Centrin: another target of monastrol, an inhibitor of mitotic spindle

The Evaluation of DHPMs as Biotoxic Agents on Pathogen Bacterial Membranes

Herein, we present biological studies on 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones (DHPMs) obtained via Biginelli reaction catalyzed by NH4Cl under solvent-free conditions. Until now, DHPMs have not been tested for biological activity against pathogenic E. coli strains. We tested 16 newly synthesized DHPMs as antimicrobial agents on model E. coli strains (K12 and R2–R4). Preliminary cellular studies using MIC and MBC tests and digestion of Fpg after modification of bacterial DNA suggest that these compounds may have greater potential as antibacterial agents than typically used antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (ci), bleomycin (b) and cloxacillin (cl). The described compounds are highly specific for pathogenic E. coli strains based on the model strains used and may be engaged in the future as new substitutes for commonly used antibiotics in clinical and nosocomial infections in the pandemic era.

Impact of the ferrocenyl group on cytotoxicity and KSP inhibitory activity of ferrocenyl monastrol conjugates

The incorporation of the ferrocenyl moiety into a bioactive molecule may significantly alter the activity of the resulting conjugate. By applying this strategy, we designed ferrocenyl analogs of monastrol - the first low molecular weight kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor. The obtained compounds showed low micromolar antiproliferative activity towards a panel of sensitive and ABC-overexpressing cancer cells. Most cytotoxic compounds exhibited also higher KSP modulatory activity and ability for ROS generation compared to monastrol. The increased bioactivity of the studied compounds can be attributed to the presence of the ferrocenyl group.

Green synthesis, structural analysis and anticancer activity of dihydropyrimidinone derivatives

In this study, for the first time, we have used Citrus macroptera juice to synthesize dihydropyrimidine (DHPM) derivatives via the Biginelli reaction, which showed better yield, shorter reaction time, and did not require an organic solvent for the reaction. A series of DHPM derivatives were synthesized, and characterized, and structural analysis was achieved through SCXRD & Hirshfeld surface analysis. We observed that these synthesized dihydropyrimidine (DHPM) derivatives showed C–H⋯π, C–H⋯O, C–H⋯N, C–H⋯C, lone pair⋯π, π⋯π, etc. interactions. We also performed in silico studies for their inhibitory activities against human kinesin Eg5 enzyme, and the cytotoxic activity of the synthesized compounds was carried out against A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. In silico analysis demonstrated that compounds with a chloro-group at the 3- or 4-position in the substituted ring of DHPM showed higher binding affinity for the human kinesin Eg5 enzyme (−7.9 kcal mol⁻¹) than the standard drug monastrol (−7.8 kcal mol⁻¹). Furthermore, in vitro cellular studies revealed that compounds with a chloro-group at the 3- or 4-position in the substituted ring of DHPM induced significant cell death in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. This result indicates that a deactivating group (chlorine) at the 3- or 4-position in the substituted ring of DHPM might be a promising anticancer drug candidate for treating different types of cancers, particularly cancer of the lung.

Green synthesis, study and development of new potent dihydropyrimidinone analogues as anti-cancer drugs.

A Brønsted acidic ionic liquid anchored to magnetite nanoparticles as a novel recoverable heterogeneous catalyst for the Biginelli reaction

In this study, simple and effective methods were used for the preparation of an ionic liquid that immobilized magnetite nanoparticles. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared via a chemical co-precipitation method. Then, a SiO₂ shell was coated on the magnetic core via the Stober method. Finally, CPTES (chloropropyltriethoxysilane) and morpholine were coated on the SiO₂ shell. Morpholine sulfate, an acidic ionic liquid, was successfully bound to magnetite nanoparticles (Mag@Morph-AIL) and this was used as an efficient catalyst for the preparation of 3,4-dihydropyrimidinones. Compared to previous works, the easy separation of the nanocatalyst using an external magnet and the recyclability, non-toxicity, versatility, and high stability of the catalyst, combined with low reaction times and excellent yields, make the present protocol very useful for the synthesis of the title products. The synthesized products and catalyst were confirmed via ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, FT-IR, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis.

A novel H2S releasing-monastrol hybrid (MADTOH) inhibits L-type calcium channels

A new alleged monastrol-H₂S releasing hybrid, named MADTOH, was designed based on the structure of monastrol (M) and 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (ADTOH) and synthesized in 7.8% overall yield.

Crystal structure of ethyl 2-methyl-5,10-dioxo-4-phenyl-5,10-di-hydro-4H-11-thia-1,4a-di-aza-benzo[b]fluorene-3-carb-oxy-late

The title compound, C24H18N2O4S, crystallizes in the ortho-rhom-bic P212121 space group, indicating the existence of only one enanti-omer with an S configuration of the chiral center in the crystal phase. The di-hydro-pyrimidine ring adopts a twist-boat conformation while the quinone ring is slightly non-planar. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H⋯O and C-H⋯S hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions. In addition, a short inter-molecular S⋯N contact of 3.250 (3) Å indicates an inter-action between the S atom and the π-system of the thia-zole ring.

Biological activity of dihydropyrimidinone (DHPM) derivatives: A systematic review

Dihydropyrimidinones are heterocycles with a pyrimidine moiety in the ring nucleus, which, in recent decades, have aroused interest in medicinal chemistry due to alleged versatile biological activity. In this systematic review, we describe the currently published activities of dihydropyrimidinone derivatives. Between 1990 and December 31st, 2016, 115 articles outlined biological activities or toxicity of DHPM derivatives, 12 of those involved in vivo experiments. The main activities associated with this class of compounds are antitumoral (43 articles), anti-inflammatory (12 articles), antibacterial (20 articles) and calcium channel antagonism/inhibition (14 articles). Antitumoral activity is the main biological property evaluated, since the main representative compound of this class (monastrol) is a known Eg5 kinesin inhibitor. This review depicts a variety of other pharmacological activities associated with DHPM derivatives, but the main findings are essentially in vitro characteristics of the substances. This review presents the current state of the art of DHPM biological activities and demonstrates that there is still a need for further in vivo studies to better delineate the pharmacological potential of this class of substances.