Replacement of the Methylene of Dihydrochalcones with Oxygen: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-Phenoxyacetophenones

Synthesis and in vitro anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity of a new series of aryloxyacetophenone thiosemicarbazones

A new series of aryloxyacetophenone thiosemicarbazones 4a-q have been synthesized as anti-Toxoplasma gondii agents. All compounds showed significant inhibitory activity against T. gondii-infected cells (IC₅₀ values 1.09-25.19 μg/mL). The 4-fluorophenoxy derivative (4l) was the most potent compound with the highest selectivity toward host cells (SI = 19), being better than standard drug pyrimethamine. SAR study indicated that the concurrence of proper substituents on both aryl ring of phenoxyacetophenone is important for potency and safety profile. Further in vitro experiments with the representative compounds 4l and 4p revealed that these compounds at the concentration of 5 μg/mL can significantly reduce the viability of T. gondii tachyzoites, as well as their infectivity rate and intracellular proliferation, comparable to those of pyrimethamine.

Synthesis and anti-cancer activity evaluation of new dimethoxylated chalcone and flavanone analogs

A novel series of chalcones and flavanones discriminated by the presence of a 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl moiety in their structures were synthesized as anti-cancer agents. The cytotoxicity evaluation of the analogs against the MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 (human breast cancer), and SK-N-MC (human neuroblastoma) cell lines demonstrated that the introduction of a halogen on the 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl part of both series and the attachment of a pyrrolidinylethoxy group on the C-7 position of the flavanone derivatives increased their activity. Indeed, 3-halogenated chalcones (1c and 1d) were more potent than the standard drug etoposide against all tested cell lines. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses confirmed that the anti-cancer effect of the most potent compounds 1c and 1d occurs via apoptosis induction.

Synthesis of benzofuro[2,3-c]pyridines via a one-pot three-component reaction

A convenient one-pot synthesis of polysubstituted benzofuro[2,3-c]pyridines by three-component is developed. It provides a flexible and rapid synthetic route for the construction of benzofuro[2,3-c]pyridines under mild and metal-free reaction conditions in moderate to good yields (up to 83%).