Synthesis of AS1411-aptamer-conjugated CdTe quantum dots with high fluorescence strength for probe labeling tumor cells

In this paper, we report microwave-assisted, one-stage synthesis of high-quality functionalized water-soluble cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs). By selecting sodium tellurite as the Te source, cadmium chloride as the Cd source, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) as the capping agent, and a borate-acetic acid buffer solution with a pH range of 5-8, CdTe nanocrystals with four colors (blue to orange) were conveniently prepared at 100 °C under microwave irradiation in less than one hour (reaction time: 10-60 min). The influence of parameters such as the pH, Cd:Te molar ratio, and reaction time on the emission range and quantum yield percentage (QY%) was investigated. The structures and compositions of the prepared CdTe QDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, selective area electron diffraction, and X-ray powder diffraction experiments. The formation mechanism of the QDs is discussed in this paper. Furthermore, AS1141-aptamer-conjugated CdTe QDs in the U87MG glioblastoma cell line were assessed with a fluorescence microscope. The obtained results showed that the best conditions for obtaining a high QY of approximately 87% are a pH of 6, a Cd:Te molar ratio of 5:1, and a 30-min reaction time at 100 °C under microwave irradiation. The results showed that AS1141-aptamer-conjugated CdTe QDs could enter tumor cells efficiently. It could be concluded that a facile high-fluorescence-strength QD conjugated with a DNA aptamer, AS1411, which can recognize the extracellular matrix protein nucleolin, can specifically target U87MG human glioblastoma cells. The qualified AS1411-aptamer-conjugated QDs prepared in this study showed excellent capabilities as nanoprobes for cancer targeting and molecular imaging.

Preparation and study of tramadol imprinted micro-and nanoparticles by precipitation polymerization: microwave irradiation and conventional heating method

In the present work a series of tramadole imprinted micro- and nanoparticles were prepared and study their recognition properties. Methacrylic acid (MAA), as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker and different solvents (chloroform, toluene and acetonitrile (ACN)) were used for the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and non-imprinted polymers (NIPs). Several factors such as template/monomer molar ratio, volume of polymerization solvent, total monomers/solvent volume ratio, polymerization condition (heating or microwave irradiation) were also investigated. Particle size of the polymers, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), rebinding, selectivity tests and release study were applied for evaluation of the polymers. The optimized polymers with smaller particle size and superior binding properties were obtained in acetonitrile under heating method. MIPA4 with a size of 42.6 nm and a binding factor (BF) of 6.79 was selected for selectivity and release tests. The polymerization was not successful in acetonitrile and toluene under microwave irradiation. The MIPA4 could selectively adsorb tramadol, compared to imipramine, naltrexone and gabapentin. The data showed that tramadol release from MIPA4 was significantly slower than that of its non-imprinted polymer. Therefore, MIP nanoparticles with high selectivity, binding capacity and ability to control tramadol release could be obtained in precipitation polymerization with optimized condition.

Evaluation of synthetic zeolites as oral delivery vehicle for anti-inflammatory drugs

OBJECTIVES

In this research, zeolite X and zeolite Y were used as vehicle to prepare intestine targeted oral delivery systems of indomethacin and ibuprofen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A soaking procedure was implemented to encapsulate indomethacin or ibuprofen within synthetic zeolites. Gravimetric methods and IR spectra of prepared formulations were used to assess drug loading efficiencies into zeolite structures. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was also utilized to determine morphologies changes in synthetic zeolites after drug loading. At the next stage, dissolution studies were used to predict the in vivo performance of prepared formulations at HCl 0.1 N and PBS pH 6.5 as simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestine fluid (SIF), respectively.

RESULTS

Drug loadings of prepared formulations was determined between 24-26 % w/w. Dissolution tests at SGF were shown that zeolites could retain acidic model drugs in their porous structures and can be able to limit their release into the stomach. On the other hand, all prepared formulations completely released model drugs during 3 hr in simulated intestine fluid.

CONCLUSION

Obtained results indicated zeolites could potentially be able to release indomethacin and ibuprofen in a sustained and controlled manner and reduced adverse effects commonly accompanying oral administrations of NSAIDs.

Hydrogels composed of cyclodextrin inclusion complexes with PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymers as drug delivery systems

Although conventional pharmaceuticals have many drug dosage forms on the market, the development of new therapeutic molecules and the low efficacy of instant release formulations for the treatment of some chronic diseases and specific conditions encourage scientists to invent different delivery systems. To this purpose, a supramolecular hydrogel consisting of the tri-block copolymer PLGA-PEGPLGA and α-cyclodextrin was fabricated for the first time and characterised in terms of rheological, morphological, and structural properties. Naltrexone hydrochloride and vitamin B12 were loaded, and their release profiles were determined.

Evaluation of in vitro toxicity of peptide (N-acetyl-Leu-Gly-Leu-COOH)-substituted-β-cyclodextrin derivative, a novel drug carrier, in PC-12 cells

Background

Cyclodextrins (CDs) have been shown to improve physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of drugs when low solubility and low safety limit their use in the pharmaceutical field. Recently, a new amphiphilic peptide-substituted-β-CD, hepta-(N-acetyl-Leu-Gly-Leu)-β-CD (hepta-(N-acetyl-LGL)-β-CD), is developed which exhibited good solubility, strong inclusion ability and an appropriate average molecular weight. However, there is limited information available about its toxic effects. This study was designed to evaluate cytotoxic effects of the hepta-(N-acetyl-LGL)-β-CD (50, 200, 400, and 800 μg/ml) on rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells.

Results

A significant reduction of cell viability with IC₅₀ values of 1115.0 μg/ml, 762.4 μg/ml, and 464.9 μg/ml at 6, 12, and 24 h post-treatment, respectively, as well as increased lipid peroxide levels and DNA damage were observed.

Conclusions

In conclusion, hepta-(N-acetyl-Leu-Gly-Leu)-β-CD exhibit significant toxic properties at high concentrations, probably through induction of oxidative stress and genotoxicity.

Synthesis and molecular modeling of six novel monastrol analogues: evaluation of cytotoxicity and kinesin inhibitory activity against HeLa cell line

Background and the purpose of the study

A common approach in cancer chemotherapy is development of drugs that interrupt the mitosis phase of cell division. Dimethylenastron is a known kinesin inhibitor. In this study, six novel dimethylenastron analogues (4a-f), in which 3-hydroxyphenyl substituent has been replaced with substituted benzylimidazolyl, were synthesized through Biginelli reaction.

Methods

Six novel Biginelli compounds (4a-f) were synthesized through one step Biginelli reaction of imidazole aldehydes (3a-c), dimedone and urea or thioura. In vitro cytotoxicities of prepared compounds were investigated using MTT assay. Furthermore the ELIPA kit was implemented to study inhibitory effects of synthesized compounds on ATPase activity of kinesin by measuring of organic phosphate.

Results

Our results indicated that analogue 4c is the most toxic and analogues 4f, 4b and dimethylenasteron were less cytotoxic in compare with other analogues. On the other hand, analogue 4a, 4b, 4c and 4e showed stronger Kinesin inhibition as compared with analogue 4f and dimethylenasteron. None of synthesized compounds were as potent kinesin inhibitor as Taxol. Docking analysis revealed that hydrogen bond formation and hydrophobic interactions were the key factors affecting inhibitory effects of these compounds.

Conclusion

Newly synthesized compounds were found to have moderate to good cytotoxicity against HeLa cancer cell. Our results may be helpful in further design of dihydropyrimidine as potential anticancer agents.

Synthesis, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti- Nociceptive Activities and Cytotoxic Effect of Novel Thiazolidin-4-ones Derivatives as Selective Cyclooxygenase (COX-2) Inhibitors

OBJECTIVE(S)

Nowadays, COX - 2 inhibitors such as valdecoxib are removed from the market because of their cardiovascular toxicity and their potential to increase the risk of strokes. In response to this, medicinal chemists have attempted to synthesize new classes of COX-2 Inhibitors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, three novel analogues of thiazolidin-4-ones derivatives 2a-c were synthesized. The ability of these compounds to inhibit ovine COX-1 and COX-2 (0.2- 0.8 µM) was determined using a colorimetric method. The cytotoxic effect of the synthesized compounds (25-100 M) was also investigated by measuring their cytotoxicity against Caco-2 and MCF-7 cell lines using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. Writhing test (7.5-75 mg/kg) was used to examine the antinociceptive effects in mice. The effect of the analogues against acute inflammation (7.5-75 mg/kg) was also studied using xylene-induced ear edema test in mice.

RESULTS

The synthesized compounds showed a weak capacity to inhibit the proliferation of Caco-2 and MCF-7 cell lines. The COX-2 inhibition potency and selectivity index for test compounds 2a-b were as follows; celecoxib > 2b > 2a. On the other hand, all three analogues exhibited strong antinociceptive activity against acetic acid-induced writhing. The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of the analogues were markedly more than positive control, celecoxib.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity profiles exhibited by the novel synthesized compounds are independent from their COX-2 inhibitory potencies. The found antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects can be caused by interaction with other target; independent from COX-2. Accordingly, the compounds 2a-c could serve as lead compounds to develop novel anti-inflammation and antinociceptive drugs.

Prediction of pharmacokinetic parameters using a genetic algorithm combined with an artificial neural network for a series of alkaloid drugs

An important goal for drug development within the pharmaceutical industry is the application of simple methods to determine human pharmacokinetic parameters. Effective computing tools are able to increase scientists' ability to make precise selections of chemical compounds in accordance with desired pharmacokinetic and safety profiles. This work presents a method for making predictions of the clearance, plasma protein binding, and volume of distribution for alkaloid drugs. The tools used in this method were genetic algorithms (GAs) combined with artificial neural networks (ANNs) and these were applied to select the most relevant molecular descriptors and to develop quantitative structure-pharmacokinetic relationship (QSPkR) models. Results showed that three-dimensional structural descriptors had more influence on QSPkR models. The models developed in this study were able to predict systemic clearance, volume of distribution, and plasma protein binding with normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) values of 0.151, 0.263, and 0.423, respectively. These results demonstrate an acceptable level of efficiency of the developed models for the prediction of pharmacokinetic parameters.

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of 4-Imidazolyl- 1,4-dihydropyridines as Calcium Channel Blockers

OBJECTIVE(S)

The structure- activity relationship of a series of 36 molecules, showing L-type calcium channel blocking was studied using a QSAR (quantitative structure-activity relationship) method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Structures were optimized by the semi-empirical AM1 quantum-chemical method which was also used to find structure-calcium channel blocking activity trends. Several types of descriptors, including electrotopological, structural and thermodynamics were used to derive a quantitative relationship between L-type calcium channel blocking activity and structural properties. The developed QSAR model contributed to a mechanistic understanding of the investigated biological effects.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regressions (MLR) was employed to model the relationships between molecular descriptors and biological activities of molecules using stepwise method and genetic algorithm as variable selection tools. The accuracy of the proposed MLR model was illustrated using cross-validation, and Y-randomisation -as the evaluation techniques.

CONCLUSION

The predictive ability of the model was found to be satisfactory and could be used for designing a similar group of 1,4- dihydropyridines , based on a pyridine structure core which can block calcium channels.

Evaluation of anticonvulsant effect of two novels 4-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)- 5-imidazolyl] dihydropyridine derivatives in mice

In this study the anticonvulsant effect of two dihydropyridine derivatives [diethyl -1,4- dihydro -2,6-dimethyl -4-(4- fluoro benzyl-2- methylthio -5- imidazolyl)-3,5- pyridine dicarboxilat (A) and diethyl -1,4-dihydro -2,6- diethyl -4-(4- fluoro benzyl-2- methylthio -5- imidazolyl)-3,5- pyridine dicarboxilat (B)] by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and electroshock in mice was evaluated. The latency and HLTE (hind limb tonic extensions), the duration of HLTE and the mortality protection in pentylenetetrazole test and the HLTE duration in electroshock test were assessed. Both compounds had significant differences with negative control in all doses used. There was no significant difference between nifedipine and B (96.7 and 169.2 mg/kg doses) in the starting point of HLTE and between nifedipine andA(62.2 and 108.9 mg/kg doses) in the duration of HLTE in the PTZ test. Also, there was no significant difference between nifedipine and B (96.7 and 169.2 mg/kg doses) andA(62.2 and 108.9 mg/kg doses) in electroshock test. All doses ofAand B and nifedipine showed less effect than phenytoin and valproate. This study showed that bothAand B have anticonvulsant activity in the PTZ-induced seizure model and the MES test. These compounds, thus, might be useful in the petit mal and grand mal epilepsy.

Sustained delivery of amphotericin B and vancomycin hydrochloride by an injectable thermogelling tri-block copolymer

Because traditional drug delivery poses many disadvantages such as poor compliance of patients and a drug plasma level variation, novel drug delivery systems containing controlled release drug vehicles become attractive. In this study, a kind of tri-block copolymer consisting of polycaprolactone (PCL) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), PCL-PEG-PCL, were synthesized by a rapid microwave-assisted and a conventional synthesis method to form an in situ gelling system that provides a controlled release of drugs over a long period of time. Copolymer characterization was performed using a gel permeation chromatography, the (1)H-NMR, and a phase transition behavior evaluation. Vancomycin hydrochloride and amphotericin B were used as drug models here. This study confirmed that the synthesis of the copolymer using microwave irradiation was the most effective method to prepare this smart copolymer. Results also demonstrated the better performance of the microwave-synthesized copolymer regarding its phase behavior. It was shown that gelatin temperatures were also affected by the hydrophilicity of the drug model, the copolymer concentration, and the media. It was indicated that the hydrogels could sustain the delivery of model drugs for about 17 to 20 days. As the drugs used in this study were both large molecules and the main release mechanism was copolymer bulk erosion rather than simple diffusion, the effect of drug and copolymer concentration on the drug release profile was not so significant.

LAY ABSTRACT

Different studies have been carried out to improve drug delivery systems. Smart drug vehicles such as thermoresponsive and in situ forming hydrogels made of tri-block copolymers are promising systems in this field. Thermoresponsive hydrogels can release loaded molecules in response to the changing temperature. In situ forming hydrogels are the kind of thermoresponsive materials that are injectable fluid (sol) at room temperature and gel at body temperature. Pharmaceuticals release gradually from the gel over long periods of time. Here we investigated the in situ forming hydrogel based on poly(caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(caprolactone) as a drug delivery system. Vancomycin hydrochloride and amphotericin B were used in this study as a model. The results indicated that this system can control release pattern of drug perfectly for approximately 20 days.

Application of molecularly imprinted hydrogel for the preparation of lactose-free milk

BACKGROUND

A variety of lactose imprinted hydrogels were prepared and their binding properties were studied in comparison with blank non-imprinted hydrogel. Methacrylamide and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were used as functional monomer and cross-linker, respectively. Dimethylsulfoxide was also applied as polymerisation solvent.

RESULTS

Different template/monomer ratios were studied and the optimised imprinted hydrogel (MIP₂), with a lactose/methacrylamide ratio of 1:8, was selected in a rebinding test. In Scatchard analysis of MIP₂-lactose interactions, the dissociation constant and maximum binding sites were 0.33 mmol L⁻¹ and 67.76 µmol g⁻¹ hydrogel, respectively. The selectivity of MIP₂ for lactose in aqueous media was also evaluated in comparison with different mono- and disaccharides. The data showed that the affinity of MIP₂ for lactose is significantly higher than other saccharides. The imprinted hydrogel was finally used as a sorbent for separation of lactose from milk.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that MIP₂, as an optimised imprinted hydrogel, can effectively bind lactose and decrease its concentration in milk.

Biodegradable In Situ Gel-Forming Controlled Drug Delivery System Based on Thermosensitive Poly(ε-caprolactone)-Poly(ethylene glycol)-Poly(ε-caprolactone) Hydrogel

Traditional drug delivery systems which are based on multiple dosing regimens usually pose many disadvantages such as poor compliance of patients and drug plasma level variation. To overcome the obstacles of traditional drug formulations, novel drug delivery system PCL-PEG-PCL hydrogels have been purposed in this study. Copolymers were synthesized by rapid microwave-assisted and conventional synthesis methods. Polymer characterizations were done using gel permeation chromatography and (1)H-NMR. Phase transition behavior was evaluated by inverting tube method and in vitro drug release profile was determined using naltrexone hydrochloride and vitamin B(12) as drug models. The results indicated that loaded drug structure and copolymer concentration play critical roles in release profile of drugs from these hydrogels. This study also confirmed that synthesis of copolymer using microwave is the most effective method for synthesis of this kind of copolymer.

Virtual Screening for Finding Novel COX-2 Inhibitors as Antitumor Agents

The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme binds to arachidonic acid resulting in the release of metabolites that induce pain and inflammatory responses. Recent studies have shown that strong COX-2 expression is highly correlated with increased tumor risk. Therefore, the development of potent COX-2 inhibitors to relieve pain and treat cancers requires further investigation. We used virtual screening to find three COX-2 inhibitors (Phar-95239, T0511-4424 and Zu- 4280011) from a huge zinc database containing 2000000 compounds. The effects of the compounds on COX-2 were compared to those on COX-1 using a colorimetric COX (ovine) screening assay kit. The selectivity index, the ratio of IC₅₀ for COX-1 inhibition to that of COX-2, calculated were MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of the compounds using different dilutions. The IC₅₀ values were calculated. Based on the results of the MTT assay, the IC₅₀ values for compounds Phar-95239, T0511-4424 and Zu-4280011 were 178.52, 143 and 97.61 µM, respectively, and the selectivity indices of the compounds were 11.36, 12.20 and 20.03, respectively. These results indicated a relationship between the selectivity index and anticancer activity. Zu-4280011 displayed the highest selectivity index and the best results in the MTT assay among selected componds.

Synthesis and immunomodulation of human lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine (interferon-γ) production of four novel leflunomide analogues

Leflunomide is an immunomodulating drug that has been used clinically for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other immune system disorders. As a continuation of our previous work, four novel analogues of leflunomide (6a, 6b, 7a and 7b) were synthesized; here, an imidazolyl group has replaced the isoxazolyl moiety, while the 4-trifluoromethylphenyl group has been retained. These analogues were synthesized and investigated in vitro for their immunomodulating activity by examining human lymphocyte proliferation and determining the cytokine interferon-γ concentrations in human lymphocyte cells. For this purpose, 5 x 10(4) human lymphocyte cells were incubated at 37°C in 5% CO(2) with phytohemagglutinin and one of the analogues (concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 mM), negative controls or cyclosporine (0.1 mM). The compounds' effects on lymphocyte proliferation and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production were determined using an MTT assay and an ELISA, respectively. All compounds were found to have significant effects on both lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ production in comparison to the negative control. However, the compounds' effects were weaker than those of the positive control. Some differences among compounds 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b were seen on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. Compound 6a (R=CH(3) containing a trifluoromethylaniline moiety) suppressed lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ production with a potency comparable to the positive control. Therefore, further studies to evaluate the compound's effects in clinical conditions are suggested.

Preparation and investigation of sustained drug delivery systems using an injectable, thermosensitive, in situ forming hydrogel composed of PLGA-PEG-PLGA

In situ gelling systems are very attractive for pharmaceutical applications due to their biodegradability and simple manufacturing processes. The synthesis and characterization of thermosensitive poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PLGA triblock copolymers as in situ gelling matrices were investigated in this study as a drug delivery system. Ring-opening polymerization using microwave irradiation was utilized as a novel technique, and the results were compared with those using a conventional method of polymerization. The phase transition temperature and the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the copolymer solutions were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and spectrophotometry, respectively. The size of the micelles was determined with a light scattering method. In vitro drug release studies were carried out using naltrexone hydrochloride and vitamin B12 as model drugs. The rate and yield of the copolymerization process via microwave irradiation were higher than those of the conventional method. The copolymer structure and concentration played critical roles in controlling the sol-gel transition temperature, the CMC, and the size of the nanomicelles in the copolymer solutions. The rate of drug release could be modulated by the molecular weight of the drugs, the concentration of the copolymers, and their structures in the formulations. The amount of release versus time followed zero-order release kinetics for vitamin B12 over 25 days, in contrast to the Higuchi modeling for naltrexone hydrochloride over a period of 17 days. In conclusion, PLGA-PEG1500-PLGA with a lactide-to-glycolide ratio of 5:1 is an ideal system for the long-acting, controlled release of naltrexone hydrochloride and vitamin B12.

Synthesis and Vasorelaxant Effect of 9-aryl-1,8-acridinediones asPotassium Channel Openers in Isolated Rat Aorta

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers have a relaxation effect due to the lower cellular membrane potential and inhibit calcium influx. There has been considerable interest in exploring KATP channel openers in the treatment of various diseases such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and urinary system disease and premature labor. The purpose of this study was to synthesize 3,3,6,6-tetramethy l-9-aryl-octahydro-1,8-acridindiones and investigate their effects on vascular potassium channels and mechanism of induced relaxations on phenylephrine-induced contractile responses in isolated rings of rat aortic smooth muscle. In this study, four new derivatives of 3,3,6,6-tetramethy l-9-aryl-octahydro-1,8-acridindione [2a-d] were synthesized by the reaction of 5, 5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione with an aromatic aldehyde, 2-alkylthio-1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-5-formylimidazole or 3-substituted benzaldehyde, in the presence of ammonia in methanol. Their effects on vascular potassium channels and mechanism of induced relaxations on phenylephrine-induced contractile responses in isolated rat aorta were investigated. Minoxidil was used as a standard potassium channel opener and Glibenclamide was used as a standard potassium channel blocker. The effects of compounds on KCl-induced contractile response which is an indicator of ca-channel blocking activity was also investigated and compared to that of nifedipine as a standard calcium channel blocker. Compounds 3a-d and Minoxidil relaxed the contractions exerted by using phenylephrine with the potency order as follows: Minoxidil > 3c > 3d > 3a > 3b. This effect was sensitive to the potassium channel blocker Glibenclamide. It can be concluded that these compounds act via ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels. Selectivity index (SI) for these compounds and Minoxidil also shows that these compounds are selective to ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and the selectivity of compounds 3a-d is less than Minoxidil.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Pyridinyltriazoles as Inhibitors of p38 MAP Kinase

OBJECTIVE(S)

Inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase are considered as suitable target in the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and bowel inflammatory diseases. The development of 5-alkylthio-1-aryl-2-(4-pyridinyl) triazoles as inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase is described. These are analogues of 4- pyridinyl imidazole p38 MAP kinase inhibitor reported by Merck Research Laboratories, in which imidazole ring has been replaced with triazole.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Reaction of pyridine-4-carboxylic acid hydrazide 1 and arylisothiocyanate (2a, b) gave the intermediate thiourea derivative 3a, b (Figure 2). Refluxing of the latter in aqueous saturated sodium carbonate gave 1-aryl-5-mercapto-2-(4-pyridinyl) triazoles 4a, b. Treatment of 4a, b with alkyl iodide afforded the desired 5-alkylthio-1-aryl-2-(4-pyridinyl) triazoles (5a-d). P38 MAP kinase inhibitory activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated in vitro by ELISA method and also by molecular docking.

RESULTS

Compound 5c at 1 µM concentration and compound 5d at 1 µM and 10 µM significantly inhibited the p38 phosphorylation. These inhibitory effects are equal to those of standard compound SB202190 and no significant differences were observed.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that both tested compounds have inhibitory effect on p38 MAP kinase and we did not find significant difference between their inhibitory effects and those of standard inhibitor SB202190.

Synthesis of Novel 4-[1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-5-imidazolyl] Dihydropyridines and Studying their Effects on Rat Blood Pressure

OBJECTIVES

Calcium-channel blockers have an important role in the treatment of several cardiovascular disorders. Derivatives of 1, 4-dihydropyridine are one of the most potent calcium antagonists. In this study four novel 1, 4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers were synthesized and their hypotensive properties were investigated in male rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four 1, 4-dihydropyridines bearing 1-(4-fluorobenzyl)-5-imidazolyl substituent at 4 position (5a-d) were synthesized and tested for hypotensive activity in male rats. The animal was anaesthetized and the right jugular vein was cannulated for the administration of test agents. The left carotid artery was cannulated and connected to a pressure transducer for continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure.

RESULTS

All synthesized compounds lowered rat blood pressure significantly in comparison with DMSO as vehicle and nifedipine as positive control. The hypotensive effects of all compounds were less than that of nifedipine at 2 and 4 mg/kg (P< 0.05). The order of their effects on mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was 5b>5c>5a>5d at dose of 4 mg/kg (P< 0.05). All compounds tested increased heart rate in comparison with DMSO (P< 0.05). The chronotropic effect of nifedipine was significantly less than synthesized compounds at dose of 4 mg/kg (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results showed that these novels 1, 4-dihydropyridines decreased mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) significantly, while increased heart rate in rat.