Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 1-benzyl-4,5,6-trimethoxyindoles as a novel class of potent antimitotic agents

An overview of tubulin inhibitors that interact with the colchicine binding site

Tubulin dynamics is a promising target for new chemotherapeutic agents. The colchicine binding site is one of the most important pockets for potential tubulin polymerization destabilizers. Colchicine binding site inhibitors (CBSI) exert their biological effects by inhibiting tubulin assembly and suppressing microtubule formation. A large number of molecules interacting with the colchicine binding site have been designed and synthesized with significant structural diversity. CBSIs have been modified as to chemical structure as well as pharmacokinetic properties, and tested in order to find a highly potent, low toxicity agent for treatment of cancers. CBSIs are believed to act by a common mechanism via binding to the colchicine site on tubulin. The present review is a synopsis of compounds that have been reported in the past decade that have provided an increase in our understanding of the actions of CBSIs.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1-arylsulfonyl-5-(N-hydroxyacrylamide)indoles as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors with antitumor activity in vivo

A series of 1-arylsulfonyl-5-(N-hydroxyacrylamide)indoles has been identified as a new class of histone deacetylase inhibitors. Compounds 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14 demonstrated stronger antiproliferative activities than 1 (SAHA) with GI(50) values ranging from 0.36 to 1.21 μM against Hep3B, MDA-MB-231, PC-3, and A549 human cancer cell lines. Lead compound 8 showed remarkable HDAC 1, 2, and 6 isoenzymes inhibitory activities with IC(50) values of 12.3, 4.0, 1.0 nM, respectively, which are comparable to 1. In in vivo efficacy evaluation against lung A549 xenograft model, 8 displayed better antitumor activity than compound 1.

Domino approach to 2-aroyltrimethoxyindoles as novel heterocyclic combretastatin A4 analogues

Two series of 2-aroyltrimethoxyindoles were designed to investigate the effects of the replacement of the trimethoxyphenyl ring of phenstatin with a trimethoxyindole moiety. These compounds were efficiently prepared through a domino palladium-catalyzed sequence from 2-gem-dibromovinylanilines substituted by three methoxy groups and arylboronic acids under carbon monoxide atmosphere. These novel heterocyclic combretastatin A4 analogues were evaluated for their cell growth inhibitory properties and their ability to inhibit the tubulin polymerization.