BCA) (I), was isolated from the aerial parts of Pleuropterus ciliinervis NAKAI. 2'-BCA inhibited chitin synthase 1 and 2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with the IC50s of 54.9 and 70.8 microg/ml, respectively, whereas it exhibited no inhibitory activity for chitin synthase 3 up to 280 microg/ml. Its derivatives, 2'-chloro- (V) and 2(-bromo-cinnamaldehyde (VI), each showed 1.9 and 2.7-fold stronger inhibitory activities than 2'-BCA, with the IC50s of 37.2 and 26.6 microg/ml, respectively. Especially, the IC50 of compound VI against chitin synthase 2 represented 1.7-fold more potent inhibitory activity than polyoxin D, a well-known chitin synthase inhibitor. Furthermore, compounds V and VI showed potent antifungal activities against various fungi including human pathogenic fungi, with a particularly strong inhibitory activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC = 16 microg/ml). Although the chemical synthesis of this compound has been reported, the present study is the first report to describe the isolation of 2'-BCA from natural resources and chitin synthases inhibitory activities of its derivatives. These results suggested that 2'-BCA and its derivatives can potentially serve as useful lead compounds for development of antifungal agents.     

Sesquiterpene furan compound CJ-01, a novel chitin synthase 2 inhibitor from Chloranthus japonicus SIEB

A novel sesquiterpene furan compound CJ-01 was isolated from the methanol extract of the whole plant of Chloranthus japonicus SIEB. by monitoring the inhibitory activity of chitin synthase 2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on spectroscopic analysis, the structure of compound CJ-01 was determined as 3,4,8a-trimethyl-4a,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-4a-naphto[2,3-b]furan-9-one. The compound inhibited chitin synthase 2 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 39.6 microg/ml, whereas it exhibited no inhibitory activities against chitin synthase 1 and 3 of S. cerevisiae up to 280 microg/ml. CJ-01 has 1.7-fold stronger inhibitory activity than polyoxin D (IC50=70 microg/ml), a well-known chitin synthase inhibitor. These results indicate that the compound is a specific inhibitor of chitin synthase 2 from S. cerevisiae. In addition, CJ-01 showed antifungal activities against various human and phytopathogenic fungi. Therefore, the compound might be an interesting lead to develop effective antifungal agents.     

Inhibition of chitin synthase 2 and antifungal activity of lignans from the stem bark of Lindera erythrocarpa

Potent chitin synthase 2 inhibitors, methyllinderone (1), linderone (2) and kanakugiol (3) were isolated from the stem bark of L. erythrocarpa Makino (Lauraceae). These compounds inhibited chitin synthase 2 with IC(50) values of 23.3, 21.4 and 23.8 microg/mL, respectively. Methyllinderone (1) and linderone (2) exhibited no inhibitory activities for chitin synthases 1 and 3 from S. cerevisiae, and chitin synthase 1 from Candida albicans up to the concentration of 280 microg/mL, while kanakugiol (3) exhibited very weak activity against chitin synthase 1 of C. albicans with an IC(50) of 160 microg/mL. All of the compounds showed moderate to weak antifungal activities against various pathogenic fungi (MIC: 8 - >128 microg/mL) including Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Colletotrichum lagenarium. The results indicate that these compounds are specific inhibitors of chitin synthase 2 and can potentially serve as antifungal agents.     

Inhibitory activity for chitin synthase II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by tannins and related compounds

In the course of search for potent inhibitors of chitin synthase II from natural resources, seven tannins and related compounds were isolated from the aerial part of Euphorbia pekinensis and identified as gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), 3-O-galloyl-(-)-shikimic acid (3), corilagin (4), geraniin (5), quercetin-3-O-(2"-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucoside (6), and kaempferol-3-O-(2"-O-galloyl)-beta-D-glucoside (7). These and nine related compounds, (-)-quinic acid (8), (-)-shikimic acid (9), ellagic acid (10), kaempferol (11), quercetin (12), quercitrin (13), rutin (14), quercetin-3-O-(2"-O-galloyl)-beta-D-rutinoside (15) and 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (16), were evaluated for the inhibitory activity against chitin synthase II and III. They inhibited chitin synthase II with IC(50) values of 18-206 microM, except for two organic acids, (-)-quinic acid (8) and (-)-shikimic acid (9). Among them, 3-O-galloyl-(-)-shikimic acid (3) was the most potent inhibitor against chitin synthase II of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with an IC(50) value of 18 microM. The inhibition appears to be selective for chitin synthase II, as they did not appreciably inhibit chitin synthase III.     

(-)-Epiafzelechin: cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitor and anti-inflammatory agent from aerial parts of Celastrus orbiculatus.

An inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 activity of prostaglandin H2 synthase was isolated from aerial parts of Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (Celastraceae), an oriental folk medicine for rheumatoid arthritis by activity-guided column chromatographic methods. The COX inhibitor was identified as (-)-epiafzelechin, a member of flavan-3-ols by the structural analysis with HR-EI-mass, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectral data. The compound exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition on the COX activity with an IC50 value of 15 microM. (-)-Epiafzelechin exhibited about 3-fold weaker inhibitory potency on the enzyme activity than indomethacin as a positive control. (-)-Epiafzelechin exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenin-induced mouse paw edema when the compound (100 mg/kg) was orally administrated at 1 h before carrageenin treatment.     

Chitin synthase II inhibitory activity of ursolic acid, isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida

Two triterpenoid compounds, ursolic acid and uvaol, were isolated from Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge leaves. Ursolic acid inhibits chitin synthase II from S. cerevisiae with an IC50 value of 0.84 microgram/ml and the inhibition appears to be selective for chitin synthase II, whereas uvaol has no inhibitory activity up to 280 micrograms/ml. Oleanolic acid, alpha-hederin hydrate, and betulic acid inhibited the chitin synthase II activity under the same conditions with an IC50 of 5.6, 64.3, and 98.7 micrograms/ml, respectively.     

Synthesis and discovery of pyrazine-pyridine biheteroaryl as a novel series of potent vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 inhibitors

Pathological angiogenesis is associated with disease states such as cancer, diabetic retinopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, and psoriasis. There is much evidence that direct inhibition of the kinase activity of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) will result in the reduction of angiogenesis and the suppression of tumor growth. Attempts to optimize a cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (CDK1) inhibitor by using palladium-catalyzed C-C bond, C-N bond formation reactions to assemble diverse biheteroaryl molecules led to the unexpected discovery of a pyrazine-pyridine biheteroaryl as a novel series of potent VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Compound 15, which had IC(50) = 0.084 microM at VEGFR-2, showed very modest selectivity against fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (IC(50) = 0.21 microM), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (IC(50) = 0.36 microM), and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (IC(50) = 0.478 microM), while it exhibited more than 10-fold selectivity against epidermal growth factor receptor (IC(50) = 1.36 microM) and insulin-R kinase (IC(50) = 1.69 microM). On the other hand, compound 15 exhibited more than 100-fold selectivity against calmodulin kinase 2; casein kinase-1 and -2; CDK1 and -4; mitogen-activated protein kinase; and protein kinase A, Cbeta2, and Cgamma (IC(50) >10 microM). Compound 15 also displayed high inhibitory potency on VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation (IC(50) = 0.005 microM) and good selectivity against cell lines such as HUVEC, human aortic smooth muscle cells, and MRC5 lung fibroblasts. Molecular docking studies were conducted in an attempt to rationalize the unexpected high VEGFR-2 selectivity of 15.     

Design of anticandidal agents: synthesis and biological properties of analogues of polyoxin L

Six analogues of polyoxin L were synthesized from uridine. All of these analogues inhibited chitin synthetase from Candida albicans. Derivatization of the amine terminus of the polyoxin analogues resulted in loss of activity, and analogues containing aromatic amino acid residues were the most efficient inhibitors of chitin synthetase. The concentration of tryptophanyl uracil polyoxin C, 8, which caused 50% inhibition of chitin synthetase activity, was 1.6 X 10(-6) M. This was virtually identical with the activity found for polyoxin D. None of the inhibitors effectively competed with the entry of (Met)3 into C. albicans. All of the analogues caused severe morphological distortions of the yeast in culture, and a number of analogues killed C. albicans at millimolar concentrations. The results suggest that chitin synthetase inhibitors may have potential as anticandidal drugs.     

Phenylimidazole derivatives of 4-pyridone as dual inhibitors of bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductases FabI and FabK

FabI and FabK are bacterial enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductases that catalyze the final and rate-limiting step of bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis (FAS) and are potential targets of novel antibacterial agents. We have reported 4-pyridone derivative 3 as a FabI inhibitor and phenylimidazole derivative 5 as a FabK inhibitor. Here, we will report phenylimidazole derivatives of 4-pyridone as FabI and FabK dual inhibitors based on an iterative medicinal chemistry and crystallographic study of FabK from Streptococcus pneumoniae/compound 26. A representative compound 6 showed strong FabI inhibitory (IC50 = 0.38 microM) and FabK inhibitory (IC50 = 0.0045 microM) activities with potent antibacterial activity against S. pneumoniae (MIC = 0.5 microg/mL). Since elevated MIC value was observed against S. pneumoniae mutant possessing one amino acid substitution in FabK, the antibacterial activity of the compound was considered to be due to the inhibition of FabK. Moreover, this compound showed no significant cytotoxicity (IC50 > 69 microM). These results support compound 6 as a novel agent for the treatment of bacterial infections.     

Novel,highly potent aldose reductase inhibitors: cyano(2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindol-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives

Cyano(2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindol-3-yl)acetic acid derivatives were synthesized and tested as a novel class of aldose reductase (ALR2) inhibitors. Each compound was evaluated as a diastereomeric mixture, due to tautomeric equilibria in solution. The parent compound 39 exhibited a good inhibitory activity with an IC(50) value of 0.85 microM, similar to that of the well-known ARI sorbinil (IC(50) 0.50 microM). The concurrent introduction of a halogen and a lipophilic group in the 5- and in the 1-positions, respectively, of the indole nucleus of 39, gave compound 55, cyano[5-fluoro-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydroindol-3-yl]acetic acid, which displayed the highest activity (IC(50) 0.075 microM, very close to that of tolrestat IC(50) 0.046 microM), with a good selectivity toward ALR2 compared with aldehyde reductase (ALR1) (16.4-fold), and no appreciable inhibitory properties against sorbitol dehydrogenase (SD), or glutathione reductase (GR). The isopropyl ester 59, a prodrug of 55, was found to be almost as effective as tolrestat in preventing cataract development in severely galactosemic rats when administered as an eye drop solution. Docking simulation of 55 into a three-dimensional model of human ALR2 made it possible to formulate the hypothesis that the 2-hydroxy tautomer was the active species binding into the catalytic site of the enzyme. This was fully consistent with the structure-activity relationships within this series of cyanooxoindolylacetic acid derivatives.     

Rational design of an indolebutanoic acid derivative as a novel aldose reductase inhibitor based on docking and 3D QSAR studies of phenethylamine derivatives

A series of 45 phenethylamine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against pig kidney aldose reductase (ALR2, EC 1.1.1.21). Their IC(50) values ranged from 400 microM to 24 microM. The binding modes of compounds at the active site of ALR2 were examined using flexible docking. The results indicated that phenethylamine derivatives nicely fit into the active pocket of ALR2 by forming various hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. 3D-QSAR analysis was also conducted using FlexX-docked alignment of the compounds. The best prediction was obtained by CoMSIA combined with hydrophobic and hydrogen bond donor/acceptor field (q(2) = 0.557, r(2) = 0.934). A new derivative, 4-oxo-4-(4-hydroxyindole)butanoic acid, was designed, taking into account the CoMSIA field and the binding mode derived by FlexX docking. This rationally designed compound exhibits an ALR2 inhibition with an IC(50) value of 7.4 microM, which compares favorably to that of a well-known ALR2 inhibitor, tolrestat (IC(50) = 16 microM) and represents a potency approximately 240-fold higher than that of an original phenethylamine lead compound, YUA001.     

Pseudoguaianolides isolated from Inula britannica var. chinenis as inhibitory constituents against inducible nitric oxide synthase

Three pseudoguaianolide type sesquiterpenes, bigelovin (1), 2,3-dihydroaromaticin (2), and ergolide (3) were isolated as inhibitory constituents against inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) from the flowers of Inula britannica var. chinensis. Bigelovin (1) exhibited a highly potent inhibitory activity on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced iNOS in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 0.46 mM, which is about 8 times more potent than the known selective inhibitor of iNOS, L-N6-(1-iminoethyl)lysine (IC50 3.49 microM). 2,3-Dihydroaromaticin (2) and ergolide (3) also exhibited potent inhibitory activities on LPS-induced iNOS with IC50 values of 1.05 and 0.69 microM, respectively.     

Anti-platelet activity of KR-32560, a novel sodium/hydrogen exchanger-1 inhibitor.

We investigated the anti-platelet effect of a newly synthesized guanidine derivative KR-32560, a sodium/hydrogen exchanger-1 (NHE-1) inhibitor, together with the elucidation of the possible mode of action. KR-32560 concentration dependently inhibited the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets induced by collagen (10 microg mL(-1)) and arachidonic acid (AA; 100 microM), with IC50 values of 25 and 46 microM, respectively. Whereas, KR-32560 showed weaker potency against aggregation induced by thrombin (0.05 UmL(-1)) and U46619 (1 microM), and had no effect on thapsigargin (0.5 microM)- or A23187 (5 microM)-induced platelet aggregation up to 50 microM. KR-32560 inhibited the collagen-induced [3H]AA liberation in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, KR-32560 significantly suppressed TXB2 formation in AA-exposed platelets, but had no effect on production of PGD2, indicating an inhibitory effect on TXA2 synthase. This finding was supported by a TXA2 synthase assay that KR-32560 inhibited the conversion of PGH2 into TXB2 with a similar magnitude to suppression of TXB2 formation. Furthermore, KR-32560 significantly inhibited the collagen-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization and serotonin secretion. Taken together, these observations suggest that the anti-platelet activity of KR-32560 may be mediated by the inhibition of cytoplasmic Ca2+ mobilization and AA liberation.     

E3040 sulphate,a novel thromboxane synthase inhibitor,blocks the Cl- secretion induced by platelet-activating factor in isolated rat colon

1. E3040 (6-hydroxy-5,7-dimethyl-2-methylamino-4-(3-pyridylmethyl)benzothiazole), is a novel dual inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and thromboxane synthase (Tx synthase). Here, we examined the effects of E3040 sulphate, a sulphate conjugate of E3040, on these enzyme activities in cell-free systems and on the thromboxane A2 (TxA2)-mediated Cl- secretion induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in isolated rat colons. 2. E3040 sulphate inhibited Tx synthase activity in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50=0.013 microM), whereas it induced little effects on 5-LOX and cyclo-oxygenase activities (IC50>100 microM) with the cell-free enzyme assay. 3. With isolated rat colonic mucosa, E3040 sulphate in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50=1.8 microM) inhibited the Cl- secretion induced by 10 microM PAF. On the other hand, E3040 sulphate (30 microM) induced no effect on the prostaglandin E2 (0.5 microM)- and leukotriene D4 (1 microM)-induced Cl- secretion in the colon. 4. PAF (10 microM) increased a release of TxB2, a stable metabolite of TxA2, from the colonic mucosa. This increase was significantly inhibited by subsequent addition of E3040 sulphate (30 microM). 5. Probenecid (100 microM), an inhibitor of organic anion transporter, abolished the inhibitory effect of E3040 sulphate on the PAF-induced Cl- secretion. Another inhibitor, sulphobromophthalein (30 microM) partially but significantly attenuated the effect of E3040 sulphate. p-aminohippuric acid (1 mM) had no effect. 6. These findings suggest that E3040 sulphate is a novel Tx synthase inhibitor, and that E3040 sulphate taken up into the colonic cells by organic anion transporters inhibits the PAF-induced Cl- secretion by blocking a release of TxA2.     

Inhibition of ionophore-stimulated leukotriene B4 production in human leucocytes by monohydroxy fatty acids.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) release by calcium ionophore-stimulated human leucocytes was measured by use of selective solvent partition of reaction mixtures and an agarose microdroplet chemokinesis assay, and the inhibitory effects of four monohydroxy fatty acids were determined. 15-Hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) was the most effective inhibitor of LTB4 production with an approximate IC50 value of 6 microM and 99% inhibition at 50 microM, whereas 13-hydroxy-octadecadienoic acid (13-HODD) and 12-HETE were weaker inhibitors with approximate IC50 values of 32 microM and 23 microM, and 59% and 68% inhibition at 50 microM, respectively. We suggest that 13-HODD and 12-HETE, which are present in large amounts in the lesions of the skin disease psoriasis, may act as endogenous modulators of 5-lipoxygenase activity in skin.     

Prenylated flavonoids as tyrosinase inhibitors

In order to find new tyrosinase inhibitors and the effects of prenyl residue on flavonoid molecules, eight prenylated and three synthetic vinylated flavonoids were examined on their inhibitory effect against tyrosinase activity. From the results, kuwanon C, papyriflavonol A, sanggenon D and sophoflavescenol were found to possess the considerable inhibitory activity. Especially, sanggenon D is revealed as a potent inhibitor (IC50 = 7.3 microM), compared to the reference compound, kojic acid (IC50 = 24.8 microM). However, the prenylation with isoprenyl group or the vinylation to flavonoid molecules did not enhance tyrosinase inhibitory activity.     

Piperazine propanol derivative as a novel antifungal targeting 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase

1,3-beta-D-Glucan synthase, which synthesizes a main component of fungal cell wall, is one of the promising targets for antifungal agents. In order to identify novel chemical classes of 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase inhibitors, we screened a chemical library monitoring inhibition of the Candida albicans 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase activity. The piperazine propanol derivative GSI578 [(2,6-difluoro-phenyl)-carbamic acid 3-(4-benzothiazol-2-yl-piperazine-1-yl)-propyl ester] was identified as a potent inhibitor against 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase with an IC50 value of 0.16 microM. GSI578 exhibited in vitro antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi including C. albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Temperature-sensitive mutations of the FKS1 gene in the Deltafks2 background of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where FKS1 and FKS2 encode putative catalytic subunits of 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase, altered sensitivity to GSI578. This suggests that the antifungal activity of the piperazine propanol derivative has an effect on 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase inhibition. Results of our initial evaluation suggest that the piperazine propanol derivative is a novel chemical structure of the class of antifungals which inhibit fungal cell growth by inhibiting fungal 1,3-beta-D-glucan synthase.     

Phellinsin A from Phellinus sp. PL3 exhibits antioxidant activities

Phellinsin A, which was isolated from the culture broth of Phellinus sp. PL3, exhibited significant low-density lipoproteins (LDL)-antioxidant activity. It inhibited the Cu2+-mediated oxidation of LDL (IC50: 5.3 microM) and 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-mediated oxidation of LDL (IC50: 2.8 microM) in the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay as well as the macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation (73% inhibition at 5 microM). In addition, it delayed LDL oxidation with a prolonged lag time (192 min at 2 microM, control: 44 min). This compound also showed a 10-fold more potent 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity (IC50: 1.7 microM) than trolox (IC50: 18.6 microM), a known DPPH inhibitor. In addition, phellinsin A inhibited xanthine oxidase activity with an IC50 value of 31.0 microM, whereas allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, showed an IC50 value of 40.7 microM.     

Phellinsin A, a novel chitin synthases inhibitor produced by Phellinus sp. PL3

Phellinsin A, a novel chitin synthases inhibitor was isolated from the cultured broth of fungus PL3, which was identified as Phellinus sp. PL3. Phellinsin A was purified by solvent partition, silica gel, ODS column chromatographies, and preparative HPLC, consecutively. The structure of phellinsin A was assigned as a phenolic compound on the basis of various spectroscopic analyses including UV, IR, Mass, and NMR. Its molecular weight and formula were found to be 358 and C18H14O8, respectively. Phellinsin A selectively inhibited chitin synthase I and II of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with an IC50 value of 76 and 28 microg/ml, respectively, in our cell free assay system. This compound showed antifungal activity against Colletotrichum lagenarium, Pyricularia oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.     

Comparative study of the inhibition of metallo-beta-lactamases (IMP-1 and VIM-2) by thiol compounds that contain a hydrophobic group

For the purpose of screening of inhibitors that are effective for wide range of metallo-beta-lactamases, the inhibitory effect of two series of compounds, 2-omega-phenylalkyl-3-mercaptopropionic acid (PhenylCnSH (n=1-4)) and N-[(7-chloro-quinolin-4-ylamino)-alkyl]-3-mercapto-propionamide (QuinolineCnSH (n=2-6)), where n denotes the alkyl chain length, on metallo-beta-lactamases IMP-1 and VIM-2 was examined. These inhibitors contain a thiol group and a hydrophobic group linked by variable-length methylene chain. PhenylCnSH (n=1-4) was found to be a potent inhibitor of both IMP-1 and VIM-2. PhenylC4SH was the potent inhibitor of both IMP-1 (IC(50)=1.2 microM) and VIM-2 (IC(50)=1.1 microM) among this study. When the number of methylene units was varied, QuinolineC4SH showed the maximum inhibitory activity against IMP-1 and VIM-2 (IC(50)=2.5 microM and IC(50)=2.4 microM). The relationship between the inhibitory effect of the alkyl chain length was different for both series of inhibitors, suggesting that IMP-1 has a tighter binding site than VIM-2. QuinolineCnSH did not serve as a fluorescence reagent for metallo-beta-lactamases.