A new class of anticancer activity with computational studies for a novel bioactive aminophosphonates based on pyrazole moiety

The present study involves synthesis a new series of α-aminophosphonates 2a-f and 4a-d derivatives in good yield with a simple workup via Kabachnik-Fields reaction in the presence of lithium perchlorate as Lewis acid catalyst. All the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed using various physical, spectroscopic, and analytical data. The in vitro anticancer activities of each compound were evaluated against colorectal carcinoma Colon cancer (HCT-116) and Epdermoid carcinoma (HEP2) and also Human lung fibroblast normal cell line (WI38) compared with Doxorubicin. The results showed that Compounds 2a, 4b and 4d exhibited more potent inhibitory activity for Epdermoid Carcinoma (HEP2) compared with doxorubicin. For colon carcinoma cells (HCT-116) Compounds 2a, 2d and 4b gave the strongest activity among all compounds compared with doxorubicin. Moreover, all designed structures were docked into the active site of VEGFR2 and FGFR1 proteins. The result reveals that compound 2b and have the strongest inhibitory activity of the VEGFR2 and FGFR1 proteins indicating that these substances might conceivably operate as VEGFR2 and FGFR1 inhibitors and hence might take role in anticancer activities with various binding interactions. The 3D-QSAR models produced strong statistical results since they were defined by PLS factors 4 and confirmed by parameters as R2, R2 CV, Stability, F-value, P-value, RMSE, Q2, and Pearson-r.

Insights into a class of natural eugenol and its optimized derivatives as potential tobacco mosaic virus helicase inhibitors by structure-based virtual screening

Plant diseases caused by malignant and refractory phytopathogenic viruses have considerably restricted crop yields and quality. To date, drug design targeting functional proteins or enzymes of viruses is an efficient and viable strategy to guide the development of new pesticides. Herein, a series of novel eugenol derivatives targeting the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) helicase have been designed using structure-based virtual screening (SBVS). Structure-activity relationship indicated that 2 t displayed the most powerful bonding capability (Kd = 0.2 μM) along with brilliant TMV helicase ATPase inhibitory potency (IC50 = 141.9 μM) and applausive anti-TMV capability (EC50 = 315.7 μg/mL), ostentatiously outperforming that of commercial Acyclovir (Kd = 23.0 μM, IC50 = 183.7 μM) and Ribavirin (EC50 = 624.3 μg/mL). Molecular dynamics simulations and docking suggested ligand 2 t was stable and bound in the active pocket of the TMV helicase by multiple interactions. Given these superior properties, eugenol-based derivatives could be considered as the novel potential plant viral helicase inhibitors. Furthermore, this effective and feasible SBVS strategy established a valuable screening platform for helicase-targeted drug development.

Investigation on the potential adverse outcome pathway of the sensitive endpoint for nephrotoxicity induced by gardenia yellow based on an integrated strategy using bioinformatics analysis and in vitro testing validation

To explore the potential the adverse outcome pathway of Gardenia Yellow (GY)-induced sensitive endpoint for nephrotoxicity, an integrated strategy was applied in the present study. Using bioinformatic analysis, based on the constructed Protein-protein interaction networks, Gene Ontology function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis on the core target network were performed to illustrate the potential gene targets and signal pathways. Then, the most enriched pathway was validated with Cell counting kit-8 assays and Western blot analysis in embryonic kidney epithelial 293 cell models. According to the findings, GY may interact with 321 targets related to the endpoint. The five targets on the top ranking in the PPI network were STAT3, SRC, HRAS, AKT1, EP300. Among them, PI3K/Akt was the most enriched pathway. In vitro testing showed that GY exerted a proliferative effect on the cell variability in a dose-dependent manner. GY at concentration of 1000 μg/ml and stimulation for 30 min can significantly enhance the expression of phosphorylated Akt. Thus, after the quantitative weight of evidence evaluation, Akt phosphorylation induced PI3K/Akt activation was speculated as a molecular initiating event leading to a proliferative and inflammatory response in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Bidirectional selection of the functional properties and environmental friendliness of organophosphorus (OP) pesticide derivatives: Design, screening, and mechanism analysis

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are widely used in agricultural production, but the resulting pollution and drug resistance have sparked widespread concern. Therefore, this paper built a model to design OP substitute molecules with high functionality and environmental friendliness, as well as conducted various human health and ecological environment evaluations, synthetic accessibility screening, and easy detection screening. The functionality of the two OP substitute molecules, DIM-100 and DIM-164, increased by 22.79 % and 22.18 %, respectively, and the environmental friendliness increased by 18.07 % and 24.02 %, respectively. The human health risk and ecological, environmental risks were significantly reduced. Both molecules are easy to synthesize, and their detection sensitivity is 9.85 % and 11.24 % higher than that of the target molecule, respectively. Furthermore, significant changes in the distribution of electrons and holes near the C8 and S1 atoms of the OP substitute molecule resulted in easier breakage of the C8-S1 bond, enhancing its photodegradation ability. The charge transfer ability between the atoms of the molecule (as increasing the electron-withdrawing group led to an increase in charge of the P atom) and the volume of the cholinesterase active pocket both affect the functionality of the DIM substitute molecule. That is, the volume of the cholinesterase active pocket of the bee is smaller than that of the brown planthopper and is more affected by the volume of the OP molecule. Furthermore, the mutual verification analysis of the bidirectional selectivity effect of OP substitute molecules between the BayesianRidge model and the 3D-QS(A² + ∀³)R model reveals that the overall charge transfer degree of DIM substitute molecules is the main reason for the increase in the bidirectional selectivity effect.

Synthesis of Novel Pyrazole Derivatives Containing Phenylpyridine Moieties with Herbicidal Activity

To discover new compounds with favorable herbicidal activity, a range of phenylpyridine moiety-containing pyrazole derivatives were designed, synthesized, and identified via NMR and HRMS. Their herbicidal activities against six species of weeds were evaluated in a greenhouse via both pre- and post-emergence treatments at 150 g a.i./hm2. The bioassay revealed that a few compounds exhibited moderate herbicidal activities against Digitaria sanguinalis, Abutilon theophrasti, and Setaria viridis in post-emergence treatment. For instance, compounds 6a and 6c demonstrated 50% inhibition activity against Setaria viridis, which was slightly superior to pyroxasulfone. Thus, compounds 6a and 6c may serve as the new possible leading compounds for the discovery of post-emergence herbicides.

Synthesis and Biological Studies of Novel Aminophosphonates and Their Metal Carbonyl Complexes (Fe, Ru)

The quest to find new inhibitors of biologically relevant targets is considered an important strategy to introduce new drug candidates for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. A series of (aminomethyl)benzylphosphonates 8a–c and their metallocarbonyl iron 9a–c and ruthenium 10a–c complexes were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their inhibitory potentials against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) by determination of IC₅₀. Metallocarbonyl derivatives, in general, did not show significant inhibition activity against these enzymes, the most potent inhibitor was the (aminomethyl)benzylphosphonate 8a (IC₅₀ = 1.215 µM against AChE). Molecular docking analysis of AChE and (aminomethyl)benzylphosphonates 8a–c showed the strongest interactions of 8a and AChE compared to isomers 8b and 8c. Cytotoxicity studies of synthesized compounds towards the V79 cell line were also performed and discussed.

Design, Synthesis, and Insecticidal Activity of Novel Doramectin Derivatives Containing Acylurea and Acylthiourea Based on Hydrogen Bonding

Our recent investigation on the insecticidal activities of several doramectin derivatives preliminarily revealed that the presence of hydrogen bonds at the C4″ position of the molecule with target protein γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor was crucial for retaining high insecticidal activity. As a continuation of our research work on the development of new insecticides, two series of novel acylurea and acylthiourea doramectin derivatives were designed and synthesized. The bioassay results indicated that the newly synthesized compounds (5o, 5t, and 6t) exhibited higher insecticidal activity against diamondback moth, oriental armyworm, and corn borer than the control compounds doramectin, commercial avermectins, chlorbenzuron, and lead compound 3g in our laboratory. Specifically, compound 5t was identified as the most promising insecticide against diamondback moth, with a final mortality rate of 80.00% at the low concentration of 12.50 mg/L, showing approximately 7.75-fold higher potency than the parent doramectin (LC₅₀ value of 48.1547 mg/L), 6.52-fold higher potency than commercial avermectins (LC₅₀ value of 40.5507 mg/L), and 3.98-fold higher potency than compound 3g (LC₅₀ value of 24.7742 mg/L). Additionally, molecular docking simulations revealed that compound 5t (2.17, 2.20, 2.56, and 2.83 Å) displayed stronger hydrogen-bond action in binding with the GABA receptor, better than that of compound 5o (1.64 and 2.15 Å) and compound 6t (2.20 and 2.31 Å) at the C4″ position. This work demonstrated that these compounds containing hydrogen-bond groups might contribute to the improvement of insecticidal activity and supply certain hints toward structure optimization design for the development of new insecticides.

One-pot synthesis, structure and structure-activity relationship of novel bioactive diphenyl/diethyl (3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)(arylamino)methylphosphonates

BACKGROUND

N-Pyridylpyrazole derivatives have received continuous attention in agrochemical research during the last decade owing to their remarkable insecticidal or fungicidal potentials. To look for novel heterocyclic agrochemicals for increasing production of agriculture, a series of novel α-aminophosphonate derivatives containing N-pyridylpyrazole moiety were synthesized.

RESULTS

The structures of the title compounds were confirmed via melting point, IR, ¹ H NMR, ¹³ C NMR, ³¹ P NMR, HRMS and elemental analysis. The single crystal structure of diethyl (3-bromo-1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)(2,6-dimethylphenylamino)methylphosphonate (compound 12b) was first reported. Moreover, the bioassays displayed that the title compounds exhibited modest or weak insecticidal activities against oriental armyworm at 200 μg mL^-1 . The first investigation on the fungicidal potential of chlorantraniliprole showed no significant activities towards the six tested fungi found in this study, however, most of the title compounds displayed apparent in vitro fungicidal activity against some plant fungi, in particular excellent activities towards Physalospora piricola. Compounds 11a and 11b had EC₅₀ values of 18.8 and 17.4 μg mL^-1 , respectively, which were comparable with that of fungicide control triadimefon (EC₅₀  = 24.7 μg mL^-1 ) against Physalospora piricola. In addition, some compounds exhibited modest in vivo control efficacy at 0.5 mg mL^-1 towards Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (11b: 30.1(±1.8)%), Rhizoctonia cerealis (11a: 20.4(±2.1)%; 11b: 30.2(±2.2)%), and Erysiphe graminis (11a: 30.3(±1.8)%; 12d: 40.2(±0.9)%).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 11a, 11b and 12d could be promising new lead structures for the development and discovery of novel fungicides towards Physalospora piricola and Erysiphe graminis. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis provided useful guidance and new understanding for the design of novel pyridylpyrazole-containing agrochemicals. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Pyrazole Sulfonamide Derivatives as Potential AHAS Inhibitors

Acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS; EC 2.2.1.6, also referred to as acetolactate synthase, ALS) has been considered as an attractive target for the design of herbicides. In this work, an optimized pyrazole sulfonamide base scaffold was designed and introduced to derive novel potential AHAS inhibitors by introducing a pyrazole ring in flucarbazone. The results of in vivo herbicidal activity evaluation indicates compound 3b has the most potent activity with rape root length inhibition values of 81% at 100 mg/L, and exhibited the best inhibitory ability against Arabidopsis thaliana AHAS. With molecular docking, compound 3b insert into Arabidopsis thaliana AHAS stably by an H-bond with Arg377 and cation-π interactions with Arg377, Trp574, Tyr579. This study suggests that compound 3b may serve as a potential AHAS inhibitor which can be used as a novel herbicides and provides valuable clues for the further design and optimization of AHAS inhibitors.