In vitro, in vivo, and ADME evaluation of SF5-containing N,N'-diarylureas as antischistosomal agents

Novel pentafluorosulfanyl-containing triclocarban analogs selectively kill Gram-positive bacteria

Novel antimicrobial agents are needed to combat antimicrobial resistance. This study tested novel pentafluorosulfanyl-containing triclocarban analogs for their potential antibacterial efficacy. Standard procedures were used to produce pentafluorosulfanyl-containing triclocarban analogs. Twenty new compounds were tested against seven Gram-positive and Gram-negative indicator strains as well as 10 clinical isolates for their antibacterial and antibiofilm activity. Mechanistic investigations focused on damage to cell membrane, oxidizing reduced thiols, iron-sulfur clusters, and oxidative stress to explain the compounds' activity. Safety profiles were assessed using cytotoxicity experiments in eukaryotic cell lines. Following screening, selected components had significantly better antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against Gram-positive bacteria in lower concentrations in comparison to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin. For instance, one compound had a minimum inhibitory concentration of <0.0003 mM, but ciprofloxacin had 0.08 mM. Mechanistic studies show that these novel compounds do not affect reduced thiol content, iron-sulfur clusters, or hydrogen peroxide pathways. Their impact comes from Gram-positive bacterial cell membrane damage. Tests on cell culture toxicity and host component safety showed promise. Novel diarylurea compounds show promise as Gram-positive antimicrobials. These compounds offer prospects for study and optimization.

IMPORTANCE

The rise of antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens poses a significant threat to global health, underscoring the urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents. This study presents research on a promising class of novel compounds with potent antibacterial properties against Gram-positive bacteria, notably Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. What sets these novel analogs apart is their superior efficacy at substantially lower concentrations compared with commonly used antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and gentamycin. Importantly, these compounds act by disrupting the bacterial cell membrane, offering a unique mechanism that could potentially circumvent existing resistance mechanisms. Preliminary safety assessments also highlight their potential for therapeutic use. This study not only opens new avenues for combating antibiotic-resistant infections but also underscores the importance of innovative chemical approaches in addressing the global antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Moving out of CF3 -Land: Synthesis, Receptor Affinity, and in silico Studies of NK1 Receptor Ligands Containing a Pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5 ) Group

The NK1 receptor (NK1R) is a molecular target for both approved and experimental drugs intended for a variety of conditions, including emesis, pain, and cancers. While contemplating modifications to the typical NK1R pharmacophore, we wondered whether the CF3 groups common for many NK1R ligands, could be replaced with some other moiety. Our attention was drawn by the SF5 group, and so we designed, synthesized, and tested ten novel SF5 -containing compounds for NK1R affinity. All analogues exhibit detectable NK1R binding, with the best of them, compound 5 a, (3-bromo-5-(pentafluoro-λ6 -sulfanyl)benzyl acetyl-L-tryptophanate) binding only slightly worse (IC50 =34.3 nM) than the approved NK1R-targeting drug, aprepitant (IC50 =27.7 nM). Molecular docking provided structural explanation of SAR. According to our analysis, the SF5 group in our compounds occupies a position similar to that of one of the CF3 groups of aprepitant as found in the crystal structure. Additionally, we checked whether the docking scoring function or energies derived from Fragment Molecular Orbital quantum chemical calculations may be helpful in explaining and predicting the experimental receptor affinities for our analogues. Both these methods produce moderately good results. Overall, this is the first demonstration of the utility of the SF5 group in the design of NK1R ligands.

N-(2-Tetrafluoro(trifluoromethyl)-λ6-sulfanyl(CF3SF4)-ethyl) Amines: The Influence of the CF3SF4 Group on Lipophilicity and pKa

A practical synthetic path for the preparation of trans-CF3SF4-substituted amines has been described. Primary and secondary amines bearing a variety of different functional groups including amino acids, cyclic amines, and nucleosides were prepared. The desired amines were synthesized under mild conditions. The influence of the CF3SF4-group on the pKa and log D of a standard amine was established. The unusual conformation of the trans-CF3SF4-substituted tosylate has been verified via its crystal structure.

Improving translational power in antischistosomal drug discovery

Schistosomiasis is a poverty-associated tropical disease caused by blood dwelling trematodes that threaten approximately 10% of the world population. Praziquantel, the sole drug currently available for treatment, is insufficient to eliminate the disease and the clinical drug development pipeline is empty. Here, we review the characteristics of the patent Schistosoma mansoni mouse model used for in vivo antischistosomal drug discovery, highlighting differences in the experimental set-up across research groups and their potential influence on experimental results. We explore the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship of selected drug candidates, showcasing opportunities to improve the drug profile to accelerate the transition from the early drug discovery phase to new clinical candidates.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry of SF5 and SF4Cl Compounds

This short review covers the most important advances published in the literature during the last five years, concerning the synthesis, chemical modifications, and applications of SF5 and SF4Cl compounds in medicinal/bioorganic chemistry and materials science.

1 Introduction

2 Methods for Incorporation/Manipulation of SF4Cl/SF5 Groups

2.1 Nonaromatic SF5 Compounds via Direct Pentafluorosulfanylation of Alkenes and Alkynes

2.2 SF4Cl- and SF5-Aryl/Heteroaryl Derivatives

3 Synthesis of SF5/SF4Cl/SF4-Substituted Small Molecules

3.1 Heterocycles

3.2 Amines and Amino Acids

3.3 α-SF5 ketones

3.4 Miscellaneous Alkyl-, Alkenyl-, and Aryl-SF5 Compounds

4 Medicinal/Biological Applications

4.1 Anticancer Compounds

4.2 Antibacterial and Antiparasitic Compounds

4.3 Central Nervous System

4.4 Miscellaneous Biological Activity

5 Materials Science Applications

6 Conclusion