N-alkylated 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones. Synthetic approaches, X-ray structure and anticancer activity

Recent Synthetic Approaches towards Small Molecule Reactivators of p53

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is often called "the genome guardian" and controls the cell cycle and the integrity of DNA, as well as other important cellular functions. Its main function is to trigger the process of apoptosis in tumor cells, and approximately 50% of all cancers are related to the inactivation of the p53 protein through mutations in the TP53 gene. Due to the association of mutant p53 with cancer therapy resistance, different forms of restoration of p53 have been subject of intense research in recent years. In this sense, this review focus on the main currently adopted approaches for activation and reactivation of p53 tumor suppressor function, focusing on the synthetic approaches that are involved in the development and preparation of such small molecules.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of resveratrol derivatives possessing curcumin moiety as potent antitubulin agents

A series of resveratrol derivatives possessing curcumin moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines including murine melanoma B16-F10, human hepatoma HepG2 and human lung carcinoma A549. Among them, compound C5 displayed the most potent in vitro antiproliferative activity against B16-F10 with IC(50) value of 0.71 μg/mL. Compound C5 also exhibited good tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity with IC(50) value of 1.45 μg/mL. Furthermore, docking simulation was carried out to position C5 into the tubulin-colchicine binding site to determine the probable binding mode.

Synthesis of N-substituted 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones with high antitumor and antioxidant activity

A series of 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidone (DAP) compounds are considered as synthetic analogues of curcumin for anticancer properties. We performed structure-activity relationship studies by synthesizing a number of DAPs N-alkylated or acylated with nitroxides or their amine precursors as potent antioxidant moieties. Both subtituents on arylidene rings and on piperidone nitrogen (five- or six-membered, 2- or 3-substituted or 3,4-disubstituted isoindoline nitroxides) were varied. The anticancer efficacy of the new DAP compounds was tested by measuring their cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines A2780 and MCF-7 and to the H9c2 cell line. The results showed that all DAP compounds induced a significant loss of cell viability in the human cancer cell lines tested; however, only pyrroline appended nitroxides (5c (Selvendiran, K.; Tong, L.; Bratasz, A.; Kuppusamy, L. M.; Ahmed, S.; Ravi, Y.; Trigg, N. J.; Rivera, B. K.; Kálai, T.; Hideg, K.; Kuppusamy, P. Mol. Cancer Ther. 2010, 9, 1169-1179), 5e, 7, 9) showed limited toxicity toward noncancerous cell lines. Computer docking simulations support the biological activity tested. These results suggest that antioxidant-conjugated DAPs will be useful as a safe and effective anticancer agent for cancer therapy.

Design, synthesis and bioevaluation of novel maleamic amino acid ester conjugates of 3,5-bisarylmethylene-4-piperidones as cytostatic agents

A novel series of maleamic amino acid ester conjugates of 3,5-bisarylmethylene-4-piperidones were prepared to investigate the efficacy of micronutrient conjugation in enhancing cytotoxic potency by improving selectivity and delivery. These compounds, prepared as anticancer agents, were expected to demonstrate enhanced selectivity towards malignant cells through the inhibition of topoisomerase IIalpha via protein thiolation. The cytostatic effects of these compounds were evaluated against three cell lines, namely murine L1210 leukemia cells, human Molt 4/C8 and CEM T-lymphocyte cells. All compounds were found to have greater potency than the reference drug melphalan. Several compounds were found to potently inhibit topoisomerase IIalpha and displayed cytostatic activity in the nanomolar range.