Molecular explorations of substituted 2-(4-phenylquinolin-2-yl) phenols as phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors and anticancer agents

Using mathematical modeling to estimate time-independent cancer chemotherapy efficacy parameters

One of the primary cancer treatment modalities is chemotherapy. Unfortunately, traditional anti-cancer drugs are often not selective and cause damage to healthy cells, leading to serious side effects for patients. For this reason more targeted therapeutics and drug delivery methods are being developed. The effectiveness of new treatments is initially determined via in vitro cell viability assays, which determine the IC 50  of the drug. However, these assays are known to result in estimates of IC 50  that depend on the measurement time, possibly resulting in over- or under-estimation of the IC 50 . Here, we test the possibility of using cell growth curves and fitting of mathematical models to determine the IC 50  as well as the maximum efficacy of a drug ( ε max ). We measured cell growth of MCF-7 and HeLa cells in the presence of different concentrations of doxorubicin and fit the data with a logistic growth model that incorporates the effect of the drug. This method leads to measurement time-independent estimates of IC 50  and ε max , but we find that ε max  is not identifiable. Further refinement of this methodology is needed to produce uniquely identifiable parameter estimates.

Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Expression Levels in Macrophages; An Approach to Develop Indazolpyridin-Methanones as a Novel Inflammation Medication

Background: Macrophages play a serious part in the instigation, upkeep, and resolution of inflammation. They are activated or deactivated during inflammation progression. Activation signals include cytokines (IF-γ, granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and TNF-α), extracellular matrix proteins, and other chemical mediators. Activated macrophages are deactivated by anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-β (transforming growth factor-beta) and cytokine antagonists that are mainly produced by macrophages. Based on this, the present study aimed to develop novel (E)-Benzylidene-indazolpyridin methanones (Cpd-1-10) as effective anti-inflammatory agents by analyzing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in macrophages.

Objectives: To determine the anti-inflammatory effect of indazolpyridin-methanones by examining pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukin levels in J77A.1 macrophages.

Methods: Expression of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 serum levels measured by ELISA method. Anti-cancer and cytotoxicity studies were carried out by MTT assay. COX-2 seems to be associated with cancers and atypical developments in the duodenal tract. So, a competitive ELISA based COX-2 inhibition assay was done. To validate the inhibitory potentials and to get more insight into the interaction of COX-2 with Cpd1-10, molecular docking was performed.

Results: Briefly, the COX-2 inhibitory relative activity was found to be in between the range of 80-92% (Diclofenac showed 84%, IC50 0.95 µM).

Conclusion: Cytotoxicity effect of the compounds against breast cancer cell lines found excellent and an extended anticancer study ensured that these compounds are also alternative therapeutic agents against breast cancer. Among all the tested cancer cell lines, the anti-cancer effect on breast cancer was exceptional for the most active compounds Cpd5 and Cpd9.

Synthesis and Bioactivities of Marine Pyran-Isoindolone Derivatives as Potential Antithrombotic Agents

2,5-Bis-[8-(4,8-dimethyl-nona-3,7-dienyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-3-keto-1,2,7,8-teraahydro-6H-pyran[a]isoindol-2-yl]-pentanoic acid (FGFC1) is a marine pyran-isoindolone derivative isolated from a rare marine microorganism Stachybotrys longispora FG216, which showed moderate antithrombotic(fibrinolytic) activity. To further enhance its antithrombotic effect, a series of new FGFC1 derivatives (F1-F7) were synthesized via chemical modification at C-2 and C-2' phenol groups moieties and C-1″ carboxyl group. Their fibrinolytic activities in vitro were evaluated. Among the derivatives, F1-F4 and F6 showed significant fibrinolytic activities with EC50 of 59.7, 87.1, 66.6, 82.8, and 42.3 μM, respectively, via enhancement of urokinase activity. Notably, derivative F6 presented the most remarkable fibrinolytic activity (2.72-fold than that of FGFC1). Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of derivative F6 was tested as well as expression of Fas/Apo-1 and IL-1 on HeLa cells. The results showed that, compared to FGFC1, derivative F6 possessed moderate cytotoxicity and apoptotic effect on HeLa cells (statistical significance p > 0.1), making F6 a potential antithrombotic agent towards clinical application.

Exploration of anti-breast cancer effects of Terminalia chebula extract on DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma in Sprague Dawley rats

Background

Plant extracts are effectively acting as the natural medicinal cocktail, non-side effective, efficacious, and freely available. The present study aimed to unveil the pharmacological and medicinal effects of Terminalia chebula plant extract in 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in Sprague Dawley rats. The plant extract obtained was subjected to in vivo antioxidant and anticancer studies in various concentrations after an analytical technique such as FTIR, GCMS, and HPLC-based chemo-profiling in Sprague Dawley rats.

Results

Apart from the antiproliferative effect on breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and normal breast epithelial cells (MCF-10a), we have measured the changes in body weight, along with other tumor parameters such as tumor volume, tumor incidence, tumor weight, tumor burden, serum biochemical parameters, and histopathological findings of breast tissue. As the oxidative stress further enhances the development of cancer, the antioxidant property of the plant extract demonstrates its use against cancer treatment. One hundred fifty milligrams per milliliter (IC50 250 μg/mL) concentration of the ethanolic extract was vital for the proliferation of MCF-7 cell lines (Fig. 7a). Meanwhile, 300 μg/mL (IC50 150 μg/mL) was an effective dose to attain a maximum HDAC inhibition of 78%. Also, the normal liver and kidney functioning revealed the non-toxicity nature of the plant.

Conclusion

Terminalia chebula could be one of the effective naturally obtained anti-breast cancer medications. Isolation and characterization of individual bioactive compounds of T. chebula would be the future perspective.

TRAF2 and NCK-Interacting Kinase Inhibitors for Colorectal Cancer: In Vitro and Theoretical Validations

TRAF2 and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) is a critical factor in colorectal cancer (CRC) proliferation mediated by Wnt signaling. We attempted to identify efficient TNIK inhibitors using computational high-throughput virtual screening (HTVS) from various drug banks and databases. By performing/on performing e-pharmacophore screening and molecular docking methods, from ∼700 000 molecules, compounds LC_222150, LC_112060, and LC_64796 were identified as potential leads, through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT). These top 3 structures were commercially procured, and their inhibitory activity was assessed in vitro. Significant TNIK inhibition was observed, with an average IC₅₀ of 18.33 ± 0.75 nM. In terms of anticancer activity, the observed average relative % activity (RPA) of 90.28 ± 1.04 for these compounds compared well with doxorubicin (86.75 ± 1.45) as a standard. Compounds LC_222150, LC_112060, and LC_64796, therefore, warrant further evaluation in vivo to assess their CRC therapeutic effects.

p-TSA.H2O mediated one-pot, multi-component synthesis of isatin derived imidazoles as dual-purpose drugs against inflammation and cancer

A novel one-pot multicomponent reaction was performed to synthesize different imidazole and benzotriazole (BTA) isatin-based medicinally important compounds using (p-TSA·H₂O) as an economical and operative acid catalyst. The yield of the products was found to be up to a maximum of 92% when using this catalyst. Antioxidant, anti-breast cancer and anti-inflammatory activities of these 13 isatin-based derivatives (named as 5a-m) were assessed. The inhibitory effects of these compounds were tested in vitro against cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, an enzyme responsible for inflammation) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K, a key enzyme in breast cancer). "Among the 13 isatin-based Imidazole derivatives, five compounds (5a, 5d, 5f, 5 k and 5l) were found to exhibit anti-inflammatory as well as anti-cancer activity, which was validated using HRBC stabilization assay (to show anti-inflammatory activity) and cytotoxicity in MCF-7 (breast cancer cell line) to provide proof for anti-cancer property of the compounds". The molecular interactions between the two enzymes were probed using molecular docking. Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) and ADMET prediction results were also useful to screen the most effective imidazole derivatives and to establish them as putative COX-2 inhibitors/anti-inflammatory drugs. These selected compounds which showed appreciable activity against COX-2 and PI3K are promising drug candidates for the treatment of breast cancer and inflammation which is often associated with breast cancer pathophysiology.

Anticancer Effects of Novel Tetrahydro-Dimethyl-Xanthene-Diones

BACKGROUND

The derivatives of xanthene are known to have promising anticancer properties, in comparison to xanthene itself.

OBJECTIVE

The object of our study was to develop few xanthene derivatives (a family of fifteen novel 3,4,6,7- tetrahydro-3,3-dimethyl-9-phenyl-2H-xanthene-1,8(5H, 9H)-diones encoded as 4a-4m), which were effectively prepared through regioselective synthesis approach, and to test their anticancer effects.

METHODS

A series of cell lines were used in this study, first to assess the cytotoxicity and then the drug efficacy of target compounds, consecutively. Prior to MTT assay, the compounds were analysed for their antioxidant properties, since oxidative stress is an important factor in the development of many cancer types. The anticancer properties of 4a-m have been assessed over in silico (molecular docking and ADMET assessments) and in vitro (MTT assay) methods.

RESULTS

Compounds 4h and 4i showed a relative percentage anticancer activity of 86.25±1.25 & 89.74±1.64 against BT474 (ER+HER2+), and 90.56±1.18 & 93.24±1.80 against MCF-7 (ER-HER2), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The animal model and pre-clinical studies for 4h and 4i should be performed in order to develop them as future anticancer agents.

Discovery and synthesis of 2-amino-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4(5H)-ones as GPCR ligands; an approach to develop breast cancer drugs via GPCR associated PAR1 and PI3Kinase inhibition mechanism

Efforts were taken to synthesis and characterize 2-amino-1-methyl-1H-imidazole-4(5H)-one derivatives (4a-u) through a four-step reaction. The achieved compounds in remarkable yield have characterized through standard analytical techniques such as FTIR, LC-MS, NMR, HRMS, and elemental analysis. Present study mainly aimed to evaluate 4a-u as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). In the mechanism, stimulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt (protein kinase B) is a general reaction activated by a series of membrane-bound receptors such as GPCR. Protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) is a subfamily of related GPCR, which triggered by the division of fragment of its extracellular domain. Therefore, molecular docking is done to ensure the inhibition of PAR1 and PI3Kinase. PI3Kinase is a chief enzyme in the development of breast cancer via the Akt/mTOR pathway. Thus, in vitro PI3Kinase inhibition and anti-breast cancer studies has also done to screen medicinally important compounds among (4a-u). Based on the best binding affinity, in vitro relative % activity and IC₅₀ values, compounds 4a, 4g, 4i, 4n, and 4u were screened for further preclinical studies in animal model evaluations.

Piperazine-azole-fluoroquinolone hybrids: Conventional and microwave irradiated synthesis, biological activity screening and molecular docking studies

A series of new 1,2,4-triazole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives was obtained via several steps sequential reactions of phenyl piperazine. Then, these compounds were converted to the corresponding fluoroquinolone hybrids via one pot three component Mannich reaction. All the reactions were examined under conventional and microwave mediated conditions, and optimum conditions were determined. The effect of different solvents and microwave power on microwave prompted reactions was investigated as well. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and EI MS spectral techniques. The antimicrobial activity, DNA gyrase and Topoisomerase IV inhibition potentials were performed. The results obtained showed that fluoroquinolone hybrids possess good antimicrobial activity. Moreover, Fluoroquinolone-azole-piperazine hybrids synthesized in the present study displayed excellent DNA gyrase inhibition. To unveil the interaction mode of compounds to receptor, a molecular docking study was performed. With an average least binding energy of -9.5 kcal/mol, all compounds were found to have remarkable inhibitory potentials against DNA gyrase (E. coli).

An eco-friendly catalytic system for multicomponent, one-pot synthesis of novel spiro-chromeno indoline-triones and their anti-prostate cancer potentials evaluated via alkaline phosphatase inhibition mechanism

A green and efficient straightforward tactic for the one-pot regioselective synthesis of novel 10,10-dimethyl-9,10,11,11a-tetrahydro-6H-spiro[chromeno[4,3-b]chromene-7,3'-indoline]-2',6,8 (7aH) -triones (4a-n) in one-pot modus has been established using eco-friendly p-toluenesulphonic acid as catalyst. Among the solvents that were used for synthesis, 4a-n were suitably synthesized with maximum yield (90-98%) in water. We avoided column purification and the formed by-product in the process is environmental-friendly. Hence, this reaction may consider as an astonishing piece work in this study, why because, the reaction mechanism that depends on the nature of the group attached to the isatin ring nitrogen atom. The main advantage of this protocol includes short reaction time, good yield, easy to work-up, practical simplicity, high regioselectivity and reduced pollutant, cost and avoids tedious purification. These pharmaceutically important compounds (4a-n) were recognized for their alkaline phosphatase inhibition and prostate cancer medication capabilities. The selective activity relation between alkaline phosphatase and prostate cancer was unveiled through the interaction of 4a-n to Human alkaline phosphatase (PDB ID: 1EW2).

Synthesis and drug efficacy validations of racemic-substituted benzimidazoles as antiulcer/antigastric secretion agents

Aim: Due to their effective binding affinity to receptors which are responsible for various diseases, benzimidazoles are often bioactive. Present study intended and carried out to synthesis, characterize and develop benzimidazole-based antiulcer drugs. Materials & methods: Established 8a–l were evaluated for gastric antisecretory/antiulcer properties using freshly prepared H+-K+-ATPase from goat fundus mucosa. Molecular docking was carried out to unveil best binding affinities with H+-K+-ATPase (protein data bank ID: 2XZB). Results: The obtained least inhibitory constant of 8a–l (18–92 nM) was comparable to the in vitro H+-K+-ATPase inhibition (IC50: 24–122 nM). Furthermore, the lethal effect of 8a–l to colon cancerous cells and nonharm effect to the normal cells was recognized through cytotoxicity studies. Conclusion: After all in silico, in vitro experimental and structure–activity relationship predictions, the antiulcer druggability potential of 8a–l was recognized. A future drug development study for the most potent compounds among 8a–l is strongly indorsed.

Substituted methoxybenzyl-sulfonyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazoles evaluated as effective H+/K+-ATPase inhibitors and anti-ulcer therapeutics

Efforts were made to synthesize a series of substituted methoxybenzyl-sulfonyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives (8a-l) and investigate their anti-ulcer therapeutics. Prior to evaluating antiulcer potentials of 8a-l, a preliminary binding assay against H⁺/K⁺-ATPase from goat gastric mucosa was carried out, since it plays an important role in the ulcer development. In order to get more insight into the binding mode of the compounds to H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, a molecular docking study was carried out and the best binding affinities were unveiled. Many of the substituted methoxybenzyl-sulfonyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives (8a-l) were active for the proposed activity. The key finding was that, least inhibitory constant (ki) values of 8a-l were found between 0.02 and 1.8 μM in the molecular docking study. Almost the same range was reflected/correlated in the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase inhibition assay (IC₅₀ 0.14-1.29 μM). Remarkably, compounds 8a-l showed a relative activity percentage range of 72-92%. Efficient HRBC membrane stabilization activity of 8a-l ensured the non-harm/safety and the suitability/alternative towards anti-ulcer therapy.