Reversal agent and linker variants of reversed chloroquines: activities against Plasmodium falciparum

Biological evaluation of novel side chain containing CQTrICh-analogs as antimalarials and their development as PfCDPK1 kinase inhibitors

The rapid emergence of resistance to existing frontline antimalarial drugs emphasizes a need for the development of target-oriented molecules with novel modes of action. Given the importance of a plant-like Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 1 (PfCDPK1) as a stand-alone multistage signalling regulator of P. falciparum, we designed and synthesized 7-chloroquinoline-indole-chalcones tethered with a triazole (CQTrICh-analogs 7 (a-s) and 9) directed towards PfCDPK1. This was accomplished by reacting substituted 1-phenyl-3-(1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1H-indol-3-yl) prop-2-en-1-one and 1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde with 4-azido-7-chloroquinoline, respectively via a 'click' reaction. The selected CQTrICh-analogs: 7l and 7r inhibited the growth of chloroquine-sensitive 3D7 strain and -resistant RKL-9 isolate of Plasmodium falciparum, with IC50 values of 2.4 μM & 1.8 μM (7l), and 3.5 μM & 2.7 μM (7r), respectively, and showed no apparent hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. Intra-erythrocytic progression studies revealed that the active hybrids: 7l and 7r are effective against the mature stages of the parasite. 7l and 7r were found to stably interact with the catalytically active ATP-binding pocket of PfCDPK1 via energetically favourable H-bonds. The interaction was confirmed in vitro by microscale thermophoresis and kinase assays, which demonstrated that the active hybrids interact with PfCDPK1 and inhibit its kinase activity which is presumably responsible for the parasite growth inhibition. Interestingly, 7l and 7r showed no inhibitory effect on the human kinases, indicating their selectivity for the parasite kinase. We report the antiplasmodial potential of novel kinase-targeting bio-conjugates, a step towards developing pan-kinase inhibitors which is a prerequisite for multistage anti-malarial protection.

Paired electrolysis enabled annulation for the quinolyl-modification of bioactive molecules

A paired electrolysis enabled cascade annulation that enables the efficient synthesis of highly functionalized quinoline-substituted bioactive molecules from readily available starting materials is reported. Using this methodology, two goals, namely, the direct synthesis of quinolines and the introduction of quinoline moieties to bioactive molecules, can be simultaneously achieved in one simple operation. The use of electroreduction for the activation of isatin, together with the further anodic oxidation of KI to catalytically result in a cascade annulation, highlight the unique possibilities associated with electrochemical activation methods. This transformation can tolerate a wide range of functional groups and can also be used as a functionalization tactic in pharmaceutical research as well as other areas.

Photocatalytic Synthesis of Quinolines via Povarov Reaction under Oxidant-Free Conditions

We describe here an approach for synthesizing quinolines either from N-alkyl anilines or from anilines and aldehydes. A dual-catalyst system consisting of a photocatalyst and a proton reduction cocatalyst is employed. Without the use of any sacrificial oxidant and under extremely mild conditions, the reactions afford quinolines in excellent yields and produce H₂ as a byproduct.

Employing Arylacetylene as a Diene Precursor and Dienophile: Synthesis of Quinoline via the Povarov Reaction

A novel I₂-mediated Povarov reaction of arylacetylenes and anilines for the synthesis of 2,4-substituted quinolines has been developed, in which arylacetylene first acts as both a diene precursor and dienophile. This work further develops the Povarov reaction to expand the types of diene precursors. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that the I₂/DMSO system realized the oxidative carbonylation of C(sp)-H of arylacetylene and then undergoes a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction.

Synthesis and Antimalarial Activity of 4-Methylaminoquinoline Compounds against Drug-Resistant Parasite

A series of novel 4-aminoquinoline analogues bearing a methyl group at 4-aminoquinoline moiety were synthesized via a new and robust synthetic route comprising in situ tert-butoxycarbonyl (Boc) deprotection-methylation cascade resulting in the corresponding N-methylated secondary amine using Red-Al and an efficient microwave-assisted strategy for the fusion of N-methylated secondary amine with 4-chloroquinoline nucleus to access the series of novel 4-N-methylaminoquinoline analogues. The new series of compounds were evaluated for their antimalarial activity in in vitro and in vivo models. Among 21 tested compounds, 9a-i have shown a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value less than 0.5 μM (i.e., <500 nM) against both chloroquine-sensitive strain 3D7 and chloroquine-resistant strain K1 of Plasmodium falciparum with acceptable cytotoxicity. Based on the in vitro antimalarial activity, selected compounds were screened for their in vivo antimalarial activity against Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis (a multidrug-resistant) parasite in Swiss mice. Most of the compounds have shown significant inhibition on day 4 post infection at the oral dose of 100 mg/kg. Compound 9a has shown 100% parasite inhibition on day 4, and out of five treated mice, two were cured till the end of the experiment. The present study suggests that 4-methylamino substitution is well tolerated for the antiplasmodial activity with reduced toxicity and therefore will be highly useful for the discovery of a new antimalarial agent against drug-resistant malaria.

Direct C-H aminocarbonylation of N-heteroarenes with isocyanides under transition metal-free conditions

A C-C bond forming amide synthesis through direct C-H aminocarbonylation of N-heteroarenes with isocyanides was developed. The reaction was mediated by an inorganic persulfate salt under transition metal-free conditions. Mechanistic studies suggested a radical pathway for this reaction without the participation of H₂O and O₂. This method also showed merits of substrate availability, easy operation and atom economy. It provided an efficient route for straightforward synthesis of N-heteroaryl amides.

Synthesis and antimalarial and anticancer evaluation of 7-chlorquinoline-4-thiazoleacetic derivatives containing aryl hydrazide moieties

Twelve 7-chloroquinoline derivatives were designed and synthesized using the principle of molecular hybridization through the coupling of 2-[2-(7-chloroquinolin-4-ylthio)-4-methylthiazol-5-yl]acetic acid 1 with various benzoyl hydrazines 2a-l. The synthetic compounds were tested as antimalarials. Some of them showed an efficient in vitro activity as inhibitors of β-hematin formation and an in vivo activity in a murine model, resulting in compounds 8 and 9 as the most active ones with IC₅₀ values of 0.65 ± 0.09 and 0.64 ± 0.16 µM, respectively. The effects of the compounds on the cell viability, cell cycle, and apoptosis induction of A549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines were also examined. Our data showed that compounds 6 and 12 were the most active agents, decreasing the cell viability of MCF-7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 15.41 and 12.99 µM, respectively. None of the compounds analyzed significantly affected the viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Also, significant induction of apoptosis was observed when both cancer cell lines were incubated with compounds 6 and 12. In MCF-7 cells, treatment with these compounds led to cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. The results obtained suggest that these structures may be useful in developing new therapies for malaria and cancer treatment.

Palladium(ii)-catalyzed three-component tandem reactions: synthesis of multiply substituted quinolines

The three-component tandem reaction of 2-aminobenzonitriles, arylboronic acids and ketones as available reagents allowing the synthesis of polysubstitution quinolines is reported.

Structural and biological survey of 7-chloro-4-(piperazin-1-yl)quinoline and its derivatives

The 7-chloro-4-(piperazin-1-yl)quinoline structure is an important scaffold in medicinal chemistry. It exhibited either alone or as hybrid with other active pharmacophores diverse pharmacological profiles such as: antimalarial, antiparasitic, anti-HIV, antidiabetic, anticancer, sirtuin Inhibitors, dopamine-3 ligands, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and serotonin antagonists. In the presented review, a comprehensive discussion of compounds having this structural core is surveyed and illustrated.

Unsymmetrical Bisquinolines with High Potency against P. falciparum Malaria

Quinoline-based scaffolds have been the mainstay of antimalarial drugs, including many artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs), over the history of modern drug development. Although much progress has been made in the search for novel antimalarial scaffolds, it may be that quinolines will remain useful, especially if very potent compounds from this class are discovered. We report here the results of a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study assessing potential unsymmetrical bisquinoline antiplasmodial drug candidates using in vitro activity against intact parasites in cell culture. Many unsymmetrical bisquinolines were found to be highly potent against both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites. Further work to develop such compounds could focus on minimizing toxicities in order to find suitable candidates for clinical evaluation.

Recent Highlights in Anti-infective Medicinal Chemistry from South Africa

Global advancements in biological technologies have vastly increased the variety of and accessibility to bioassay platforms, while simultaneously improving our understanding of druggable chemical space. In the South African context, this has resulted in a rapid expansion in the number of medicinal chemistry programmes currently operating, particularly on university campuses. Furthermore, the modern medicinal chemist has the advantage of being able to incorporate data from numerous related disciplines into the medicinal chemistry process, allowing for informed molecular design to play a far greater role than previously possible. Accordingly, this review focusses on recent highlights in drug-discovery programmes, in which South African medicinal chemistry groups have played a substantive role in the design and optimisation of biologically active compounds which contribute to the search for promising agents for infectious disease.

Silver-catalyzed direct C-H oxidative carbamoylation of quinolines with oxamic acids

A silver-catalyzed efficient and direct C-H carbamoylation of quinolines with oxamic acids to access carbamoylated quinolines has been developed through oxidative decarboxylation reaction. The reaction proceeds smoothly over a broad range of substrates with excellent functional group tolerance and excellent yields under mild conditions.

Rh-Catalyzed C-H Amination/Annulation of Acrylic Acids and Anthranils by Using -COOH as a Deciduous Directing Group: An Access to Diverse Quinolines

A method for the synthesis of diverse polysubstituted quinolines from readily available acrylic acids and anthranils has been developed. The weakly coordinating -COOH directing group, which can be tracelessly removed in the cascade cyclization, is essential for this reaction. Diverse polysubstituted quinolines were obtained under mild reaction conditions with simple H₂O and CO₂ as byproducts. More importantly, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine, which is the core skeleton of tacrine (an Alzheimer's disease drug), was conveniently synthesized.

Copper-Catalyzed Annulation or Homocoupling of Sulfoxonium Ylides: Synthesis of 2,3-Diaroylquinolines or α,α,β-Tricarbonyl Sulfoxonium Ylides

An unprecedented copper-catalyzed reaction of sulfoxonium ylides and anthranils is reported that enables an easy access to 2,3-diaroylquinolines through a [4+1+1] annulation. Copper-catalyzed homocoupling of sulfoxonium ylides provided α,α,β-tricarbonyl sulfoxonium ylides, which provides a strategy to extend the carbon chain through C-C bond formation. The utility of the products as well as the mechanistic details of the process are presented.

Synthesis and biological activity of 2-[2-(7-chloroquinolin-4-ylthio)-4-methylthiazol-5-yl]-N-phenylacetamide derivatives as antimalarial and cytotoxic agents

A novel series of 2-[2-(7-chloroquinolin-4-ylthio)-4-methylthiazol-5-yl]- N-phenylacetamide derivatives is synthesized via substitution with 2-mercapto-4-methyl-5-thiazoleacetic acid at position 4 of 4,7-dichloroquinoline to obtain an intermediate acetic acid derivative. The chemical behavior of these reactants was investigated using different reaction conditions to optimize the nucleophilic substitution at position 4. The final compounds are prepared using a modified version of the Steglich esterification reaction between the acetic acid intermediate 3 and different anilines. The structures are confirmed by infrared, 1H, 13C, distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer 135°, Correlated Spectroscopy, heteronuclear correlation spectroscopy and (Long range HETCOR using three BIRD pulses) FLOCK-NMR spectral studies, and by elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds are tested in vitro and in vivo for their potential antimalarial and anticancer activities, with derivative 11 being the most promising candidate.

Hybrid molecules with potential in vitro antiplasmodial and in vivo antimalarial activity against drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum

Malaria is a tropical disease, leading to around half a million deaths annually. Antimalarials such as quinolines are crucial to fight against malaria, but malaria control is extremely challenged by the limited pipeline of effective pharmaceuticals against drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum which are resistant toward almost all currently accessible antimalarials. To tackle the growing resistance, new antimalarial drugs are needed urgently. Hybrid molecules which contain two or more pharmacophores have the potential to overcome the drug resistance, and hybridization of quinoline privileged antimalarial building block with other antimalarial pharmacophores may provide novel molecules with enhanced in vitro and in vivo activity against drug-resistant (including multidrug-resistant) P falciparum. In recent years, numerous of quinoline hybrids were developed, and their activities against a panel of drug-resistant P falciparum strains were screened. Some of quinoline hybrids were found to possess promising in vitro and in vivo potency. This review emphasized quinoline hybrid molecules with potential in vitro antiplasmodial and in vivo antimalarial activity against drug-resistant P falciparum, covering articles published between 2010 and 2019.

Zinc-Chelating Small Molecules Preferentially Accumulate and Function within Pancreatic β Cells

Diabetes is a hyperglycemic condition characterized by pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and depletion. Whereas methods for monitoring β-cell function in vivo exist, methods to deliver therapeutics to β cells are lacking. We leveraged the rare ability of β cells to concentrate zinc to preferentially trap zinc-binding molecules within β cells, resulting in β-cell-targeted compound delivery. We determined that zinc-rich β cells and islets preferentially accumulated TSQ (6-methoxy-8-p-toluenesulfonamido-quinoline) in a zinc-dependent manner compared with exocrine pancreas. Next, we asked whether appending a zinc-chelating moiety onto a β-cell replication-inducing compound was sufficient to confer preferential β-cell accumulation and activity. Indeed, the hybrid compound preferentially accumulated within rodent and human islets in a zinc-dependent manner and increased the selectivity of replication-promoting activity toward β cells. These data resolve the fundamental question of whether intracellular accumulation of zinc-chelating compounds is influenced by zinc content. Furthermore, application of this principle yielded a proof-of-concept method for β-cell-targeted drug delivery and bioactivity.

Synthesis of thieno[2,3-b]quinoline and selenopheno[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives via iodocyclization reaction and a DFT mechanistic study

In this letter, we report the regioselective iodocyclization reaction of 3-alkynyl-2-(methylthio)quinolines and 3-alkynyl-2-(methylseleno)quinolines for the synthesis of thieno[2,3-b]quinoline and selenopheno[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives. Furthermore, by employing various palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira, Suzuki, and Heck reactions, the structural diversification of the resulting halide derivatives, which can act as the important intermediates for building other valuable compounds, was achieved. All compounds were fully characterized by the FT-IR, mass, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectral data. Finally, the structure of the thieno[2,3-b]quinoline derivative was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. This methodology provided a novel pathway to access quinoline fused heterocycles via iodocyclization reaction. Furthermore, the reaction process was well elucidated by density functional theory calculations.

The solvent-controlled chemoselective construction of C–S/S–S bonds via the Michael reaction/thiol coupling of quinoline-2-thiones

The solvent-controlled selective construction of C–S and S–S bonds containing a quinoline skeleton under mild conditions from quinoline-2-thiones has been reported.

Indium(III) Triflate-Catalyzed Reactions of Aza-Michael Adducts of Chalcones with Aromatic Amines: Retro-Michael Addition versus Quinoline Formation

The indium(III) triflate-catalyzed reaction of aza-Michael adducts of chalcones with aromatic amines has been investigated. The Michael adducts derived from substituted anilines and chalcones underwent retro-Michael addition to give the original starting materials, whereas the adducts derived from 1-naphthylamines and chalcones afforded quinolines. A six-membered cyclic transition state has been proposed to explain the retro-Michael addition, while a Povarov mechanism has been put forward to explain the quinoline formation.

Synthesis of quinolines and naphthyridines via catalytic retro-aldol reaction of β-hydroxyketones with ortho-aminobenzaldehydes or nicotinaldehydes

A Cu(i)-catalyzed retro-aldol reaction of β-hydroxyketones with ortho-aminobenzaldehydes and nicotinaldehydes is reported that produces a range of quinolines and naphthyridines with high efficiency and selectivity. This reaction uses β-hydroxyketones as a regiospecific ketone-protected enolate source via copper-catalyzed retro-aldol C_α-C_β bond cleavage. The in situ generated copper enolate undergoes kinetically favorable cyclization with ortho-amino aryl aldehydes to produce quinolines and naphthyridines in a chemo- and regioselective manner. The mild and weakly basic reaction conditions also suppress possible side reactions of benzaldehydes under strongly basic conditions, resulting in improved reaction yields.

Gold- and silver-catalyzed intramolecular annulation and rearrangement of aniline-linked 1,6-enynes containing methylenecyclopropanes

A new synthetic approach for the construction of 1,2-dihydroquinolines having a methylenecyclopropane moiety or a cyclobutene moiety has been developed from gold- and silver-catalyzed annulation of N-tethered 1,6-enynes containing methylenecyclopropanes.

Reversed isoniazids: Design, synthesis and evaluation against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Novel reversed isoniazid (RINH) agents were synthesized by covalently linking isoniazid with various efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) cores and their structural motifs. These RINH agents were then evaluated for anti-mycobacterial activity against sensitive, isoniazid mono-resistant and MDR clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis and a selected number of compounds were also tested ex vivo for intracellular activity as well as in the ethidium bromide (EB) assay for efflux pump inhibition efficacy. The potency of some compounds against various strains of M. tuberculosis (4a-c, 7 and 8; H37Rv-MIC₉₉ ≤1.25 µM, R5401-MIC₉₉ ≤2.5 µM, X_61-MIC₉₉ ≤5 µM) demonstrated the potential of the reversed anti-TB agent strategy towards the development of novel anti-mycobacterial agents to address the rapidly growing issue of resistance. Further, macrophage activity with >90% inhibition by 1a-c and 3b (MIC₉₀ ≤13.42 µM) and inhibition of EB efflux demonstrated by these compounds are encouraging.

Quinoline-Based Hybrid Compounds with Antimalarial Activity

The application of quinoline-based compounds for the treatment of malaria infections is hampered by drug resistance. Drug resistance has led to the combination of quinolines with other classes of antimalarials resulting in enhanced therapeutic outcomes. However, the combination of antimalarials is limited by drug-drug interactions. In order to overcome the aforementioned factors, several researchers have reported hybrid compounds prepared by reacting quinoline-based compounds with other compounds via selected functionalities. This review will focus on the currently reported quinoline-based hybrid compounds and their preclinical studies.

4-Aminoquinoline Antimalarials Containing a Benzylmethylpyridylmethylamine Group Are Active against Drug Resistant Plasmodium falciparum and Exhibit Oral Activity in Mice

Emergence of drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum including artemisinin-tolerant parasites highlights the need for new antimalarials. We have previously shown that dibemequines, 4-amino-7-chloroquinolines with dibenzylmethylamine (dibemethin) side chains, are efficacious. In this study, analogues in which the terminal phenyl group of the dibemethin was replaced with a 2-pyridyl group and in which the 4-amino-7-chloroquinoline was either maintained or replaced with a 4-aminoquinoline-7-carbonitrile were synthesized in an effort to improve druglikeness. These compounds exhibited significantly improved solubility and decreased lipophilicity and were potent against chloroquine-sensitive (NF54) and -resistant (Dd2 and 7G8) P. falciparum strains with 5/6 having IC₅₀ < 100 nM against the NF54 strain. All inhibited both β-hematin (synthetic hemozoin) formation and hemozoin formation in the parasite. Parasitemia was reduced by over 90% in P. berghei infected mice in 3/6 derivatives following oral dosing at 4 × 30 mg/kg, with microsomal metabolic stability data suggesting that this could be attributed to highly active metabolites.

Oxidative Annulations Involving DMSO and Formamide: K2S2O8 Mediated Syntheses of Quinolines and Pyrimidines

An efficient strategy toward 4-arylquinolines and 4-arylpyrimidines from readily available precursors is described. Oxidative annulation promoted by K₂S₂O₈ involving anilines, aryl ketones, and DMSO as a methine (═CH-) equivalent leads to 4-arylquinolines via a cascade that entails generation of a sulfenium ion, subsequent C-N and C-C bond formations, and cyclization. The application of this strategy to the activation of acetophenone-formamide conjugates toward the synthesis of 4-arylpyrimidines is also described.

Simplified Reversed Chloroquines To Overcome Malaria Resistance to Quinoline-Based Drugs

Building on our earlier work of attaching a chemosensitizer (reversal agent) to a known drug pharmacophore, we have now expanded the structure-activity relationship study to include simplified versions of the chemosensitizer. The change from two aromatic rings in this head group to a single ring does not appear to detrimentally affect the antimalarial activity of the compounds. Data from in vitro heme binding and β-hematin inhibition assays suggest that the single aromatic RCQ compounds retain activities against Plasmodium falciparum similar to those of CQ, although other mechanisms of action may be relevant to their activities.

Anti-malarial effect of novel chloroquine derivatives as agents for the treatment of malaria

Background

The widespread emergence of anti-malarial drug resistance has necessitated the discovery of novel anti-malarial drug candidates. In this study, chloroquine derivatives were evaluated for the improved anti-malarial activity.

Results

Novel two derivatives (SKM13 and SKM14) were synthesized based on the chloroquine (CQ) template containing modified side chains such as α,β-unsaturated amides and phenylmethyl group. The selective index indicated that SKM13 was 1.28-fold more effective than CQ against the CQ-resistant strain Plasmodium falciparum. An in vivo mouse study demonstrated that SKM13 (20 mg/kg) could completely inhibit Plasmodium berghei growth in blood and increased the survival rate from 40 to 100% at 12 days after infection. Haematological parameters [red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin level, and haematocrit level] were observed as an indication of clinical malarial anaemia during an evaluation of the efficacy of SKM13 in a 4-day suppression test. An in vivo study showed a decrease of greater than 70% in the number of RBC in P. berghei-infected mice over 12 days, but the SKM13 (20 mg/kg)-treated group showed no loss of RBC.

Conclusions

CQ derivatives with substituents such as α,β-unsaturated amides and phenylmethyl group have enhanced anti-malarial activity against the CQ-resistant strain P. falciparum, and SKM13 is an excellent anti-malarial drug candidate in mice model.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12936-017-1725-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

α,β-Functionalization of saturated ketones with anthranils via Cu-catalyzed sequential dehydrogenation/aza-Michael addition/annulation cascade reactions in one-pot

An efficient method to access functionalized quinolines from the readily available saturated ketones and anthranils have been explored.

AgNO3-catalyzed direct C–H arylation of quinolines by oxidative decarboxylation of aromatic carboxylic acids

AgNO₃-catalyzed direct C–H arylation of quinolines by oxidative decarboxylation of aromatic carboxylic acids to afford aryl quinoline derivatives in moderate yields was described.

Carbon annulation of ortho-vinylanilines with dimethyl sulfoxide to access 4-aryl quinolines

A palladium-catalyzed annulation of ortho-vinylanilines with dimethyl sulfoxide was developed to access 4-aryl quinolines in moderate to good yields.