Synthesis of new semi-synthetic dipodands and tripodands from naturally occurring polyether ionophores

Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Dimeric Polyether Ionophores

Polyether ionophores represent a group of natural lipid-soluble biomolecules with a broad spectrum of bioactivity, ranging from antibacterial to anticancer activity. Three seem to be particularly interesting in this context, namely lasalocid acid, monensin, and salinomycin, as they are able to selectively target cancer cells of various origin including cancer stem cells. Due to their potent biological activity and abundant availability, some research groups around the world have successfully followed semi-synthetic approaches to generate original derivatives of ionophores. However, a definitely less explored avenue is the synthesis and functional evaluation of their multivalent structures. Thus, in this paper, we describe the synthetic access to a series of original homo- and heterodimers of polyether ionophores, in which (i) two salinomycin molecules are joined through triazole linkers, or (ii) salinomycin is combined with lasalocid acid, monensin, or betulinic acid partners to form 'mixed' dimeric structures. Of note, all 11 products were tested in vitro for their antiproliferative activity against a panel of six cancer cell lines including the doxorubicin resistant colon adenocarcinoma LoVo/DX cell line; five dimers (14-15, 17-18 and 22) were identified to be more potent than the reference agents (i.e., both parent compound(s) and commonly used cytostatic drugs) in selective targeting of various types of cancer. Dimers 16 and 21 were also found to effectively overcome the resistance of the LoVo/DX cancer cell line.

Antiproliferative activity of ester derivatives of monensin A at the C-1 and C-26 positions

Monensin A (MON) is a polyether ionophore antibiotic, which shows a wide spectrum of biological activity, including anticancer activity. A series of structurally diverse monensin esters including its C-1 esters (1-9), C-26-O-acetylated derivatives (10-15), and lactone (16) was synthesized and for the first time evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against four human cancer cell lines with different drug-sensitivity level. All of the MON derivatives exhibited in vitro antiproliferative activity against cancer cells at micromolar concentrations. The majority of the compounds was able to overcome the drug resistance of LoVo/DX and MES-SA/DX5 cell lines. The most active compounds proved to be MON C-26-O-acetylated derivatives (10-15) which exhibited very good resistance index and high selectivity index.

Synthesis, FT-IR, ¹H, ¹³CNMR, ESI MS and PM5 studies of a new Mannich base of polyether antibiotic - Lasalocid acid and its complexes with Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ cations

The polyether antibiotic Lasalocid acid has been converted to its Mannich base derivative by a chemoselective one-pot reaction with formaldehyde and morpholine through the decarboxylation process. Spectroscopic studies of the structure of this new derivative have shown that in this ortho-phenol Mannich base the O-H⋯N intarmolecular hydrogen bond is present. The compound forms complexes with Li(+), Na(+) and K(+) cations of exclusively 1:1 stoichiometry. The structures of these complexes have been studied and visualized by semi-empirical calculation based on results of spectrometric and spectroscopic investigation. It is demonstrated that in contrast to Lasalocid acid the novel Mannich type derivative forms preferential complexes with Li(+) cation.

Structure and antimicrobial properties of monensin A and its derivatives: summary of the achievements

In this paper structural and microbiological studies on the ionophorous antibiotic monensin A and its derivatives have been collected. Monensin A is an ionophore which selectively complexes and transports sodium cation across lipid membranes, and therefore it shows a variety of biological properties. This antibiotic is commonly used as coccidiostat and nonhormonal growth promoter. The paper focuses on both the latest and earlier achievements concerning monensin A antimicrobial activity. The activities of monensin derivatives, including modifications of hydroxyl groups and carboxyl group, are also presented.

Reinvestigation of the structure of monensin A phenylurethane sodium salt based on X-ray crystallographic and spectroscopic studies, and its activity against hospital strains of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis and S. aureus

Monensin A phenylurethane sodium salt (MON-UR1-Na) crystals were studied by the X-ray, NMR, FT-IR and PM5 semi-empirical methods. The X-ray data show that the compound forms a pseudocyclic structure, stabilized by three intramolecular hydrogen bonds, and the sodium cation coordinated by five oxygen atoms in the hydrophilic sphere. The NMR and FT-IR data demonstrate that this pseudocyclic structure is also conserved in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. This structure of MON-UR1-Na is significantly different than the ones previously proposed by Westley et al. and Tanaka et al. The semi-empirical calculations of the MON-UR1-Na structures indicate that the one of the crystal is the most energetically favorable one. Other parameters, such as the size, chemical and biological nature of the urethane substituent, and especially the free carbonyl urethane group, may have a role in the biological activity of MON-UR1-Na. The in vitro microbiological tests provide evidence that MON-UR1-Na shows higher antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis than the parent unmodified antibiotic-Monensin A.