BM7, a derivative of benzofuran, effectively fights cancer by promoting cancer cell apoptosis and impacting IL-6 levels

The BM7 compound, a bromo derivative of methyl 6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-benzofuran-3-carboxylate, was previously identified as cytotoxic to human leukaemia cells (K562 and HL60) and human cervical cancer (HeLa), while showing no toxicity to non-cancerous primary endothelial cells (HUVEC). In this study, we present the first demonstration of BM7's anticancer efficacy in vivo using a mouse chronic myeloid leukaemia xenograft model. Administered intraperitoneally in a mixture of 10% Solutol HS 15/10% ethanol, BM7 exhibited no visible toxicity and significantly reduced tumor weight, comparable to standard drugs imatinib and hydroxyurea. Further supporting its anticancer potential, a multi-model in vitro study involving seven human cancer cell lines revealed the most promising responses in colon cancer (SW480, SW620, HCT116), liver cancer (HEPG2), and breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cells. BM7 demonstrated multifaceted anticancer mechanisms, inducing apoptosis while elevating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and suppressing interleukin-6 (IL-6) release in these cell lines. These findings position BM7 as a candidate of significant interest for cancer therapy. Its ability to not only induce apoptosis but also modulate cellular processes such as ROS levels and immune responses, specifically IL-6 suppression, makes BM7 a versatile and promising agent for further exploration in the realm of cancer treatment.

Proanthocyanidins and β-Glucan Synergistically Regulate Intestinal Inflammation in Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis Mice

Proanthocyanidins (PA) have been proven to have an anti-inflammation effect in multiple models by regulating oxidative stress. β-glucan (BG) could alleviate colitis from the perspectives of intestinal permeability and gut microbiota. In the present study, the synergistic anti-inflammatory function of PA and BG was explored from multiple aspects including immune response, intestinal barrier, gut microbiota, and differential metabolites. The results showed that the supplementation of PA and BG improved the colitis symptoms including atrophy of the colon, body weight loss, and organ index increase. Additionally, inflammatory cytokine levels and oxidative stress status were significantly regulated with the intake of PA and BG. Moreover, PA and BG intervention improved intestinal permeability and promoted the expression of barrier proteins. The microbiome and metabolic profile of cecal contents showed that PA and BG supplementation increased the abundance of anti-inflammatory bacteria and decreased the abundance of pro-inflammatory bacteria. Furthermore, some beneficial metabolites involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and biosynthesis of other secondary metabolite pathways were increased. Overall, these findings have demonstrated the regulation of the inflammatory response and remodel of metabolite profiles by PA and BG complexes, indicating that it may serve as a new strategy for inflammatory bowel disease treatment in the future.

Development of fluorinated and methoxylated benzothiazole derivatives as highly potent and selective cannabinoid CB2 receptor ligands

The upregulation of the CB₂ receptors in neuroinflammation and cancer and their potential visualization with PET (positron emission tomography) could provide a valuable diagnostic and therapy-monitoring tool in such disorders. However, the availability of reliable CB₂-selective imaging probes is still lacking in clinical practice. We have recently identified a benzothiazole-2-ylidine amide hit (6a) as a highly potent CB₂ ligand. With the aim of enhancing its CB₂ over CB₁ selectivity and introducing structural sites suitable for radiolabeling, we herein describe the development of fluorinated and methoxylated benzothiazole derivatives endowed with extremely high CB₂ binding affinity and an exclusive selectivity to the CB₂ receptor. Compounds 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 24 and 25 displayed subnanomolar CB₂K_i values (ranging from 0.16 nM to 0.68 nM) and interestingly, all of the synthesized compounds completely lacked affinity at the CB₁ receptor (K_i > 10,000 nM for all compounds), indicating their remarkably high CB₂ over CB₁ selectivity factors. The fluorinated analogs, 15 and 21, were evaluated for their in vitro metabolic stability in mouse and human liver microsomes (MLM and HLM). Both 15 and 21 displayed an exceptionally high stability (98% and 91% intact compounds, respectively) after 60 min incubation with MLM. Contrastingly, a 5- and 2.8-fold lower stability was demonstrated for compounds 15 and 21, respectively, upon incubation with HLM for 60 min. Taken together, our data present extremely potent and selective CB₂ ligands as credible leads that can be further exploited for ¹⁸F- or ¹¹C-radiolabeling and utilization as PET tracers.

Synthesis of Novel Aryl (4-Aryl-1H-Pyrrol-3-yl) (Thiophen-2-yl) Methanone Derivatives: Molecular Modelling, In Silico ADMET, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Ulcer Activities

BACKGROUND

Due to the presence of both five-membered heterocyclics like pyrrole and thiophene in one molecule considerable attention was made for their enormous pharmacological activities out of which include anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities.

OBJECTIVE

Chalcones with toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) undergo synthesis to form some new aryl (4-aryl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl) (thiophen-2-yl) methanone derivatives. Molecular docking of synthesized compounds with protein receptors of anti-inflammatory COX-1(3N8Y), COX-2 (1PXX) along with anti-ulcer H+/K+ATPase enzyme (2XZB) followed with drug-likeness, and in silico ADMET properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The multicomponent reaction was carried out by the intermediate formation of α, β-unsaturated ketone from carbonyl compounds which on sequential addition undergoes [3+2] cycloaddition reaction in same medium affords aryl (4-aryl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl) (thiophen-2-yl) methanone derivatives by addition of TosMIC in basic medium had resulted in series of compounds PY1 to PY12. All the new synthesized compounds were screened for their in-vitro anti-inflammatory activity by bovine serum albumin method followe with COX assay, and in-vivo by using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method of the selected compounds PY1, PY5 and PY12 which is also screened for anti-ulcer activity by pylorus ligation method, respectively. Molecular docking was performed using autodock tools, drug-likeness by OSIRIS property explorer and admetSAR properties.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From the synthesized compounds of aryl (4-aryl-1H-pyrrol-3-yl) (thiophen- 2-yl) methanone derivatives PY5 showed decent in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory along selectivity index of 6.2 for COX-1 with IC50(μM) value of 9.54 over diclofenac with 8.74 and PY1 showed decent in-vivo anti-ulcer activities along with drug-likeness and in silico ADMET predictions revealed that all the synthesized compounds have minimal toxic effects with good absorption as well as solubility characteristics. The selected compounds may serve as potential lead compounds for developing new anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer drugs.

CONCLUSION

From the newly synthesized molecules PY5 was found to be effective for anti-inflammatory and PY1 was found to be effective for anti-ulcer activities further derivitization and designed of modification to achieve more compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities.