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Fernandes GFS, Lopes JR, Dos Santos JL, Scarim CB. Phthalimide as a versatile pharmacophore scaffold: Unlocking its diverse biological activities. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:1346-1375. [PMID: 37492986 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliana R Lopes
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jean L Dos Santos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cauê B Scarim
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
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2
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Gambari R, Zuccato C, Cosenza LC, Zurlo M, Gasparello J, Finotti A, Gamberini MR, Prosdocimi M. The Long Scientific Journey of Sirolimus (Rapamycin): From the Soil of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to Applied Research and Clinical Trials on β-Thalassemia and Other Hemoglobinopathies. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1202. [PMID: 37759601 PMCID: PMC10525103 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
In this review article, we present the fascinating story of rapamycin (sirolimus), a drug able to induce γ-globin gene expression and increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in erythroid cells, including primary erythroid precursor cells (ErPCs) isolated from β-thalassemia patients. For this reason, rapamycin is considered of great interest for the treatment of β-thalassemia. In fact, high levels of HbF are known to be highly beneficial for β-thalassemia patients. The story of rapamycin discovery began in 1964, with METEI, the Medical Expedition to Easter Island (Rapa Nui). During this expedition, samples of the soil from different parts of the island were collected and, from this material, an antibiotic-producing microorganism (Streptomyces hygroscopicus) was identified. Rapamycin was extracted from the mycelium with organic solvents, isolated, and demonstrated to be very active as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Later, rapamycin was demonstrated to inhibit the in vitro cell growth of tumor cell lines. More importantly, rapamycin was found to be an immunosuppressive agent applicable to prevent kidney rejection after transplantation. More recently, rapamycin was found to be a potent inducer of HbF both in vitro using ErPCs isolated from β-thalassemia patients, in vivo using experimental mice, and in patients treated with this compound. These studies were the basis for proposing clinical trials on β-thalassemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Cristina Zuccato
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Lucia Carmela Cosenza
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Matteo Zurlo
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Jessica Gasparello
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Alessia Finotti
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (L.C.C.); (M.Z.); (J.G.)
| | - Maria Rita Gamberini
- Center “Chiara Gemmo and Elio Zago” for the Research on Thalassemia, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (C.Z.); (M.R.G.)
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Clementino LDC, Fernandes GFS, Prokopczyk IM, Laurindo WC, Toyama D, Motta BP, Baviera AM, Henrique-Silva F, dos Santos JL, Graminha MAS. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of N-oxide derivatives with potent in vivo antileishmanial activity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259008. [PMID: 34723989 PMCID: PMC8559926 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease that affects 12 million people living mainly in developing countries. Herein, 24 new N-oxide-containing compounds were synthesized followed by in vitro and in vivo evaluation of their antileishmanial activity. Compound 4f, a furoxan derivative, was particularly remarkable in this regard, with EC50 value of 3.6 μM against L. infantum amastigote forms and CC50 value superior to 500 μM against murine peritoneal macrophages. In vitro studies suggested that 4f may act by a dual effect, by releasing nitric oxide after biotransformation and by inhibiting cysteine protease CPB (IC50: 4.5 μM). In vivo studies using an acute model of infection showed that compound 4f at 7.7 mg/Kg reduced ~90% of parasite burden in the liver and spleen of L. infantum-infected BALB/c mice. Altogether, these outcomes highlight furoxan 4f as a promising compound for further evaluation as an antileishmanial agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro da Costa Clementino
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Felipe Santos Fernandes
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | | | - Wilquer Castro Laurindo
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara, Brazil
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Danyelle Toyama
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Bruno Pereira Motta
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Amanda Martins Baviera
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Flávio Henrique-Silva
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
- * E-mail: (JLS); (MASG)
| | - Marcia A. S. Graminha
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, Brazil
- * E-mail: (JLS); (MASG)
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de Melo TRF, Dulmovits BM, Fernandes GFDS, de Souza CM, Lanaro C, He M, Al Abed Y, Chung MC, Blanc L, Costa FF, Dos Santos JL. Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of pomalidomide derivatives useful for sickle cell disease treatment. Bioorg Chem 2021; 114:105077. [PMID: 34130111 PMCID: PMC8387409 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.105077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) induction constitutes a valuable and validated approach to treat the symptoms of sickle cell disease (SCD). Here, we synthesized pomalidomide-nitric oxide (NO) donor derivatives (3a-f) and evaluated their suitability as novel HbF inducers. All compounds demonstrated different capacities of releasing NO, ranging 0.3-30.3%. Compound 3d was the most effective HbF inducer for CD34+ cells, exhibiting an effect similar to that of hydroxyurea. We investigated the mode of action of compound 3d for HbF induction by studying the in vitro alterations in the levels of transcription factors (BCL11A, IKAROS, and LRF), inhibition of histone deacetylase enzymes (HDAC-1 and HDAC-2), and measurement of cGMP levels. Additionally, compound 3d exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory effect similar to that of pomalidomide by reducing the TNF-α levels in human mononuclear cells treated with lipopolysaccharides up to 58.6%. Chemical hydrolysis studies revealed that compound 3d was stable at pH 7.4 up to 24 h. These results suggest that compound 3d is a novel HbF inducer prototype with the potential to treat SCD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian M Dulmovits
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA; Laboratory of Developmental Erythropoiesis, Les Nelkin Memorial Pediatric Oncology Laboratory, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | | | - Cristiane M de Souza
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Carolina Lanaro
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Minghzu He
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA; Laboratory of Developmental Erythropoiesis, Les Nelkin Memorial Pediatric Oncology Laboratory, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Yousef Al Abed
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA; Laboratory of Developmental Erythropoiesis, Les Nelkin Memorial Pediatric Oncology Laboratory, The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA
| | - Man Chin Chung
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Lionel Blanc
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pediatrics, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Fernando Ferreira Costa
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas 13083-970, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil.
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Pavan AR, Dos Santos JL. Advances in Sickle Cell Disease Treatments. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:2008-2032. [PMID: 32520675 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200610175400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder of red blood cells that is caused by a single mutation in the β -globin gene. The disease, which afflicts millions of patients worldwide mainly in low income countries, is characterized by high morbidity, mortality and low life expectancy. The new pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for SCD is urgent in order to promote treatments able to reduce patient's suffering and improve their quality of life. Since the FDA approval of HU in 1998, there have been few advances in discovering new drugs; however, in the last three years voxelotor, crizanlizumab, and glutamine have been approved as new therapeutic alternatives. In addition, new promising compounds have been described to treat the main SCD symptoms. Herein, focusing on drug discovery, we discuss new strategies to treat SCD that have been carried out in the last ten years to discover new, safe, and effective treatments. Moreover, non-pharmacological approaches, including red blood cell exchange, gene therapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Renata Pavan
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- Department of Drugs and Medicines, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, Brazil
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Fernandes GFS, Campos DL, Da Silva IC, Prates JLB, Pavan AR, Pavan FR, Dos Santos JL. Benzofuroxan Derivatives as Potent Agents against Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:1268-1282. [PMID: 33410233 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202000899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is currently the leading cause of death related to infectious diseases worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization. Moreover, the increasing number of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases has alarmed health agencies, warranting extensive efforts to discover novel drugs that are effective and also safe. In this study, 23 new compounds were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against the drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. The compound 6-((3-fluoro-4-thiomorpholinophenyl)carbamoyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole 1-N-oxide (5 b) was particularly remarkable in this regard as it demonstrated MIC90 values below 0.28 μM against all the MDR strains evaluated, thus suggesting that this compound might have a different mechanism of action. Benzofuroxans are an attractive new class of anti-TB agents, exemplified by compound 5 b, with excellent potency against the replicating and drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme F S Fernandes
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Jaú Highway KM 01, 14800903, Araraquara, Brazil.,Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Francisco Degni Street 55, 14800060, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Débora L Campos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Jaú Highway KM 01, 14800903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Isabel C Da Silva
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Jaú Highway KM 01, 14800903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - João L B Prates
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Jaú Highway KM 01, 14800903, Araraquara, Brazil.,Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Francisco Degni Street 55, 14800060, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Aline R Pavan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Jaú Highway KM 01, 14800903, Araraquara, Brazil.,Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Francisco Degni Street 55, 14800060, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Fernando R Pavan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Jaú Highway KM 01, 14800903, Araraquara, Brazil
| | - Jean L Dos Santos
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara Jaú Highway KM 01, 14800903, Araraquara, Brazil.,Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Francisco Degni Street 55, 14800060, Araraquara, Brazil
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7
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Bosquesi PL, Melchior ACB, Pavan AR, Lanaro C, de Souza CM, Rusinova R, Chelucci RC, Barbieri KP, Fernandes GFDS, Carlos IZ, Andersen OS, Costa FF, Dos Santos JL. Synthesis and evaluation of resveratrol derivatives as fetal hemoglobin inducers. Bioorg Chem 2020; 100:103948. [PMID: 32450391 PMCID: PMC8052979 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.103948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Resveratrol (RVT) derivatives (10a-i) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their potential as gamma-globin inducers in treating Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) symptoms. All compounds were able to release NO at different levels ranging from 0 to 26.3%, while RVT did not demonstrate this effect. In vivo, the antinociceptive effect was characterized using an acetic acid-induced abdominal contortion model. All compounds exhibited different levels of protection, ranging from 5.9 to 37.3%; the compound 10a was the most potent among the series. At concentrations between 3.13 and 12.5 µM, the derivative 10a resulted in a reduction of 41.1-64.3% in the TNF-α levels in the supernatants of macrophages that were previously LPS-stimulated. This inhibitory effect was higher than that of RVT used as the control. In addition, the compound 10a and RVT induced double the production of the gamma-globin chains (γG + γA), compared to the vehicle, using CD34+ cells. Compound 10a also did not induce membrane perturbation and it was not mutagenic in the in vivo assay. Thus, compound 10a emerged as a new prototype of the gamma-globin-inducer group with additional analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and proving to be a useful alternative to treat SCD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aline Renata Pavan
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Carolina Lanaro
- University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, Campinas 13083-878, Brazil
| | | | - Radda Rusinova
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, New York, NY 10065-489, United States
| | - Rafael Consolin Chelucci
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Karina Pereira Barbieri
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | | | - Iracilda Zepone Carlos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Olaf Sparre Andersen
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, New York, NY 10065-489, United States
| | - Fernando Ferreira Costa
- University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Hematology and Hemotherapy Center, Campinas 13083-878, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil.
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Reis JS, Corrêa MA, Ribeiro CA, Dos Santos JL. Synthesis and evaluation of 1,3,5-triazine derivatives as sunscreens useful to prevent skin cancer. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:126755. [PMID: 31732408 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.126755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of skin cancers such as non-melanoma skin cancer and malignant melanoma has increased in the last few years mainly because of chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunscreens protect the skin against harmful UV radiations; however, some limitations of these products justify the discovery of new UV filters. Novel 1,3,5-triazine derivatives (12a-h) obtained by the optimization of prototype resveratrol were synthesized and characterized. All compounds exhibited sun protection factor (SPF) and UVA protection factor (UVAPF) in the range of 3-17 and 3-13, respectively. These values were superior to resveratrol and the UV filter ethylhexyl triazone (EHT) currently available on the market. In addition, all compounds demonstrated in vitro antioxidant activity and thermal stability with the decomposition at temperatures above 236 °C. In conclusion, the novel 1,3,5-triazine derivatives have emerged as new UV filters with antioxidant effect useful to prevent skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Santana Reis
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Science, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Marcos Antonio Corrêa
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Science, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil
| | - Clovis Augusto Ribeiro
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Chemistry, Araraquara 14800-060, Brazil
| | - Jean Leandro Dos Santos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Science, Araraquara 14800-903, Brazil.
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