NO donor and biological properties of different benzofuroxans

4,6-Dichloro-5-Nitrobenzofuroxan: Different Polymorphisms and DFT Investigation of Its Reactivity with Nucleophiles

This research focuses on the X-ray structure of 4,6-dichloro-5-nitrobenzofuroxan 1 and of some of its amino derivatives (4a, 4e, 4g, and 4l) and on DFT calculations concerning the nucleophilic reactivity of 1. We have found that by changing the solvent used for crystallization, it is possible to obtain 4,6-dichloro-5-nitrobenzofuroxan (1) in different polymorphic structures. Moreover, the different torsional angles observed for the nitro group in 1 and in its amino derivatives (4a, 4e, 4g, and 4l) are strictly dependent on the steric hindrance of the substituent at C-4. DFT calculations on the course of the nucleophilic substitution confirm the role of the condensed furoxan ring in altering the aromaticity of the carbocyclic frame, while chlorine atoms strongly influence the dihedral angle and the rotational barrier of the nitro group. These results corroborate previous observations based on experimental kinetic data and give a deep picture of the reaction with amines, which proceeds via a "non-aromatic" nucleophilic substitution.

Biosourced Vanillin-Based Building Blocks for Organic Electronic Materials

Forest biomass is viewed as a significant source of organic carbon and thus the ideal replacement of petroleum products. From the resources derived from biomass, lignocellulose is the most abundant biobased material on earth. One of the aromatic added value compounds obtained from the depolymerization of lignin is vanillin. Here, we report the preparation of new compounds having benzothiophene, indole, isatin, benzofuroxan, benzofurazan, benzothiadiazole, and phthalimide heteroaromatic ring structures. More precisely, our results show that vanillin can be used as a biosourced starting material for the preparation of a variety of aromatic dibrominated monomers. X-ray crystallography on single crystals was also performed to obtain meaningful information on their solid-state ordering. This work opens the way to new, sustainable, biosourced aromatic materials (small molecules or polymers) for organic electronics.

NO donors and NO delivery methods for controlling biofilms in chronic lung infections

Nitric oxide (NO), the highly reactive radical gas, provides an attractive strategy in the control of microbial infections. NO not only exhibits bactericidal effect at high concentrations but also prevents bacterial attachment and disperses biofilms at low, nontoxic concentrations, rendering bacteria less tolerant to antibiotic treatment. The endogenously generated NO by airway epithelium in healthy populations significantly contributes to the eradication of invading pathogens. However, this pathway is often compromised in patients suffering from chronic lung infections where biofilms dominate. Thus, exogenous supplementation of NO is suggested to improve the therapeutic outcomes of these infectious diseases. Compared to previous reviews focusing on the mechanism of NO-mediated biofilm inhibition, this review explores the applications of NO for inhibiting biofilms in chronic lung infections. It discusses how abnormal levels of NO in the airways contribute to chronic infections in cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) patients and why exogenous NO can be a promising antibiofilm strategy in clinical settings, as well as current and potential in vivo NO delivery methods. KEY POINTS : • The relationship between abnormal NO levels and biofilm development in lungs • The antibiofilm property of NO and current applications in lungs • Potential NO delivery methods and research directions in the future.

4,6-Dinitro-7-(thiazol-2-ylamino)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole 1-oxide

4,6-Dinitro-7-(thiazol-2-ylamino)benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole 1-oxide was synthesized by a SNAr reaction between 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan and 2-aminothiazole. The structure of the newly synthesized compound (45% yield) was elucidated based on 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, NOESY-1D, ESI-MS, UV-Vis, and FT-IR techniques.

Ruthenium-Hydride Assisted Remarkable Diversity Towards Non-Spectator Feature of Benzodifuroxan

The present article demonstrates that ruthenium-hydride [Ru^II (H)(Cl)(CO)(PPh₃ )₃ ] mediated diverse functionalization modes of benzodifuroxan (BDF) encompassing two furoxan rings. Hydride transfer from the metal precursor facilitated multiple cascade reactions involving unsymmetrical cleavage of the furoxan rings of BDF, leading to the one-pot formation of a series of ruthenium (II) coordinated functionalized ligands exhibiting bidentate κ² -N,O, κ² -N,N' and bis-bidentate μ-bis(κ² -N,O) modes. Further, a moderately stable intermediate species was also encountered in the reaction sequence in which the transformed deoxygenated ligand coordinated to the metal ion via the rarely manifested furazan ring (κ² -N,N'' mode). The products were authenticated by their single-crystal X-ray structures and other spectroscopic/analytical techniques. Redox non-innocence of the functionalized ligands in the complexes was illustrated by spectroelectrochemistry (cyclic voltammmetry, UV-Vis. and EPR) in conjunction with DFT/TD-DFT calculations. Mechanistic outline for the facile ring opening processes of BDF including interconversions of complexes (e. g. reductive ring opening) were also addressed.

Highly conjugated architectures and labile reaction intermediates from coupling between 10π electron-deficient heteroaromatics and sym-trihydroxy- or triamino-benzene derivatives

The C-C coupling reaction between neutral aromatic carbon nucleophiles such as 1,3,5-triamino- and 1,3,5-trihydroxy-benzene derivatives and 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (Cl-DNBF) or 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofurazan (Cl-DNBZ) gave in high yield the corresponding conjugated structures, which are of potential interest in the materials field. When chlorine is absent on the electrophile, as in 4,6-dinitrobenzofurazan (DNBZ), the reaction with 1,3,5-triaminobenzene derivatives produces Wheland-Meisenheimer (WM) zwitterionic intermediates, intercepted and fully characterized via NMR at low temperature, whereas stable Meisenheimer complexes (M) were isolated in the reaction of phloroglucinol with 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene. The latter also gave exclusively M complexes when reacted with 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF), or 4,6-dinitrotetrazolopyridine (DNTP). The detection of WM or M intermediates can be rationalized by invoking the substituent stabilization ability of the positive charge in WM intermediates, on going from neutral carbon nucleophiles 1,3,5-triaminobenzenes to 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene derivatives. Furthermore, variable-temperature NMR experiments on the M intermediates gave insights into the rotational barrier about the newly formed C-C bond.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel structural hybrids of benzofuroxan and benzothiazole derivatives

New compounds containing both benzofuroxan and benzothiazole scaffolds were synthesized through electrophile/nucleophile combination of nitrobenzofuroxan derivatives and 2-mercapto- or 2-aminobenzothiazole derivatives and their biological effect on the natural strain Vibrio genus and different bacterial lux-biosensors was studied. Among all the compounds synthesized, that obtained from 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan was toxic for bacterial cells, and also able to activated the 1st type Quorum Sensing system. The reaction between 7-chloro-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan and 2-aminobenzothiazole derivatives gave two products, one bearing the benzofuroxan moiety linked to the exocyclic amino nitrogen, and the second derived from the attack of two molecules of electrophile to both the nitrogen atoms of the benzothiazole reagent. Their relative ratio is modifiable by tuning the reagents ratio and the reaction time.

The study of NADPH-dependent flavoenzyme-catalyzed reduction of benzo[1,2-c]1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxides (benzofuroxans)

The enzymatic reactivity of a series of benzo[1,2-c]1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxides (benzofuroxans; BFXs) towards mammalian single-electron transferring NADPH:cytochrome P-450 reductase (P-450R) and two-electron (hydride) transferring

NAD(P)H

quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) was examined in this work. Since the =N+ (→O)O- moiety of furoxan fragments of BFXs bears some similarity to the aromatic nitro-group, the reactivity of BFXs was compared to that of nitro-aromatic compounds (NACs) whose reduction mechanisms by these and other related flavoenzymes have been extensively investigated. The reduction of BFXs by both P-450R and NQO1 was accompanied by O2 uptake, which was much lower than the NADPH oxidation rate; except for annelated BFXs, whose reduction was followed by the production of peroxide. In order to analyze the possible quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) of the enzymatic reactivity of the compounds, their electron-accepting potency and other reactivity indices were assessed by quantum mechanical methods. In P-450R-catalyzed reactions, both BFXs and NACs showed the same reactivity dependence on their electron-accepting potency which might be consistent with an "outer sphere" electron transfer mechanism. In NQO1-catalyzed two-electron (hydride) transferring reactions, BFXs acted as more efficient substrates than NACs, and the reduction efficacy of BFXs by NQO1 was in general higher than by single-electron transferring P-450R. In NQO1-catalyzed reactions, QSARs obtained showed that the reduction efficacy of BFXs, as well as that of NACs, was determined by their electron-accepting potency and could be influenced by their binding mode in the active center of NQO1 and by their global softness as their electronic characteristic. The reductive conversion of benzofuroxan by both flavoenzymes yielded the same reduction product of benzofuroxan, 2,3-diaminophenazine, with the formation of o-benzoquinone dioxime as a putative primary reductive intermediate, which undergoes a further reduction process. Overall, the data obtained show that by contrast to NACs, the flavoenzyme-catalyzed reduction of BFXs is unlikely to initiate their redox-cycling, which may argue for a minor role of the redox-cycling-type action in the cytotoxicity of BFXs.

Benzofurazan derivatives as antifungal agents against phytopathogenic fungi

A series of benzofurazan derivatives were prepared and evaluated for their biological activities against four important phytopathogenic fungi, namely, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium graminearum and Phytophthora capsici, using the mycelium growth inhibition method. The structures of these compounds were characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and HRMS. N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-7-nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-amine (A3) displayed the maximum antifungal activity against R. solani (IC50 = 1.91 μg/mL), which is close to that of the positive control Carbendazim (IC50 = 1.42 μg/mL). For other benzofurazan derivatives with nitro group at R(4) position (A series), 9 out of 30 compounds exhibited high antifungal effect against strain R. solani, with IC50 values less than 5 μg/mL. Most of the derivatives with substituents at R(2) and R(3) positions (B series) displayed moderate growth inhibition against S. sclerotiorum (IC50 < 25 μg/mL). Also, several benzofuran derivatives with nitro group at R(4) position and another conjugated aromatic ring at the R(1) position of the phenyl ring displayed high antifungal capability against strain R. solani. Compounds with substituents at R(2) and R(3) position had moderate efficacy against strain S. sclerotiorum.

Furoxans (1,2,5-oxadiazole-N-oxides) as novel NO mimetic neuroprotective and procognitive agents

Furoxans (1,2,5-oxadiazole-N-oxides) are thiol-bioactivated NO-mimetics that have not hitherto been studied in the CNS. Incorporation of varied substituents adjacent to the furoxan ring system led to modulation of reactivity toward bioactivation, studied by HPLC-MS/MS analysis of reaction products. Attenuated reactivity unmasked the cytoprotective actions of NO in contrast to the cytotoxic actions of higher NO fluxes reported previously for furoxans. Neuroprotection was observed in primary neuronal cell cultures following oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Neuroprotective activity was observed to correlate with thiol-dependent bioactivation to produce NO(2)(-), but not with depletion of free thiol itself. Neuroprotection was abrogated upon cotreatment with a sGC inhibitor, ODQ, thus supporting activation of the NO/sGC/CREB signaling cascade by furoxans. Long-term potentiation (LTP), essential for learning and memory, has been shown to be potentiated by NO signaling, therefore, a peptidomimetic furoxan was tested in hippocampal slices treated with oligomeric amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and was shown to restore synaptic function. The novel observation of furoxan activity of potential therapeutic use in the CNS warrants further studies.

Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a novel nitric oxide-releasing diclofenac derivative containing a benzofuroxan moiety

1-oxy-benzo[1,2,5]oxadiazol-5-ylmethyl [2-(2,6-dichloro-phenylamino)-phenyl]-acetate, a new diclofenac derivative bearing a benzofuroxan heterocyclic moiety in its structure, was prepared by the reaction of sodium diclofenac and 5-bromomethyl-benzo[1,2,5]oxadiazole 1-oxide. Pharmacological characterization of this modified diclofenac maintained the anti-inflammatory activity similar to its parent compound assayed in vitro and in vivo. The ulcerogenic properties of native diclofenac were not observed with this modified compound, despite the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 gastric content. The better gastric tolerability seems to be related to nitric oxide release ability.

Design, synthesis, and antihepatocellular carcinoma activity of nitric oxide releasing derivatives of oleanolic acid

Novel furoxan-based nitric oxide (NO) releasing derivatives of oleanolic acid (OA) were synthesized for potential therapy of liver cancers. Six compounds produced high levels of NO in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and exhibited strong cytotoxicity selectively against HCC in vitro. Treatment with 8b or 16b significantly inhibited the growth of HCC tumors in vivo. These data provide a proof-in-principle that furoxan/OA hybrids may be used for therapeutic intervention of human liver cancers.

Design and synthesis of furoxan-based nitric oxide-releasing glucocorticoid derivatives with potent anti-inflammatory activity and improved safety

A series of furoxan-based nitric oxide-releasing glucocorticoid derivatives was synthesized. The pharmacological assays indicated that three compounds, including I(4), I(5), and I(6), had anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore compared with the leading compound hydrocortisone the safety of I(6) was greatly improved. Due to releasing NO in vivo the side effects of glucocorticoids, including hypertension and osteoporosis, were effectively avoided.

Benzo[1,2-c]1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxide derivatives as potential antitrypanosomal drugs. Part 3: Substituents-clustering methodology in the search for new active compounds

The results of a study on the use of Hansch's series design, cluster methodology, for the generation of new benzo[1,2-c]1,2,5-oxadiazole N-oxide derivatives as antitrypanosomal compounds are described. In vitro activity of these compounds was tested against Tulahuen 2 strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. Clearly, the Hansch methodology allowed identifying two cluster-substituents suitable for further structural modifications. The most effective drugs, derivatives 11, 18, and 21, with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of the same order as that of the reference drug, represent an excellent structural point of chemical modifications for the design of future drugs. Preliminary results from the study of the mechanism of action of these benzofuroxans point to perturbation of the mitochondrial electron chain, inhibiting parasite respiration.

Design and Synthesis of 3‘- and 5‘-O-(3-Benzenesulfonylfuroxan-4-yl)-2‘-deoxyuridines: Biological Evaluation as Hybrid Nitric Oxide Donor−Nucleoside Anticancer Agents

A group of 3'-O- and 5'-O-(3-benzenesulfonylfuroxan-4-yl)-2'-deoxyuridines possessing a variety of substituents (H, Me, I, F, CF(3)) at the C-5 position of the nucleoside moiety were synthesized for evaluation as hybrid anticancer agents that have the ability to simultaneously release cytotoxic nitric oxide (*NO). Incubation of these nitric oxide donor-nucleoside conjugates in the presence of 18 mM L-cysteine released a high percentage of *NO (21-48% at 1 h; 37-86% at 16 h). The release of *NO in the absence of the thiol cofactor was negligible. These hybrid *NO donor-nucleosides exhibited high cellular toxicity (CC(50) = 10(-6)-10(-8) M range) against a battery of tumor cell lines (143B-LTK, 143B, EMT-6, KBALB-STK, and KBALB) and normal human fibroblasts (Hs578Bst). No differences in cytotoxicity between nontransfected (143B, KBALB) and the corresponding transfected (143B-LTK, KBALB-STK) cancer cell lines possessing the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase gene (TK(+)) were observed, indicating that expression of the viral TK enzyme did not provide a gene therapeutic effect.

Nitroanilines are the reduction products of benzofuroxan system by oxyhemoglobin (HbO2 2+)

Benzofuroxans are interesting compounds which display several biochemical and pharmacological properties. Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrate that they are reduced by ferrous salts at room temperature and that the principal reaction products are o-nitroanilines. This paper shows that simple benzofuroxan derivatives are also able to oxidise HbO2 2+ to methemoglobin (MetHb3+) (UV detection) and to form o-nitroanilines (HPLC detection). From a toxicological point of view this reaction is interesting, since it indicates that the blood is a site for metabolism of these compounds with consequent methemoglobinemia and formation of toxic compounds.

Effects of nitric oxide donors on the afferent resting activity in the cephalopod statocyst

The effects of bath applications of the nitric oxide (NO) donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP), diethylamine sodium (DEA), 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP) on the resting activity (RA) of afferent crista fibers were studied in isolated statocysts of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis. The NO donors had three different effects: inhibition, excitation, and excitation followed by an inhibition. The SNAP analog N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (xSNAP; with no NO moiety) had no effect. When the preparation was pre-treated with the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitric-L-arginine methyl ester HCl (L-NAME), the NO donors were still effective. When the preparation was pre-treated with the guanylate cyclase inhibitors methylene blue (M-BLU) or cystamine (CYS), NO donors had only excitatory effects, whereas their effects were inhibitory only when pre-treatment was with the adenylate cyclase inhibitors nicotinic acid (NIC-A), 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA), or MDL-12330A. When pre-treatment was with a guanylate and an adenylate cyclase inhibitor combined, NO donors had no effect; in that situation, the RA of the afferent fibers remained and the preparation still responded to bath applications of GABA. Selective experiments with statocysts from the squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana and the octopod Octopus vulgaris gave comparable results. These data indicate that in cephalopod statocysts an inhibitory NO-cGMP and an excitatory NO-cAMP signal transduction pathway exist, that these two pathways are the key pathways for the action of NO, and that they have only modulatory effects on, and are not essential for the generation of, the RA.

In vitro and in vivo vasodilating activity of nitroso derivatives gem -substituted with electron-withdrawing groups

A series of nitroso compounds gem -substituted with electron-withdrawing groups (R(2)C(X)NO, R=alkyl, X=NO(2), CN, Cl), were studied for their in vitro and in vivo vasodilating properties as well as for their ability to activate soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in RFL-6 cells. All the compounds, with the sole exception of chloro derivative, display good in vitro vasodilating action and are able to increase the basal level of cGMP. Their potencies as vasodilators decrease in the presence of oxyhaemoglobin, a scavenger of nitric oxide (NO). The haemodynamic profile of the most interesting compounds, assessed in anaesthetized pigs, is also in line with a release of NO from these compounds.