How Efficient Is My (Medicinal) Chemistry?

Electro-organic synthesis of C-5 sulfenylated amino uracils: Optimization and exploring topoisomerase-I based anti-cancer profile

Cancer is spreading worldwide and is one of the leading causes of death. The use of existing chemotherapeutic agents is frequently limited due to side effects. As a result, it is critical to investigate new agents for cancer treatment. In this context, we developed an electrochemical method for the synthesis of a series of thiol-linked pyrimidine derivatives (3a-3p) and explored their anti-cancer potential. The biological profile of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against breast (MDAMB-231 and MCF-7) and colorectal (HCT-116) cancer cell lines. 3b and 3d emerged to be the most potent agents, with IC50 values ranging between 0.98 to 2.45 µM. Target delineation studies followed by secondary anticancer parameters were evaluated for most potent compounds, 3b and 3d. The analysis revealed compounds possess DNA intercalation potential and selective inhibition towards human topoisomerase (hTopo1). The analysis was further corroborated by DNA binding studies and in silico-based molecular modeling studies that validated the intercalating binding mode between the compounds and the DNA.

Fabrication of a novel nontoxic trichlorophenol-epichlorohydrin-based compound with high antimicrobial activity and thermal stability

The aim of this study was to modify a discontinued, toxic antiseptic agent 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (TCP) by reacting it with epichlorohydrin (ECH) to obtain a nontoxic novel compound with similar antimicrobial effectiveness. A novel compound named {[1,3-bis(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) propan-2-yl] oxy}-3-(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) hexan-2-ol (TPTH) was synthesized from this reaction. Chemical and physical structures of the product were characterized by FTIR, MS, Uv-vis, NMR, SEM and TEM. The thermal stability of TPTH was evaluated by conducting thermogravimetric analysis. Biological interactions of the compound were investigated by performing antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity assays. The compound displayed a good antimicrobial activity where minimum inhibitor concentrations were found to be 0.02, 0.08, and 0.15 µg mL^-1 against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) respectively. Additionally, well diffusion assay demonstrated that, the zone of inhibitions for S. aureus, MRSA and E. coli were 24 mm, 22 mm and 18 mm, respectively. Cytotoxicity assay results revealed that TPTH is nontoxic against cells at effective anti-microbial concentrations. TPTH shows thermal stability up to 220 °C. Results here demonstrate the successful conversion of toxic TCP to a nontoxic form; TPTH with a good anti-microbial activity and thermal stability.

Green analytical method for the simultaneous analysis of cytochrome P450 probe substrates by poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based temperature-responsive chromatography

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the most common analytical method practiced in various fields and used for analysis of almost all drug compounds in the pharmaceutical industries. During drug development, an evaluation of potential drug interaction with cytochrome P450 (CYP) is essential. A "cocktail" approach is often used in drug development to evaluate the effect of a drug candidate on multiple CYP enzymes in a single experiment. So far, simultaneous analysis of multiple CYP substrates, which have greatly different structure and physicochemical properties, has required organic solvents and mobile phase gradient methods. However, despite the recent emphasis on environmental protection, analytical methods that use only aqueous solvents without the use of organic solvents for separation have not been studied well. This study sought to develop the simultaneous analysis of multiple CYP substrates by using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)-based temperature-responsive chromatography with only aqueous solvents and isocratic methods. Good separation of multiple CYP substrates was achieved without using organic solvents and any gradient methods by temperature-responsive chromatography utilizing a P(NIPAAm-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA))- and P(NIPAAm-co-N-acryloyl L-tryptophan methyl ester (L-Trp-OMe))-grafted silica column. Overall, PNIPAAm-based temperature-responsive chromatography represents a remarkably simple, versatile, and environmentally friendly bioanalytical method for CYP substrates and their metabolites.

Assessment Tasks to Measure Systems Thinking and Critical Thinking in Organic Chemistry

Humans of 21st century should possess higher order thinking skills such as critical thinking and systems thinking skills. Development and assessment of students’ critical thinking and systems thinking skills should be a crucial objective for every teacher. However, only relatively recently the scientists proposed models for the development of items to measure systems thinking and critical thinking. Herein are presented theoretical issues regarding systems thinking and critical thinking, as well as examples of items which could be used to assess systems thinking and critical thinking, on the topic of manipulation of functional groups in organic chemistry.