Magnetic cobalt oxide supported organosilica-sulfonic acid as a powerful nanocatalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen-11-ones

A novel core-shell structured magnetic cobalt oxide supported organosilica-sulfonic acid (Co3O4@SiO2/OS-SO3H) nanocomposite is prepared through a low-cost, simple, and clean method. The characterization of Co3O4@SiO2/OS-SO3H was performed by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The TGA and FT-IR results illustrate the high stability of the designed nanocomposite. The SEM image showed a size of about 40 nm for the Co3O4@SiO2/OS-SO3H nanoparticles. Furthermore, according to the result of VSM analysis, the saturation magnetization of this nanocomposite was about 25 emu/g. This novel material was used as an efficient nanocatalyst for the synthesis of biologically active tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthen-11-one derivatives. These products were obtained in high to excellent yields under green conditions. The recoverability and reusability of this catalyst were also investigated under applied conditions.

Synthesis of N-(4-chlorophenyl) substituted pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles enabling PKBβ/AKT2 inhibitory and in vitro anti-glioma activity

A series of N-(4-chlorophenyl) substituted pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles was synthesised and screened for their potential to inhibit kinases and exhibit anticancer activity against primary patient-derived glioblastoma 2D cells and 3D neurospheres. A collection of 10 compounds was evaluated against glioma cell lines, with compound 4j exhibiting promising glioma growth inhibitory properties. Compound 4j was screened against 139 purified kinases and exhibited low micromolar activity against kinase AKT2/PKBβ. AKT signalling is one of the main oncogenic pathways in glioma and is often targeted for novel therapeutics. Indeed, AKT2 levels correlated with glioma malignancy and poorer patient survival. Compound 4j inhibited the 3D neurosphere formation in primary patient-derived glioma stem cells and exhibited potent EC₅₀ against glioblastoma cell lines. Although exhibiting potency against glioma cells, 4j exhibited significantly less cytotoxicity against non-cancerous cells even at fourfold-fivefold the concentration. Herein we establish a novel biochemical kinase inhibitory function for N-(4-chlorophenyl) substituted pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles and further report their anti-glioma activity in vitro for the first time.KEY MESSAGEAnti-glioma pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole 4j inhibited the 3D neurosphere formation in primary patient-derived glioma stem cells. 4j also displayed PKBβ/AKT2 inhibitory activity. 4j is nontoxic towards non-cancerous cells.