Synthesis and biological evaluation of deoxy salacinols, the role of polar substituents in the side chain on the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Role of the thiosugar ring in the inhibitory activity of salacinol, a potent natural α-glucosidase inhibitor

Herein, ring-cleaved (24) and truncated (25) analogues of an azasugar, 1-deoxynojirimycin (23), exhibited inhibitory activity (Ki = 4-10 μM) equal to that of the parent compound (1, Ki = 14 μM). Based on this structure-activity relationship (SAR), four ring-cleaved (26a-26c and 27c) and three truncated (28a-28c) analogues of salacinol (1), a potent thiosugar-ring-containing α-glucosidase inhibitor, were synthesised. Bioassay results revealed that all the synthetics were inactive, indicating that the 5-membered thiosugar ring of 1 played an essential role in the potent activities of sulfonium-type inhibitors. The present findings are interesting and important in understanding the function of salacinol, considering that the observed inhibitory activity trend was contrary to the SAR observed in aza-compounds (23, 24, and 25) in a previous study, which suggested that the cyclic structure did not contribute to their strong inhibitory activity.

Design and Synthesis of Sulfonium Derivatives: A Novel Class of α-Glucosidase Inhibitors with Potent In Vivo Antihyperglycemic Activities

We report the first attempt of double-spot structural modification on a side-chain moiety of sulfonium-type α-glucosidase inhibitors isolated from genus Salacia. A series of sulfonium salts with benzylidene acetal linkage at the C3' and C5' positions were designed and synthesized. In vitro enzyme inhibition evaluation showed that compounds with a strong electron-withdrawing group attached at the ortho position on the phenyl ring present stronger inhibitory activities. Notably, the most potent inhibitor 21b (1.0 mpk) can exhibit excellent hypoglycemic effects in mice, which can still compete with those of acarbose (20.0 mpk). Molecular docking of 21b demonstrated that besides conventional interacting patterns, the newly introduced benzylidene acetal moiety plays an important role in anchoring the whole molecule in a concave pocket of the enzyme. The successful identification of 21b as a lead compound for new drug discovery may provide a means for structure modification and diversification of the distinguished sulfonium-type α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies of aldotetronic acid-based LpxC inhibitors

In order to develop novel inhibitors of the bacterial deacetylase LpxC bearing a substituent to target the UDP binding site of the enzyme, a series of aldotetronic acid-based hydroxamic acids was accessed in chiral pool syntheses starting from 4,6-O-benzylidene-d-glucose and l-arabinitol. The synthesized hydroxamic acids were tested for LpxC inhibitory activity in vitro, revealing benzyl ether 17a ((2S,3S)-4-(benzyloxy)-N,3-dihydroxy-2-[(4-{[4-(morpholinomethyl)phenyl]ethynyl}benzyl)oxy]butanamide) as the most potent LpxC inhibitor. This compound was additionally tested for antibacterial activity against a panel of clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria, bacterial uptake, and susceptibility to efflux pumps. Molecular docking studies were performed to rationalize the observed structure-activity relationships.

Stable D-xylose ditriflate in divergent syntheses of dihydroxy prolines, pyrrolidines, tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic acids, and cyclic β-amino acids

Double nucleophilic displacement of D-xylo-ditriflate by amines, water and alkyl cyanoacetates, respectively, gave a series of bicyclic divergent intermediates for the synthesis of a wide range of highly functionalized targets, including hydroxylated prolines, pyrrolidines, furanoic acids, and cyclopentanes.

Synthesis and Applications of Carbohydrate-Based Organocatalysts

Organocatalysis is a very useful tool for the asymmetric synthesis of biologically or pharmacologically active compounds because it avoids the use of noxious metals, which are difficult to eliminate from the target products. Moreover, in many cases, the organocatalysed reactions can be performed in benign solvents and do not require anhydrous conditions. It is well-known that most of the above-mentioned reactions are promoted by a simple aminoacid, l-proline, or, to a lesser extent, by the more complex cinchona alkaloids. However, during the past three decades, other enantiopure natural compounds, the carbohydrates, have been employed as organocatalysts. In the present exhaustive review, the detailed preparation of all the sugar-based organocatalysts as well as their catalytic properties are described.

Synthetic access to thiolane-based therapeutics and biological activity studies

Secondary metabolites isolated from bioactive extracts of natural sources iteratively pioneer the research in drug discovery. Modern medicine is often inspired by bioactive natural products or the bio-functional motifs embedded in them. One of such consequential bio-functional motifs is the thiolane unit. Thiolane-based bioactive organic compounds have manifested a plethora of astonishing biological activities such as anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-platelet, α-glucosidase inhibition, anti-HIV, immunosuppressive and anti-microbial activities which renders them excellent candidates in drug discovery. Hence, to scale up the accessibility of thiolane-based therapeutics its chemical syntheses is essential and in addition; a sneak peek in its biosynthesis would give a perspective for developing biomimetic syntheses. This review highlights the development of important thiolane-based therapeutics such as (i) Nuphar sesquiterpene thioalkaloids (ii) Thiosugar sulphonium salts from Salacia sp. (iii) Albomycins (iv) Thiolane-based therapeutics from Allium sp. (v) 4'-thionucleosides summarizing various synthetic strategies, biosynthesis and biological activity studies, covering literature till 2021. We anticipate that this review will inspire chemists and biochemists to take up the challenges encountered in the synthesis and development of thiolane-based therapeutics.

Ligand compatibility of salacinol-type α-glucosidase inhibitors toward the GH31 family

We show that salacinol-type α-glucosidase inhibitors are ligand-compatible with the GH 31 family. Salacinol and its 3′-O-benzylated analogs inhibit human lysosomal α-glucosidase at submicromolar levels. Simple structure-activity relationship studies reveal that the salacinol side-chain stereochemistry significantly influences binding to GH31 α-glucosidases.

Salacinol-type α-glucosidase inhibitors are ligand-compatible with the GH 31 family. Salacinol and its 3′-O-benzylated analogs inhibit human lysosomal α-glucosidase at submicromolar levels.

Elongation of the side chain by linear alkyl groups increases the potency of salacinol, a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor from the Ayurvedic traditional medicine "Salacia," against human intestinal maltase

Four chain-extended analogs (12a-12d) and two related de-O-sulfonated analogs (13a and 13c) by introducing alkyl groups (a: R = C₃H₇, b R = C₆H₁₃, c: R = C₈H₁₇, d: R = C₁₀H₂₁) to the side chains of salacinol (1), a natural α-glucosidase inhibitor from Ayurvedic traditional medicine "Salacia", were synthesized. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of all the synthesized analogs were evaluated in vitro. Against human intestinal maltase, the inhibitory activities of 12a and 13a with seven-carbon side chain were equal to that of 1. In contrast, analogs (12b-12d, and 13c) exhibited higher level of inhibitory activity against the same enzyme than 1 and had equal or higher potency than those of the clinically used anti-diabetics, voglibose, acarbose, and miglitol. Thus, elongation of the side chains of 1 was effective for specifically increasing the inhibitory activity against human intestinal maltase.

Stereoselective synthesis of (+)-5-thiosucrose and (+)-5-thioisosucrose

(+)-5-Thiosucrose 1, a novel isosteric sulfur analog of sucrose, was synthesized stereoselectively for the first time via indirect β-d-fructofuranosidation involving selective β-d-psicofuranosidation, followed by stereo-inversion of the secondary hydroxy group at the C-3 position on the furanose ring. Glycosidation of protected 5-thio-d-glucose with a d-psicofuranosyl donor provided β-d-psicofuranosyl 5-thio-α-d-glucopyranoside and that with d-fructofuranosyl donor gave α-d-fructofuranosyl 5-thio-α-d-glucopyranoside. Two anomeric stereocenters of the glycosyl donor and acceptor were controlled correctly to provide a single disaccharide among four possible anomeric isomers in the glycosylation. Conversion of the resulting disaccharides afforded (+)-5-thiosucrose 1 and (+)-5-thioisosucrose 2 in excellent yields, respectively. Inhibitory activities of 1 and 2 against α-glucosidase in vitro were also examined.

(+)-5-Thiosucrose and (+)-5-thioisosucrose were stereoselectively synthesized among four possible anomeric isomers using 5-thio-d-glucose as an α-directing glycosyl acceptor.

Recent Progress in the Construction of Natural De-O-Sulfonated Sulfonium Sugars with Antidiabetic Activities

A group of sulfonium salts equipped with a polyhydroxylated side-chain structure have been isolated and identified as potent α-glycosidase inhibitors. Consequently, they have become an attractive target in diverse research disciplines, including organic synthesis, drug discovery, and chemical biology. To this end, the development of practical and effective synthetic strategies, especially for more bioactive de-O-sulfonated sulfonium salts, is a significant research area in organic synthesis. An ideal synthetic methodology should provide easily accessible intermediates with high chemical stability for the key coupling reaction to diastereoselectively construct the sulfonium cation center. This minireview summarizes recently developed strategies applied in the construction of natural de-O-sulfonated sulfonium sugars: 1) acid-catalyzed de-O-sulfonation of sulfonium sulfate inner salts, 2) a coupling reaction between side-chain fragments containing leaving groups and a thiosugar, 3) a coupling reaction between side-chain fragments containing epoxide structures and a thiosugar, and 4) a two-step sequential S_N 2 nucleophilic substitution between side-chain fragments containing thiol groups and a diiodide derivative.

Practical Route to Neokotalanol and Its Natural Analogues: Sulfonium Sugars with Antidiabetic Activities

An efficient and divergent approach toward the synthesis of all four de-O-sulfonated sulfonium type α-glucosidase inhibitors, originally isolated from plants of genus Salacia, is reported for the first time. The key strategy features a coupling reaction between thiol derivatives and a diiodide counterpart. The newly designed thiol coupling partner presents high chemical stability, while the diiodide partner could be easily obtained with increased overall yields compared with conventional routes. The intermolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction followed by a diastereoselective intramolecular cyclization provided the target five-member sulfonium salt structure, which was connected in an α-orientation to a polyhydroxylated side-chain moiety.

Aspects of extraction and biological evaluation of naturally occurring sugar-mimicking sulfonium-ion and their synthetic analogues as potent α-glucosidase inhibitors from Salacia: a review

A review of the selective inhibitory activities of sulfonium compounds ofSalaciaagainst intestinal α-glucosidases, structural features important for effective inhibition and the toggling approach for controlling starch digestion and glucose release.

Hydrophobic substituents increase the potency of salacinol, a potent α-glucosidase inhibitor from Ayurvedic traditional medicine 'Salacia'

Using an in silico method, seven analogs bearing hydrophobic substituents (8a: Me, 8b: Et, 8c: n-Pent, 8d: n-Hept, 8e: n-Tridec, 8f: isoBu and 8g: neoPent) at the 3'-O-position in salacinol (1), a highly potent natural α-glucosidase inhibitor from Ayurvedic traditional medicine 'Salacia', were designed and synthesized. In order to verify the computational SAR assessments, their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated in vitro. All analogs (8a-8g) exhibited an equal or considerably higher level of inhibitory activity against rat small intestinal α-glucosidases compared with the original sulfonate (1), and were as potent as or higher in potency than the clinically used anti-diabetics, voglibose, acarbose or miglitol. Their activities against human maltase exhibited good relationships to the results obtained with enzymes of rat origin. Among the designed compounds, the one with a 3'-O-neopentyl moiety (8g) was most potent, with an approximately ten fold increase in activity against human maltase compared to 1.

Mechanistic insight into aerobic alcohol oxidation using NOx-nitroxide catalysis based on catalyst structure-activity relationships

The mechanism of an NOx-assisted, nitroxide(nitroxyl radical)-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols was investigated using a set of sterically and electronically modified nitroxides (i.e., TEMPO, AZADO (1), 5-F-AZADO (2), 5,7-DiF-AZADO (3), 5-MeO-AZADO (4), 5,7-DiMeO-AZADO (5), oxa-AZADO (6), TsN-AZADO (7), and DiAZADO (8)). The motivation for the present study stemmed from our previous observation that the introduction of an F atom at a remote position from the nitroxyl radical moiety on the azaadamantane nucleus effectively enhanced the catalytic activity under typical NOx-mediated aerobic-oxidation conditions. The kinetic profiles of the azaadamantane-N-oxyl-[AZADO (1)-, 5-F-AZADO (2)-, and 5,7-DiF-AZADO (3)]-catalyzed aerobic oxidations were closely investigated, revealing that AZADO (1) showed a high initial reaction rate compared to 5-F-AZADO (2) and 5,7-DiF-AZADO (3); however, AZADO-catalyzed oxidation exhibited a marked slowdown, resulting in ∼90% conversion, whereas 5-F-AZADO-catalyzed oxidation smoothly reached completion without a marked slowdown. The reasons for the marked slowdown and the role of the fluoro group are discussed. Oxa-AZADO (6), TsN-AZADO (7), and DiAZADO (8) were designed and synthesized to confirm their comparable catalytic efficiency to that of 5-F-AZADO (2), providing supporting evidence for the electronic effect on the catalytic efficiency of the heteroatoms under NOx-assisted aerobic-oxidation conditions.

Docking and SAR studies of salacinol derivatives as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors

Salacinol is a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor isolated from Salacia reticulata, and a good lead compound for an antidiabetic drug. It is essential to clarify the binding state of salacinol to alpha-glucosidase for efficient optimization study using structure-based drug design. Redocking simulations of two inhibitors, acarbose and casuarine whose complex structures are known, were performed to assure the appropriate docking pose prediction. The simulation reproduced both experimental binding states with accuracy. Then, using the same simulation protocol, the binding mode of salacinol and its derivatives has been predicted. Salacinol bound to the protein with a similar binding mode as casuarine, and the predicted structures could explain most of the structure-activity relationships of salacinol derivatives.

Purification and identification of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) in okara fermented by Bacillus subtilis B2 from Chinese traditional food (Meitaoza)

This study was to purify an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor from okara (soy pulp) fermented by Bacillus subtilis B2 and to identify its chemical structure. Membrane dialysis, active charcoal, CM-Sepharose chromatography, and preparative thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were used in the purification, while positive mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry were used in the identification. The MS and NMR data showed that the purified alpha-glucosidase inhibitor was 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) with a molecular weight of 163 Da. This is the first time that DNJ was isolated from foods fermented with Bacillus species. Okara fermentation with B. subtilis B2 might be used to produce a food-derived DNJ product as a functional food for diabetic patients.

Sulfonium-ion glycosidase inhibitors isolated from Salacia species used in traditional medicine, and related compounds

A novel class of naturally-occurring glycosidase inhibitors, having sulfonium sulfate structures, has been isolated as bioactive components from Indian plants, belonging to the Salacia genus in the family Celastraceae, and used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of type-2 diabetes. Thus far, five such sulfonium salts, namely, salacinol, kotalanol, salaprinol, ponkoranol and de-O-sulfonated kotalanol, have been isolated from this plant species. These structurally unique zwitterionic glycosidase inhibitors have received much attention due to their therapeutic potential in the treatment of type-2 diabetes. We recently reported a review article which focused mainly on salacinol and related analogues. The present review presents an update on the remaining four compounds from this class of glycosidase inhibitors, with respect to their isolation, glucosidase inhibitory activities, and synthesis. In addition, progress towards the stereochemical structure elucidation of kotalanol, through synthesis of analogues, is described. Review with 42 references.

Facile synthesis of de-O-sulfated salacinols: revision of the structure of neosalacinol, a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor

Facile synthesis of de-O-sulfated salacinols (3) was developed by employing the coupling reaction of an epoxide, 1,2-anhydro-3,4-di-O-benzyl-D-erythritol (9) with 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-1,4-dideoxy-1,4-epithio-D-arabinitol (10) as the key reaction. The reported structure of a potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitor named neosalacinol (8), isolated recently from Ayurvedic medicine Salacia oblonga, was proved incorrect, and revised to be de-O-sulfated salacinol formate (3c) by comparison of the spectroscopic properties with those of the authentic specimen synthesized. Discrepancies and confusion in the literature concerning the NMR spectroscopic properties of salacinol (1) have also been clarified.

Synthesis of phosphate derivatives related to the glycosidase inhibitor salacinol

The syntheses of polyhydroxylated imino- and anhydro thio-alditol compounds related to the naturally occurring glycosidase inhibitor, salacinol, containing a phosphate group in the side chain are described. The compounds lack hydroxyl groups on the acyclic side chain and are prototypes of the exact salacinol analogue. The synthetic strategy relies on the Mitsunobu reaction of N- and S-hydroxyalkyl derivatives of 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-D-arabinitol and 1,4-anhydro-2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-1-thio-D-arabinitol with dibenzyl phosphate to yield the corresponding protected heteroalditol phosphates. Screening of these compounds against recombinant human maltase glucoamylase (MGA), a critical intestinal glucosidase involved in the processing of oligosaccharides of glucose into glucose itself, shows that they are not effective inhibitors of MGA and demonstrates the importance of the hydroxyl and/or sulfate substituents present on the side chain for effective inhibition. The attempted synthesis of the exact analogue of salacinol by opening of cyclic phosphates is also described.

Zwitterionic glycosidase inhibitors: salacinol and related analogues

Natural products with interesting biological properties and structural diversity have often served as valuable lead drug candidates for the treatment of human diseases. Salacinol, a naturally occurring alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, was shown to be one of the active principles of the aqueous extract of a medicinal plant that has been prescribed traditionally as an Ayurvedic treatment for type II diabetes. Salacinol contains an intriguing zwitterionic sulfonium-sulfate structure that comprises a 1,4-anhydro-4-thio-D-arabinitol core and a polyhydroxylated acyclic chain. Due to the unique structural features and its potential to become a lead drug candidate in the treatment of type II diabetes, a great deal of attention has been focused on salacinol and its analogues. Since the isolation of salacinol, several papers describing various synthetic routes to salacinol and its analogues have appeared in the literature. This review is aimed at highlighting the synthetic aspects of salacinol and related compounds as well as their structure-activity relationship studies.

Synthesis of xanthone derivatives with extended π-systems as α-glucosidase inhibitors: Insight into the probable binding mode

A series of novel xanthone derivatives with extended pi-systems, that is, benzoxanthones 2-4, and their structurally perturbed analogs 5-9 have been designed and synthesized as alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Their inhibitory activities toward yeast's alpha-glucosidase were evaluated with the aim to enrich the structure-activity relationship. The results indicated that benzoxanthones 2-4 were capable of inhibiting in vitro yeast's alpha-glucosidase 17- to 28-fold more strongly than xanthone derivative 1 that has smaller conjugated pi-system. Benzoxanthone 8, bearing angularly fused aromatic rings, and reduced benzoxanthone 5 showed decreased activities, strongly suggesting that linearly conjugated pi-systems play a crucial role in the inhibition process. O-Methylation of 3-OH of benzoxanthone 2 and nitration at C4 position led to a large decrease in the activity. This indicates that 3-OH of benzoxanthone was crucial to the inhibitory activity, primarily as an H-bonding donor. The present results suggest that pi-pi stacking effect and H-bonding make substantial contributions to elicit the inhibitory activities of this general class of inhibitors.

Attempted Synthesis of 2-Acetamido and 2-Amino Derivatives of Salacinol. Ring Opening Reactions

The attempted synthesis of the 2-acetamido and 2-amino derivatives of salacinol, a naturally occurring glycosidase inhibitor, is described. Reaction of the protected acetamidothioarabinitol unit with the cyclic sulfate derived from L-erythritol gave the corresponding sulfonium sulfate, which underwent ring opening to give an acyclic amido sulfate. The corresponding reaction of the protected azidothioarabinitol unit with the cyclic sulfate proceeded to give the sulfonium sulfate. However, upon reduction of the azido function to an amine it formed an acyclic ammonium sulfate.