Improvement of in vivo anticancer and antiangiogenic potential of thalidomide derivatives

Laboratory and physiological aspects of substitute metazoan models for in vivo pharmacotoxicological analysis

New methods are essential to characterize the performance of substitute procedures for detecting therapeutic action(s) of a chemical or key signal of toxicological events. Herein, it was discussed the applications and advantages of using arthropods, worms, and fishes in pharmacological and/or toxicology assessments. First of all, the illusion of similarity covers many differences between humans and mice, remarkably about liver injury and metabolism of xenobiotics. Using invertebrates, especially earthworms (Eisenia fetida), brine shrimps (Artemia salina, Daphnia magna), and insects (Drosophila melanogaster) and vertebrates as small fishes (Oryzias latipes, Pimephales promelas, Danio rerio) has countless advantages, including fewer ethical conflicts, short life cycle, high reproduction rate, simpler to handle, and less complex anatomy. They can be used to find contaminants in organic matters and water and are easier genetically engineered with orthologous-mutated genes to explore specific proteins involved in proliferative and hormonal disturbances, chemotherapy multidrug resistance, and carcinogenicity. As multicellular embryos, larvae, and mature organisms, they can be tested in bigger-sized replication platforms with 24-, 96-, or 384-multiwell plates as cheaper and faster ways to select hit compounds from drug-like libraries to predict acute, subacute or chronic toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy parameters of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care products. Meanwhile, sublethal exposures are designed to identify changes in reproduction, body weight, DNA damages, oxidation, and immune defense responses in earthworms and zebrafishes, and swimming behaviors in A. salina and D. rerio. Behavioral parameters also give specificities on sublethal effects that would not be detected in zebrafishes by OECD protocols.

Thiazole, Isatin and Phthalimide Derivatives Tested in vivo against Cancer Models: A Literature Review of the Last Six Years

BACKGROUND

Cancer is a disease characterized by the abnormal multiplication of cells and is the second leading cause of death in the world. The search for new effective and safe anticancer compounds is ongoing due to factors such as low selectivity, high toxicity, and multidrug resistance. Thus, heterocyclic compounds derived from isatin, thiazole and phthalimide that have achieved promising in vitro anticancer activity have been tested in vivo and in clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE

This review focused on the compilation of promising data from thiazole, isatin, and phthalimide derivatives, reported in the literature between 2015 and 2022, with in vivo anticancer activity and clinical trials.

METHODS

A bibliographic search was carried out in the PUBMED, MEDLINE, ELSEVIER, and CAPES PERIODIC databases, selecting relevant works for each pharmacophoric group with in vivo antitumor activity in the last 6 years.

RESULTS

In our study, 68 articles that fit the scope were selected and critically analyzed. These articles were organized considering the type of antitumor activity and their year of publication. Some compounds reported here demonstrated potent antitumor activity against several tumor types.

CONCLUSION

This review allowed us to highlight works that reported promising structures for the treatment of various cancer types and also demonstrated that the privileged structures thiazole, isatin and phthalimide are important in the design of new syntheses and molecular optimization of compounds with antitumor activity.

Novel mono-, bi-, tri- and tetra-nuclear copper complexes that inhibit tumor growth through apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis

To develop the next-generation metal agents for efficiently inhibiting tumor growth, a series of novel mononuclear, binuclear and trinuclear copper (Cu) thiophene-2-formaldehyde thiosemicarbazone complexes and a tetranuclear Cu 1,2,4-triazole-derived complex have been synthesized and their structure-activity relationships have been studied. The trinucleated Cu complex showed the strongest inhibitory activity against T24 cells among all the Cu complexes. Its antitumor effect in vivo was superior to that of cisplatin, with reduced side effects. Further studies on the antitumor mechanism have showed that Cu complexes not only induced apoptosis of cancer cells but also inhibited tumor angiogenesis by inhibiting the migration and invasion of vascular endothelial cells, blocking the cell cycle in the G1 phase, and inducing autophagy.

In vivo antiangiogenic effect of nimbolide, trans-chalcone and piperine for use against glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis is an important hallmark of Glioblastoma (GBM) marked by elevated vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and its receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). As previously reported nimbolide (NBL), trans-chalcone (TC) and piperine (PPR) possess promising antiangiogenic activity in several cancers however, their comparative efficacy and mechanism of antiangiogenic activity in GBM against VEGFR-2 has not been elucidated.

METHODS

2D and 3D spheroids cultures of U87 (Uppsala 87 Malignant Glioma) were used for evaluation of non-cytotxoic dose for anti-angiogenic activity. The antiangiogenic effect was investigated by the GBM U87 cell line bearing chick CAM model. Excised U87 xenografts were histologically examined for blood vascular density by histochemistry. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the presence of avian and human VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 mRNA transcripts.

RESULTS

Using 2D and 3D spheroid models, the non-cytotoxic dose of NBL, TC and PPR was ≤ 11 µM. We found NBL, TC and PPR inhibit U87-induced neoangiogenesis in a dose-dependent manner in the CAM stand-alone model as well as in CAM U87 xenograft model. The results also indicate that these natural compounds inhibit the expression of notable angiogenic factors, VEGF-A and VEGFR-2. A positive correlation was found between blood vascular density and VEGF-A as well as VEGFR-2 transcripts.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, NBL, TC and PPR can suppress U87-induced neoangiogenesis via a reduction in VEGF-A and its receptor VEGFR-2 transcript expression at noncytotoxic concentrations. These phytochemicals showed their utility as adjuvants to GBM therapy, with Piperine demonstrating superior effectiveness among them all.

Phthalimide as a versatile pharmacophore scaffold: Unlocking its diverse biological activities

Phthalimide, a pharmacophore exhibiting diverse biological activities, holds a prominent position in medicinal chemistry. In recent decades, numerous derivatives of phthalimide have been synthesized and extensively studied for their therapeutic potential across a wide range of health conditions. This comprehensive review highlights the latest developments in medicinal chemistry, specifically focusing on phthalimide-based compounds that have emerged within the last decade. These compounds showcase promising biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, antiepileptic, antischizophrenia, antiplatelet, anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, antimycobacterial, antiparasitic, anthelmintic, antiviral, and antidiabetic properties. The physicochemical profiles of the phthalimide derivatives were carefully analyzed using the online platform pkCSM, revealing the remarkable versatility of this scaffold. Therefore, this review emphasizes the potential of phthalimide as a valuable scaffold for the development of novel therapeutic agents, providing avenues for the exploration and design of new compounds.

New Potential Agents for Malignant Melanoma Treatment-Most Recent Studies 2020-2022

Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most lethal skin cancer. Despite a 4% reduction in mortality over the past few years, an increasing number of new diagnosed cases appear each year. Long-term therapy and the development of resistance to the drugs used drive the search for more and more new agents with anti-melanoma activity. This review focuses on the most recent synthesized anti-melanoma agents from 2020-2022. For selected agents, apart from the analysis of biological activity, the structure-activity relationship (SAR) is also discussed. To the best of our knowledge, the following literature review delivers the latest achievements in the field of new anti-melanoma agents.

Binding and thermodynamic study of thalidomide with calf thymus DNA: Spectroscopic and computational approaches

The thalidomide-DNA interactions have been investigated in detail by numerous biophysical techniques such as UV-vis, dye displacement assay, viscosity, cyclic voltammetry, circular dichroism, molecular docking, molecular dynamic simulation, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation and viscosity measurement explained that thalidomide is groove binder. Molecular docking analysis highlighted that thalidomide binds trough minor groove of calf thymus DNA which also confirmed from dye displacement experiment. To our knowledge, this is the first instance thalidomide was shown to binds with calf thymus DNA. Molecular dynamic simulation indicated that the thalidomide-DNA system was stabilized by electrostatic attraction as the main interaction and mode of binding is minor groove. Our study provides a better understanding to the DNA-thalidomide binding affinity and it mechanism. Overall, all these in formations can be used for further understanding the pharmacological effects of thalidomide.

Microvascular Experimentation in the Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane as a Model for Screening Angiogenic Agents including from Gene-Modified Cells

The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay model of angiogenesis has been highlighted as a relatively quick, low cost and effective model for the study of pro-angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors. The chick CAM is a highly vascularised extraembryonic membrane which functions for gas exchange, nutrient exchange and waste removal for the growing chick embryo. It is beneficial as it can function as a treatment screening tool, which bridges the gap between cell based in vitro studies and in vivo animal experimentation. In this review, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of the CAM assay to study microcirculation, by the investigation of each distinct stage of the CAM assay procedure, including cultivation techniques, treatment applications and methods of determining an angiogenic response using this assay. We detail the angiogenic effect of treatments, including drugs, metabolites, genes and cells used in conjunction with the CAM assay, while also highlighting the testing of genetically modified cells. We also present a detailed exploration of the advantages and limitations of different CAM analysis techniques, including visual assessment, histological and molecular analysis along with vascular casting methods and live blood flow observations.

Palladium (II) complex and thalidomide intercept angiogenic signaling via targeting FAK/Src and Erk/Akt/PLCγ dependent autophagy pathways in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The current study assessed the effects of the thalidomide and palladium (II) saccharinate complex of terpyridine on the suppression of angiogenesis-mediated cell proliferation. The viability was assessed after treatment with palladium (II) complex (1.56-100 μM) and thalidomide (0.1-400 μM) alone by using ATP assay for 48 h. Palladium (II) complex was found to inhibit growth statistically significant in a dose-dependent manner in HUVECs and promoted PARP-1 cleavage through the production of ROS. On the other hand, thalidomide did not cause any significant change in cell viability. Moreover, cell death was observed to be manifested as late apoptosis due to Annexin V/SYTOX staining after palladium (II) complex treatment however, thalidomide did not demonstrate similar results. Thalidomide and palladium (II) complex also suppressed HUVEC migration and capillary-like structure tube formation in vitro in a time-dependent manner. Palladium (II) complex (5 mg/ml) treatment showed a strong antiangiogenic effect similar to positive control thalidomide (5 mg/ml) and successfully disrupted the vasculature and reduced the thickness of the vessels compared to control (agar). Furthermore, suppression of autophagy enhanced the cell death and anti-angiogenic effect of thalidomide and palladium (II) complex. We also showed that being treated with thalidomide and palladium (II) complex inhibited phosphorylation of the signaling regulators downstream of the VEGFR2. These results provide evidence for the regulation of endothelial cell functions that are relevant to angiogenesis through the suppression of the FAK/Src/Akt/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Our results also indicate that PLC-γ1 phosphorylation leads to activation of p-Akt and p-Erk1/2 which cause stimulation on cell proliferation at lower doses. Hence, we demonstrated that palladium (II) and thalidomide can induce cell death via the Erk/Akt/PLCγ signaling pathway and that this pathway might be a novel mechanism.

Visible-Light-Driven Redox Neutral Direct C-H Amination of Glycine Derivatives and Peptides with N-Acyloxyphthalimides

A room temperature, visible-light-promoted and redox neutral direct C-H amination of glycine and peptides has been firstly accomplished by using N-acyloxyphthalimide or -succinimide as nitrogen-radical precursor. The present strategy provides ways to introduce functionalities such as N-acyloxyphthalimide or -succinimide specifically to terminal glycine segment of peptides. Herein, mild conditions and high functional-group tolerance allow the preparation of non-natural α-amino acids and modification of corresponding peptides in this way.

Recent Advances in the Development of Thalidomide-Related Compounds as Anticancer Drugs

INTRODUCTION

Thalidomide is an old well-known drug that was first used as morning sickness relief in pregnant women before being withdrawn from the market due to its severe side effects on normal fetal development, However, over the last few decades, the interest in this old drug has been renewed because of its efficacy in several important disorders for instance, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, and HIV-related diseases due to its antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties. Unfortunately, even in these cases, many aftereffects as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy, constipation, somnolence, pyrexia, pain, and teratogenicity have been reported, showing the requirement of careful and monitored use. For this reason, research efforts are geared toward the synthesis and optimization of new thalidomide analogues lacking in toxic effects to erase these limits and improve the pharmacological profile.

AIMS

This review aims to examine the state-of-the-art concerning the current studies on thalidomide and its analogues towards cancer diseases (with few hints regarding the antimicrobial activity), focusing the attention on the possible mechanisms of action involved and the lack of toxicity.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the collected data, thalidomide analogues and their ongoing optimization could lead, in the future, to the realization of a promising therapeutic alternative for cancer-fighting.

Anticancer activity of benzoxazole derivative (2015 onwards): a review

Background

According to the report published recently by the World Health Organization, the number of cancer cases in the world will increase to 22 million by 2030. So the anticancer drug research and development is taking place in the direction where the new entities are developed which are low in toxicity and are with improved activity. Benzoxazole and its derivative represent a very important class of heterocyclic compounds, which have a diverse therapeutic area. Recently, many active compounds synthesized are very effective; natural products isolated with benzoxazole moiety have also shown to be potent towards cancer.

Main text

In the last few years, many research groups have designed and developed many novel compounds with benzoxazole as their backbone and checked their anticancer activity. In the review article, the recent developments (mostly after 2015) made in the direction of design and synthesis of new scaffolds with very potent anticancer activity are briefly described. The effect of various heterocycles attached to the benzoxazole and their effect on the anticancer activity are thoroughly studied and recorded in the review.

Conclusion

These compiled data in the article will surely update the scientific community with the recent development in this area and will provide direction for further research in this area.

In-vitro and in-vivo evaluation of polymeric microsphere formulation for colon targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil using biocompatible natural gum katira

The aim was to develop oral site-specific rate-controlled anticancer drug delivery to pacify systemic side-effects and offer effective and safe therapy for colon cancer with compressed dose and duration of treatment. The double emulsion solvent evaporation method was employed. To check functionality, DAPI-staining and in-vivo anticancer study of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma bearing mice was tested. Histopathology of liver and kidney and Cell morphology of EAC cell was also performed. Formulated and optimized polymeric microsphere of 5-FU showed excellent physicochemical features. In-vitro, DAPI results pointed drug-treated groups displayed the prominent feature of apoptosis. The percentage of apoptotic of entrapped drug played in a dose-dependent manner. Significant decreases in EAC liquid tumors and increased life span of treated mice were observed. Rate of variation of cell morphology was more in 5-FU loaded microsphere than 5-FU injection. Hematological and biochemical parameter's and Histopathology of liver and kidney resulted that due to control released formulation have slow release rate, that gives less trace on liver and kidney function. Finally, we foresee that polymeric microsphere of 5-FU applying natural gum katira could be an assuring micro-carrier for active colon targeting delivery tool with augmented chemotherapeutic efficacy and lowering side effect against colon cancer.

Privileged Structures in the Design of Potential Drug Candidates for Neglected Diseases

Background:

Privileged motifs are recurring in a wide range of biologically active compounds that reach different pharmaceutical targets and pathways and could represent a suitable start point to access potential candidates in the neglected diseases field. The current therapies to treat these diseases are based in drugs that lack of the desired effectiveness, affordable methods of synthesis and allow a way to emergence of resistant strains. Due the lack of financial return, only few pharmaceutical companies have been investing in research for new therapeutics for neglected diseases (ND).

Methods:

Based on the literature search from 2002 to 2016, we discuss how six privileged motifs, focusing phthalimide, isatin, indole, thiosemicarbazone, thiazole, and thiazolidinone are particularly recurrent in compounds active against some of neglected diseases.

Results:

It was observed that attention was paid particularly for Chagas disease, malaria, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, dengue, African sleeping sickness (Human African Trypanosomiasis - HAT) and toxoplasmosis. It was possible to verify that, among the ND, antitrypanosomal and antiplasmodial activities were between the most searched. Besides, thiosemicarbazone moiety seems to be the most versatile and frequently explored scaffold. As well, phthalimide, isatin, thiazole, and thiazolidone nucleus have been also explored in the ND field.

Conclusion:

Some described compounds, appear to be promising drug candidates, while others could represent a valuable inspiration in the research for new lead compounds.

Synthesis, molecular docking and biological evaluation of novel phthaloyl derivatives of 3-amino-3-aryl propionic acids as inhibitors of Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase

In the last two decades, trans-sialidase of Trypanosoma cruzi (TcTS) has been an important pharmacological target for developing new anti-Chagas agents. In a continuous effort to discover new potential TcTS inhibitors, 3-amino-3-arylpropionic acid derivatives (series A) and novel phthaloyl derivatives (series B, C and D) were synthesized and molecular docking, TcTS enzyme inhibition and determination of trypanocidal activity were carried out. From four series obtained, compound D-11 had the highest binding affinity value (-11.1 kcal/mol) compared to reference DANA (-7.8 kcal/mol), a natural ligand for TS enzyme. Furthermore, the 3D and 2D interactions analysis of compound D-11 showed a hydrogen bond, π-π stacking, π-anion, hydrophobic and Van der Waals forces with all important amino acid residues (Arg35, Arg245, Arg314, Tyr119, Trp312, Tyr342, Glu230 and Asp59) on the active site of TcTS. Additionally, D-11 showed the highest TcTS enzyme inhibition (86.9% ± 5) by high-performance ion exchange chromatography (HPAEC). Finally, D-11 showed better trypanocidal activity than the reference drugs nifurtimox and benznidazole with an equal % lysis (63 ± 4 and 65 ± 2 at 10 μg/mL) and LC₅₀ value (52.70 ± 2.70 μM and 46.19 ± 2.36 μM) on NINOA and INC-5 strains, respectively. Therefore, D-11 is a small-molecule with potent TcTS inhibition and a strong trypanocidal effect that could help in the development of new anti-Chagas agents.

A Novel Green Synthesis of Thalidomide and Analogs

Thalidomide and its derivatives are currently under investigation for their antiangiogenic, immunomodulative, and anticancer properties. Current methods used to synthesize these compounds involve multiple steps and extensive workup procedures. Described herein is an efficient microwave irradiation green synthesis method that allows preparation of thalidomide and its analogs in a one-pot multicomponent synthesis system. The multicomponent synthesis system developed involves an array of cyclic anhydrides, glutamic acid, and ammonium chloride in the presence of catalytic amounts of 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) to produce thalidomide and structurally related compounds within minutes in good isolated yields.

Morphology of nerve endings in vocal fold of human newborn

Sensory receptors are distributed throughout the oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx. Laryngeal sensitivity is crucial for maintaining safe swallowing, thus avoiding silent aspiration. Morphologic description of different receptor types present in larynx vary because of the study of many different species, from mouse to humans. The most commonly sensory structures described in laryngeal mucosa are free nerve endings, taste buds, muscle spindles, glomerular and corpuscular receptors. This study aimed at describing the morphology and the distribution of nerve endings in premature newborn glottic region. Transversal serial frozen sections of the whole vocal folds of three newborns were analyzed using an immuno-histochemical process with a pan-neuronal marker anti-protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5). Imaging was done using a confocal laser microscope. Nerve fiber density in vocal cord was calculated using panoramic images in software Morphometric Analysis System v1.0. Some sensory structures, i.e. glomerular endings and intraepithelial free nerve endings were found in the vocal cord mucosa. Muscle spindles, complex nerve endings (Meissner-like, spherical, rectangular and growing) spiral-wharves nerve structures were identified in larynx intrinsic muscles. Nervous total mean density in vocal cord was similar in the three newborns, although they had different gestational age. The mean nerve fiber density was higher in the posterior region than anterior region of vocal cord. The present results demonstrate the occurrence of different morphotypes of sensory corpuscles and nerve endings premature newborn glottic region and provide information on their sensory systems.

Crystal structure of 1-(cyclo-pentyl-idene-amino)-3-(prop-2-en-1-yl)thio-urea

In the title compound, C9H15N3S, the cyclo-pentyl ring adopts an envelope conformation with one of the methyl-ene C atoms as the flap. The thio-semicarbazide fragment is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.038 Å) and a short intra-molecular N-H⋯N contact occurs. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into helical (41 symmetry) chains propagating in [001] by N-H⋯N and N-H⋯S hydrogen bonds. A very weak C-H⋯S inter-action is also observed.