Design, synthesis, anti-inflammatory evaluation and molecular docking of novel thiophen-2-ylmethylene-based derivatives as potential TNF-α production inhibitors

Design, synthesis and molecular modeling of novel D-ring substituted steroidal 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazolinone derivatives as anti-inflammatory agents by inhibition of COX-2/iNOS production and down-regulation of NF-κB/MAPKs in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells

It has been reported that 4,5-dihydropyrazole and thiazole derivatives have many biological functions, especially in the aspect of anti-inflammation. According to the strategy of pharmacophore combination, we introduced thiazolinone and dihydropyrazole moiety into steroid skeleton to design and synthesize a novel series of D-ring substituted steroidal 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazolinone derivatives, and assessed their in vitro anti-inflammatory profiles against Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The anti-inflammatory activities assay demonstrated that compound 12e was considered as the most effective anti-inflammatory drug, which suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), it also dose-dependently inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, the results of the Western blot analysis showed a correlation between the inhibition of the Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathways and the suppressive effects of compound 12e on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Molecular docking studies of compound 12e into the COX-2 protein receptor (PDB ID: 5IKQ) active site was performed to rationalize their COX-2 inhibitory potency. The results were found to be in line with the biological findings as they exerted more favorable interactions compared to that of dexamethasone (DXM), explaining their remarkable COX-2 inhibitory activity. The findings revealed that these candidates could be identified as potent anti-inflammatory agents, compound 12e could be a promising drug for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Design, synthesis and molecular docking of novel D-ring substituted steroidal 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazole derivatives that act as iNOS/COX-2 inhibitors with potent anti-inflammatory activity against LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells

Inflammation, an important biological protective response to tissue damage or microbial invasion, is considered to be an alarming signal for the progress of varied biological complications. Based on the previous reports in the literature that proved the noticeable efficacy of pyrazole and thiazole scaffold as well as nitrogen heterocyclic based compounds against acute and chronic inflammatory disease, a new set of novel D-ring substituted steroidal 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. Preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis was conducted by their inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells, and the optimal compound 12b [3β-hydroxy-pregn-5-en-17β-yl-5'- (o- chlorophenyl)- 1'-(4''- phenyl -[1'', 3'']- thiazol-2''- yl) - 4',5'-dihydro - 1'H-pyrazol - 3'- yl] exhibited more potent anti-inflammatory activity than the positive control treatment methylprednisolone (MPS), with an IC50 value of 2.59 μM on NO production and low cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cells. In further mechanism study, our results showed that compound 12b significantly suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and inhibited the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) through blocking NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of IκBα. Compound 12b also attenuated LPS-induced activation of c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells. Molecular docking study revealed the strong binding affinity of compound 12b to the active site of the COX-2 proteins, which confirmed that compound 12b acted as an anti-inflammatory mediator. These results indicate that steroidal derivatives bearing 4,5-dihydropyrazole thiazole structure might be considered for further research and scaffold optimization in designing anti-inflammatory drugs and compound 12b might be a promising therapeutic anti-inflammatory drug candidate.

Novel pyrimidines as COX-2 selective inhibitors: synthesis, DFT analysis, molecular docking and dynamic simulation studies

Pyrimidine and its derivatives are associated with varieties of biological properties. Therefore, we herein reported the synthesis of four novel pyrimidines (2, 3, and 4a, b) derivatives. The structure of these molecules is confirmed by spectroscopic methods such as IR, NMR, and Mass analysis. The electronic behavior of synthesized compounds 4a, b and in silico drug design 4 c, d was explained by Density Functional Theory estimations at the DFT/B3LYP level via 6-31 G++ (d, p) replicates the structure and geometry. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activity compared to standards Celecoxib and Ibuprofen. Compounds 3 and 4a afforded excellent COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory activities at IC50 = 5.50 and 5.05 μM against COX-1, 0.85 and 0.65 μM against COX-2, respectively. The standard drugs Celecoxib and Ibuprofen showed inhibitory activity at IC50 = 6.34 and 3.1 μM against COX-1, 0.56 and 1.2 μM against COX-2, respectively. Further, these compounds showed high potential docking with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron protease & COX-2 and predicted drug-likeness for the pyrimidine analogs by using Molinspiration. The protein stability, fluctuations of APO-protein, protein-ligand complexes were investigated through Molecular Dynamics simulations studies using Desmond Maestro 11.3 and potential lead molecules were identified.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

In silico and in vivo analysis of the relationship between ADHD and social isolation in pups rat model: Implication of redox mechanisms, and the neuroprotective impact of Punicalagin

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has high incidence rate among children which may be due to excessive monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption and social isolation (SI).

AIM

We aimed to explore the relationships between MSG, SI, and ADHD development and to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of Punicalagin (PUN).

METHODS

Eighty male rat pups randomly distributed into eight groups. Group I is the control, and Group II is socially engaged rats treated with PUN. Groups III to VII were exposed to ADHD-inducing factors: Group III to SI, Group IV to MSG, and Group V to both SI and MSG. Furthermore, Groups VI to VIII were the same Groups III to V but additionally received PUN treatment.

KEY FINDINGS

Exposure to MSG and/or SI led to pronounced behavioral anomalies, histological changes and indicative of ADHD-like symptoms in rat pups which is accompanied by inhibition of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1)/Glutathione (GSH) pathway, decline of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and activation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB)/NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) pathway. This resulted in elevated inflammatory biomarker levels, neuronal apoptosis, and disrupted neurotransmitter equilibrium. Meanwhile, pretreatment with PUN protected against all the previous alterations.

SIGNIFICANCE

We established compelling associations between MSG consumption, SI, and ADHD progression. Moreover, we proved that PUN is a promising neuroprotective agent against all risk factors of ADHD.

Quinazolin-4-one/3-cyanopyridin-2-one Hybrids as Dual Inhibitors of EGFR and BRAFV600E: Design, Synthesis, and Antiproliferative Activity

A novel series of hybrid compounds comprising quinazolin-4-one and 3-cyanopyridin-2-one structures has been developed, with dual inhibitory actions on both EGFR and BRAFV600E. These hybrid compounds were tested in vitro against four different cancer cell lines. Compounds 8, 9, 18, and 19 inhibited cell proliferation significantly in the four cancer cells, with GI50 values ranging from 1.20 to 1.80 µM when compared to Doxorubicin (GI50 = 1.10 µM). Within this group of hybrids, compounds 18 and 19 exhibited substantial inhibition of EGFR and BRAFV600E. Molecular docking investigations provided confirmation that compounds 18 and 19 possess the capability to inhibit EGFR and BRAFV600E. Moreover, computational ADMET prediction indicated that most of the newly synthesized hybrids have low toxicity and minimal side effects.

New Thiophenyl-pyrazolyl-thiazole Hybrids as DHFR Inhibitors: Design, Synthesis, Antimicrobial Evaluation, Molecular Modeling, and Biodistribution Studies

The antibiotic resistance problems constitute a considerable threat to human health worldwide; thus, the discovery of new antimicrobial candidates to conquer this issue is an imperative requirement. From this view, new thiophenyl-pyrazolyl-thiazole hybrids 3-10 were synthesized and screened for their antibacterial efficiency versus Gram - and Gram + bacterial strains compared to the reference drug amoxicillin. It was noticed that the new hybrids displayed significant antibacterial efficacy versus Gram - bacteria, especially against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Also, all the screened candidates demonstrated a noticeable antifungal effect against Candida albicans (MICs = 3.9-125 μg/mL) relative to fluconazole (MIC = 250 μg/mL). Moreover, the new hybrids were investigated for their antituberculosis potency against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (RCMB 010126). Derivatives 4c, 6b, 8b, 9b, and 10b demonstrated prominent antituberculosis efficiency (MICs = 0.12-1.95 μg/mL) compared with the reference drug isoniazid (MIC = 0.12 μg/mL). The latter derivatives were further assessed for their inhibitory potency versus M. tuberculosis DHFR enzyme. The compounds 4c, 6b and 10b presented a remarkable suppression effect with IC50 values of 4.21, 5.70, and 10.59 μM, respectively, compared to that of trimethoprim (IC50 = 6.23 μM). Furthermore, biodistribution profile using radiolabeling way revealed a perceived uptake of 131I-compound 6b into infection induced models. The docking study for the new hybrids 4c, 6b, 8b, 9b and 10b was performed to illustrate the various binding modes with Mtb DHFR enzyme. In silico ADMET studies for the most potent inhibitors 4c, 6b and 10b were also accomplished to predict their pharmacokinetic and physicochemical features.

Design, synthesis and antitumor activity of 5-trifluoromethylpyrimidine derivatives as EGFR inhibitors

A new series of 5-trifluoromethylpyrimidine derivatives were designed and synthesised as EGFR inhibitors. Three tumour cells A549, MCF-7, PC-3 and EGFR kinase were employed to evaluate their biological activities. The results were shown that most of the target compounds existed excellent antitumor activities. In particular, the IC₅₀ values of compound 9u (E)-3-((2-((4-(3-(3-fluorophenyl)acrylamido)phenyl)amino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)-N-methylthiophene-2-carboxamide against A549, MCF-7, PC-3 cells and EGFR kinase reached to 0.35 μM, 3.24 μM, 5.12 μM, and 0.091 μM, respectively. Additionally, further researches revealed that compound 9u could induce early apoptosis of A549 cells and arrest the cells in G2/M phase. Taken together, these findings indicated that compound 9u was potential for developing as antitumor reagent.