Mannich bases in medicinal chemistry and drug design

Discovery of Novel Isatin-Based p53 Inducers

A series of isatin Schiff base derivatives were identified during in silico screening of the small molecule library for novel activators of p53. The compounds selected based on molecular docking results were further validated by a high-content screening assay using U2OS human osteosarcoma cells with an integrated EGFP-expressing p53-dependent reporter. The hit compounds activated and stabilized p53, as shown by Western blotting, at higher rates than the well-known positive control Nutlin-3. Thus, the p53-activating compounds identified by this approach represent useful molecular probes for various cancer studies.

Stereoselective ZrCl4-Catalyzed Mannich-type Reaction of β-Keto Esters with Chiral Trifluoromethyl Aldimines

A method for the synthesis of fluorinated β'-amino β-dicarbonyl compounds using a Zr-catalyzed Mannich-type reaction has been developed, starting from N-protected trifluoromethyl aldimines and cyclic or acyclic β-keto esters bearing different ester residues. The in situ generated metallic complex reacted with optically pure trifluoromethyl aldimine derived from (R)-α-methylbenzylamine, giving a highly diastereoselective asymmetric Mannich-type addition with formation of a chiral quaternary center. The absolute configuration at the new chiral centers was assigned through two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopic analysis coupled with computational studies.

Unveiling the Mode of Action of Two Antibacterial Tanshinone Derivatives

In this study, 2-(N-pyrrolidine-alkyl) tanshinones bearing pyrrolidine groups were synthesized and the antibacterial mechanism was explored. These derivatives selectively elicited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, their antibacterial activities were time-, concentration-dependent and persistent. It appeared that Fenton-mediated hydroxyl radicals were involved, and the disruption of cell membranes was observed. This study indicates that 2-(N-pyrrolidine-alkyl) tanshinones might be potential candidates as antibacterial agents.

Advances in chemistry of chromone aminomethyl derivatives

Chromones play an important role in the design and discovery of new pharmacologically active compounds. A large volume of reports dedicated to synthesis and study of properties of nitrogen-containing chromone derivatives show important role of chromone alkaloid-like compounds. The present review covers achievements in the field of synthesis of chromone aminomethyl derivatives as one of perspective scaffolds.