Synthesis of Indole-Linked Thiadiazoles and their Anticancer Action against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

With a lack of targeted therapy and significantly high metastasis, heterogeneity, and relapse rates, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) offers substantial treatment challenges and demands more chemotherapeutic interventions. In the present study, indole-endowed thiadiazole derivatives have been synthesized and screened for antiproliferative potency against the triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line. Compound 4 h, possessing chlorophenyl moiety, displays the best anticancer potency (IC50: 0.43 μM) in the cell viability assay. The title compounds demonstrate substantial docking competency against the EGFR receptor (PDB ID: 3POZ), validating their in-vitro ant proliferative action. With a high docking score (-9.9 to -8.7 kcal/mol), the indole hybrids display significant binding propensity comparable to the co-crystallized ligand TAK-285 and occupy a similar strategic position in the active domain of the designated receptor. The quantum and electronic properties of the integrated templates are evaluated through DFT, and optimal values of the deduced global reactivity indices, such as energy gap, electronegativity, ionization potential, chemical potential, electrophilicity, etc., suggest their apt biochemical reactivity. The indole hybrids show near-appropriate pharmacokinetic efficacy and bioavailability in the in-silico studies, indicating their candidacy for potential drug usage. Promising in-vitro anticancer action and binding interfaces project indole conjugates as potential leads in addressing the TNBC dilemma.

Visible-Light-Mediated Synthesis of α-Ketoamides via Oxidative Amination of 2-Bromoacetophenones Using Eosin Y as a Photoredox Catalyst

An oxidative amination of 2-bromoacetophenones has been accomplished to provide α-ketoamides by using photoredox catalysis with air as oxidant. The reactants are readily accessible, and the method is endowed with broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. The practicality of the approach is also shown by a gram-scale reaction.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of ceria-doped zinc oxide under UV illumination prepared via chemical precipitation

Transition metal oxide has emerged as one of the most potential candidates for environment remediation by utilizing solar energy through photocatalysis. This study compares the optical characteristics of zinc oxide (ZnO) and ceria-doped zinc oxide (CeZnO) nanoparticles synthesized through a facile chemical precipitation method without using any assistant catalyst. The present work investigates the consequences of ceria (cerium dioxide, CeO2 ) intrusion on the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles using methylene blue (MB) as a probe pollutant. The CeZnO showed an increase in photoactivity when compared to ZnO nanoparticles for degradation of MB in an aqueous solution under ultraviolet (UV) irradiance. The resulting heterojunction between ZnO and that of ceria enhances the charge separation efficiency showing a strong correlation between ZnO and CeO2 heterojunction on the charge transfer mechanism across the interface.

Screening of Drug Efficacy of Rosmarinic Acid Derivatives as Aurora Kinase Inhibitors by Computer-Aided Drug Design Method

BACKGROUND

Aurora kinases (AKs) belong to the serine/threonine kinase family and play a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle. Therefore, AKs are the hopeful target for anticancer therapies and these findings have encouraged researchers to rigorously hunt small molecule aurora kinase inhibitors, not only for research articles but also for use as therapeutic agents.

OBJECTIVE

The present study helps us to identify and screen the best phytochemicals as potent inhibitors against AKs. These potent inhibitors come from the various substitution of rosmarinic acid (RA).

METHODS

In this paper, we choose different tested derivative compounds for designing anticancer drugs by substituting various functional groups of standard drug RA. In silico studies were carried out to appreciate better drug candidature of some of these derivative compounds. This study was performed on 56 derived compounds of the standard RA. DFT study was conducted using the UB3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) basis set to study HOMO-LUMO energies, dipole moments, using the Gaussian16 suite. Some of the derived parameters, like ionization potential, electron affinity, softness- hardness, chemical potential, and electrophilicity index were noted. A docking study was performed with AKs inhibiting receptor using AutoDock 4.2. ADME prediction was made with the preADMET web tool. Molecular descriptor properties were predicted with molinspiration and OSIRIS property explorer.

RESULTS

Out of the 56 derivatives, 11 have passed all the rules of drug candidature, to serve as best AKs inhibitor, in a theoretical manner.

CONCLUSION

This study should be supported by a new proposal to explore future studies with these 11 compounds against cancer.

Bioactive constituents in pulses and their health benefits

Pulses are good sources of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, phytosterols and non-digestible carbohydrates that play important physiological as well as metabolic roles. These compounds vary in concentration amongst different pulse species and varieties. Pulse seed coats are rich in water-insoluble fibres and polyphenols (having high antioxidant activities), while cotyledons contain higher soluble fibres, oligosaccharides, slowly digestible and resistant starch content. Ferulic acid is the most abundant phenolic acid present in pulses, while flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and tannins are responsible for the seed coat colour. Sitosterol (most abundant), stigmasterol, and campesterol are the major phytosterols present in pulses. Pulse fibres, resistant starch and oligosaccharides function as probiotics and possess several other health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, and reduce glucose as well as lipid levels. Beans and peas contain higher amounts of oligosaccharides than other pulses. Processing methods affect resistant starch, polyphenol composition and generally increase antioxidant activities of different pulses. In this review, the current information on pulse polyphenols, phytosterols, resistant starch, dietary fibre, oligosaccharides, antioxidant and associated health benefits are discussed.