Effects of Mannich bases on cellular glutathione and related enzymes of Jurkat cells in culture conditions

Study on the Interaction of 4'-Hydroxychalcones and their Mannich Derivatives with Calf Thymus DNA by TLC and Spectroscopic Methods, a DNA Cleavage Study

Background:

Phenolic Mannich bases derived from hydroxychalcones show remarkable cytotoxic potencies towards cancer cell lines. However, the exact mechanism of action is still partially uncleared.

Objective:

Interaction of two hydroxychalcones and their Mannich derivatives with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) has been investigated.

Methods:

Thin-layer chromatography and UV-Vis spectroscopic method were used for studying the interaction. The binding constant has been determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometric titration. The DNA cleavage activity of the compounds was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Results:

Interaction of the compounds with ctDNA exhibited relatively high intrinsic binding constant (4-5x104 M-1). The results indicate existence of weak, non-covalent interactions between the investigated derivatives with ctDNA. Some compounds showed a slight DNA cleavage activity with pBR322.

Conclusion:

The obtained results provide additional knowledge on the previously documented cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines of the hydroxychalcones and their Mannich-derivatives.

Novel Mannich base 3FB3FA8H induces apoptosis by upregulating P53 pathway in neuroblastoma cells

P53 plays an important role in maintaining genetic stability and development of resistance against tumors. Dysregulation of P53 gene is one of the key factors contributing to the etiology of neuroblastoma which causes cells to evade apoptosis. Activating P53 pathway can be a therapeutic alternative to the currently available medicinal strategies. Mannich bases have been known to possess various biological activities including the anticancer activity. In this study, we have targeted the P53 pathway by novel Mannich base (3FB3FA8H) which can be a future prospect to cure neuroblastoma. 3FB3FA8H has shown modulation of P53 pathway leading to apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells. Mitochondrial membrane permeability is also increased by 3FB3FA8H which may be a consequence of P53 pathway modulation. 3FB3FA8H increases the mRNA levels of P53 leading to activation of BAX. Inclining BAX/BCL2 ratio towards apoptotic BAX leads to cleavage of caspase 3, ultimately, causing apoptosis. Series of experiments provide the evidence that Mannich base 3FB3FA8H leads to P53-mediated apoptosis. Inducing apoptosis by this mechanism could be of central importance in reducing tumor burden which can be a good prospect for neuroblastoma patients.

Mannich bases in medicinal chemistry and drug design

The biological activity of Mannich bases, a structurally heterogeneous class of chemical compounds that are generated from various substrates through the introduction of an aminomethyl function by means of the Mannich reaction, is surveyed, with emphasis on the relationship between structure and biological activity. The review covers extensively the literature reports that have disclosed Mannich bases as anticancer and cytotoxic agents, or compounds with potential antibacterial and antifungal activity in the last decade. The most relevant studies on the activity of Mannich bases as antimycobacterial agents, antimalarials, or antiviral candidates have been included as well. The review contains also a thorough coverage of anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of Mannich bases. In addition, several minor biological activities of Mannich bases, such as their ability to regulate blood pressure or inhibit platelet aggregation, their antiparasitic and anti-ulcer effects, as well as their use as agents for the treatment of mental disorders have been presented. The review gives in the end a brief overview of the potential of Mannich bases as inhibitors of various enzymes or ligands for several receptors.

Different effects of two cyclic chalcone analogues on redox status of Jurkat T cells

Chalcones are intermediary compounds of the biosynthetic pathway of the naturally flavonoids. Previous studies have demonstrated that chalcones and their conformationally rigid cyclic analogues have tumour cell cytotoxic and chemopreventive effects. It has been shown that equitoxic doses of the two cyclic chalcone analogues (E)-2-(4'-methoxybenzylidene)-(2) and (E)-2-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-1-benzosuberone (3) have different effect on cell cycle progress of the investigated Jurkat cells. It was also found that the compounds affect the cellular thiol status of the treated cells and show intrinsic (non-enzyme-catalyzed) reactivity towards GSH under cell-free conditions. In order to gain new insights into the cytotoxic mechanism of the compounds, effects on the redox status and glutathione level of Jurkat cells were investigated. Detection of intracellular ROS level in Jurkat cells exposed to 2 and 3 was performed using the dichlorofluorescein-assay. Compound 2 did not influence ROS activity either on 1 or 4h exposure; in contrast, chalcone 3 showed to reduce ROS level at both timepoints. The two compounds had different effects on cellular glutathione status as well. Compound 2 significantly increased the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level showing an interference with the cellular antioxidant defence. On the contrary, chalcone 3 enhanced the reduced glutathione level, indicating enhanced cellular antioxidant activity. To investigate the chalcone-GSH conjugation reactions under cellular conditions, a combination of a RP-HPLC method with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) was performed. Chalcone-GSH adducts could not be observed either in the cell supernatant or the cell sediment after deproteinization. The investigations provide further details of dual - cytotoxic and chemopreventive - effects of the cyclic chalcone analogues.

Synthesis and antifungal evaluation of 1-aryl-2-dimethyl- aminomethyl-2-propen-1-one hydrochlorides

The development of resistance to current antifungal therapeutics drives the search for new effective agents. The fact that several acetophenone-derived Mannich bases had shown remarkable antifungal activities in our previous studies led us to design and synthesize some acetophenone-derived Mannich bases, 1-8 and 2-acetylthiophene-derived Mannich base 9, 1-aryl-2-dimethylaminomethyl-2-propen-1-one hydrochloride, to evaluate their antifungal activities. The designed chemical structures have α,β-unsaturated ketone moieties, which are responsible for the bioactivities of the Mannich bases. The aryl part was C₆H₅ (1); 4-CH₃C₆H₄ (2); 4-CH₃OC₆H₄ (3); 4-ClC₆H₄ (4); 4-FC₆H₄ (5); 4-BrC₆H₄ (6); 4-HOC₆H₄ (7); 4-NO₂C₆H₄ (8); and C₄H₃S(2-yl) (9). In this study the designed compounds were synthesized by the conventional heating method and also by the microwave irradiation method to compare these methods in terms of reaction times and yields to find an optimum synthetic method, which can be applied for the synthesis of Mannich bases in further studies. Since there are limited number of studies reporting the synthesis of Mannich bases by microwave irradiation, this study may also contribute to the general literature on Mannich bases. Compound 7 was reported for the first time. Antifungal activities of all compounds and synthesis of the compounds by microwave irradiation were also reported for the first time by this study. Fungi (15 species) were used for antifungal activity test. Amphotericin B was tested as an antifungal reference compound. In conclusion, compounds 1-6, and 9, which had more potent (2–16 times) antifungal activity than the reference compound amphotericin B against some fungi, can be model compounds for further studies to develop new antifungal agents. In addition, microwave irradiation can be considered to reduce reaction period, while the conventional method can still be considered to obtain compounds with higher reaction yields in the synthesis of new Mannich bases.

Synthesis and antifungal activity of 1-aryl-3-phenethylamino-1-propanone hydrochlorides and 3-aroyl-4-aryl-1-phenethyl-4-piperidinols

Mono-Mannich bases, 1-aryl-3-phenethylamino-1-propanone hydrochlorides, 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, and semi-cyclic mono-Mannich bases, 3-aroyl-4-aryl-1-phenethyl-4-piperidinols, 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, were synthesized by a non-classical Mannich reaction. The aryl part was: C(6)H(5 )for 1a, 1b; 4-CH(3)C(6)H(4) for 2a, 2b; 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4 )for 3a, 3b; 4-ClC(6)H(4 )for 4a, 4b; 4-FC(6)H(4) for 5a, 5b; 4-BrC(6)H(4) for 6a, 6b; 2,4-(Cl)(2)C(6)H(3) for 7a, 7b; 4-NO(2)C(6)H(4 )for 8a, 8b; and C(4)H(3)S(2-yl) i. e., 2-thienyl for 9a, 9b. Piperidinol compounds 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 7b, 8b, and 9b are reported here for the first time. The synthesized compounds were tested against seven types of plant pathogenic fungi and three types of human pathogenic fungi using the agar dilution assay. Itraconazole was tested against Candida parapsilosis as the reference compound, while Nystatin was tested as the reference compound against the other fungi. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, and 9b can be selected as model compounds to develop new antifungal agents against the human pathogen Microsporum canis. Compounds 8a and 8b, which had a similar antifungal activity compared with the reference compound Nystatin against the plant pathogen Aspergillus flavus, can serve as model compounds to develop new antifungal agents to solve agricultural problems.

Synthesis of 1-Aryl-3-phenethylamino-1-propanone hydrochlorides as possible potent cytotoxic agents

1-Aryl-3-phenethylamino-1-propanone hydrochlorides 1-10, which are potentialpotent cytotoxic agents, were synthesized via Mannich reactions using paraformaldehyde,phenethylamine hydrochloride as the amine component and acetophenone, 4'-methyl-, 4'-methoxy-, 4'-chloro-, 4'-fluoro-, 4'-bromo-, 2',4'-dichloro-, 4'-nitro-, 4'-hydroxyacetophenone or 2-acetylthiophene as the ketone component. Yields were in the87-98 % range. Of the compounds synthesized, compounds 2, 6-8 and 10 were new. Theoptimum reaction conditions were investigated by changing the mol ratios of the reactants,the solvents and the acidity levels using 1 and 10 as representative targets. It was observedthat the best mol ratio of the ketone, paraformaldehyde and phenethylamine hydrochloridewas 1:1.2:1 (compared with a 2:2.1 ratio), and the most suitable reaction medium wasethanol containing concentrated hydrochloric acid (compared with only ethanol or nosolvent). This study may serve as a guide for the conditions of the reactions to synthesizecompounds having similar chemical structures.

β-Aminoketones as prodrugs with pH-controlled activation

N-Mannich bases have been widely applied as prodrugs of amine drugs. The analogous C-Mannich bases (beta-aminoketones) have received rather less attention probably because they are not sufficiently susceptible to elimination at pHs encountered in vivo. Compounds in which there is a thermodynamic advantage to elimination may be an exception. In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of a series of Michael amino addition adducts of chalcone and other carbonyl compounds is explored. The ketone adducts rapidly eliminate at around pH 7.4 (t(1/2) < 15 min) releasing the amine and the ketone but they are stable under acidic conditions. The Michael adducts are more lipophilic than the parent amines and have significantly suppressed ionisation characteristics at biologically relevant pH values.

Different effects of two cyclic chalcone analogues on cell cycle of Jurkat T cells

It has been previously shown that the cyclic chalcone analogues E-2-(4'-methoxybenzylidene)- (2) and E-2-(4'-methylbenzylidene)-1-benzusuberone (3) inhibited proliferation of various murine and human tumor cells. In order to gain new insights into the cytotoxic mechanism of the two compounds detection of apoptosis and necrosis of Jurkat T cells exposed to 2 and 3 were performed by flow cytometry using the Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide double staining method. Analysis of the DNA histograms at 8, 24 and 48 h exposure times showed that near equitoxic doses of 2 and 3 had different effects on the cell cycle of the exposed cells. The immediate (8h) effect of 2 was a remarkable decrease of cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase and increase in the G(2)/M phase. This effect could also be seen in the histogram of cells at the 24h time point. On the contrary, such an effect of 3 could not be observed. At the 24 and 48 h time points accumulation of sub-G(0) (apoptotic and necrotic) and hyperdiploid cells could be detected after both treatments. Incubation of 2 and 3 with reduced glutathione under cell-free conditions indicated spontaneous conjugation (non-redox) reaction at pH 7.4 and pH 9.0. Analyzing the mechanism of action the total thiol content of the cells exposed to compounds 2 and 3 was determined. Compound 2 showed to reduce the total cellular thiol level both under nutrient-free and nutrient-supplemented conditions. Under the latter conditions an increase of the total thiol level of the cells exposed to 3 for 4h could be observed. The different effect of the two compounds on the cellular thiol status might contribute to the different tumor cytotoxicity of the cyclic chalcone analogues 2 and 3. Investigation of antioxidant capacity of the compounds by monitoring time course of the Fenton-reaction initiated in vitro degradation of 2-deoxyribose indicated that both compounds displayed hydroxyl radical scavenger activity. The experiments provide further details of dual--cytotoxic and cytoprotective (chemopreventive)--effects of the compounds.

The effects of some Mannich bases on heat shock proteins HSC70 and GRP75, and thioredoxin and glutaredoxin levels in Jurkat cells

Mannich bases interact with cellular thiols and inactivate thioredoxin reductase. In this study, the effects of cytotoxic mono-Mannich bases 2, 3 and cyclic Mannich base C1 on the expression of cytoprotective heat shock proteins (HSC70 and GRP75) and on levels of thioredoxin (TRX) and glutaredoxin (GRX) were investigated in Jurkat cells. Cells were exposed to the compounds for 24 h in cell culture medium with 1% FBS. C1 and 2 increased the levels of HSC70 (200% of control) in all the concentrations tested, but 3 did not affect HSC70 levels. Whereas 3 increased GRP75 expression (123-154%), 2 and C1 either did not affect (95-87% for 2, and 88% for C1) or slightly decreased GRP75 expression (82% for 2 and 67% for C1). Mannich bases generally decreased GRX levels (68%, 63-77% and 33-71% for 2, 3 and C1, respectively), but 3 increased GRX levels at 1 microg/ml (142%). Whereas 2 and 3 decreased TRX levels (30-79% and 37-44% of control, respectively), C1 increased the expression of TRX (156-201%). Our results suggest that decreases in GRX and TRX due to the alkylating effects of Mannich bases might have prevented cell division and decreased survival in Jurkat cells, which could not be prevented by increased heat shock protein expression.

Cytotoxicity of some azines of acetophenone derived mono-Mannich bases against Jurkat cells

Acetophenone derived mono-Mannich bases (Ig1-Ig4), 1-aryl-3-amino-1-propanone hydrochlorides, which are known to have cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells, were synthesized. Then, they were converted to corresponding azine derivatives (D1-D4), N, N'-bis(3-amino-1-aryl-propylidene)hydrazine dihydrochlorides, which are bifunctional agents. The aryl part was replaced by phenyl in Ig1, Ig2, Ig3, D1, D2, and D3, and by p-hydroxyphenyl in Ig4 and D4. The amine part was replaced by dimethylamine in Ig1, D1, Ig4 and D4, by piperidine in Ig2 and D2, and by morpholine in Ig3 and D3. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the modification in chemical structure, converting the mono-Mannich base to a corresponding azine derivative, improves the cytotoxicity. In addition, the effect of the representative compound, D3, N, N'-bis(3-morpholine-4-yl-1-phenylpropylidene)hydrazine dihydrochloride, on cellular glutathione level after 1 h exposure in phosphate buffer at 37 degrees C was also determined to provide information on a possible mechanism of cytotoxic action. Compounds D2-D4 are reported for the first time in this study. Except for Ig2 and D2, the cytotoxicity of mono-Mannich bases, Ig1, Ig3 and Ig4 and corresponding azine derivatives, D1, D3 and D4 were higher than the reference compound 5-FU. Azine derivatives D1 and D4 had almost equal cytotoxic potency with corresponding mono-Mannich bases Ig1 and Ig4, respectively. On the other hand, azine derivatives D2 and D3, had 1.28 and 1.90-times less cytotoxicity in Jurkat cells compared with the mono-Mannich bases, Ig2 and Ig3, respectively, from which they are derived. Azine derivative D3 dose-dependently decreased the total cellular glutathione level, suggesting that azine derivatives may exert cytotoxicity by thiol alkylation. Azine derivatives with equal or less cytotoxic potency compared to the mono-Mannich bases they are derived from seemed to be less suitable derivatives for the development of new cytotoxic compounds.

Toxicity of some bis Mannich bases and corresponding piperidinols in the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) bioassay

Some acetophenone-derived bis Mannich bases were synthesized: bis[beta-benzoylethyl]ethylamine hydrochloride (IIa), bis[beta-(p-methylbenzoyl)ethyl]ethylamine hydrochloride (IIb), bis[beta-(p-chlorobenzoyl)ethyl]ethy- lamine hydrochloride (IId), bis[(2-thienylcarbonyl)ethyl]ethylamine hydrochloride (IIe); some corresponding piperidinol derivatives: 3-benzoyl-1-ethyl-4-phenyl-4-piperidinol hydrochloride (IIIa), 1-ethyl-3-(p-methyl- benzoyl)-4-(p-methylphenyl)-4-piperidinol hydrochloride (IIIb), 1-ethyl-3-(p-methoxybenzoyl)-4-(p-methoxy- phenyl)-4-piperidinol hydrochloride (IIIc), 1-ethyl-3-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-4-(p-chlorophenyl)-4-piperidinol hydrochloride (IIId), 1-ethyl-4-(2-thienyl)-3-(2-thienylcarbonyl)-4-piperidinol hydrochloride (IIIe); and some representative quaternary piperidinols: 3-benzoyl-1-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-4-phenylpiperidinium iodide (IIIf), 1-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(p-methylbenzoyl)-4-(p-methylphenyl)piperidinium iodide (IIIg). Toxicity was tested by the brine shrimp bioassay as an intermediate test before further in vivo animal experiments. Piperidine derivatives were found to be more potent than bis Mannich bases. Quaternary piperidine derivatives IIIf and IIIg and also non-quaternary piperidine derivatives IIIb, IIIe, IIIc and IIId were more toxic than 5-fluorouracil in brine shrimp bioassay. Except for IIe, bis Mannich bases were not effective. Quaternization and conversion of bis Mannich bases to corresponding piperidines improved the toxicity. The lipid solubility of the compounds may not affect the toxicity. From these findings the quaternary piperidine derivatives IIIf and IIIg could be used in further drug development and also for in vivo experiments.

Antifungal evaluation of bis Mannich bases derived from acetophenones and their corresponding piperidinols and stability studies

The development of resistance to current antifungal therapeutics drives the search for effective new agents. The fact that some acetophenone-derived Mannich bases had shown antifungal activities in our previous studies led us to design and synthesize acetophenone-derived bis Mannich bases, B1-B5, bis(beta-aroylethyl)methylamine hydrochlorides, to evaluate their antifungal activity. These bis Mannich bases were then converted to the corresponding piperidinols, C1-C5, which are structural isomers of bis derivatives, 3-aroyl-4-aryl-1-methyl-4-piperidinol hydrochlorides, to see alterations in biological activity. A stability study of B1 and Cl was also carried out to estimate whether they alkylate the thiols. All compounds studied have shown antifungal activity, especially against dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans, and Microsporum canis), in the concentration range studied (2-128 microng/ml). The activity was especially apparent against T. tonsurans. All compounds had at least equal antifungal activity compared with the reference compound amphotericin-B against T. tonsurans. Bis Mannich bases were generally found to be more potent compounds than their structural isomer piperidinols. The results of our stability studies suggest that thiol alkylation may contribute to the antifungal activity of the Mannich bases synthesized. Even though all compounds showed antifungal activity against dermatophytes, bis Mannich bases B1, B2, B4, and B5 appear to have potential for developing novel antifungal agents against dermatophytes.