Discovery of novel SCD1 inhibitors: 5-Alkyl-4,5-dihydro-3H-spiro[1,5-benzoxazepine-2,4′-piperidine] analogs

A Synthetic Overview of Benzoxazines and Benzoxazepines as Anticancer Agents

Benzoxazines and benzoxazepines are nitrogen and oxygen-containing six and seven-membered benzo-fused heterocyclic scaffolds, respectively. Benzoxazepines and benzoxazines are well-known pharmacophores in pharmaceutical chemistry, which are of significant interest and have been extensively studied because of their promising activity against various diseases including their wide range of anticancer activity. Several reports are known for synthesizing benzoxazine and benzoxazepine-based compounds in the literature. Herein this review provides a critical analysis of synthetic strategies towards benzoxazines and benzoxazepines along with various ranges of anticancer activities based on these molecules that have been reported from 2010 onwards. This review also focuses on the structure-activity relationship of the benzoxazine and benzoxazepine scaffolds containing bioactive compounds and describes how the structural modification affects their anticancer activity.

Elevated stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 activity is associated with alcohol-associated liver disease

Chronic binge drinking induces hepatic lipid accumulation, but only certain individuals develop alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Specific patterns of lipid accumulation are thought to be associated with ALD, but this has not been comprehensively investigated to date. We analyzed plasma fatty acid levels, quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, in a sample of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Given that elevation in serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels are strongly associated with ALD, patients were stratified into two groups based on ALT levels: an ALD group (ALT >40 IU/L) and a non-ALD group (ALT ≤40 IU/L). There was a shift toward greater concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids in the ALD group compared to the non-ALD group. Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) activity in the ALD group was then estimated as the ratio of palmitoleic acid (16:1) to palmitic acid (16:0). SCD1 activity was greater in the ALD than the non-ALD group. A series of linear regression models demonstrated that SCD1 activity mediated the association between binge drinking and ALD. These findings provide initial evidence that SCD1 activity may be associated with ALD. If validated prospectively, elevated SCD1 activity could potentially be used as a biomarker to identify individuals at high risk for developing ALD.

1,5-Benzoxazepines as a unique and potent scaffold for activity drugs: A review

Benzoxazepines constitute a huge number of organic compounds widely described in the literature. Many of them are distinguished by their biological properties. Among them, our attention was drawn to 1,5-benzoxazepine derivatives due to their interesting pharmacological properties. As is reported in the literature, these compounds are not only good building blocks in organic synthesis but also have interesting biological and pharmacological properties. This article is the first review publication to describe the synthesis methods and unique properties of 1,5-benzoxazepines. Literature reports widely describe the biological properties of 1,5-benzoxazepine, like anticancer, antibacterial, or antifungal activities. 1,5-Benzoxazepine derivatives can also interact with G-protein-coupled receptors and could be incorporated into new potential drugs, among others, in treating neuronal disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Snx14 proximity labeling reveals a role in saturated fatty acid metabolism and ER homeostasis defective in SCAR20 disease

Fatty acids (FAs) are central cellular metabolites that contribute to lipid synthesis, and can be stored or harvested for metabolic energy. Dysregulation in FA processing and storage causes toxic FA accumulation or altered membrane compositions and contributes to metabolic and neurological disorders. Saturated lipids are particularly detrimental to cells, but how lipid saturation levels are maintained remains poorly understood. Here, we identify the cerebellar ataxia spinocerebellar ataxia, autosomal recessive 20 (SCAR20)-associated protein Snx14, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-lipid droplet (LD) tethering protein, as a factor required to maintain the lipid saturation balance of cell membranes. We show that following saturated FA (SFA) treatment, the ER integrity of SNX14 ^KO cells is compromised, and both SNX14 ^KO cells and SCAR20 disease patient-derived cells are hypersensitive to SFA-mediated lipotoxic cell death. Using APEX2-based proximity labeling, we reveal the protein composition of Snx14-associated ER-LD contacts and define a functional interaction between Snx14 and Δ-9 FA desaturase SCD1. Lipidomic profiling reveals that SNX14 ^KO cells increase membrane lipid saturation following exposure to palmitate, phenocopying cells with perturbed SCD1 activity. In line with this, SNX14 ^KO cells manifest delayed FA processing and lipotoxicity, which can be rescued by SCD1 overexpression. Altogether, these mechanistic insights reveal a role for Snx14 in FA and ER homeostasis, defects in which may underlie the neuropathology of SCAR20.

Identification of some benzoxazepines as anticancer agents inducing cancer cell apoptosis

AIM

Using cytotoxic agents with apoptosis induction may represent one of new strategies for cancer treatment to overcome the increased resistance of the disease.

METHODOLOGY

Two series of benzo[f][1,4]oxazepine-3,5(2H,4H)-diones (compounds 5, 6a-f) and 3-phenylbenzo[f][1,4]oxazepin-5(4H)-ones (compounds 10, 11a-f) were synthesized and screened for their cytotoxicity against leukemia K-562 and breast T-47D cancer cell lines as well as normal fibroblasts WI-38.

RESULTS

The tested compounds revealed good cytotoxicity and selectivity toward cancer cell lines relative to the normal cells, especially compounds 6f, 10 and 11e, f. These compounds were screened for cell cycle disturbance and apoptosis induction. They were found to cause PreG1 apoptosis and complete cell growth arrest at G2/M. They induce apoptosis via caspase-3 and Bax activation and downregulation of Bcl2.

CONCLUSION

benzo[f][1,4]oxazepine represents a scaffold for further optimization to obtain promising anticancer agents.

Accelerated bottom-up drug design platform enables the discovery of novel stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 inhibitors for cancer therapy

Here we present an innovative computational-based drug discovery strategy, coupled with machine-based learning and functional assessment, for the rational design of novel small molecule inhibitors of the lipogenic enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). Our methods resulted in the discovery of several unique molecules, of which our lead compound SSI-4 demonstrates potent anti-tumor activity, with an excellent pharmacokinetic and toxicology profile. We improve upon key characteristics, including chemoinformatics and absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion (ADME) toxicity, while driving the IC50 to 0.6 nM in some instances. This approach to drug design can be executed in smaller research settings, applied to a wealth of other targets, and paves a path forward for bringing small-batch based drug programs into the Clinic.

Opportunities and challenges in developing stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1 inhibitors as novel therapeutics for human disease

This review provides an overview of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1 (SCD1) as a novel therapeutic target for metabolic disorders and other indications. Target validation is reviewed, and limitations due to incomplete knowledge of the relevant biological systems are described. Assay development, particularly for high throughput screening, and characterization of SCD1 inhibition are summarized. The progress and evolution in medicinal chemistry are discussed, specifically focusing on key attributes of the most advanced SCD1 inhibitors described in the primary literature and in patent applications. This work culminated in numerous companies identifying potent selective inhibitors, some of which progressed to early clinical development. The status of current SCD1 drug discovery programs is reviewed. Challenges are discussed, and potential new directions are indicated.

Immunomodulatory effects of 1-(6-hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-1-benzofuran-5-yl)-1-ethanone from Petasites hybridus and its synthesized benzoxazepine derivatives

1-(6-Hydroxy-2-isopropenyl-1-benzofuran-5-yl)-1-ethanone (1), isolated from the roots of Petasites hybridus L., and a series of synthetic benzoxazepine derivatives of compound 1 (2-6) were evaluated for their immunomodulatory effects. The compounds were evaluated for their effects on the respiratory burst of human whole blood and isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) using luminol- and lucigenin-based chemiluminescence (CL) assays, and their effect on chemotactic migration of PMNs was assessed using the Boyden chamber technique. Compound 1 exhibited stronger inhibition than acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on luminol-enhanced CL of PMNs. It also inhibited PMN chemotaxis with an IC50 value comparable to that of ibuprofen. Of the compounds tested, 5 was the most effective in inhibiting luminol-enhanced CL and also strongly inhibited lucigenin-enhanced CL with IC50 values lower than that of ASA. Compound 2 was the most active in inhibiting migration of PMNs and was five times stronger than ibuprofen. The results suggest that compound 1 and its synthesized benzoxazepine derivatives, especially compounds 2 and 5, were able to modulate the innate immune response of phagocytes at different steps, emphasizing their potential as leads for the development of new immunomodulatory agents.