Design and total synthesis of Mannich derivatives of marine natural product lamellarin D as cytotoxic agents

Progress on synthesis and structure-activity relationships of lamellarins over the past decade

Lamellarins are polyaromatic alkaloids isolated from marine organisms, including mollusks, tunicates, and sponges. Currently, over 60 structurally distinct natural lamellarins have been reported, and most of them exhibit promising biological activities, such as topoisomerase inhibition, mitochondrial function inhibition, multidrug resistance reversing, and anti-HIV activity. There has also been a significant progress on the synthetic study of lamellarins which has been regularly updated by numerous medicinal chemists as well. This review provides a detailed summary of the synthesis, pharmacology, and structural modification of lamellarins over the past decades.

Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline scaffolds for developing anti-cancer agents

Fused pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines have emerged as compelling molecules with remarkably potent cytotoxic activity and topoisomerase inhibitors. This comprehensive review delves into the intricate world of this family of compounds, analyzing the natural marine lamellarins known for their diverse and complex chemical structures, exploring structure-activity relationships (SARs), and highlighting their remarkable versatility. The review emphasizes their fundamental role as topoisomerase inhibitors and cytotoxic agents, as well as some crucial aspects of the chemistry of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines, exploring synthetic strategies in total synthesis and molecular diversification trends, highlighting their importance in the field of medicinal chemistry and beyond.

Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines through Cu-Catalyzed Condensation/Addition/Oxidation/Cyclization Cascade

We have developed a copper-catalyzed synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines with terminal alkynes, aldehydes, and tetrahydroisoquinolines. A variety of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines have been prepared in 17-69% yield via a condensation/Mannich-type addition/oxidation/cyclization cascade sequence. Modifications through simple chemical transformations provided highly functionalized molecules containing a privileged framework.

Anticancer activity of Mannich bases: a review of recent literature

This report summarizes the latest published data on the antiproliferative action and cytotoxic activity of Mannich bases, a structurally heterogeneous category of chemical entities that includes compounds which are synthesized via the grafting of an aminomethyl function onto diverse substrates by means of the Mannich reaction. The present overview of the topic is an update to the information assembled in a previously published review that covered the literature up to 2014.

Recent progress in the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines

Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines occur frequently in a large number of bioactive natural products and pharmaceutically important molecules. The synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline derivatives is an easy and useful way to produce artificial molecules with potential applications. A huge number of excellent methodologies for constructing pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines have been reported in the last decade. This review summarizes the recent advances in this research field covering from 2011 to 2021.

Marine Pyrrole Alkaloids

Nitrogen heterocycles are essential parts of the chemical machinery of life and often reveal intriguing structures. They are not only widespread in terrestrial habitats but can also frequently be found as natural products in the marine environment. This review highlights the important class of marine pyrrole alkaloids, well-known for their diverse biological activities. A broad overview of the marine pyrrole alkaloids with a focus on their isolation, biological activities, chemical synthesis, and derivatization covering the decade from 2010 to 2020 is provided. With relevant structural subclasses categorized, this review shall provide a clear and timely synopsis of this area.

Design, Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Glycosylated Derivatives of Marine Natural Product Lamellarin D

Lamellarin D, a marine natural product, acts as a potent inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I). To modify its physicochemical property and biological activity, a series of mono- and di-glycosylated derivatives were designed and synthesized through 22-26 multi-steps. Their inhibition of human Topo I was evaluated, and most of the glycosylated derivatives exhibited high potency in inhibiting Topo I activity as well as lamellarin D. All the 15 target compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines. The typical lamellarin derivative ZL-3 exhibited the best activity with IC₅₀ values of 3 nM, 10 nM, and 15 nM against human lung cancer A549 cells, human colon cancer HCT116 cells and human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Compound ZL-1 exhibited anti-cancer activity with IC₅₀ of 14 nM and 24 nM against human colon cancer HCT116 cells and human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, respectively. Cell cycle analysis in MDA-MB-231 suggested ZL-3 inhibited cell growth through arresting cells at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Further tests showed a significant improvement in aqueous solubility of ZL-1 and ZL-7. This study suggested that glycosylation could be utilized as a useful strategy to optimize lamellarin D derivatives as Topo I inhibitors and anticancer agents.

A formal [3 + 2] annulation reaction of propargyl sulfonium compounds and N-ylides: access to pyrrolo[2,1-a]quinolines, pyrrolo[2,1-a]phthalazines and indolizines

A sequential [3 + 2] annulation of prop-2-ynylsulfonium salt and N-ylides was developed, leading to the formation of a series of pyrrolo[2,1-a]quinolines, pyrrolo[2,1-a]phthalazines and indolizines. The protocol featured the simultaneous one-pot formation of three new C-C bonds in moderate yields under mild conditions. In this reaction, the prop-2-ynylsulfonium salts acted as the C2 synthons and sulfide served as the leaving group. The resultant products could serve as useful precursors for the synthesis of diverse chemical compounds.

Lamellarin alkaloids: Isolation, synthesis, and biological activity

Lamellarins are marine alkaloids containing fused 14-phenyl-6H-[1]benzopyrano[4',3':4,5]pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline or non-fused 3,4-diarylpyrrole-2-carboxylate ring systems. To date, more than 50 lamellarins have been isolated from a variety of marine organisms, such as mollusks, tunicates, and sponges. Many of them, especially fused type I lamellarins, exhibit impressive biological activity, such as potent cytotoxicity, topoisomerase I inhibition, protein kinases inhibition, and anti-HIV-1 activity. Due to their useful biological activity and limited availability from natural sources, a number of synthetic methods have been developed. In this chapter, we present an updated and comprehensive review on lamellarin alkaloids summarizing their isolation, synthesis, and biological activity.

Recent advances in the synthesis of bridgehead (or ring-junction) nitrogen heterocycles via transition metal-catalyzed C–H bond activation and functionalization

An update on recent advances in the synthesis of bridgehead nitrogen fused heterocycles via transition metal-catalyzed C–H activation and functionalization is reported.

Facile synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole-fused indolo- and pyrrolo[1,4]diazepines, DNA-binding and evaluation of their anticancer activity

A facile synthetic strategy has been developed for the generation of structurally diverse N-fused heterocycles. The formation of fused 1,2,3-triazole indolo and pyrrolodiazepines proceeds through an initial Knoevenagel condensation followed by intramolecular azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction at room temperature without recourse to the traditional Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloadditions. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti-cancer activity against the NCI 60 cell line panel. Among the tested compounds, 3a and 3h were found to exhibit potent inhibitory activity against many of the cell lines. Cell cycle analysis indicated that the compounds inhibit the cell cycle at sub G1 phase. The DNA- nano drop method, viscosity experiment and docking studies suggested these compounds possess DNA binding affinity.

Design, synthesis and cytotoxicity evaluation of indibulin analogs

Indibulin is one of the most potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors with minimal peripheral neuropathy. The design and synthesis of new indibulin analogs were carried out in order to investigate their anti-cancer activity. The target compounds 4a–i were synthesized in multistep reactions starting with the related indole derivatives. Compound 4f shows the highest cytotoxic activity on HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines with the respective half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 5.1 μm and 7.3 μm. In the case of the T47-D cell line, compound 4c exerts the best cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value of 11.5 μm. In the cell cycle analysis on HT-29 cells, compound 4f at 5.1 μm showed an increase in the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Altogether, nine target compounds were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), mass spectrometry (MS) and elemental analysis. Some of the compounds show good cytotoxic activity against cancerous cell lines.

Synthesis of Non-Symmetrical 3,4-Diaryl-Substituted Pyrroles: Implementation for the Preparation of Lamellarin R

A straightforward method for synthesising symmetrical and non-symmetrical 3,4-diaryl-substituted pyrroles is proposed, consisting of (i) the condensation reaction between phenylacetonitriles and aldehydes to give acrylonitriles, (ii) the conjugate addition of cyanide to afford succinonitriles, and (iii) reduction of the succinonitriles with DIBAL-H to provide the target pyrroles in good overall yields. The implementation of this technology for the preparation of lamellarin R is presented.

Gold-silver catalyzed straightforward one pot synthesis of pyrano[3,4-b]pyrrol-7(1H)-ones

Pyrano[3,4-b]pyrrol-7(1H)-one is a bicyclic structure that is rarely described in the literature but is found in numerous polycyclic natural products as lamellarins. This work presents a one-pot synthesis of pyrano[3,4-b]pyrrol-7(1H)-one substituted in the 2- and 5-position. The reaction proceeds via a one-pot two step 5-endo-dig and 6-endo-dig cyclization catalyzed by a cationic gold complex with high regioselectivity.

Catalyst-free [3 + 2] cyclization of imines and Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates: a general route to tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and dihydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines

A mild and efficient catalyst-free [3 + 2] cyclization of isoquinoline imines and Morita–Baylis–Hillman carbonates has been developed.

Pyrrole: An emerging scaffold for construction of valuable therapeutic agents

Pyrrole derivatives comprise a class of biologically active heterocyclic compounds which can serve as promising scaffolds for antimicrobial, antiviral, antimalarial, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory and enzyme inhibiting drugs. Due to their inimitable anticancer and anti-tubercular properties, researchers were inspired to develop novel pyrrole derivatives for the treatment of MDR pathogens. In the present review the main target is to focus on the development of pyrrole mimics, with emphasis based on their structure activity relationship (SAR). The present review is being obliging for the future development of pyrrole therapeutics.

Anticancer properties of lamellarins

In 1985 the first lamellarins were isolated from a small oceanic sea snail. Today, more than 50 lamellarins have been inventoried and numerous derivatives synthesized and tested as antiviral or anticancer agents. The lead compound in the family is lamellarin D, characterized as a potent inhibitor of both nuclear and mitochondrial topoisomerase I but also capable of directly interfering with mitochondria to trigger cancer cell death. The pharmacology and chemistry of lamellarins are discussed here and the mechanistic portrait of lamellarin D is detailed. Lamellarins frequently serve as a starting point in the design of anticancer compounds. Extensive efforts have been devoted to create novel structures as well as to improve synthetic methods, leading to lamellarins and related pyrrole-derived marine alkaloids.