Design,Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Cinnamic Acyl Shikonin Derivatives

Inducing apoptosis is an important and promising therapeutic approach to overcome cancer. Here, we described a series of novel synthesized compounds, cinnamic acyl shikonin derivatives ( 1b – 19b ), which were synthesized starting from shikonin and cinnamic acids, which exhibit anticancer activity via inducing apoptosis in vitro. Our flow cytometry results showed that compound 8b ((E)‐1‐(5,8‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐dioxo‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylpent ‐3‐enyl‐3‐(3‐(trifluoromethyl) phenyl)acrylate) (IC₅₀ = 0.69, 0.65, 1.62 μm for human SW872‐s, A875 and A549 cell lines, respectively) exhibited conspicuous anticancer activities and has low cell toxicity in vitro. Therefore, we considered that compound 8b is potentially to be a candidate of anticancer agent. The proliferation inhibitory effect of compound 8b was associated with its apoptosis‐inducing effect by activating caspase‐3, caspase‐7, caspase‐9, and PARP. When the level of cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐7, cleaved caspase‐9, and cleaved PARP are rise, apoptosis of cancer cells will be induced.     

Shikonin and its derivatives: a patent review

Introduction: Shikonin and its derivatives are the main components of red pigment extracts from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, whose medicinal properties have been confirmed for a long history, and have aroused great interest as the hallmark molecules responsible for their significant biological activities, especially for their striking anticancer effects.

Areas covered: Areas covered in this paper include a review of the total synthesis, biological effects and mechanisms of shikonin and its derivatives for their anticancer activities in the past decade, basing on literature and patents. The current state and problems are also discussed.

Expert opinion: At present, screening for anticancer shikonin derivatives is based on cellular level to find compounds with stronger cytotoxicity. Though several compounds have been discovered with striking cytotoxicity in vitro, however, no selectivity was observed and undoubtedly, the further outcomes have been disappointing because of their great damage to normal cells. Meanwhile, the presumed mechanisms of action are also established in terms of their cytotoxicity. From a pharmacological point of view, most of the shikonin derivatives are at an early stage of their development, and thus it is difficult to determine the exact effectiveness in cancer treatment. With research in this field going deeper, it can be expected that, despite the difficulties, shikonin derivatives as potential anticancer agents will soon follow.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Ursolic acid Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Prodrugs

Ursolic acid ( UA ) is a natural product which has been shown to possess a wide range of pharmacological activities, in particular those with anticancer activity. In this study, 13 novel ursolic acid derivatives were designed and synthesized in an attempt to further improve compound potency. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed using mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and ¹H NMR. The ability of the UA derivatives to inhibit cell growth was assayed against both various tumor cell lines and a non‐pathogenic cell line, HELF. Analysis of theoretical toxicity risks for all derivatives was performed using OSIRIS and indicated that the majority of compounds would present moderate to low risks. Pharmacological results indicated that the majority of the derivatives were more potent growth inhibitors than UA . In particular, 5b demonstrated IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.09 ± 0.27 to 7.78 ± 0.43  μ m against 12 different tumor cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that 5b induced G0/G1 arrest in three of these cell lines. These results were validated by structural docking studies, which confirmed that UA could bind to cyclins D1 (Cyc D1) and cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDK6), the key regulators of G0/G1 transition in cell cycle, while the piperazine moiety of 5b could bind with glucokinase (GK), glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), and ATPase, which are the main proteins involved in cancer cell metabolism. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining confirmed that 5b was capable of inducing apoptosis and decreasing cell viability in a dose‐dependent manner.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Pyrazole Derivatives

In this in vitro study, a series of novel pyrazole derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated against five human cancer cell lines (PC3, A549, HL60, HCT116, and SW620) for their antiproliferative and p53‐MDM2 binding inhibitory activities. Although biological evaluations showed that this series of compounds possessed weak p53‐MDM2 inhibitory activities, most of them displayed moderate to potent antiproliferative activities against the tested cells lines. Compound 11c exhibited the best potency for MDM2 (FP‐IC₅₀ = 29.22 μm ) and demonstrated antiproliferative activities in response to the five tested cell lines (IC₅₀ = 4.09–16.82 μm ). Compared with the positive control Nutlin‐1, there was enhanced antiproliferative activity to p53‐mutated or p53‐deficient cell lines (SW620, HL60, and PC3).     

Novel Shikonin Derivatives Targeting Tubulin as Anticancer Agents

In this study, we report the identification of a new shikonin‐phenoxyacetic acid derivative, as an inhibitor of tubulin. A series of compounds were prepared; among them, compound 16 [(R) ‐1 ‐ (5, 8‐ dihydroxy‐1, 4‐ dioxo‐1, 4‐ dihydronaphthalen‐2‐yl)‐4‐methylpent‐3‐enyl 2‐ (4‐ phenoxyphenyl) acetate] potently inhibited the function of microtubules, inducing cell growth inhibition, apoptosis of cancer cell lines in a concentration and time‐dependent manner. Molecular docking involving 16 at the vinblastine binding site of tubulin indicated that a phenoxy moiety interacted with tubulin via hydrogen bonding with asparaginate (Asn) and tyrosine (Tyr). Analysis of microtubules with confocal microscopy demonstrated that 16 altered the microtubule architecture and exhibited a significant reduction in microtubule density. Cell cycle assay further proved that HepG2 cells were blocked in G2/M phase. Our study provides a new, promising compound for the development of tubulin inhibitors by proposing a new target for the anticancer activity of shikonin.     

Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Evaluation of New Sulfamoylheterocarboxylic Derivatives

A series of new sulfamoylthiophene and sulfamoylpyrazole carboxylic acid derivatives was synthesized. Some of these compounds show interesting analgesic properties and significant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory activities in several models of inflammation.     

Metabolism in Rats of Several Carboxylic Acid Derivatives Containing the 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenyl Group

Abstract: The metabolism of the 3,4-methylenedioxy derivatives of mandelic acid (1), phenylacetic acid (2), benzoic acid (3), 3-phenylpropionic acid (4) and cinnamic acid (5) was studied in rats. Following intragastric dosage (1 mmol/kg) the compounds and their metabolites were excreted in the urine within 24 hrs. Recoveries of roughly 85% were obtained. Except for compound (1) which was excreted to a large extent unchanged, glycine conjugates were the major urinary metabolites. Compound (2) formed 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylacetylglycine whereas compounds (3), (4) and (5) were converted to 3,4-methylenedioxybenzoylglycine. No evidence was found with any of the compounds for demethylenation and subsequent excretion of catecholic metabolites.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Bischromone Derivatives with Antiproliferative Activity

The synthesis of new bischromone derivatives ( 4a – c and 5a – c ) as potential anticancer drugs is described. The difference in the reactivity between 4‐oxo‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylic acid 2 (or its methyl ester 3 ) and 4‐oxo‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbonyl chloride 1 with three different polyamines: 3,3′‐diamino‐N‐methyldipropylamine ( a ), 1,4‐bis(3‐aminopropyl)piperazine ( b ), 4,9‐dioxa‐1,12‐dodecanediamine ( c ) resulted in the formation of two different groups of products, compounds 4a – c and 5a – c , designed in agreement with the bisintercalators' structural requirements. The transformation of 4‐oxo‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carboxylic acid into 2H‐chromene‐2,4(3H)‐diones ( 5 ) was confirmed by the NMR and XRD experiments. Compounds 4a and 5a were evaluated in vitro in the highly aggressive melanoma cell line A375. An enhanced induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest clearly revealed that compound 5a was more potent than 4a . Compound 5a was also more active in diminishing the adhesive potential of melanoma cells. Current studies support the notion that small changes in the three‐dimensional structure of molecules might have a substantial impact on their biological activity.     

Synthesis and Biological Investigations of Pyrimidine Derivatives

The study concerns new syntheses of 5-hydroxy ether and 5-aminohydroxy ether derivatives of pyrimidine. When tested for antibacterial activity, some of the compounds exhibited promising effects.     

Design,Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Pazopanib Derivatives as Antitumor Agents

A novel series of pazopanib derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against a series of kinases including VEGFR‐2, EGFR, AKT1, ALK1, and ABL1. The anti‐angiogenic activities ex vivo of some compounds were also investigated. Compounds P2d and P2e demonstrated outstanding inhibitory activity against VEGFR‐2 and ABL1 and higher anti‐angiogenic activity compared with Pazopanib, the reference standard. These two compounds ( P2d and P2e ) could be used as novel lead compounds for further development of anticancer agents.     

Biological Evaluation of Androstene Derivatives

The effect of several new dihydroepiandrosterone ester derivatives A2 – A6 was demonstrated using female cycling mice, which were synchronized for estrus with luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) and injected with the steroids. The binding to the progesterone receptor (PR), was obtained from the cytosol of uteri from adult estrogen‐primed rabbits. A1 binds to the PR and inhibited the ovulation in cycling mice stimulated with LHRH. The activity of the endometrium and mammary glands in these mice was markedly reduced as compared to the control. A2 , A4 , and A5 were not active; nevertheless, A3 binds to the PR with high affinity. However, this steroid did not produce any effect as compared to that observed for the control in the endometrial and mammary glands. A6 binds to the PR with the highest affinity and induces a synergistic activity with progesterone in these tissues. Furthermore, A6 inhibited the ovulation in the same manner as A1 . These results suggested that A1 and A6 are blocking the gonadotropin secretion. A1 inhibited the conversion of progesterone to 5α‐progesterone. As a result of this, a blockage of the ductal and alveolar epithelial cell proliferation in the mammary and endometrial glands, which depends on 5α‐progesterone, was also observed.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Strictosamide Derivatives with Improved Antiviral and Antiproliferative Activities

A series of novel derivatives of strictosamide were synthesized and biologically evaluated. Most of the new compounds exhibited improved activities than the parent compound strictosamide. Among them, compounds Ib and If possessed antiviral activities against influenza A virus (A/Jinan/15/90) with IC₅₀ values of 4.12 and 12.35 μg/mL, respectively. Compound Ie possessed antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with an IC₅₀ value of 9.58 μg/mL. Both compounds IIc and IId had moderate antiproliferative effects against five human cancer cell lines. The preliminary structure‐activity relationships were also concluded. This study provides a promising new template with potential antiviral activity.     

二茂铁杂环类化合物的合成及抗三阴性乳腺癌活性研究

目的 设计、合成杂环二茂铁衍生物,并研究其抗三阴性乳腺癌活性。方法 以二茂铁查耳酮为先导化合物,对其进行结构改造,合成了一系列含有杂环的二茂铁衍生物,并通过CCK8试剂盒测试化合物抗乳腺癌活性。结果 合成了28个二茂铁衍生物,其结构均通过¹H-NMR和MS加以确证。初步的生物活性测试结果表明,所合成的二茂铁衍生物对三阴性乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞有较强的选择性和抑制活性,其中咪唑杂环化合物抗肿瘤活性强于相应的吡唑类和嘧啶化合物。尤其是28a[IC₅₀=（1.6±0.23）μmol·L^-1]对MDA-MB-231的抑制活性分别是先导化合物3[IC₅₀=（10.7±1.41）μmol·L^-1]和他莫昔芬[IC₅₀=（13.7±1.17）μmol·L^-1]的6和10倍,同时这些二茂铁衍生物对正常乳腺上皮细胞MCF-10A均没有毒性。结论 本研究为开发具有抗三阴性乳腺癌活性的化合物提供了信息和依据。     

Anti-inflammatory Properties of New Adamantane Derivatives. Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation

A series of adamantane-containing molecules consisting of two lipophilic centers which are linked by different bridges (oxime esters, oxime ethers, amides, and symmetric alcohols), were designed and synthesized as anti-inflammatory agents. Their anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated as their ability to inhibit phlogistic-induced mouse paw edema. Some of the tested compounds exhibited activity comparable to that of diclofenac, others had a weaker activity, while some oxime esters proved to enhance the inflammatory response. In all cases, activity was dose-dependent. The deacylated compound 10 was found to be the most active of the series, inhibiting inflammation due to Baker’s yeast, the mechanism of which involves mainly the activation of lipoxy-genase and/or complement systems, a property which is absent from most selective cyclooxygenase only inhibiting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Coumarin Derivatives as Inhibitors of Mycobacterium bovis (BCG)

The coumarin compounds are an important class of biologically active molecules, which have attractive caught the attention of many organic and medicinal chemists, due to potential pharmaceutical implications and industrial applications. We herein report the one‐pot procedure for the efficient synthesis of coumarin derivatives using commercially available substrates via isocyanide‐based multicomponent condensation reactions. These compounds were evaluated for anti‐mycobacterium activity against Mycobacterium bovis (Bacillus Calmette–Guerin). The preliminary results indicated that all of the tested compounds showed relatively good activity against the test organism. The compounds 7e , 7l , and 7m showed high anti‐tuberculosis activity.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Andrographolide Derivatives as Potent Hepatoprotective Agents

Poor water solubility limits the clinical use of andrographolide and its derivatives. In an attempt to develop potent hepatoprotective drugs, a strategy was proposed to improve the aqueous solubility of andrographolide. Ten andrographolide derivatives were designed, synthesized, evaluated for aqueous solubility and in vivo hepatoprotective activity against CCl₄‐induced liver injury in mice. As expected, the aqueous solubility of synthetic derivatives was effectively improved. All compounds demonstrated the effect of different degrees in improving the liver enzyme (ALT and AST) activity, especially the most promising compound 9d significantly improved liver enzyme activity, with high potency to be a new lead.     

Synthesis,Structural Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Novel Stilbene Derivatives as Potential Antimalarial Agents

A series of benzamide‐containing stilbene derivatives was synthesized through the incorporation of short basic side‐chains in the B‐ring hydroxy position of resveratrol. Their antiplasmodial activity was evaluated in vitro against the chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum D10 strain, showing IC₅₀ values between 1.5 and 80 μm , while their cytotoxicity was assessed using an human myeloid leukemia (U‐937) cell line. With a selectivity ratio of >51.02, the most selective of these derivatives, 29, also had the most lowest cytotoxic activity of the series.     

Synthesis of Palmitoyl Derivatives of Insulin and Their Biological Activities

In order to improve the lipophilicity of peptides, bovine insulin was chosen for the chemical modification using palmitic acid. The N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of palmitic acid was used for attachment to terminal amino groups, and p-methoxybenzoxycarbonyl azide was used for protection of the glycine-Al amino terminus. We obtained two purified derivatives of insulin, Bl-monopalmitoyl- and Bl,B29-dipalmitoyl-insulin, which were confirmed to be more lipophilic than the parent insulin on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The hypoglycemic effects of both products were measured in rats after intravenous and intramuscular injections. The mono derivative was more active than the di derivative and produced a longer effect duration than the native insulin after intravenous injection. The derivatives were also shown to be less immunoreactive as judged by an enzyme immunoassay.     

Design,Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel CNS 7056 Derivatives as Sedatives in Rats and Rabbits

A new water‐soluble benzodiazepine derivative, CNS 7056 (named as remimazolam), has been undergoing many reactions in recent years to provide an intravenous agent with a predictable fast‐onset, short duration of action, and rapid recovery profile. Based on the structure of CNS 7056 with proven activity, seven new CNS 7056 derivatives were designed, and their sedative activities upon mouse, rats, and rabbits were examined. Sedative activities of EL ‐001?007 were screened. The results indicated that the shorter the side chain at C3 position is, the higher the sedative activity is. EL ‐001 was chosen as the optimal compound for studies of ED₅₀, LD₅₀, latency to LRR and the duration of LRR, and its anesthetic activity was compared with that of CNS 7056 in rats and rabbits. Studies showed that EL ‐001 is a potent sedative in rodent and lagomorpha, with a short duration of action. Compared with CNS 7056, EL ‐001 has a shorter period of induction despite a slightly longer sedative duration and recovery time.