Structure-activity modifications of the HIV-1 inhibitors (+)-calanolide A and (-)-calanolide B

Decarboxylative photoinduced ligand-to-metal charge transfer reaction: synthesis of 2-substituted chroman-4-ones

In this manuscript, a photoinduced ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) approach, employing transition-metal-based photocatalysts, for the efficient alkylation of electron-poor olefin is described. The developed redox-neutral process benefits from mild reaction conditions and involves a wide range of chromone-3-carboxylic acids as well as nucleophiles amenable to selective C-H functionalization leading to the formation of 2-substituted chroman-4-one compounds with potential biological activity.

Efficient and stereoselective synthesis of sugar fused pyrano[3,2-c]pyranones as anticancer agents

A highly stereoselective, efficient and facile route was achieved for the synthesis of novel and biochemically potent sugar fused pyrano[3,2-c]pyranone derivatives starting from inexpensive, naturally occurring d-galactose and d-glucose. First, β-C-glycopyranosyl aldehydes were synthesized from these d-hexose sugars in six steps, with overall yields 41-55%. Next, two different 1-C-formyl glycals were synthesized from these β-C-glycopyranosyl aldehydes by treatment in basic conditions. The optimization of reaction conditions was carried out following reactions between 1-C-formyl galactal and 4-hydroxycoumarin. Next, 1-C-formyl galactal and 1-C-formyl glucal were treated with nine substituted 4-hydroxy coumarins at room temperature (25 °C) in ethyl acetate for ∼1-2 h in the presence of l-proline to obtain exclusively single diastereomers of pyrano[3,2-c]pyranone derivatives in excellent yields. Four compounds were found to be active for the MCF-7 cancer cell line. The MTT assay, apoptosis assay and migration analysis showed significant death of the cancer cells induced by the synthesized compounds.

Therapeutic Effects of Coumarins with Different Substitution Patterns

The use of derivatives of natural and synthetic origin has gained attention because of their therapeutic effects against human diseases. Coumarins are one of the most common organic molecules and are used in medicine for their pharmacological and biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective, among others. In addition, coumarin derivates can modulate signaling pathways that impact several cell processes. The objective of this review is to provide a narrative overview of the use of coumarin-derived compounds as potential therapeutic agents, as it has been shown that substituents on the basic core of coumarin have therapeutic effects against several human diseases and types of cancer, including breast, lung, colorectal, liver, and kidney cancer. In published studies, molecular docking has represented a powerful tool to evaluate and explain how these compounds selectively bind to proteins involved in various cellular processes, leading to specific interactions with a beneficial impact on human health. We also included studies that evaluated molecular interactions to identify potential biological targets with beneficial effects against human diseases.

Computational Docking Study of Calanolides as Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

Despite the nationwide effort provided to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, we have yet to approve a specific antiviral treatment against the SARS-CoV-2. We have studied the molecular interactions between two anti-HIV-1 natural drugs, +(-) calanolide A and -(-) calanolide B, and the active site of 3CLpro through a computational docking method. Our promising results show that the two compounds of this study are potential inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro through strong binding to its catalytic dyad. Considering its progress in clinical trials as an anti-HIV-1 treatment, we suggest that +(-) calanolide A is a good candidate for the treatment of COVID-19.

Visible-light synthesis of 4-substituted-chroman-2-ones and 2-substituted-chroman-4-ones via doubly decarboxylative Giese reaction

Doubly decarboxylative, photoredox synthesis of 4-substituted-chroman-2-ones and 2-substituted-chroman-4-ones is described. The reaction involves two independent decarboxylation processes: the first one initiating the cycle and the second completing the process. Visible light, photoredox catalyst, base, anhydrous solvent and inert atmosphere constitute the key parameters for the success of the developed transformation. The protocol proved applicable for coumarin-3-carboxylic acids and chromone-3-carboxylic acids as well as N-(acyloxy)phthalimide which served as precursors of the corresponding alkyl radicals.

The manuscript describes the doubly decarboxylative Giese reaction between N-(acyloxy)phthalimides and coumarin-3-carboxylic acids or chromone-3-carboxylic acids.

Improving the Antioxidant Properties of Calophyllum inophyllum Seed Oil from French Polynesia: Development and Biological Applications of Resinous Ethanol-Soluble Extracts

Tamanu oil from Calophyllum inophyllum L. has long been used in traditional medicine. Ethanol extraction was found the best strategy for recovering bioactive compounds from the resin part of Tamanu oil, yielding two neutral and acidic resins fractions with high phenolics, flavonoids and pyranocoumarins concentrations. A further cascade of LPLC/HPLC separations of neutral and acidic resin fractions allowed identifying fifteen metabolites, and among them, calanolide D and 12-oxocalanolide A (both in neutral fraction) were first identified from a natural source. All these extracts, subfractions and isolated metabolites demonstrated increased free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antimycobacterial activity compared to Tamanu oil and its de-resinated lipid phase. Overall, these results could promote resinous ethanol-soluble Tamanu oil extracts as a useful multifaceted and renewable medicinal resource.

Naturally Occurring Calanolides: Occurrence, Biosynthesis, and Pharmacological Properties Including Therapeutic Potential

Calanolides are tetracyclic 4-substituted dipyranocoumarins. Calanolide A, isolated from the leaves and twigs of Calophyllum lanigerum var. austrocoriaceum (Whitmore) P. F. Stevens, is the first member of this group of compounds with anti-HIV-1 activity mediated by reverse transcriptase inhibition. Calanolides are classified pharmacologically as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI). There are at least 15 naturally occurring calanolides distributed mainly within the genus Calophyllum, but some of them are also present in the genus Clausena. Besides significant anti-HIV properties, which have been exploited towards potential development of new NNRTIs for anti-HIV therapy, calanolides have also been found to possess anticancer, antimicrobial and antiparasitic potential. This review article provides a comprehensive update on all aspects of naturally occurring calanolides, including their chemistry, natural occurrence, biosynthesis, pharmacological and toxicological aspects including mechanism of action and structure activity relationships, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic potentials and available patents.

Magnetically recoverable silica catalysed solvent-free domino Knoevenagel-hetero-Diels-Alder reaction to access divergent chromenones

A three-component domino Knoevenagel-hetero-Diels-Alder (DKHDA) reaction between 1,3-dicarbonyl, aldehydes/ketones, and alkenes/alkynes leading to the divergent synthesis of chromenones, dihydrochromenones, and spirocyclic chromenones is reported. The reaction was carried out under solvent-free conditions using a magnetically separable silica (Fe3O4@SiO2) catalyst. While two component DKHDA reactions are known, this is the first example of a three component DKHDA reaction involving 1,3-dicarbonyl, ketones, and alkynes producing spirocyclic pyranone derivatives. Twenty-six different highly substituted chromenones were synthesized using this methodology. A wide substrate scope due to the multicomponent nature of the reaction, high atom economy, the use of inexpensive and non-toxic recyclable silica as the catalyst, and solvent free reaction conditions make it an advantageous process. The catalyst was characterized using different analytical techniques such as XRD, IR, HRTEM, VSM, and TGA. Based on the earlier reports a mechanism has also been proposed.

Diverse synthesis of pyrano[3,2-c]coumarins: a brief update

This short review discusses the synthesis of pyrano[3,2-c]coumarins using different strategies including mechanistic illustrations.

An organocatalytic domino Michael addition strategy: construction of bispiro[oxindole-thiazolidinone-hexahydroxanthone]s with five contiguous stereocenters

An efficient squaramide-catalyzed domino Michael addition for the stereoselective synthesis of bispiro[oxindole-thiazolidinone-hexahydroxanthone]s in good to excellent yields with excellent stereoselectivities was developed.

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chromanones Bearing an α,α-Disubstituted α-Amino Acid Moiety via Decarboxylative Michael Reaction

In this manuscript, a novel, decarboxylative Michael reaction between α-substituted azlactones and chromone-3-carboxylic acids is described. The reaction proceeds in a sequence Michael addition followed by decarboxylative deprotonation, and it results in the formation of chromanones bearing an azlactone structural unit. The possibility of transforming an azlactone moiety into a protected α,α-disubstituted α-amino acid derivative is also demonstrated.

Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Since the beginning of the epidemic, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has infected around 70 million people worldwide, most of whom reside is sub-Saharan Africa. There have been very promising developments in the treatment of HIV with anti-retroviral drug cocktails. However, drug resistance to anti-HIV drugs is emerging, and many people infected with HIV have adverse reactions or do not have ready access to currently available HIV chemotherapies. Thus, there is a need to discover new anti-HIV agents to supplement our current arsenal of anti-HIV drugs and to provide therapeutic options for populations with limited resources or access to currently efficacious chemotherapies. Plant-derived natural products continue to serve as a reservoir for the discovery of new medicines, including anti-HIV agents. This review presents a survey of plants that have shown anti-HIV activity, both in vitro and in vivo.

Multicomponent synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins

A base-catalyzed, pseudo-four-component reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin, two molecules of acetone, and amine towards the synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins is reported. The mechanism of this multicomponent reaction is proposed. The reaction is further extended to the preparation of coumarin-substituted pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins by a base-catalyzed, pseudo four-component reaction of two molecules of 4-hydroxycoumarin and two molecules of acetone.

A base-catalyzed, pseudo-four-component reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin, two molecules of acetone, and amine towards the synthesis of pyrano[2,3-c]coumarins is reported.

Metabolism of F18, a Derivative of Calanolide A, in Human Liver Microsomes and Cytosol

10-Chloromethyl-11-demethyl-12-oxo-calanolide (F18), an analog of calanolide A, is a novel potent nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor against HIV-1. Here, we report the metabolic profile and the results of associated biochemical studies of F18 in vitro and in vivo. The metabolites of F18 were identified based on liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and/or nuclear magnetic resonance. Twenty-three metabolites of F18 were observed in liver microsomes in vitro. The metabolism of F18 involved 4-propyl chain oxidation, 10-chloromethyl oxidative dechlorination and 12-carbonyl reduction. Three metabolites (M1, M3-1, and M3-2) were also found in rat blood after oral administration of F18 and the reduction metabolites M3-1 and M3-2 were found to exhibit high potency for the inhibition of HIV-1 in vitro. The oxidative metabolism of F18 was mainly catalyzed by cytochrome P450 3A4 in human microsomes, whereas flavin-containing monooxygenases and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were found to be involved in its carbonyl reduction. In human cytosol, multiple carbonyl reductases, including aldo-keto reductase 1C, short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases and quinone oxidoreductase 1, were demonstrated to be responsible for F18 carbonyl reduction. In conclusion, the in vitro metabolism of F18 involves multiple drug metabolizing enzymes, and several metabolites exhibited anti-HIV-1 activities. Notably, the described results provide the first demonstration of the capability of FMOs for carbonyl reduction.

A synthesis of (±)-thia-calanolide A, its resolution and in vitro biological evaluation

A synthesis of (±)-thia-calanolide A 3 has been successfully accomplished starting from 3,5-dimethoxythiophenol 4, in six steps in an overall yield of 4.5%. The key reaction involved Friedel-Crafts tigloylation of 5,7-dihydroxy-4-n-propyl thiocoumarin 6 employing an appropriate solvent of CS2-PhNO2 in a ratio of 7:3. In its biological evaluation for anti-HIV activity, (±)-thia-calanolide A 3 demonstrated comparatively less activity with calanolide A and its synthetic analogue aza-calanolide. Further, (±)-3 has been resolved by chiral HPLC to (+) and (-)-3.

Biological importance of structurally diversified chromenes

Compounds incorporating the chromene scaffold are largely present in natural products and display a wide variety of biological activities. Their low toxicity combined to the broad pharmacological properties have inspired medicinal chemists in the search for new therapeutic agents. This review covers the literature between 1993 and on the biological activity of 2H- and 4H-chromenes, both from natural and synthetic origin. Includes a section that identifies a selection of chromene-based natural products, followed by recent literature on bioactive natural chromenes and the corresponding source, covering plants and fruits. Synthetic chromenes are equally important and a separate section addresses the use of these derivatives as new leads for drug discovery. Different biological targets were identified, namely those associated with anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and antipsychotic activities.

A Base-Catalyzed, Domino Aldol/hetero-Diels-Alder Synthesis of Tricyclic Pyrano[3,4-c]chromenes in Glycerol

The domino aldol/hetero-Diels-Alder synthesis of some new tricyclic pyrano[3,4-c]chromene derivatives has been achieved successfully after assembling a variety of acyclic or cyclic monoketones with prenyl ether-tethered aldehydes in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene in glycerol at 120 °C. The hitherto unreported stereochemical outcome of this synthetic sequence was studied and established on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and 2D NMR NOESY spectroscopy along with the isolation and characterization of the intermediate Aldol condensation product.

Multispectral studies of DNA binding, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of a new pyranochromene derivative

The binding properties of a new pyranochromene derivative, 2-amino-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-4H, 5H-pyrano-[3, 2-c] chromene-3-carbonitrile (3-HC) with calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) have been investigated by UV-vis absorption, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy and viscosity measurement. These results indicated that 3-HC can interact with DNA through non-intercalative mode and the intrinsic binding constant (Kb) for 3-HC with DNA was estimated to be 3.6 × 10(3)M(-1). The antioxidant activity experiments show that 3-HC also exhibit good antioxidant activity in DPPH free radical scavenging and ferric reducing ability methods. Moreover, 3-HC exhibited cytotoxic activity against K562, human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells, with IC50 value of 146 μM and the cells responded to the treatment with mostly through apoptosis.

Graphene oxide nanosheets: a highly efficient and reusable carbocatalyst catalyzes the Michael-cyclization reactions of 4-hydroxycoumarins, 4-hydroxypyrone and 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolinone with chalcone derivatives in aqueous media

Graphene oxide nanosheets: a highly efficient and reusable carbocatalyst catalyzes the Michael-cyclization reactions of 4-hydroxycoumarins, 4-hydroxypyrone and 4-hydroxy-1-methylquinolinone with chalcone derivatives in aqueous media.

Coumarin-based drugs: a patent review (2008 -- present)

INTRODUCTION

Coumarins are a group of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds. They belong to the benzopyrones family and possess a wide variety of cytoprotective and modulatory functions, which may be translated to therapeutic potentials for multiple diseases. Their physicochemical properties seem to define the extent of the biological activity.

AREAS COVERED

In this review recent patent publications (2008 – 2011), describing coumarins and their derivatives, are analyzed. Synthesis, combinatorial techniques, biological evaluation in vitro/in vivo/ex vivo, e.g. antimitotic, immunomodulating, antiviral, anticancer and cytotoxic agents, as well as some new biological assays, are included. In addition to selected biological data, a wide range of pharmaceutical applications and pharmaceutical compositions are also summarized.

EXPERT OPINION

Several natural and synthetic coumarins and derivatives with potent in vivo/in vitro biological responses appear to be promising anticancer activities. Their clinical evaluation will be critical to assess therapeutic utility. The compounds for which the mechanism of action is well defined can serve as lead compounds for the design of new more promising molecules.

Highly suppressing wild-type HIV-1 and Y181C mutant HIV-1 strains by 10-chloromethyl-11-demethyl-12-oxo-calanolide A with druggable profile

We herein report a new compound: 10-chloromethyl-11-demethyl-12-oxo-calanolide A (20, EC(50) = 7.4 nM, SI = 1417), which demonstrates a druggable profile with 32.7% oral bioavailability in rat, tolerated oral single dose toxicity in mice, and especially the feature of highly efficient suppression of the wild-type HIV-1 and Y181C mutant HIV-1 at an EC(50) = 7.4 nM and EC(50) = 0.46 nM, respectively.

Chemical resolution of +/- -calanolide A, +/- -cordatolide A and their 11-demethyl analogues

The chemical resolution of (+/-)-calanolide A and (+/-)-cordatolide A into their corresponding optically active enantiomers is described. Their inhibitory activities against HIV-1 are tested in vitro.

Biologically active coumarins as inhibitors of HIV-1

Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the field of drug development against HIV. Many different kinds of natural products, including coumarins, have been found to be active in anti-HIV models and are thus undergoing further investigation. This review demonstrates the variety of coumarins with unique mechanisms of action in the different stages of HIV replication. The discovery and development of coumarins as anti-HIV agents has expanded in the past two decades. Most of the studies have been focused on the inhibitory activity of reverse transcriptase, but anti-integrase and antiprotease activities were also described. The objective of this review is to evaluate data on coumarins’ potent activity with respect to the inhibition of HIV-reverse transcriptase, HIV-integrase or HIV-protease. Recent requirements for potential anti-HIV agents increasingly require adequate definition of the mechanism of action as well as definition of toxic effects and this also applies to natural as well as synthetic coumarins. Structural modification is a powerful tool to increase the potential of bioactive principles. By applying scientific expertise and modern scientific technology, new single compounds will assuredly be developed as potent anti-HIV candidates for world-class new drug development.

Structure-Activity Relationships of Synthetic Coumarins as HIV-1 Inhibitors

HIV/AIDS pandemics is a serious threat to health and development of mankind, and searching for effective anti-HIV agents remains actual. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the field of drug development against HIV. A lot of structurally different coumarins were found to display potent anti-HIV activity. The current review demonstrates the variety of synthetic coumarins having unique mechanism of action referring to the different stages of HIV replication. Recent studies based on the account of various synthetic coumarins seem to indicate that some of them serve as potent non-nucleoside RT-inhibitors, another as inhibitors of HIV-integrase or HIV-protease. The merits of selecting potential anti-HIV agents to be used in rational combination drugs design and structure-activity relationships are discussed.The scientific community is looking actively for new drugs and combinations for treatment of HIV infection effective for first-line treatment, as well as against resistant mutants. The investigation on chemical anti-HIV agents gives hope and optimism about it. This review article describes recent progress in the discovery, structure modification, and structure-activity relationship studies of potent anti-HIV coumarin derivatives.

Anti-HIV natural product (+)-calanolide A is active against both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Naturally occurring anti-HIV-1 agent (+)-calanolide A was found to be active against all of the strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis tested, including those resistant to the standard antitubercular drugs. Efficacy evaluations in macrophages revealed that (+)-calanolide A significantly inhibited intracellular replication of M. tuberculosis H37Rv at concentrations below the MIC observed in vitro. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicated that (+)-calanolide A rapidly inhibits RNA and DNA synthesis followed by an inhibition of protein synthesis. Compared with known inhibitors, this scenario is more similar to effects observed with rifampin, an inhibitor of RNA synthesis. Since (+)-calanolide A was active against a rifampin-resistant strain, it is believed that these two agents may involve different targets. (+)-Calanolide A and its related pyranocoumarins are the first class of compounds identified to possess antimycobacterial and antiretroviral activities, representing a new pharmacophore for anti-TB activity.