Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and computational chemical study of 5-cyano-2-thiouracil derivatives as potential antimicrobial agents

Enhancing the Anticancer Potential of Targeting Tumor-Associated Metalloenzymes via VEGFR Inhibition by New Triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidinone Acyclo C-Nucleosides Multitarget Agents

The role of metalloenzymes in tumor progression had broadened their application in cancer therapy. Of these, MMPs and CAs are validated druggable targets that share some pivotal signaling pathways. The majority of MMPs or CAs inhibitors are designed as single-target agents. Despite their transient efficacy, these agents are often susceptible to resistance. This set the stage to introduce dual inhibitors of correlated MMPs and CAs. The next step is expected to target the common vital signaling nodes as well. In this regard, VEGFR-2 is central to various tumorigenesis events involving both families, especially MMP-2 and CA II. Herein, we report simultaneous inhibition of MMP-2, CA II, and VEGFR-2 via rationally designed hybrid 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidinone acyclo C-nucleosides. The promising derivatives were nanomolar inhibitors of VEGFR-2 (8; IC₅₀ = 5.89 nM, 9; IC₅₀ = 10.52 nM) and MMP-2 (8; IC₅₀ = 17.44 nM, 9; IC₅₀ = 30.93 nM) and submicromolar inhibitors of CA II (8; IC₅₀ = 0.21 µM, 9; IC₅₀ = 0.36 µM). Docking studies predicted their binding modes into the enzyme active sites and the structural determinants of activity regarding substitution and regioselectivity. MTT assay demonstrated that both compounds were 12 folds safer than doxorubicin with superior anticancer activities against three human cancers recording single-digit nanomolar IC₅₀, thus echoing their enzymatic activities. Up to our knowledge, this study introduces the first in class triazolopyrimidinone acyclo C-nucleosides VEGFR-2/MMP-2/CA II inhibitors that deserve further investigation.

Thiophene-containing compounds with antimicrobial activity

Thiophene, as a member of the group of five-membered heterocycles containing one heteroatom, is one of the simplest heterocyclic systems. Many synthetic strategies allow the accurate positioning of various functionalities onto the thiophene ring. This review provides a comprehensive, systematic and detailed account of the developments in the field of antimicrobial compounds featuring at least one thiophene ring in their structure, over the last decade.

Quantitative analysis of hydrogen and chalcogen bonds in two pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile derivatives, potential DHFR inhibitors: an integrated crystallographic and theoretical study

Two potential bioactive pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile derivatives have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques (1H and 13C-NMR) and the three dimensional structures were elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction at low temperature (160 K). In both structures, the molecular conformation is locked by an intramolecular C-H⋯C interaction involving the cyano and CH of the thiophene and phenyl rings. The intermolecular interactions were analyzed in a qualitative manner based on the Hirshfeld surface and 2D-fingerprint plots. The results suggest that the phenyl and thiophene moieties have an effect on the crystal packing. For instance, the chalcogen bonds are only preferred in the thiophene derivative. However, both structures uses a common N-H⋯O hydrogen bond motif. Moreover, the structures of 1 and 2 display 1D isostructurality and molecular chains stabilize by intermolecular N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. The nature and extent of different non-covalent interactions were further characterized by the topological parameters derived from the quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules approach. This analysis indicates that apart from N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, other non-covalent interactions are closed-shell in nature. A strong and linear N-H⋯O hydrogen bond shows intermediate bonding character between shared and closed-shell interactions. The molecular docking analysis suggests that both compounds display potential inhibitory effect against the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) enzyme from humans and Staphylococcus aureus.

Design, synthesis, molecular modelling, and biological evaluation of novel substituted pyrimidine derivatives as potential anticancer agents for hepatocellular carcinoma

New anticancer agents are highly needed to overcome cancer cell resistance. A novel series of pyrimidine pyrazoline-anthracene derivatives (PPADs) (4a-t) were designed and synthesised. The anti-liver cancer activity of all compounds was screened in vitro against two hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines (HepG2 and Huh-7) as well as normal fibroblast cells by resazurin assay. The designed compounds 4a-t showed a broad-spectrum anticancer activity against the two cell lines and their activity was more prominent on cancer compared to normal cells. Compound 4e showed high potency against HepG2 and Huh-7 cell lines ((IC₅₀=5.34 and 6.13 μg/mL, respectively) comparable to that of doxorubicin (DOX) activities. A structure activity relationship (SAR) has been investigated and compounds 4e, 4i, 4m, and 4q were the most promising anticancer agents against tested cell lines. These compounds induced apoptosis in HepG2 and Huh-7 cells through significant activation of caspase 3/7 at all tested concentrations. In conclusion, 4e could be a potent anticancer drug.