Effect of Substituents on Solubility, Medicinal, Absorption, Emission and Cationic/Anionic Detection Properties of Anthraquinone Derivatives

Anthraquinones constitute an important class of compounds with wide applications. The solubility of derivatives at 298.15 K was discussed in ethanol-water solution and at atmospheric pressure, the solubility of 1-amino-4-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (AHAQ) in binary solvents (ethanol-water combinations) was determined. Colour strength and fastening properties depend upon the kind and position of a hydrophobic group connected to the phenoxy ring of Anthraquinone moiety. There is a continuing interest in the creation of novel anthraquinone derivatives with biological activities since they have demonstrated potential for treating multiple sclerosis. For this purpose, by utilizing voltammetric and absorption studies, interactions of various derivatives with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) were examined. Here prominent Hydrophobic interaction and electron transfer resulting in binding to CTAB micelles were observed. The polarity index of the media was assessed and associated with the electrochemical parameters. The medicinal behaviour of Anthraquinone derivatives was a result of electron transfer reactions with DNA. UV-Visible and fluorescence properties were due to the transitions between n* and π* orbitals. Large absorption band with low dichroic ratio was characteristic of various derivatives of Anthraquinone. Presence of -NH group proves various derivatives remarkable calorimetric and anionic sensors.

Anti-inflammatory activity and cytotoxicity against ovarian cancer cell lines by amide alkaloids and piperic esters isolated from Piper longum fruits: In vitro assessments and molecular docking simulation

Three new amide alkaloids, piperlongumamides D-F (14, 19, and 32); a new piperic ester, piperlongumester A (45); and two new natural compounds, methyl (2E,4Z)-5-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)penta-2,4-dienoate (46) and trans-piperolein B ester (47), along with 41 known compounds were isolated from the fruits of Piper longum L. Their structures were identified by analyzing spectroscopic data, including mass spectrometry, 1D, and 2D NMR data. The anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of all isolated compounds (1-47) were evaluated. Compounds 3, 6, and 19 inhibited nitric oxide production with IC₅₀ values of 16.1 ± 0.94, 14.5 ± 0.57, and 27.3 ± 1.11 μM, respectively, whereas compound 1 exhibited strong cytotoxic activity toward three ovarian cancer cell lines A2780, TOV-112D, and SK-OV3, with IC₅₀ values of 6.7 ± 0.77, 5.8 ± 0.29, and 48.3 ± 0.40 μM, respectively. Molecular docking simulations were performed to identify the interaction and binding mechanisms of these active metabolites with proteins related to inflammation and cancer.

Journey of anthraquinones as anticancer agents - a systematic review of recent literature

Anthraquinones are privileged chemical scaffolds that have been used for centuries in various therapeutic applications. The anthraquinone moiety forms the core of various anticancer agents. However, the emergence of drug-resistant cancers warrants the development of new anticancer agents. The research endeavours towards new anthraquinone-based compounds are increasing rapidly in recent years. They are used as a core chemical template to achieve structural modifications, resulting in the development of new anthraquinone-based compounds as promising anticancer agents. Mechanistically, most of the anthraquinone-based compounds inhibit cancer progression by targeting essential cellular proteins. Herein, we review new anthraquinone analogues that have been developed in recent years as anticancer agents. This includes a systematic review of the recent literature (2005-2021) on anthraquinone-based compounds in cell-based models and key target proteins such as kinases, topoisomerases, telomerases, matrix metalloproteinases and G-quadruplexes involved in the viability of cancer cells. In addition to this, the developments in PEG-based delivery of anthraquinones and the toxicity aspects of anthraquinone derivatives are also discussed. The review dispenses a compact background knowledge to understanding anthraquinones for future research on the expansion of anticancer therapeutics.

Anthraquinone: a promising scaffold for the discovery and development of therapeutic agents in cancer therapy

Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled malignant neoplasm, is a leading cause of death in both advanced and emerging countries. Although, ample drugs are accessible in the market to intervene with tumor progression, none are totally effective and safe. Natural anthraquinone (AQ) equivalents such as emodin, aloe-emodin, alchemix and many synthetic analogs extend their antitumor activity on different targets including telomerase, topoisomerases, kinases, matrix metalloproteinases, DNA and different phases of cell lines. Nano drug delivery strategies are advanced tools which deliver drugs into tumor cells with minimum drug leakage to normal cells. This review delineates the way AQ derivatives are binding on these targets by abolishing tumor cells to produce anticancer activity and purview of nanoformulations related to AQ analogs.

Synthesis of Anthraquinones by Iridium-Catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition of a 1,2-Bis(propiolyl)benzene Derivative with Alkynes

[2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of a 1,2-bis(propiolyl)benzene derivative with terminal and internal alkynes takes place in the presence of [Ir(cod)Cl]2 (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) combined with bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DPPE) to give anthraquinones in 42% to 93% yields with a simple experimental procedure. A fluorenone derivative can also be synthesized by iridium-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition of a benzene-linked ketodiyne with an internal alkyne to give a 94% yield.

The Importance of Anthraquinone and Its Analogues and Molecular Docking Calculation

In drug-delivery systems containing nano-drug structures, targeting the tumorous tissue by anthraquinone molecules with high biological activity, and reaching and destroying tumors by their tumor-killing effect reveals remarkable results for the treatment of tumors. The various biological activities of anthraquinones and their derivatives depend on molecular conformation; hence, their intra-cell interaction mechanisms including deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), enzymes, and hormones. Computer-based drug design plays an important role in the design of drugs and the determination of goals for them. Molecular docking has been widely used in structure-based drug design. The effects of anthraquinone analogues in tumor cells as a result of their interaction with DNA strand has increased the number of studies done on them, and they have been shown to have a wide range of applications in chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, materials, and especially in the field of biomolecules.

New urushiols with platelet aggregation inhibitory activities from resin of Toxicodendron vernicifluum

Eight new urushiol-type compounds (1-7b), along with seven known compounds were isolated from the resin of Toxicodendron vernicifluum Stokes. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods, included (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, HMQC, HMBC, HRESIMS, EI-MS in combination with CD methods. All the compounds except 7a and 7b were evaluated for their anti-platelet aggregation activities in vitro. Among them, compound 5 (IC50=5.12±0.85μmol/L), with a vic-diol moiety in the long alkyl chain showed the most potent inhibitory of platelet aggregation activity induced by ADP. In addition, compound 6 showed the effect of anti-platelet aggregation induced by AA with the IC50 value of 3.09±0.70μmol/L. Thus, these compounds might be the active components to the traditional use of Resina Toxicodendri for breaking up blood stasis, which could be related to the anti-platelet aggregation.

Anthraquinones As Pharmacological Tools and Drugs

Anthraquinones (9,10-dioxoanthracenes) constitute an important class of natural and synthetic compounds with a wide range of applications. Besides their utilization as colorants, anthraquinone derivatives have been used since centuries for medical applications, for example, as laxatives and antimicrobial and antiinflammatory agents. Current therapeutic indications include constipation, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. Moreover, biologically active anthraquinones derived from Reactive Blue 2 have been utilized as valuable tool compounds for biochemical and pharmacological studies. They may serve as lead structures for the development of future drugs. However, the presence of the quinone moiety in the structure of anthraquinones raises safety concerns, and anthraquinone laxatives have therefore been under critical reassessment. This review article provides an overview of the chemistry, biology, and toxicology of anthraquinones focusing on their application as drugs.

Syntheses of 2-substituted 1-amino-4-bromoanthraquinones (bromaminic acid analogues) - precursors for dyes and drugs

Anthraquinone (AQ) derivatives play a prominent role in medicine and also in textile industry. Bromaminic acid (1-amino-4-bromoanthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid) is an important precursor for obtaining dyes as well as biologically active compounds through the replacement of the C4-bromo substituent with different (ar)alkylamino residues. Here we report methods for the synthesis of bromaminic acid analogues bearing different substituents at the 2-position of the anthraquinone core. 1-Aminoanthraquinone was converted to its 2-hydroxymethyl-substituted derivative which, under different reaction conditions, yielded the corresponding carbaldehyde, carboxylic acid, and nitrile derivatives. The latter was further reacted to obtain 1-amino-2-tetrazolylanthraquinone. Subsequent bromination using bromine in DMF led to the corresponding bromaminic acid derivatives in excellent isolated yields (>90%) and high purities. Alternatively, 1-amino-4-bromo-2-hydroxymethylanthraquinone could be directly converted to the desired 2-substituted bromaminic acid analogues in high yields (85-100%). We additionally report the preparation of bromaminic acid sodium salt and 1-amino-2,4-dibromoanthraquinone directly from 1-aminoanthraquinone in excellent yields (94-100%) and high purities. The synthesized brominated AQs are valuable precursors for the preparation of AQ drugs and dyes.

Inhibitory effects of Cyperus digitatus extract on human platelet function in vitro

The purpose of this research was to investigate the mechanisms of antiplatelet action of Cyperus digitatus. The antiplatelet action of C. digitatus was studied on platelet function: secretion, adhesion, aggregation, and sCD40L release. The platelet ATP secretion and aggregation were significantly inhibited by CDA (ethyl acetate extract) at 0.1 mg/ml and after the incubation of whole blood with CDA, the platelet coverage was inhibited by 96 ± 3% (p < 0.001). At the same concentration, CDA significantly decreased sCD40L levels. The mechanism of antiplatelet action of CDA could be by NF-κB inhibition and that is cAMP independent. In conclusion, C. digitatus extract may serve as a new source of antiplatelet agents for food and nutraceutical applications.