Selenium-Derivative Compounds: A Review of New Perspectives in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent types of dementia, affecting millions of older people worldwide. AD is stimulating efforts to develop novel molecules targeting its main features associated with a decrease in acetylcholine levels, an increase in oxidative stress and depositions of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau protein. In this regard, selenium-containing compounds have been demonstrated as potential multi-targeted compounds in the treatment of AD. These compounds are known for their antioxidant and anticholinesterase properties, causing a decrease in Aβ aggregation.

OBJECTIVE

In this review, we approach structure-activity relationships of each compound, associating the decrease of ROS activity, an increase of tau-like activity and inhibition of AChE with a decrease in the self-aggregation of Aβ.

METHODS

We also verify that the molecular descriptors apol, nHBAcc and MlogP may be related to optimized pharmacokinetic properties for anti-AD drugs.

RESULTS

In our analysis, few selenium-derived compounds presented similar molecular features to FDA-approved drugs.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that unknown selenium-derived molecules with apol, nHBAcc and MlogP like FDA-approved drugs may be better successes with optimized pharmacokinetic properties in future studies in AD.

Catalytic Antioxidant Activity of Bis-Aniline-Derived Diselenides as GPx Mimics

Herein, we describe a simple and efficient route to access aniline-derived diselenides and evaluate their antioxidant/GPx-mimetic properties. The diselenides were obtained in good yields via ipso-substitution/reduction from the readily available 2-nitroaromatic halides (Cl, Br, I). These diselenides present GPx-mimetic properties, showing better antioxidant activity than the standard GPx-mimetic compounds, ebselen and diphenyl diselenide. DFT analysis demonstrated that the electronic properties of the substituents determine the charge delocalization and the partial charge on selenium, which correlate with the catalytic performances. The amino group concurs in the stabilization of the selenolate intermediate through a hydrogen bond with the selenium.

Ex vivo nail infection as an effective preclinical method for screening of new topical antifungals

Onychomycosis are fungal nail infections comprising of about 50% of onychopathies and are commonly caused by dermatophytes. The treatment of this dermatomycosis requires a long period of time and is associated with high rates of recurrence. In view of the need to evaluate the antifungal performance of promising preclinical compounds, we developed, in this study, a practical and accessibleex vivo model for establishing a Trichophyton rubrum onychomycosis framework using porcine hooves. This model has as its main advantage the similar structural and three-dimensional characteristics that the porcine hooves have with the human nail. The proposed model allowed to evaluate the antifungal activity of a new antifungal compound and a reference drug (terbinafine), both already incorporated into a nail lacquer for topical use. Treatments with compound 3-selenocyanate-indole (Se4a) and with terbinafine incorporated into this nail lacquer completely inhibited fungal growth, corresponding to the profile of in vitro activity observed against T. rubrum. This study concludes that the ex vivo porcine hoof model is an effective alternative method for preclinical screening of drugs or new topical compounds developed to combat onychomycosis. Further studies are needed to compare the permeability of porcine hooves with human nails permeability.

Novel pyrimidinic selenourea induces DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in human breast carcinoma

Novel pyrimidinic selenoureas were synthesized and evaluated against tumour and normal cell lines. Among these, the compound named 3j initially showed relevant cytotoxicity and selectivity for tumour cells. Three analogues of 3j were designed and synthesized keeping in view the structural requirements of this compound. Almost all the tested compounds displayed considerable cytotoxicity. However, 8a, one of the 3j analogues, was shown to be highly selective and cytotoxic, especially for breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) (IC₅₀ = 3.9 μM). Furthermore, 8a caused DNA damage, inhibited cell proliferation, was able to arrest cell cycle in S phase, and induced cell death by apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. Moreover, predictions of pharmacokinetic properties showed that 8a may present good absorption and permeation characteristics for oral administration. Overall, the current study established 8a as a potential drug prototype to be employed as a DNA interactive cytotoxic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of seleno-dihydropyrimidinones as potential multi-targeted therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease

We report the design, synthesis and evaluation of a series of seleno-dihydropyrimidinones as potential multi-targeted therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.

Synthesis and differential antiproliferative activity of Biginelli compounds against cancer cell lines: Monastrol, oxo-monastrol and oxygenated analogues

The synthesis and differential antiproliferative activity of monastrol (1a), oxo-monastrol (1b) and eight oxygenated derivatives 3a,b-6a,b on seven human cancer cell lines are described. For all evaluated cell lines, monastrol (1a) was shown to be more active than its oxo-analogue, except for HT-29 cell line, suggesting the importance of the sulfur atom for the antiproliferative activity. Monastrol (1a) and the thio-derivatives 3a, 4a and 6a displayed relevant antiproliferative properties with 3,4-methylenedioxy derivative 6a being approximately more than 30 times more potent than monastrol (1a) against colon cancer (HT-29) cell line.