Synthesis, DNA intercalation and 3D QSAR analysis of cis-2,4,5-trisubstituted-1,3-dithiolanes as a novel class of antitumor agents

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and contact enrichment ratios of 1-(2,7-di-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)-2-(1,3-di-thio-lan-2-yl-idene)ethanone monohydrate

The synthesis of a hybrid mol­ecule is reported. The crystal structure of the monohydrate was investigated using Hirshfeld surface analysis and enrichment contact ratios. Hydrogen bonds induced by guest water mol­ecules are the main driving force in crystal packing formation.

In the title hydrated hybrid compound C₁₄H₁₄N₂OS₂·H₂O, the planar imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine ring system is linked to the 1,3-di­thiol­ane moiety by an enone bridge. The atoms of the C—C bond in the 1,3-di­thiol­ane ring are disordered over two positions with occupancies of 0.579 (14) and 0.421 (14) and both disordered rings adopt a half-chair conformation. The oxygen atom of the enone bridge is involved in a weak intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bond, which generates an S(6) graph-set motif. In the crystal, the hybrid mol­ecules are associated in R₂²(14) dimeric units by weak C—H⋯O inter­actions. O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the water mol­ecules, forming infinite self-assembled chains along the b-axis direction to which the dimers are connected via O—H⋯N hydrogen bonding. Analysis of inter­molecular contacts using Hirshfeld surface analysis and contact enrichment ratio descriptors indicate that hydrogen bonds induced by water mol­ecules are the main driving force in the crystal packing formation.

Sulfonyl phosphonic 1,4-dithia-7-azaspiro[4,4]nonane derivatives as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors: Synthesis, a docking study, and biological evaluation

A series of novel sulfonyl phosphonic 1,4-dithia-7-azaspiro[4,4]nonane derivatives were designed, synthesized, and assayed for their activity against matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Results indicated that all of the compounds exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against MMP-2 compared to LY52 (the control) (IC50 = 0.95 ± 0.09 µM). Several selected compounds were also examined for their antiproliferative activity against SKOV3, HL60, and A549 cells. Notably, all of the tested compounds had slightly lower antiproliferative activity against SKOV3 cells than that of LY52. Compound 6d displayed the greatest inhibitory activity in an enzymatic assay and a cell-based assay, which means that this compound is a good candidate for further development of phosphonate-based MMP inhibitors.

Properties of polyplexes formed through interaction between hydrophobically-modified poly(ethylene imine)s and calf thymus DNA in aqueous solution

Polycationic polymers and DNA form soluble complexes in aqueous solution, which allows the transfer of genetic material into cells. Therefore, these chemically-modified polymers are of interest for use in studies aimed at better transfection efficiency and gene expression along with reduced cytotoxicity. In this study, branched poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) was modified by alkylation with n-alkyl groups (n = 4, 6, 8 and 12 carbons). The polyplexes formed through interaction of the modified PEIs and calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) were investigated using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, ethidium bromide fluorescence emission, circular dichroism spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques along with the determination of the zeta potential and viscosity. According to the results obtained, the formation of ctDNA-PEI polyplexes occurs in three steps. Firstly, when a small amount of polyelectrolyte is present the ctDNA chains are partially compacted. Subsequently, with the addition of more polyelectrolyte, the complexes have a null charge density and micrometric size. Lastly, with a higher concentration of PEI, the ctDNA is fully compacted by the PEI chains, leading to positively charged complexes with R_h values in the range of 52.0-86.0 nm. The viscosity and SAXS analysis suggested that the unmodified PEI exhibits the strongest interaction and promotes the best ctDNA condensation.

Synthesis and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) studies of novel rosin-based diamide insecticides

The quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) of two series of rosin-based diamides with insecticidal activity against P. xylostella was studied.