Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Azetidin-2-ones and Thiazolidin-4-ones Encompassing Benzothiazole

Various 7-chloro-6-fluoro-2-arylidenylaminobenzo(1,3)thiazole (2a-h) have been synthesized by the condensation of 7-chloro-6-fluoro-2-aminobenzo(1,3)thiazole (1) with different aromatic aldehydes. The Schiff's bases on reaction with acetyl chloride, chloroacetyl chloride and phenyl acetyl chloride yielded 1-(7-chloro-6-fluorobenzothiazol-2-yl)-3,4-substituted-aryl-azetidin-2-ones (3a-x). Similarly, cyclization of Schiff's base with thioglycolic acid furnished 3-(7-chloro-6-fluoro-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-substituted–arylthiazolidin-4-ones (4a-h). The structures of the newly synthesized compounds have been established on the basis of their spectral data and elemental analysis. Some selected compounds were evaluated for antiinflammatory, analgesic, CNS depressant and skeletal muscle relaxant activity.

The Genotoxicity of DNA Intercalating Drug 8-Methoxy pyrimido [4′,5′:4,5]thieno(2,3-b)quinoline-4(3H)-one

8-methoxypyrimido[4',5':4,5]thieno(2,3-b)quinoline-4(3H)-one (MPTQ) is known to have antitumor and cytotoxic activities on various types of tumors. This compound showed a strong clastogenic effect on bone marrow cells of Swiss albino mice treated in vivo (17.5-35 mg/kg body weight). MPTQ induced micronuclei formation (MN) at doses of 17.5, 23.3, and 35 mg/kg. Dose and time-yield effect of MPTQ was studied in the case of chromosome aberration assay. MPTQ induced a statistically significant increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei induction. The drug induced significant abnormal sperms even in the sperm shape abnormality assay. Based on the data reported in the literature, we have tried to establish the relationship between the clastogenic effect observed and process of MPTQ intercalation into DNA and the formation of protein-associated DNA-strand breaks probably promoted by topoisomerase enzymes.

8-Methly-4-(3-diethylaminopropylamino) pyrimido [4′,5′;4,5] thieno (2,3–b) quinoline (MDPTQ), a quinoline derivate that causes ROS-mediated apoptosis in leukemia cell lines

The present study reports the biological activity of 8-methyl-4-(3-diethylamino-propylamino) pyrimido [4';5';4,5] thieno (2,3-b) quinoline (MDPTQ), a quinoline derivative structurally related to ellipticine and suggests a possible mechanism through which the compound induces apoptosis in carcinoma cell lines. Out of the 8 cell lines used in the study as representatives of different types of cancer, MDPTQ was found to be effective only against leukemia cell lines (HL-60 and K-562) whereas it had no effect on normal human bone marrow cells (BMC) which were used as controls. Fall mitochondrial membrane potential and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) were mainly responsible for inducing apoptosis in the two cell lines. Cell death was demonstrated by increase in caspase 3 activity as well as phosphatidyl serine exposure. Pre-incubation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced the increased ROS and caspase 3 activity as well as phosphatidyl serine exposure. MDPTQ also caused cell cycle arrest in these cell lines. The above study for the first time reports the mode of action of a quinoline derivative, which could be a possible future candidate for leukemia therapy. However, there are lot of questions that need to be answered in terms of signalling pathways and its effects on animal models.

Hereditary sacrococcygeal teratoma--not the same as its sporadic counterpart!

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) can be sporadic or familial and there appear to be different characteristics to these entities. It can be an isolated anomaly or occur as part of the Currarino triad, when it is associated with anorectal malformations and sacral anomalies. We present a case of familial sacrococcygeal teratoma and discuss its relationship to previously published reports, drawing conclusions regarding embryogenesis, diagnosis, screening and management.