Synthesis and bioactivity investigation of benzophenone and its derivatives

Four benzophenones, three dihydrocoumarins, and two coumarins were synthesised by a 1-3 step reaction, with yields ranging from 6.2 to 35%. Next, we investigated the in vitro antitumour activity of these compounds. Compounds 1, 8, and 9 exhibited strong antitumour activity and were considered promising candidates in this field. In particular, compound 1 exhibited very strong inhibitory activity against HL-60, A-549, SMMC-7721, and SW480 cells, with IC50 values of 0.48, 0.82, 0.26, and 0.99 μM, respectively. Finally, the antitumour mechanism of compound 1 was investigated through network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses, which identified 22 key genes and 21 tumour pathways. AKT1, ALB, CASP3, ESR1, GAPDH, HSP90AA1, and STAT3 were considered as potential target hub genes for compound 1. These results will enable the future development of benzophenone and its derivatives.

The five Ferulago species inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of A549, MCF-7, PC3 and SW480 cancer cells in vitro

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of ethanolic extracts prepared from the roots of 5 Ferulago species [F. humilis Boiss., F. macrosciadia Boiss. & Balansa, F. sandrasica Peşmen & Quézel, F. silaifolia (Boiss.) Boiss., F. trojana Akalın & Pimenov] on various human cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity analyses against human lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), prostate (PC3) and colon (SW480) cancer cell lines were determined by MTT test; while the apoptotic effect was evaluated by Annexin V binding assay. All studied extracts showed concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value ranging from 0.416 to 5.336 mg/mL. The studied Ferulago species significantly induced apoptosis of cancer cells, while F. macrosciadia had the highest apoptotic activity on MCF-7 cells with 21.79 ± 1.63% apoptotic cell population (p < 0.0001). In addition, felamedin and prantschimgin content of the extracts, which are common coumarins in Ferulago species, were evaluated by HPLC. According to HPLC analysis, the highest amount of felamedin content was found in F. trojana, while the highest content of prantschimgin was found in F. sandrasica among the studied Ferulago species. This preliminary research has revealed that the studied Ferulago species have promising effects on various cancer cell lines. Further studies are planned to determine the compounds responsible for the effect and underlying mechanism.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Methoxy- Substituted γ-Oxa-ε-lactones Derived from Flavanones

Six γ-oxa-ε-lactones, 4-phenyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,5-benzodioxepin-2-one (5a) and its five derivatives with methoxy groups in different positions of A and B rings (5b–f), were synthesized from corresponding flavanones. Three of the obtained lactones (5b,c,f) have not been previously described in the literature. Structures of all synthesized compounds were confirmed by complete spectroscopic analysis with the assignments of signals on ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectra to the corresponding atoms. In most cases, lactones 5a–f exerted an inhibitory effect on the growth of selected pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus), filamentous fungi (Fusarium graminearum, Aspergillus niger, and Alternaria sp.), and yeast (Candida albicans). The broadest spectrum of activity was observed for unsubstituted lactone 5a, which was particularly active against filamentous fungi and yeast. Lactones with methoxy groups in the 3′ (5c) and 4′ (5d) position of B ring were more active towards bacteria whereas lactone substituted in the 7 position of the A ring (5e) exhibited higher antifungal activity. In most cases, the introduction of lactone function increased the activity of the compound compared to its flavonoid precursors, chalcones 3a–e, and flavanones 4a–f.

Antifungal activity of cinnamic acid derivatives involves inhibition of benzoate 4-hydroxylase (CYP53)

AIMS

CYP53A15, from the sorghum pathogen Cochliobolus lunatus, is involved in detoxification of benzoate, a key intermediate in aromatic compound metabolism in fungi. Because this enzyme is unique to fungi, it is a promising drug target in fungal pathogens of other eukaryotes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In our work, we showed high antifungal activity of seven cinnamic acid derivatives against C. lunatus and two other fungi, Aspergillus niger and Pleurotus ostreatus. To elucidate the mechanism of action of cinnamic acid derivatives with the most potent antifungal properties, we studied the interactions between these compounds and the active site of C. lunatus cytochrome P450, CYP53A15.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that cinnamic acid and at least four of the 42 tested derivatives inhibit CYP53A15 enzymatic activity.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

By identifying selected derivatives of cinnamic acid as possible antifungal drugs, and CYP53 family enzymes as their targets, we revealed a potential inhibitor-target system for antifungal drug development.