Cytotoxic and Topographical Properties of 6-Arylidene-2-dimethylaminomethylcyclohexanone Hydrochlorides and Related Compounds

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.

E,E-2-Benzylidene-6-(nitrobenzylidene)cyclohexanones: syntheses, cytotoxicity and an examination of some of their electronic, steric, and hydrophobic properties

Three series of structurally isomeric 2-benzylidene-6-(nitrobenzylidene) cyclohexanones 1-3 were prepared and evaluated against human Molt/C8 and CEM T-lymphocytes as well as murine L1210 cells. The IC(50) values of the majority of compounds are less than 10microM and in some assays, the figures for 1d and 1e are submicromolar. Correlations were discerned between cytotoxic potencies and the atomic charges on one of the olefinic carbon atoms, the torsion angles between an aryl ring, and the adjacent unsaturated group as well as logP values. Three representative compounds were examined for their effect on respiration in rat liver mitochondria.

N-acyl-3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones and related compounds which stimulate fyn kinase

This study is part of a long term project designed to explore the hypothesis that stimulation of cancer cells followed by treatment with one or more cytotoxic agents may create greater damage to tumours than to the corresponding normal tissues. The aim of the present investigation was to discover various compounds which stimulate a protein tyrosine kinase, namely fyn kinase. The N-acyl-3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones and related analogues activated this enzyme using concentrations of 25 microM while representative molecules achieved this result at 0.1 microM. Molecular modelling suggested that the compounds interact transiently with the ATP binding site of fyn kinase thereby enhancing the catalytic phosphorylation of proteins. In the future, candidate antineoplastic agents will be designed which incorporate the structural features of these enzyme stimulators with the goal of their being formed in vitro and in vivo prior to the release of cytotoxins.

3-(3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propene: A novel pharmacophore displaying potent multidrug resistance reversal and selective cytotoxicity

This study revealed that various alicyclic and acyclic compounds containing the 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-2-propenoyl group displayed potent MDR reversal properties. In particular, a concentration of 4 microg/ml of 2,5-bis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylmethylene)cyclopentanone was 31 times more potent than verapamil as a MDR revertant. In general, they were selectively toxic to malignant rather than normal cells. Two representative compounds induced apoptosis in human HL-60 cells and markedly activated caspase-3.

Cytotoxic 5-aryl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienes mounted on alicyclic scaffolds

The 5-aryl-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienyl pharmacophore was incorporated into four series of compounds 1-4. Compounds 1a-g comprised a cluster of 3-arylidene-1-(4-nitrophenylmethylene)-2-oxo-3,4-dihydro-1H-naphthalenes while the analogues 2a-g consisted of a group of 6-arylidene-2-(4-nitrophenylmethylene)cyclohexanones. Three other compounds prepared in this study were 1-(4-nitrophenylmethylene)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenylmethylene)-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1H-indene 3a as well as two 5-arylidene-2-(4-nitrophenylmethylene)cyclopentanones 4a,b. The compounds were evaluated against human Molt 4/C8 and CEM T-lymphocytes as well as murine L1210 cells. In general, the compounds in series 1 displayed marked cytotoxicity having IC50 values in the 1-5 microM range while the related cyclohexyl analogues in series 2 were slightly less potent (IC50 figures were mainly 5-10 microM). The relative locations of two aryl rings present in all four series were considered to contribute significantly to bioactivity and may have accounted for the virtual absence of cytotoxic properties in series 3 and 4. Most of the compounds were administered intraperitoneally to mice using doses up to and including 300 mg/kg. No mortalities were noted. The inhibiting effect of most of the compounds towards Helicobacter pylori is noteworthy. The modes of action of representative compounds include the induction of apoptosis while some compounds weakly inhibited tubulin polymerisation and human N-myristoyltransferase.

Reactions of 2,6-Dibenzylidenecyclohexanone and its Derivatives in High-Temperature Water

The reactivity of derivatives of 2,6-dibenzylidenecyclohexanone was investigated in water at 220–250°C under microwave conditions, without added catalyst. Retro-Claisen–Schmidt processes predominated. Hydrolytic attack at the benzylic position afforded a 2-benzylidenecyclohexanone derivative and liberated an aryl aldehyde. Dienones substituted with electron-withdrawing or -donating groups on the aryl rings were more susceptible to hydrolysis than was the parent 2,6-dibenzylidenecyclohexanone.