An Improved Synthesis of Scutellarin-7-O-Glucuronid

A drug design strategy based on molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations applied to development of inhibitor against triple-negative breast cancer by Scutellarein derivatives

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), accounting for 10-15% of all breast malignancies, is more prevalent in women under 40, particularly in those of African descent or carrying the BRCA1 mutation. TNBC is characterized by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER, PR) and low or elevated HER2 expression. It represents a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer with limited therapeutic options and a poorer prognosis. In our study, we utilized the protein of TNBC collected from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) with the most stable configuration. We selected Scutellarein, a bioactive molecule renowned for its anti-cancer properties, and used its derivatives to design potential anti-cancer drugs employing computational tools. We applied and modified structural activity relationship methods to these derivatives and evaluated the probability of active (Pa) and inactive (Pi) outcomes using pass prediction scores. Furthermore, we employed in-silico approaches such as the assessment of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) parameters, and quantum calculations through density functional theory (DFT). Within the DFT calculations, we analyzed Frontier Molecular Orbitals, specifically the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO) and Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (LUMO). We then conducted molecular docking and dynamics against TNBC to ascertain binding affinity and stability. Our findings indicated that Scutellarein derivatives, specifically DM03 with a binding energy of -10.7 kcal/mol and DM04 with -11.0 kcal/mol, exhibited the maximum binding tendency against Human CK2 alpha kinase (PDB ID 7L1X). Molecular dynamic simulations were performed for 100 ns, and stability was assessed using root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) and root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) parameters, suggesting significant stability for our chosen compounds. Furthermore, these molecules met the pharmacokinetics requirements for potential therapeutic candidates, displaying non-carcinogenicity, minimal aquatic and non-aquatic toxicity, and greater aqueous solubility. Collectively, our computational data suggest that Scutellarein derivatives may serve as potential therapeutic agents for TNBC. However, further experimental investigations are needed to validate these findings.

Breviscapine: A Review on its Phytochemistry, Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Effects

Breviscapine is one of the extracts of several flavonoids of Erigeron breviscapus. Scutellarin is the main active component of breviscapine, and the qualitative or quantitative criteria as well. Scutellarin and its analogs share a similar skeleton of the flavonoids. Breviscapine has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction and its sequelae, cerebral thrombus, coronary heart disease (CHD), and angina pectoris. Breviscapine has a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as increasing blood flow, improving microcirculation, dilating blood vessels, decreasing blood viscosity, promoting fibrinolysis, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and thrombosis formation, etc. In addition, breviscapine and its analogs have significant value for drug research and development because of the superiority of those significant bioactivities. Furthermore, an increasing number of pharmacokinetic studies have explored the mechanism of scutellarin and its analogs. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the current research on breviscapine, scutellarin, and the analogs, the structural features, distribution situation, preparation method, content determination method, clinical applications, pharmacological action as well as pharmacokinetics are summarized in the present review.

A Practical Synthesis of the Flavone, Scutellarein

A practical and economical five-step synthesis of the flavone scutellarein has been achieved in 60% overall yield using the available and cheap 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone as starting material. The reaction sequence involved reduction to the corresponding quinol, Friedel-Crafts acetylation, Claisen-Schmidt condensation with p-methoxybenzaldehyde, cyclisation and demethylation. The procedure is operationally simple and amenable to scale-up synthesis.

Modified Syntheses of the Dietary Flavonoid Luteolin

Two novel syntheses of the flavone luteolin are described. In the first, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol was converted to 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyacetophenone and then by condensation with 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde to 2′-hydroxy-3,4,4′,6′-tetramethoxychalcone. In the second, the chalcone step was prepared in which 3,5-dimethoxyphenol was acylated with 3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl chloride. The chalcone was then cyclised with iodine and demethylated with pyridine hydrochloride to form luteolin in 47% and 40% overall yield, respectively. Several disadvantages of previous syntheses like long reaction time, harsh reaction conditions and low overall yield have been overcome.

Practical Synthesis of Naringenin

Two routes for the synthesis of the flavanone naringenin are described. In the first, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol is converted to 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyacetophenone and then by condensation with anisaldehyde to 2′-hydroxy-4,4′,6′-trimethoxychalcone. The chalcone is then cyclised with aqueous hydrochloric acid and demethylated with pyridine hydrochloride to form naringenin in 45% overall yield. The condensation of 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyacetophenone with anisaldehyde could also directly produce 4′,5,7-trimethoxyflavanone, which was then converted into naringenin in 60% overall yield. In the second route, a single step for the preparation of the chalcone is used in which 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene is acylated with p-methoxycinnamic acid. Although the synthesis of naringenin is achieved in a lower overall yield of 29%, the process is simpler.

Development of a Concise Synthesis of the Flavonoid Chrysin

Two novel routes for the synthesis of the flavonoid chrysin are described. In the first, 3,5-dimethoxyphenol (taxicatigenin) was converted to 2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethoxyacetophenone and then by condensation with benzaldehyde to 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxychalcone. The latter was cyclised with iodine and demethylated with pyridine hydrochloride to form chrysin in 50% overall yield. In the second route, taxicatigenin was acylated with cinnamoyl chloride to form a chalcone under special conditions. This was then converted to chrysin in 42% and 56% overall yield, respectively. Several disadvantages of previous syntheses like long reaction time, tedious work-up and low overall yield have been overcome.

A novel Synthesis of Naringenin and Related Flavanones

Efficient methods are reported for the preparation of naringenin (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavanone) which could be easily scaled-up. They have been applied to three other flavanones (6-hydroxyflavanone, 6,4′-dihydroxyflavanone, 6,3′,4′-trihydroxyflavanone) suitably.