Synthesis and Anticancer Activity Evaluation of 5-[2-Chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-4-thiazolidinones

The Proapoptotic Action of Pyrrolidinedione-Thiazolidinone Hybrids towards Human Breast Carcinoma Cells Does Not Depend on Their Genotype

The development of new, effective agents for the treatment of breast cancer remains a high-priority task in oncology. A strategy of treatment for this pathology depends significantly on the genotype and phenotype of human breast cancer cells. We aimed to investigate the antitumor activity of new pyrrolidinedione-thiazolidinone hybrid molecules Les-6287, Les-6294, and Les-6328 towards different types of human breast cancer cells of MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, T-47D, and HCC1954 lines and murine breast cancer 4T1 cells by using the MTT, clonogenic and [3H]-Thymidine incorporation assays, flow cytometry, ELISA, and qPCR. The studied hybrids possessed toxicity towards the mentioned tumor cells, with the IC50 ranging from 1.37 to 21.85 µM. Simultaneously, these derivatives showed low toxicity towards the pseudonormal human breast epithelial cells of the MCF-10A line (IC50 > 93.01 µM). Les-6287 at 1 µM fully inhibited the formation of colonies of the MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and HCC1954 cells, while Les-6294 and Les-6328 did that at 2.5 and 5 µM, respectively. Les-6287 suppressed DNA biosynthesis in the MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and HCC1954 cells. At the same time, such an effect on the MCF-10A cells was significantly lower. Les-6287 induces apoptosis using extrinsic and intrinsic pathways via a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing the activity of caspases 3/7, 8, 9, and 10 in all immunohistochemically different human breast cancer cells. Les-6287 decreased the concentration of the metastasis- and invasion-related proteins MMP-2, MMP-9, and ICAM-1. It did not induce autophagy in treated cells. In conclusion, the results of our study suggest that the synthesized hybrid pyrrolidinedione-thiazolidinones might be promising agents for treating breast tumors of different types.

Role of Ciminalum-4-thiazolidinone Hybrids in Molecular NF-κB Dependent Pathways

A range of hybrid molecules incorporating the ciminalum moiety in the thiazolidinone ring demonstrate significant anticancer and antimicrobial properties. Therefore, the aim of our study was to evaluate the properties and mechanism of action of two 4-thiazolidinone-based derivatives, i.e., 3-{5-[(Z,2Z)-2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl}propanoic acid (Les-45) and 5-[2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-2-(3-hydroxyphenylamino)thiazol-4(5H)-one (Les-247). In our study, we analyzed the impact of Les-45 and Les-247 on metabolic activity, caspase-3 activity, and the expression of genes and proteins related to inflammatory and antioxidant defenses and cytoskeleton rearrangement in healthy human fibroblasts (BJ) and a human lung carcinoma cell line (A549). The cells were exposed to increasing concentrations (1 nM to 100 μM) of the studied compounds for 24 h and 48 h. A decrease in the metabolic activity in the BJ and A549 cell lines was induced by both compounds at a concentration range from 10 to 100 µM. Both compounds decreased the mRNA expression of NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and β-actin in the BJ cells. Interestingly, a significant decrease in the level of NF-κB gene and protein expression was detected in the BJ cell line, suggesting a direct impact of the studied compounds on the inhibition of inflammation. However, more studies are needed due to the ability of Les-45 and Les-247 to interfere with the tubulin/actin cytoskeleton, i.e., a critical system existing in eukaryotic cells.

Synthesis, antitumor evaluation and computational study of thiazolidinone derivatives of dehydroabietic acid-based B ring-fused-thiazole

In an attempt to search for new natural product-based antitumor agents, a series of novel thiazolidinone derivatives of dehydroabietic acid-based B ring-fused-thiazole were designed and synthesized. The primary antitumor tests showed that compounds 5 m exhibited almost the best inhibitory activity against the tested cancer cells. The computational study suggested NOTCH1, IGF1R, TLR4, and KDR were the core targets of the title compounds, and the IC50 of SCC9 and Cal27 is strong correlation with the binding ability of TLR4 and compounds.

Tubulin inhibitors. Selected scaffolds and main trends in the design of novel anticancer and antiparasitic agents

Design of tubulin inhibitors as anticancer drugs dynamically developed over the past 20 years. The modern arsenal of potential tubulin-targeting anticancer agents is represented by small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates. Moreover, targeting tubulin has been a successful strategy in the development of antiparasitic drugs. In the present review, an overall picture of the research and development of potential tubulin-targeting agents using small molecules between 2018 and 2023 is provided. The data about some most often used and prospective chemotypes of small molecules (privileged heterocycles, moieties of natural molecules) and synthetic methodologies (analogue-based, fragment-based drug design, molecular hybridization) applied for the design of novel agents with an impact on the tubulin system are summarized. The design and prospects of multi-target agents with an impact on the tubulin system were also highlighted. Reported in the review data contribute to the "structure-activity" profile of tubulin-targeting small molecules as anticancer and antiparasitic agents and will be useful for the application by medicinal chemists in further exploration, design, improvement, and optimization of this class of molecules.

Pyrrolidinedione-thiazolidinone hybrid molecules with potent cytotoxic effect in squamous cell carcinoma SCC-15 cells

The hybrid heterocyclic molecules are perspective materials in the development of anticancer drugs. Here, the pyrrolidinedione-thiazolidinone hybrid molecules were designed as potent anticancer agents. This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect of three derivatives 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-, 1-(4-chlorophenyl)- and 1-(4-bromophenyl)-3-[5-[2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-enylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidine-3-yl]pyrrolidine-2,5-diones (Les-6287, Les-6294, and Les-6328, respectively), their effect on the production of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis induction, and expression of genes - PPARγ, AHR, and NRFL2 - whose products are important in metabolism in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells of SCC-15 line. The results of resazurin reduction and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays proved the toxicity of the tested derivatives for the SCC-15 cells. Les-6287, Les-6294, and Les-6328 inhibited the viability of SCC-15 cells with the half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) in the range of 10.18-32.75 µM at 24 and 48 h treatment. These derivatives reduced the metabolism of SCC-15 cells with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 6.72-39.85 µM at 24 and 48 h treatment. Les-6287, Les-6294, and Les-6328 reduced the metabolism of normal human keratinocytes of HaCaT line murine fibroblasts of Balb/c 3T3 line to a lesser extent. The compounds used in a range from 50 to 100 µM concentrations decreased ROS production in the SCC-15 cells. The derivatives Les-6287 and Les-6328 decreased the level of expression of mRNA of PPARγ, AHR, and NRFL2 genes in these cells at PPARγ siRNA knockdown and without it. Thus, the anticancer effect of studied hybrid pyrrolidinedione-thiazolidinones in the SCC-15 carcinoma cells is accompanied by a reduction of their metabolic activity and ROS level, and increase in caspase 3 activity. However, these changes are not the result of direct interaction of Les-6287, Les-6294, and Les-6328 with the PPARγ molecule.

4-Thiazolidinone-Bearing Hybrid Molecules in Anticancer Drug Design

Oncological diseases have currently reached an epidemic scale, especially in industrialized countries. Such a situation has prompted complex studies in medicinal chemistry focused on the research and development of novel effective anticancer drugs. In this review, the data concerning new 4-thiazolidinone-bearing hybrid molecules with potential anticancer activity reported during the period from the years 2017-2022 are summarized. The main emphasis is on the application of molecular hybridization methodologies and strategies in the design of small molecules as anticancer agents. Based on the analyzed data, it was observed that the main directions in this field are the hybridization of scaffolds, the hybrid-pharmacophore approach, and the analogue-based drug design of 4-thiazolidinone cores with early approved drugs, natural compounds, and privileged heterocyclic scaffolds. The mentioned design approaches are effective tools/sources for the generation of hit/lead compounds with anticancer activity and will be relevant to future studies.

Anticancer Profile of Rhodanines: Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) and Molecular Targets-A Review

The rhodanine core is a well-known privileged heterocycle in medicinal chemistry. The rhodanines, as subtypes of thiazolidin-4-ones, show a broad spectrum of biological activity, including anticancer properties. This review aims to analyze the anticancer features of the rhodanines described over the last decade in the scientific literature. The structure–activity relationship of rhodanine derivatives, as well as some of the molecular targets, were discussed. The information contained in this review could be of benefit to the design of new, effective small molecules with anticancer potential among rhodanine derivatives or their related heterocycles.

2-{5-[(Z,2Z)-2-Chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-propenylidene]-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl}-3-methylbutanoic Acid as a Potential Anti-Breast Cancer Molecule

It was established that the synthesis of hybrid molecules containing a thiazolidinone and a (2Z)-2-chloro-3-(4-nitrophenyl)prop-2-ene structural fragments is an effective approach for the design of potential anticancer agents. Given the results of the previous SAR-analysis, the aim of the study was to synthesize a novel 4-thiazolidinone derivative Les-3331 and investigate its molecular mechanism of action in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The cytotoxic properties and antiproliferative potential of Les-3331 were determined. The effect of the tested compound on apoptosis induction and mitochondrial membrane potential was checked by flow cytometry. ELISA was used to determine caspase-8 and caspase-9, LC3A, LC3B, Beclin-1, and topoisomerase II concentration. Additionally, PAMPA, in silico or in vitro prediction of metabolism, CYP3A4/2D6 inhibition, and an Ames test were performed. Les-3331 possesses high cytotoxic and antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Its molecular mechanism of action is associated with apoptosis induction, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased caspase-9 and caspase-8 concentrations. Les-3331 decreased LC3A, LC3B, and Beclin-1 concentration in tested cell lines. Topoisomerase II concentration was also lowered. The most probable metabolic pathways and no DDIs risk of Les-3331 were confirmed in in vitro assays. Our studies confirmed that a novel 4-thiazolidinone derivative represents promising anti-breast cancer activity.

Discovery of Cinnamylidene Derivative of Rhodanine with High Anthelmintic Activity against Rhabditis sp

The treatment of parasitic infections requires the application of chemotherapy. In view of increasing resistance to currently in-use drugs, there is a constant need to search for new compounds with anthelmintic activity. A series of 16 cinnamylidene derivatives of rhodanine, including newly synthesized methoxy derivatives (1-11) and previously obtained chloro, nitro, and diethylamine derivatives (12-16), was investigated towards anthelmintic activity. Compounds (1-16) were evaluated against free-living nematodes of the genus Rhabditis sp. In the tested group of rhodanine derivatives, only compound 2 shows very high biological activity (LC50 = 0.93 µg/µL), which is higher than the reference drug albendazole (LC50 = 19.24 µg/µL). Crystal structures of two compounds, active 2 and inactive 4, were determined by the X-ray diffraction method to compare molecular geometry and search for differences responsible for observed biological activity/inactivity. Molecular modelling and selected physicochemical properties prediction were performed to assess the potential mechanism of action and applied in the search for an explanation as to why amongst all similar compounds only one is active. We can conclude that the tested compound 2 can be further investigated as a potential anthelmintic drug.

Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking Studies of 5-indolylmethylen-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidine Derivatives

Background: Infectious diseases represent a significant global strain on public health security and impact on socio-economic stability all over the world. The increasing resistance to the current antimicrobial treatment has resulted in the crucial need for the discovery and development of novel entities for the infectious treatment with different modes of action that could target both sensitive and resistant strains. Methods: Compounds were synthesized using the classical organic chemistry methods. Prediction of biological activity spectra was carried out using PASS and PASS-based web applications. Pharmacophore modeling in LigandScout software was used for quantitative modeling of the antibacterial activity. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the microdilution method. AutoDock 4.2® software was used to elucidate probable bacterial and fungal molecular targets of the studied compounds. Results: All compounds exhibited better antibacterial potency than ampicillin against all bacteria tested. Three compounds were tested against resistant strains MRSA, P.aeruginosa and E.coli and were found to be more potent than MRSA than reference drugs. All compounds demonstrated a higher degree of antifungal activity than the reference drugs bifonazole (6–17-fold) and ketoconazole (13–52-fold). Three of the most active compounds could be considered for further development of the new, more potent antimicrobial agents. Conclusion: Compounds 5b (Z)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-((1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-2-thioxothiazolidin-4-one and 5g (Z)-3-[5-(1H-Indol-3-ylmethylene)-4-oxo-2-thioxo-thiazolidin-3-yl]-benzoic acid as well as 5h (Z)-3-(5-((5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-4-oxo-2-thioxothiazolidin-3-yl)benzoic acid can be considered as lead compounds for further development of more potent and safe antibacterial and antifungal agents.

The Bioactivity of Thiazolidin-4-Ones: A Short Review of the Most Recent Studies

Thiazolidin-4-ones is an important heterocyclic ring system of a pharmacophore and a privileged scaffold in medicinal chemistry. This review is focused on the latest scientific reports regarding biological activities of thiazolidin-4-ones published in 2020 and 2021. The review covers recent information about antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antitubercular and antiviral properties of thiazolidin-4-ones. Additionally, the influence of different substituents in molecules on their biological activity was discussed in this paper. Thus, this study may help to optimize the structure of thiazolidin-4-one derivatives as more efficient drug agents. Presented information may be used as a practical hint for rational design of new small molecules with biological activity, especially among thiazolidin-4-ones.