Synthesis and biological evaluation of certain alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones and their corresponding fused pyridines as antiviral and cytotoxic agents

A new series of 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones, as chalcone analogues carrying variety of aryl and heteroaryl groups, pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyridines, pyridolo[4,3-c]pyrimidines, and pyrido[4,3-c]-pyridines, carrying an arylidene moiety, and a series of pyrano[3,2-c]pyridines, as flavone and coumarin isosteres, were synthesized and screened for their in vitro antiviral and antitumor activities at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Compounds 9 and 18 proved to be active against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), while compound 13 showed moderate activity against human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Compounds 14, 26, 28, 33, and 35 exhibited a broad spectrum antitumor activity. In addition, compounds 26, 33, and 35 proved to be of moderate selectivity toward leukemia cell lines. The pyrano[3,2-c]pyridines heterocyclic system proved to be the most active antitumors among the investigated heterocycles.

Total synthesis and structural revision of the piperarborenines via sequential cyclobutane C-H arylation

A strategy for the construction of unsymmetrical cyclobutanes using C-H functionalization logic is demonstrated in the total synthesis of piperarborenine B and piperarborenine D (reported structure). These syntheses feature a new preparation of cis-cyclobutane dicarboxylates from commercially available coumalate starting materials and a divergent approach to the controlled cis or trans installation of the two distinct aryl rings found in the natural products using the first example of cyclobutane C-H arylation. The structure of piperarborenine D is reassigned to a head-to-head dimer, which was synthesized using an intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition strategy.

Applications of C-H functionalization logic to cyclobutane synthesis

The application of C-H functionalization logic to target-oriented synthesis provides an exciting new venue for the development of new and useful strategies in organic chemistry. In this article, C-H functionalization reactions are explored as an alternative approach to access pseudodimeric cyclobutane natural products, such as the dictazole and the piperarborenine families. The use of these strategies in a variety of complex settings highlights the subtle geometric, steric, and electronic effects at play in the auxiliary guided C-H functionalization of cyclobutanes.

The migrastatin family: discovery of potent cell migration inhibitors by chemical synthesis

The first asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-migrastatin (1), a macrolide natural product with anti-metastatic properties, has been accomplished. Our concise and flexible approach utilized a Lewis acid-catalyzed diene aldehyde condensation (LACDAC) to install the three contiguous stereocenters and the trisubstituted (Z)-alkene of migrastatin (2 + 3 --> 21). Construction of the two remaining stereocenters and incorporation of the glutarimide-containing side chain was achieved by an anti-selective aldol addition of propionyl oxazolidinone 28 to angelic aldehyde 27, followed by a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons (HWE) coupling of 32 with glutarimide aldehyde 5. Finally, the assembly of the macrocycle was realized by a highly (E)-selective ring-closing metathesis (35 --> 37). Utilizing the power of diverted total synthesis (DTS), a series of otherwise inaccessible analogues was prepared and evaluated for their potential as tumor cell migration inhibitors in several in vitro assays. These studies revealed a dramatic increase in activity when the natural motif was considerably simplified, presenting macrolactones 45 and 48, as well as macrolactam 55, macroketone 60, and CF(3)-alcohol 71 as promising anti-metastatic agents.

Discovery of Potent Cell Migration Inhibitors through Total Synthesis: Lessons from Structure−Activity Studies of (+)-Migrastatin

Synthesis of highly active migrastatin-based tumor migration cell inhibitors has been accomplished. Our flexible and concise total synthesis of migrastatin has allowed us to explore otherwise inaccessible migrastatin-derived structural motifs. This effort has resulted in the discovery of analogues with tumor cell migration inhibitory activity 3 orders of magnitude higher than that of the natural product.

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition of organoboron reagents to 5,6-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridinones. Asymmetric synthesis of 4-aryl-2-piperidinones

Catalytic asymmetric synthesis of 4-aryl-2-piperidinones was realized for the first time by asymmetric 1,4-addition of arylboron reagents to 5,6-dihydro-2(1H)-pyridinones in the presence of a chiral bisphosphine-rhodium catalyst. In the reaction introducing 4-fluorophenyl group, the use of 4-fluorophenylboroxine and 1 equiv (to boron) of water at 40 degrees C gave the highest yield of the arylation product with high enantioselectivity (98% ee). The (R)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-piperidinone obtained here is a key intermediate for the synthesis of (-)-Paroxetine.

Synthesis of piperlongumine analogues and discovery of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activators as potential neuroprotective agents

The cellular antioxidant system plays key roles in blocking or retarding the pathogenesis of adult neurodegenerative disorders as elevated oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of such diseases. Molecules with the ability in enhancing the antioxidant defense thus are promising candidates as neuroprotective agents. We reported herein the synthesis of piperlongumine analogues and evaluation of their cytoprotection against hydrogen peroxide- and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal cell oxidative damage in the neuron-like PC12 cells. The structure-activity relationship was delineated after the cytotoxicity and protection screening. Two compounds (4 and 5) displayed low cytotoxicity and confer potent protection of PC12 cells from the oxidative injury via upregulation of a panel of cellular antioxidant molecules. Genetically silencing the transcription factor Nrf2, a master regulator of the cellular stress responses, suppresses the cytoprotection, indicating the critical involvement of Nrf2 for the cellular action of compounds 4 and 5 in PC12 cells.

A New Entry of Nucleophiles in Rhodium-Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,4-Addition Reactions: Addition of Organozinc Reagents for the Synthesis of 2-Aryl-4-piperidones

A rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4-addition reaction has been applied to the synthesis of 2-aryl-4-piperidones. While other conventional nucleophiles fail, organozinc reagents have been successfully utilized for the construction of these useful compounds in very good yield and enantiomeric excess.

Discovery of ARD-2585 as an Exceptionally Potent and Orally Active PROTAC Degrader of Androgen Receptor for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

We report herein the discovery of exceptionally potent and orally bioavailable PROTAC AR degraders with ARD-2585 being the most promising compound. ARD-2585 achieves DC50 values of ≤0.1 nM in the VCaP cell line with AR gene amplification and in the LNCaP cell line carrying an AR mutation. It potently inhibits cell growth with IC50 values of 1.5 and 16.2 nM in the VCaP and LNCaP cell lines, respectively, and achieves excellent pharmacokinetics and 51% of oral bioavailability in mice. It is more efficacious than enzalutamide in inhibition of VCaP tumor growth and does not cause any sign of toxicity in mice. ARD-2585 is a promising AR degrader for extensive investigations for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Synthesis of curcumin analogues as potential antioxidant, cancer chemopreventive agents

New series of 3, 5-bis(substituted benzylidene)-4-piperidones, 2, 7-bis(substituted benzylidene)cycloheptanones, 1, 5-bis(substituted phenyl)-1, 4-pentadien-3-ones, 1, 7-bis(substituted phenyl)-1, 6-heptadien-3, 5-diones, 1, 1-bis(substituted cinnamoyl)-cyclopentanes, and 1, 1-bis(substituted cinnamoyl)cyclohexanes have been synthesized and tested for their antioxidant activity. Among the tested compounds, compounds II(4), II(9) II(10), II(11), V(1), and V(4) exhibited higher free radical scavenger activity with % inhibition values of 90.71, 91.24, 96.91, 94.26, 99.23, and 99.85%, respectively. Moreover, compound V(1) is the safest member toward peripheral multinuclear neutrophils (PMNs) with a % viability value of 91%. Detailed synthesis, spectroscopic, and biological data are reported.

Piperlongumine (piplartine) as a lead compound for anticancer agents - Synthesis and properties of analogues: A mini-review

Piperlongumine, also known as piplartine, is an amide alkaloid of Piper longum L. (long piper), a medical plant known from Ayurvedic medicine. Although was discovered well over fifty years ago, its pharmacological properties have been uncovered in the past decade. In particular, piperlongumine has been most extensively studied as a potential anticancer agent. Piperlongumine has exhibited cytotoxicity against a broad spectrum of human cancer cell lines, as well as demonstrated antitumor activity in rodents. Piperlongumine has also been found to be a proapoptotic, anti-invasive, antiangiogenic agent and synergize with modern chemotherapeutic agents. Because of its clinical potential, several studies were undertaken to obtain piperlongumine analogues, which have exhibited more potent activity or more appropriate drug-like parameters. In this review, the synthesis of piperlongumine analogues and piperlongumine-based hybrid compounds, as well as their anticancer properties and the molecular basis for their activity are explored. General structure-activity relationship conclusions are drawn and directions for the future research are indicated.

A Mixed-Ligand Chiral Rhodium(II) Catalyst Enables the Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Piperarborenine B

A novel, mixed-ligand chiral rhodium(II) catalyst, Rh2(S-NTTL)3(dCPA), has enabled the first enantioselective total synthesis of the natural product piperarborenine B. A crystal structure of Rh2(S-NTTL)3(dCPA) reveals a "chiral crown" conformation with a bulky dicyclohexylphenyl acetate ligand and three N-naphthalimido groups oriented on the same face of the catalyst. The natural product was prepared on large scale using rhodium-catalyzed bicyclobutanation/ copper-catalyzed homoconjugate addition chemistry in the key step. The route proceeds in ten steps with an 8% overall yield and 92% ee.

The total synthesis of (+)-migrastatin

The first total synthesis of (+)-migrastatin, a macrolide natural product with interesting antimetastatic properties, has been accomplished. Our concise and flexible approach utilizes a Lewis acid-catalyzed diene aldehyde condensation to install the three contiguous stereocenters and the trisubstituted (Z)-alkene of migrastatin. Construction of the two remaining stereocenters and incorporation of the glutarimide-containing side chain have been achieved via an anti-selective aldol reaction, followed by a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination. Finally, the assembly of the macrocycle has been realized by a highly (E)-selective ring-closing metathesis.

Discovery and Structure−Activity Relationships of Piperidinone- and Piperidine-Constrained Phenethylamines as Novel, Potent, and Selective Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) inhibitors are emerging as a new class of therapeutic agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They exert their beneficial effects by increasing the levels of active glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, which are two important incretins for glucose homeostasis. Starting from a high-throughput screening hit, we were able to identify a series of piperidinone- and piperidine-constrained phenethylamines as novel DPP4 inhibitors. Optimized compounds are potent, selective, and have good pharmacokinetic profiles.

The selective 5-HT1B receptor inverse agonist 1'-methyl-5-[[2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2, 4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]carbonyl]-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro- spiro[furo[2,3-f]indole-3,4'-piperidine] (SB-224289) potently blocks terminal 5-HT autoreceptor function both in vitro and in vivo

5-HT1 receptors are members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily and are negatively linked to adenylyl cyclase activity. The human 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors (previously known as 5-HT1Dbeta and 5-HT1Dalpha, respectively), although encoded by two distinct genes, are structurally very similar. Pharmacologically, these two receptors have been differentiated using nonselective chemical tools such as ketanserin and ritanserin, but the absence of truly selective agents has meant that the precise function of the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors has not been defined. In this paper we describe how, using computational chemistry models as a guide, the nonselective 5-HT1B/5-HT1D receptor antagonist 4 was structurally modified to produce the selective 5-HT1B receptor inverse agonist 5, 1'-methyl-5-[[2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2, 4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]carbonyl]-2,3,6, 7-tetrahydrospiro[furo[2,3-f]indole-3,4'-piperidine] (SB-224289). This compound is a potent antagonist of terminal 5-HT autoreceptor function both in vitro and in vivo.

Design, synthesis and cytotoxic properties of novel 1-[4-(2-alkylaminoethoxy)phenylcarbonyl]-3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones and related compounds

The 3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones 1 contain the 1,5-diaryl-3-oxo-1,4-pentadienyl pharmacophore which is considered to interact at a complementary binding site in susceptible neoplasms. The hypothesis was formulated that the presence of an acyl group attached to the piperidyl nitrogen atom in series 1 may interact with an additional binding site thereby enhancing cytotoxic potencies. This concept led to the synthesis of various N-acyl-3,5-bis(arylidene)-4-piperidones 3-7 many of which displayed significant cytotoxicity towards a variety of cancer cell lines. A comparison of the potencies between the compounds in series 1 and the related nonquaternary analogues 3-6 revealed that in approximately half of the comparisons made, the N-acyl analogues had increased potencies.

Synthesis and biological activities of 2,6-diaryl-3-methyl-4-piperidone derivatives

In the present study, a new series of 2,6-diaryl-3-methyl-4-piperidones was synthesized by Mannich reaction (condensation) of ethyl-methyl ketone, substituted aromatic aldehydes and ammonium acetate. Oximes and thiosemicarbazone derivatives of 2,6-diaryl-3-methyl-4-piperidones were synthesized by reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and thiosemicarbazide respectively. The chemical structures were confirmed by means of IR, 1H-, 13C-NMR and mass spectral data. The compounds were screened for acute toxicity, analgesic, local anaesthetic and antifungal activity. 2-(4-Methylphenyl)-3-methyl-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-piperidin-4-one 2 exhibited the highest analgesic and local anaesthetic activity. The oximes and thiosemicarbazones were completely devoid of analgesic and local anaesthetic activity. 2-(4-Methylphenyl)-3-methyl-6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-piperidin-4-oxime 21 and 2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-piperidin-4-oxime 17 exhibited potent antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger. Antifungal activity against Candida albicans was observed only with 2-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-3-methyl-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-piperidin-4-oxime 20. 2,6-Diaryl-3-methyl-4-piperidones did not exhibit antifungal property.

Synthesis and in vitro microbiological evaluation of imidazo(4,5-b)pyridinylethoxypiperidones

A series of imidazo(4,5-b)pyridinylethoxypiperidones was designed, synthesized and characterized for evaluation of potential antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Candida albicans-6, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans-51 and Aspergillus flavus. Structure-activity relationship led to the conclusion that compound 39 exerted strong in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus whereas compounds 38 and 39 displayed promising antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus. The interesting antimicrobial profile of compound 39 led us to select this derivative for further development.

Synthesis and use of 3-amino-4-phenyl-2-piperidones and 4-amino-2-benzazepin-3-ones as conformationally restricted phenylalanine isosteres in renin inhibitors

The design of P2-P3 conformational restrictions in renin inhibitors by the use of a renin computer graphic model led to the synthesis of inhibitors containing N-Boc, N-acetyl, and N-phthalyl derivatives of 3(S)-amino-4(R,S)-2-piperidones and 4(S)-amino-2-benzazepinones in place of phenylalanine in the control compound N-acetyl-L-phenylalanyl-N-[4(S)-[(butylamino)carbonyl]-1(S)- (cyclohexylmethyl)-2(S)-hydroxy-5-methylhexyl]-L-norleuci namide (32). The piperidone inhibitors were prepared by utilization of the Evans chiral auxilliary to introduce the amino group with enantioselectivity and also to act as a leaving group in an intramolecular cyclization to the piperidone. The most potent inhibitor, 3(S)-(acetylamino)-alpha(S)-butyl-N-[4(S)- [(butylamino)carbonyl]-1(S)-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2(S)-hydroxy-5- methylhexyl]-2-oxo-4(R)-phenyl-1-piperidineacetamide (18, IC50 = 21 nM), was 25-fold less potent than the acyclic control 32. Considerable dependence of potency with the size of the P4 derivative was observed as had been expected based on the presynthetic modeling studies. Attempts to rationalize the observed potencies on the basis of further molecular modeling studies suggested that the loss in inhibitor potency was due to the conformational restrictions distorting the 3S center from the geometry present in the putative extended conformation present when the inhibitor is bound within the renin active site.

N-Aroyl-3,5-bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones: a novel class of antimycobacterial agents

A number of 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones 1 and some N-4-(2-aminoethoxy)phenylcarbonyl analogs 3-6 display excellent in vitro antimycobacterial properties. In particular, 1c and 6d are potent antimycobacterials which are well tolerated in mice and are identified as important lead molecules. The nature of both the benzylidene aryl rings and the terminal basic groups which affect the antimycobacterial potencies and the absence of neurotoxic side effects were identified. Several representative compounds stimulated respiration in mitochondria isolated from rat liver and this effect was not caused by the swelling of these organelles. Various guidelines for the creation of further related novel antimycobacterial agents are provided.

The cytotoxic properties and preferential toxicity to tumour cells displayed by some 2,4-bis(benzylidene)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1] octan-3-ones and 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-1-methyl-4-piperidones

This study demonstrated that replacement of the axial protons on the C2 and C6 atoms of various 1-methyl-3,5-bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones 3 by a dimethylene bridge leading to series 2 lowered cytotoxic potencies. Four compounds 2a and 3a-c emerged as lead molecules based on their toxicity towards different neoplasms and their selective toxicity for malignant rather than normal cells. Some possible reasons for the disparity between the IC(50) values in the two series of compounds are presented based on molecular modeling, logP values and respiration in rat liver mitochondria.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activities of 3,3-dialkyl- and 3-alkyl-3-benzyl-2-piperidinones (delta-valerolactams) and hexahydro-2H-azepin-2-ones (epsilon-caprolactams)

A series of 3-substituted 2-piperidinone (delta-valerolactam) and hexahydro-2H-azepin-2-one (epsilon-caprolactam) derivatives were prepared and evaluated as anticonvulsants in mice. In the 2-piperidinone series, 3,3-diethyl compound 7b is the most effective anticonvulsant against pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures (ED50, 37 mg/kg; PI (TD50/ED50), 4.46), and 3-benzyl compound 4c (ED50, 41 mg/kg; PI, 7.05) is the most effective anticonvulsant against seizures induced by maximal electroshock. By contrast, none of the epsilon-caprolactams tested had anticonvulsant effects below doses causing rotorod toxicity. log P values were correlated with neurotoxicity and [35S]TBPS displacement, but not with anticonvulsant activity. Electrophysiological evaluations of selected compounds from each series indicated that both the delta-valero-lactams and epsilon-caprolactams potentiated GABA-mediated chloride currents in rat hippocampal neurons.

A new multicomponent domino reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds: one-pot access to polycyclic N/O-, N/S-, and N/N-aminals

[reaction: see text] The first multicomponent domino transformation between 1,3-dicarbonyls 1, alpha,beta-unsaturated compounds 2, and functionalized amines 3 is described, providing a one-pot access to fused polyheterocyclic or spiropolyheterocyclic compounds 5 or 6 bearing an aminal function by formation of up to three new cycles, five novel bonds, and up to six stereogenic centers.

An expedient, ionic liquid mediated multi-component synthesis of novel piperidone grafted cholinesterase enzymes inhibitors and their molecular modeling study

Series of hitherto unreported piperidone grafted pyridopyrimidines synthesized through ionic liquid mediated multi-component reaction. These compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activities against AChE and BChE enzymes. All the compounds displayed considerable potency against AChE with IC50 values ranging from 0.92 to 9.11 μM, therein compounds 6a, 6h and 6i displayed superior enzyme inhibitory activities compared to standard drug with IC50 values of 0.92, 1.29 and 2.07 μM. Remarkably, all the compounds displayed higher BChE inhibitory activity compared to galantamine with IC50 values of 1.89-8.13 μM. Molecular modeling, performed for the most active compounds using three dimensional crystal structures of TcAChE and hBChE, disclosed binding template of these inhibitors into the active site of their respective enzymes.

Synthesis and aromatase inhibition of 3-cycloalkyl-substituted 3-(4-aminophenyl)piperidine-2,6-diones

The synthesis of 3-cycloalkyl-substituted 3-(4-aminophenyl)piperidine-2,6-diones is described [cyclopentyl (1), cyclohexyl (2)]. The enantiomers of 2 were separated either by using HPLC on optically active sorbent or by crystallization of the brucine salt of the phthalamic acid of 2. The absolute configuration of the (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of 2 were assigned as S and R, respectively, by comparing the CD spectra to those of the enantiomers of aminoglutethimide (AG, 3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-ethylpiperidine-2,6-dione). The compounds were tested in vitro for inhibition of human placental aromatase, the cytochrome P450-dependent enzyme which is responsible for the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited aromatase by 50% at 1.2 and 0.3 microM, respectively (IC50 AG = 37 microM). According to the findings with AG, the (+)-enantiomer of 2 was responsible for the inhibitory activity, being a 240-fold more potent aromatase inhibitor in vitro than racemic AG. On the other hand, (+)-2 displayed a strongly reduced inhibition of desmolase (cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme) compared to AG (relative activity = 0.3). Thus (+)-2 is of interest as a potential drug for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases, e.g. mammary tumors.