Design, synthesis and anticancer activity of 5-aryl-4-(4-arylpiperazine-1-carbonyl)-1,2,3-thiadiazoles as microtubule-destabilizing agents

Synthesis and Molecular Docking of some new Thiazolidinone and Thiadiazole Derivatives as Anticancer Agents

New sets of functionalized thiazolidinone and thiadiazole derivatives were synthesized, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated on HepG2, MCF-7, HTC-116, and WI38 cells. The synthetic approach is based on the preparation of 4-(4-acetamidophenyl)thiosemicarbazide (4) and their thiosemicarbazones 5 a-e, which are converted to the corresponding thiazoldin-4-one compounds 6 a-e upon cyclization with ethyl bromoacetate. The thiadiazole compounds 9 and 12 were obtained by reacting 4-(4-acetamidophenyl)thiosemicarbazide with isothiocyanates and/or ethyl 2-cyano-3,3-bis(methylthio)acrylate, respectively. The thiazolidinone compounds 6 c and 6 e exhibited strong cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells, with an IC50 (6.70±0.5 μM) and IC50 (7.51±0.8 μM), respectively, very close to that of doxorubicin (IC50: 4.17±0.2 μM). In addition, the anti-cancer properties of the tested thiazolidinone and thiadiazole scaffolds were further explored by the molecular docking program (MOE)-(PDB Code-1DLS). Compounds 5 d, 5 e, 6 d, 6 e, and 7 have the best binding affinity, ranging from -8.5386 kcal.mol-1 to -8.2830 kcal.mol-1.

Research progress on antitumor activity of XRP44X and analogues as microtubule targeting agents

Cancer threatens human health and life. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop safe and effective antitumor drugs. Microtubules, the main component of cytoskeleton, play an important role in maintaining cell morphology, mitosis, and signal transduction, which are one of important targets of antitumor drug research and development. Colchicine binding site inhibitors have dual effects of inhibiting proliferation and destroying blood vessels. In recent years, a series of inhibitors targeting this target have been studied and some progress has been made. XRP44X has a novel structure and overcomes some disadvantages of traditional inhibitors. It is also a multifunctional molecule that regulates not only the function of tubulin but also a variety of biological pathways. Therefore, the structure, synthesis, structure-activity relationship, and biological activity of XRP44X analogues reported in recent years were summarized in this paper, to provide a useful reference for the rational design of efficient colchicine binding site inhibitors.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 9-aryl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole derivatives as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors

A series of new 9-aryl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for antitumor activity. All newly prepared compounds were tested for their anti-proliferative activity in vitro against three different cancer cells (SGC-7901, HeLa, and MCF-7). Among the designed compounds, compound 7k displayed the strongest anti-proliferative activity against HeLa cells with IC₅₀ values of 8.7 ± 1.3 μM. In addition, 7k could inhibit the polymerization of tubulin and disrupt the microtubule network of cells. Further mechanism studies revealed that 7k arrested cell cycle at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular docking analysis confirmed that 7k may bind to colchicine binding sites on microtubules. Our study aims to provide a new strategy for the development of antitumor drugs targeting tubulin.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activity of New 1,2,3-Thiadiazole and 1,2,3-Selenadiazole Derivatives

1,2,3-Thiadiazole, 1,2,3-selenadiazole, and semicarbazones that are prepared from ketones are promising moieties for lead compound development. New 1,2,3-thiadiazole (2c-4c) and 1,2,3-selenadiazole derivatives (2d–4d) were prepared from the corresponding semicarbazones (2b-4b). The semicarbazones (2b-4b) were prepared from the corresponding ketones (2a-4a). Characterization of the synthesized compounds was performed using infrared spectra (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectra, carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR), ultraviolet spectra, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the prepared compounds was explored in vitro against various pathogenic microbes. All heterocyclic compounds had positive antimicrobial activity, but these activities varied in the extent of antimicrobial coverage. Compounds (2c) and (2d) had positive activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli but without any antipseudomonal activity. Compound (3c) had the most activity against Candida albicans with potential as a novel antifungal agent along with activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Compounds (4c) and (4d) exhibited broad-spectrum coverage in which both compounds demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms explored. Interestingly, they both had substantial antipseudomonal activity against local resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and reference P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). This may suggest the potential for compounds (4c) and (4d) as novel broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with promising antipseudomonal activity. In conclusion, new 1,2,3-thiadiazole (2c-4c) and 1,2,3-selenadiazole (2d-4d) derivatives were identified as potential lead compounds for novel antibacterial agents.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of biotinylated colchicine derivatives as potential antitumor agents

Chemical drug design based on the biochemical characteristics of cancer cells has become an important strategy for discovering new anti-tumour drugs to improve tumour targeting effects and reduce off-target toxicities. Colchicine is one of the most prominent and historically microtubule-targeting drugs, but its clinical applications are hindered by notorious adverse effects. In this study, we presented a novel tumour-specific conjugate 9 that consists of deacetylcolchicine (Deac), biotin, and a cleavable disulphide linker. 9 was found to exhibit potent anti-tumour activity and exerted higher selectivity between tumour and nontarget cells than Deac. The targeting moiety biotin might enhance the transport capability and selectivity of 9 to tumour cells via biotin receptor-mediated endocytosis. The tubulin polymerisation activity of 9 (with DTT) was close to the parent drug Deac. These preliminary results suggested that 9 is a high potency and reduced toxicity antitumor agent and worthy of further investigation.