Substituted 2,5'-Bi-1H-benzimidazoles: topoisomerase I inhibition and cytotoxicity

Recent advancements in the quest of benzazoles as anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis agents

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health challenge, claiming numerous lives each year, despite recent advancements in drug discovery and treatment strategies. Current TB treatment typically involves long-duration chemotherapy regimens that are often accompanied by adverse effects. The introduction of new anti-TB drugs, such as Bedaquiline, Delamanid, and Pretomanid, offers hope for more effective treatment, although challenges persist keeping the quest to find new anti-TB chemotypes an incessant exercise of medicinal chemists. Towards this initiative, the benzazoles continue to draw attention and have been recognised as new anti-TB scaffolds. Benzazole-containing compounds emerged as new chemotypes with potential to offer a versatile platform for new anti-TB drug design to generate new leads for further optimization. The elucidation of their chemical properties, biological effects, and potential mechanisms of action, would lead to identify innovative candidates for TB therapy. As medicinal chemists delve deeper into the SARs and mechanisms of action of benzazole derivatives, new opportunities for creating effective and safe anti-TB medications arise. This review highlights the potential impact of benzazole-based compounds on the search for new therapeutic agents against tuberculosis, emphasizing the importance of continued research and innovation in the field.

Prospects of Topoisomerase Inhibitors as Promising Anti-Cancer Agents

Topoisomerases are very important enzymes that regulate DNA topology and are vital for biological actions like DNA replication, transcription, and repair. The emergence and spread of cancer has been intimately associated with topoisomerase dysregulation. Topoisomerase inhibitors have consequently become potential anti-cancer medications because of their ability to obstruct the normal function of these enzymes, which leads to DNA damage and subsequently causes cell death. This review emphasizes the importance of topoisomerase inhibitors as marketed, clinical and preclinical anti-cancer medications. In the present review, various types of topoisomerase inhibitors and their mechanisms of action have been discussed. Topoisomerase I inhibitors, which include irinotecan and topotecan, are agents that interact with the DNA-topoisomerase I complex and avert resealing of the DNA. The accretion of DNA breaks leads to the inhibition of DNA replication and cell death. On the other hand, topoisomerase II inhibitors like etoposide and teniposide, function by cleaving the DNA-topoisomerase II complex thereby effectively impeding the release of double-strand DNA breaks. Moreover, the recent advances in exploring the therapeutic efficacy, toxicity, and MDR (multidrug resistance) issues of new topoisomerase inhibitors have been reviewed in the present review.

Copper(I) Chloride Mediated Amination of Halobenzenes via Azides: Scope, Mechanistic Aspects, and C-C Cleavage Reactions

Selective azidation-amination of long-chain alkanoyl halobenzenes with sodium azide, promoted by copper(I) chloride, is reported. The protocol is, apart from CuCl and NaN₃, additive free and allows the isolation of versatile amine-azides. Alkyl cleavage occurs as a side reaction through an unusual Schmidt-type azide insertion adjacent to the carbonyl group, forming alkyl nitriles possibly via radical pathways. Mechanistic studies involving ¹⁵N labeling experiments and test substrates indicate that the reaction occurs via 1-azido-4-alkanoyl benzenes. The amination is applicable for substrates with electron-withdrawing groups and proceeds under mild conditions. The mechanism of the amine formation involves nitrenes. Intermediates were trapped by carrying out the reaction in the presence of the 2,2,6,6-(tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl stable radical and characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The intermediates are consistent with earlier mechanistic proposals.

Microwave assisted C–S cross-coupling reaction from thiols and 2-(4-bromo phenyl)-benzothiazole employed by CuI in acetonitrile

A microwave assisted C–S and C–Se cross-coupling reaction was carried out in acetonitrile employing commercially available, low-cost CuI as the catalyst.

Recent Progress of Benzimidazole Hybrids for Anticancer Potential

This review presents the detailed account of factors leading to cancer and design strategy for the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives as anticancer agents. The recent survey for cancer treatment in Cancer facts and figures 2017 American Chemical Society has shown progressive development in fighting cancer. Researchers all over the world in both developed and developing countries are in a continuous effort to tackle this serious concern. Benzimidazole and its derivatives showed a broad range of biological activities due to their resemblance with naturally occurring nitrogenous base i.e. purine. The review discussed benzimidazole derivatives showing anticancer properties through a different mechanism viz. intercalation, alkylating agents, topoisomerases, DHFR enzymes, and tubulin inhibitors. Benzimidazole derivatives act through a different mechanism and the substituents reported from the earlier and recent research articles are prerequisites for the synthesis of targeted based benzimidazole derivatives as anticancer agents. The review focuses on an easy comparison of the substituent essential for potency and selectivity through SAR presented in figures. This will further provide a better outlook or fulfills the challenges faced in the development of novel benzimidazole derivatives as anticancer.

A Novel Synthesis of 2-Arylbenzimidazole and 2-Arylbenzothiazole Derivatives by MnO2/MOF-199

The main objective of this research is to develop efficient and environmentally benign heterogeneous catalysts for synthesis of 2-arylbenzimidazole and 2-arylbenzothiazoles derivatives by MnO2/MOF-199. For this purpose, a heterogeneous MnO2/MOF-199 catalyst was prepared by the solvothermal method, and the prepared catalyst was characterised by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), BET, IR, thermogravimetric–differential thermogravimetric (TG-DTG), and temperature-programmed desorption with ammonia (NH3-TPD) analysis. The solid catalyst, with a MnO2/MOF-199 loading of 9%, demonstrated a high catalytic activity in the synthesis of 1,2-arylbenzimidazole and 1,2-arylbenzothiazole derivatives and the catalyst could be reused for at least 5 cycles under mild conditions.

β-Lactams as promising anticancer agents: Molecular hybrids, structure activity relationships and potential targets

β-Lactam, commonly referred as azetidin-2-one, is a multifunctional building block for synthesizing β-amino ketones, γ-amino alcohols, and other compounds. Besides its well known antibiotic activity, this ring system exhibits a wide range of activities, attracting the attention of researchers. However, the structurally diverse β-lactam analogues as anticancer agents and their different molecular targets are poorly discussed. The purpose of this review is 3-fold: (1) to explore the molecular hybridization approach to design β-lactams hybrids as anticancer agents; (2) the structure activity relationship of the most active anticancer β-lactams and (3) to summarize their antitumor mechanisms.

Synthesis and insight into the structure-activity relationships of 2-phenylbenzimidazoles as prospective anticancer agents

In order to explore and develop new anticancer agents, three series of 2-phenylbenzimidazoles, 15-46, were condensed under simple and mild conditions using sodium metabisulfite as an oxidation agent and another series, 47-55, were obtained via a reduction reaction using sodium borohydride. All the compounds synthesized were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activities against three human cancer cell lines. The novel compound 38 was found to be the most potent multi cancer inhibitor against A549, MDA-MB-231, and PC3 cell lines (IC50 values 4.47, 4.68 and 5.50 μg mL-1, respectively). In addition, compound 40 exhibited the best IC50 value of 3.55 μg mL-1 against the MDA-MB-231 cell line. The results demonstrated that introducing a new substituent to compounds 37-55 could improve their antiproliferative activities.

An Efficient Synthesis of Benzimidazole and Benzothiazole Derivatives Using a Nickel(II) Metal-Organic Framework

BACKGROUND

The benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles have shown relatively high pharmaceutical and biological activities. In recent years, numerous methods have been developed for synthesis of benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives using different catalysts. However, only some of the reported procedures are quite satisfactory and most of them have drawbacks. Herein, we report a convenient method for synthesis of benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives using a nickel (II) metal-organic framework (Ni- MOF) as a novel and reusable catalyst. The presence of unsaturated metal centers makes metal-organic frameworks to be used as Lewis acid catalysts.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study was to describe an efficient method for synthesis of benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives.

METHOD

Ni-MOF was prepared using the modified evaporation method and was characterized by FE-SEM, FT-IR, TGA, and XRD techniques.The catalyst was then used to test the synthesis of some benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives. The benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles were characterized by Elemental analyses, HNMR and IR techniques.

RESULT

A variety of aromatic aldehydes bearing electron donating groups or electron-withdrawing were reacted with 1,2-phenylenediamine or 2-aminothiophenol using Ni-MOF in good to excellent yields.

CONCLUSION

In summary, a new and highly efficient method was developed and reported for the synthesis of benzimidazole and benzothiazole derivatives using nickel(II) metal-organic framework. The advantages are short reaction times, good to excellent yields, the environmentally benign and simple procedure, stability, nontoxicity, recyclability, and easy separation of the catalyst.

Drug library screen reveals benzimidazole derivatives as selective cytotoxic agents for KRAS-mutant lung cancer

KRAS is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Mutations in KRAS are detected in 30% of NSCLC cases, with most of them occurring in codons 12 and 13 and less commonly in others. Despite intense efforts to develop drugs targeting mutant KRAS, no effective therapeutic strategies have been successfully tested in clinical trials. Here, we investigated molecular targets for KRAS-activated lung cancer cells using a drug library. A total of 1271 small molecules were screened in KRAS-mutant and wild-type lung cancer cell lines. The screening identified the cytotoxic effects of benzimidazole derivatives on KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells. Treatments with two benzimidazole derivatives, methiazole and fenbendazole-both of which are structurally specific-yielded significant suppression of the RAS-related signaling pathways in KRAS-mutated cells. Moreover, combinatorial therapy with methiazole and trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, induced synergistic effects in KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells. Our study demonstrates that these benzimidazole derivatives play an important role in suppressing KRAS-mutant lung cancer cells, thus offering a novel combinatorial therapeutic approach against such cancer cells.

Topoisomerase 1B poisons: Over a half-century of drug leads, clinical candidates, and serendipitous discoveries

Topoisomerases are DNA processing enzymes that relieve supercoiling (torsional strain) in DNA, are necessary for normal cellular division, and act by nicking (and then religating) DNA strands. Type 1B topoisomerase (Top1) is overexpressed in certain tumors, and the enzyme has been extensively investigated as a target for cancer chemotherapy. Various chemical agents can act as "poisons" of the enzyme's religation step, leading to Top1-DNA lesions, DNA breakage, and eventual cellular death. In this review, agents that poison Top1 (and have thus been investigated for their anticancer properties) are surveyed, including natural products (such as camptothecins and indolocarbazoles), semisynthetic camptothecin and luotonin derivatives, and synthetic compounds (such as benzonaphthyridines, aromathecins, and indenoisoquinolines), as well as targeted therapies and conjugates. Top1 has also been investigated as a therapeutic target in certain viral and parasitic infections, as well as autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurological disorders, and a summary of literature describing alternative indications is also provided. This review should provide both a reference for the medicinal chemist and potentially offer clues to aid in the development of new Top1 poisons.

A novel synthesis of 2-arylbenzimidazoles in molecular sieves-MeOH system and their antitubercular activity

Arylbenzimidazoles have been synthesized as antimycobacterial agents. An efficient synthesis has been developed for 2-arylbenzimidazoles from o-phenylenediamines and aromatic aldehydes in molecular sieves-methanol system. The methodology is straightforward to get 2-arylbenzimidazoles (3a-3z) in excellent yields with high chemoselectivity over 2-aryl-1-benzylbenzimidazoles (4a-4z). All these benzimidazole analogues were evaluated against M. tuberculosis in BACTEC radiometric assay. The compounds 4y and 4z exhibited potential antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H₃₇R_V, MIC at 16 µM and 24 µM respectively. The best compound of the series i.e. compound 4y was well tolerated by Swiss-albino mice in acute oral toxicity. Compound 4y possessing a diarylbenzimidazole core, can further be optimized for better activity.

Oxidant-free synthesis of benzimidazoles from alcohols and aromatic diamines catalysed by new Ru(ii)-PNS(O) pincer complexes

A greener method for synthesizing 2-substituted benzimidazole through the acceptorless dehydrogenative condensation of alcohols and ortho-arylenediamine is developed.

One-pot strategy of copper-catalyzed synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles

A simple, one-pot and copper-catalyzed coupling reaction for the construction of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives is described. A low-cost copper salt and a weak base, K₃PO₄, were utilized in this reaction. A variety of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles were obtained in moderate to excellent yields.

DFT study on the effects of β-cyclodextrin in synthesis of 2-phenylbenzimidazole via benzaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine

The conversion of 2-phenylbenzimidazole using o-phenylenediamine and benzaldehyde can be improved significantly under β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). The density functional theory (DFT) method was applied to study the whole process. According to energy parameters (binding energy, deformation energy) and structural deformation, entry models and the reaction process can be pinpointed, with o-phenylenediamine embedding β-CD from a wide rim, and then benzaldehyde passing into the inclusion from the narrow rim. Subsequently, natural bonding orbital (NBO), Mulliken charge, frontier orbital, FuKui function and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods were employed to reveal the mechanism of electron transfer. The results illustrate that β-CD plays a catalytic role in synthesis reaction mechanism on the secondary side, improving the reactivity and selectivity of the process. Graphical Abstract Density functional theory study of the effects of β-cyclodextrin in synthesis of 2-phenylbenzimidazole via benzaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine.

Topoisomerases: Resistance versus Sensitivity, How Far We Can Go?

DNA topoisomerases are ubiquitously present remarkable molecular machines that help in altering topology of DNA in living cells. The crucial role played by these nucleases during DNA replication, transcription, and recombination vis-à-vis less sequence similarity among different species makes topoisomerases unique and attractive targets for different anticancer and antibacterial drugs. However, druggability of topoisomerases by the existing class of molecules is increasingly becoming questationable due to resistance development predominated by mutations in the corresponding genes. The current scenario facing a decline in the development of new molecules further comprises an important factor that may challenge topoisomerase-targeting therapy. Thus, it is imperative to wisely use the existing inhibitors lest with this rapid rate of losing grip over the target we may not go too far. Furthermore, it is important not only to design new molecules but also to develop new approaches that may avoid obstacles in therapies due to multiple resistance mechanisms. This review provides a succinct account of different classes of topoisomerase inhibitors, focuses on resistance acquired by mutations in topoisomerases, and discusses the various approaches to increase the efficacy of topoisomerase inhibitors. In a later section, we also suggest the possibility of using bisbenzimidazoles along with efflux pump inhibitors for synergistic bactericidal effects.

Ball Milling Assisted Solvent and Catalyst Free Synthesis of Benzimidazoles and Their Derivatives

Benzoic acid and o-phenylenediamine efficiently reacted under the green solvent-free Ball Milling method. Several reaction parameters were investigated such as rotation frequency; milling balls weight and milling time. The optimum reaction condition was milling with 56.6 g weight of balls at 20 Hz frequency for one hour milling time. The study was extended for synthesis of a series of benzimidazol-2-one or benzimidazol-2-thione using different aldehydes; carboxylic acids; urea; thiourea or ammonium thiocyanate with o-phenylenediamine. Moreover; the alkylation of benzimidazolone or benzimidazolthione using ethyl chloroacetate was also studied.

Synthesis, binding assays, cytotoxic activity and docking studies of benzimidazole and benzothiophene derivatives with selective affinity for the CB2 cannabinoid receptor

Herein we report the design, synthesis, bioinformatic and biological studies of benzimidazole and benzothiophene derivatives as new cannabinoid receptor ligands. To test the hypothesis that the lack of a hydrogen bond interaction between benzimidazole and benzothiophene derivatives with Lys192 reduces their affinity for CB1 receptors (as we previously reported) and leads to CB2 selectivity, most of the tested compounds do not exhibit hydrogen bond acceptors. All compounds displayed mostly CB2 selectivity, although this was more pronounced in the benzimidazoles derivatives. Furthermore, docking assays revealed a ∏-cation interaction with Lys109 which could play a key role for the CB2 selectivity index. The series displayed low toxicity on five different cell lines. Derivative 8f presented the best binding profile (Ki = 0.08 μM), high selectivity index (KiCB1/KiCB2) and a low citoxicity. Interestingly, in cell viability experiments, using HL-60 cells (expressing exclusively CB2 receptors), all synthesised compounds were shown to be cytotoxic, suggesting that a CB2 agonist response may be involved.

Application of Resin-Bound Reagents for the Synthesis of Benzimidazole Derivatives

In an efficient exploitation of solid-phase chemistry, this work describes the preparation of the new resin-bound 4-( N-arylamino)-3-aminobenzoates and their successful cyclocondensations with the sodium bisulfite adducts of different aldehydes and triethyl orthoformate or triethyl orthoacetate, followed by resin cleavage to produce the target 1,2-diaryl- and 1-aryl-2-(un)substituted benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid derivatives, respectively. In another variation, the cyclocondensation of the resin-bound 4-( N-arylamino)-3-aminobenzoates with carbon disulfide afforded the corresponding resin-bound thioxobenzimidazoles, which upon cleavage gave the corresponding 2-thioxobenzimidazoles. S-Alkylation of the resin-bound thioxobenzimidazoles with benzyl chloride and 4-bromophenacyl bromide furnished 2-benzylsulfanyl benzimidazoles and 4-bromophenyl-2-oxoethylsulfanyl-benzimidazoles, respectively. Reacting the resin-bound 4-( N-arylamino)-3-aminobenzoates with phenyl isothiocyanate gave the open-form 4-(arylamino)-3-(3-phenylthioureido) benzoic acids. Moreover, the reaction of the resin-bound 4-( N-arylamino)-3-aminobenzoates with N,N-carbonyldiimidazole yielded the corresponding 2-bezimidazolones.

Small heterocycles as highly luminescent building blocks in the solid state for organic synthesis

ESIPT photoactive mono-formylated benzoxazole derivatives obtained through a Duff functionalization protocol using a simple synthetic methodology.