Rapid synthesis of 4-benzylidene and 4-[bis-(4-methoxyphenyl)-methylene-2-substituted phenyl-benzopyrans as potential selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) using McMurry coupling reaction

Synthesis of novel unnatural α-amino acids (UAAs) containing 7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-chroman using isoxazole as a linker

An efficient and novel method for the preparation of unnatural α-amino acids (UAAs) containing 7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-chroman via a 1,3-di-polar-cyloaddition reaction has been described.

Anticancer Potential of Steviol in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity, apoptosis induction, and mechanism of action of steviol on human breast cancer cells (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 [MCF-7]).

Materials and Methods:

Sulforhodamine-B assay was performed to analyze cytotoxic potential of Steviol whereas flow cytometer was used to analyze cell cycle, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species generation.

Results:

Studying the viability of cells confirms the IC₅₀ of Steviol in MCF-7 cells which was 185 μM. The data obtained from fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis reveal Steviol-mediated G2/M-phase arrest (P < 0.05) in addition to the presence of evident sub-G0/G1 peak (P < 0.05) in the MCF-7 cells, signifying the ongoing apoptosis.

Conclusion:

Thus, results suggest that induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was due to dose-dependent effect of Steviol. Our first in vitro findings indicate Steviol as a promising candidate for the treatment of breast cancer.

SUMMARY

Steviol remarkably inhibited the growth MCF-7 HBCCs in a dose dependent manner

It abolishes cell cycle progression by arresting cells at G2/M phase

Steviol induces the cells to undergo apoptosis

Steviol induces the cells to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Abbreviations used: MCF-7: Michigan Cancer Foundation-7; SRB: Sulforhodamine-B assay; FACS: Fluorescence-activated cell sorter; ROS: Reactive oxygen species; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid.

Design and synthesis of chroman derivatives with dual anti-breast cancer and antiepileptic activities

A series of chroman derivatives was designed, prepared, and examined for their anti-breast cancer and antiepileptic activities. All synthesized compounds yielded results that were in good agreement with spectral data. The bioassay showed that some of the resultant compounds exerted remarkable inhibitory effects on growth of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. In particular, compound 6i (the concentration required for 50% inhibition of cell growth [GI50] =34.7 µM) exerted promising anticancer activity toward MCF-7 cell line. Additionally, compounds 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6g, 6i, and 6l showed advanced antiepileptic activity than reference drugs. None of the compounds showed neurotoxicity, as determined by the rotarod test. The obtained results proved that these distinctive compounds could be relevant as models for future discovery and research, as well as for the production of more number of active derivatives.

Recent advances of chroman-4-one derivatives: synthetic approaches and bioactivities

Chroman-4-one scaffold is a privileged structure in heterocyclic chemistry and drug discovery. Also, chroman-4-ones are important intermediates and interesting building blocks in organic synthesis and drug design. The structural diversity found in the chroman-4-one family led to their division into several categories including benzylidene-4-chromanones, flavanones (2-phenyl-4-chromanones), isoflavanones (3-phenyl-4-chromanones), spirochromanones, and C-4 modified chroman-4-ones such as hydrazones and oxime derivatives. This review addresses the most significant synthetic methods reported on 4-chromanone-derived compounds and consequently emphasizes on the biological relevance of such compounds.

Synthesis and antihistamine evaluations of novel loratadine analogues

A series of loratadine analogues containing hydroxyl group and chiral center were synthesized. The effect of the synthesized compounds on the histamine-induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum muscles was studied. In addition, the in vivo asthma-relieving effect of the analogues in the histamine induced asthmatic reaction in guinea-pigs was determined. Most of the compounds exhibited definite H(1) antihistamine activity. The S-enantiomers, compounds 2, 4 and 8, are more potent than the R-enantiomers, compounds 1, 3 and 7. Compound 6 was the most active one among the eight synthesized compounds.

Leishmanicidal evaluation of novel synthetic chromenes

In the present paper, twelve chromenes were synthesized by coupling of 2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-8H-pyrano[2,3-f]chroman-4-one 1 with various aryl and benzylmagnesium chlorides. The synthetic compounds were examined for in-vitro activity against Leishmania major, and some of them displayed efficient anti-leishmanial activity. Among the compounds tested, compounds 9 (4-(2-chloro-benzylidene)-2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H,8H-pyrano[2,3-f]chromene 9a and 4-(2-chloro-benzyl)-2,2,8,8-tetramethyl-2H,8H-pyrano[2,3-f]chromene 9b) were the most active with an inhibitory activity of 73.4%.

Centchroman induces G0/G1 arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis involving mitochondrial membrane depolarization in MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 human breast cancer cells

Studies with Centchroman (CC) as a candidate anti-breast cancer agent are into phase III multicentric clinical trial in stage III/IV breast cancer. We have previously demonstrated its anti-neoplastic activity in Estrogen Receptor positive (ER+ve) MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells (HBCCs). We now present the basis for anti-neoplastic activity of CC, mediated through apoptosis in both ER+ve/-ve MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 HBCCs respectively, compared to Tamoxifen (TAM) as a positive control. All the experiments were performed with 48 h estrogen-deprived cells exposed to CC/TAM for the subsequent 48 h. Cytotoxic potential of CC was assessed through SRB assay. Cell-cycle analysis, Time-dependent cytotoxicity, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Mitochondrial Membrane Permeability were investigated by Flow Cytometry. Early-stage apoptosis was detected by Annexin-PI staining. Caspases were assayed colorimetrically whereas nuclear derangements were assessed morphologically through PI staining and finally by DNA fragmentation analysis. Cell viability studies confirmed the IC50 of CC in MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 cells to be 10 and 20 microM (P < 0.001) respectively, suggesting enhanced susceptibility of the former cell type to CC. FACS data reveals CC mediated G0/G1 arrest (P < 0.01) along with the presence of prominent sub-G0/G1 peak (P < 0.001) in both the cell types suggesting ongoing apoptosis. Phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial events, caspase evaluation and nuclear morphology changes reveal initiation/progression of caspase-dependent apoptosis even at a dose of 1 microM which eventually leads to DNA fragmentation in both the cell types. Results demonstrate that CC induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 cells irrespective of ER status similar to TAM in terms of anti-neoplastic activity.