Synthesis and bioassay of 3-Aryl -1-(pyridin-4-yl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-d][1,2,4]- triazin-4(3H)-ones as anti-cancer agents

Four novel 3-Aryl -1-(pyridin-4-yl)benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-d][1,2,4]- triazin-4(3H)-ones derivatives (C1 to C4) have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their anticancer activity. The structure of compounds was characterized by IR,1H NMR, 13C NMR and high-resolution mass (HRMS). The crystal structures of C1, C2 and C4 were previously determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis.The results from docking experiments with EGFR suggested the binding of the compounds at the active site of EGFR. The new compounds exhibited different levels of cytotoxicity against HCC1937 and MCF7 breast cancer cells. Results of the MTT assay identified C3 as the most cytotoxic of the series against both MCF7 and HCC1937 breast cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 36.4 and 48.2 µM, respectively. In addition to its ability to inhibit cell growth and colony formation ability, C3 also inhibited breast cancer cell migration. Western blotting results showed that C3 treatment inhibited EGFR signaling and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis as indicated by the low level of p-EGFR and p-AKT and the increasing levels of p53, p21 and cleaved PARP. Our work represents a promising starting point for the development of a new series of compounds targeting cancer cells.

In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Evaluation of Mentha spicata L. and Matricaria chamomilla L. Essential Oils

Spearmint, Mentha spicata L., and the German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla L., preparations are used against inflammatory conditions traditionally and in modern medicinal applications. This present study aimed to evaluate pharma-grade essential oils for their in vitro anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects using COX-1, COX-2, and 5-LOX enzyme assays, as well as their apoptosis potential through the caspase pathway. In addition, the (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay was applied to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic effects using HEK293/A549, MCF7, and PC3 cell lines. Major components of M. spicata essential oil were confirmed both by gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization detector (FID) and GC/mass spectrometry (MS) as 72.8% carvone, 12.6% limonene, 2.2% 1,8-cineole, 1.3% myrcene, and 1% trans-dihydrocarvone. The major components of M. chamomilla essential oil were also confirmed as 47.9% α-bisabolol oxide A, 16.8% α-bisabolol, 13.8%, (Z)-β-farnesene, 5.8% α-bisabolol oxide, and 4.7% α-bisabolene oxide A. The IC₅₀ values for M. chamomilla essential oil on A549, MCF7, PC3, and HEK293 cells were calculated as 208.54 ± 1.39, 315.44 ± 1.17, 197.52 ± 0.98, and 638.79 ± 1.15 μg/mL, respectively, whereas the IC₅₀ values for M. spicata essential oil on A549, MCF7, and PC3 cells were 672.13 ± 2.57, 708.27 ± 2.05, and 206.49 ± 1.48 μg/mL, respectively. For M. spicata essential oil, no cytotoxic effects on healthy HEK293 cells were observed at the tested concentrations. The essential oils increased the apoptotic activity, where all results were statistically significant. According to the anti-inflammatory evaluation, both M. chamomilla and M. spicata oils showed selective COX-2 inhibitions, where the SI values were calculated as 0.30 and 0.67, respectively. Overall, both M. spicata and M. chamomilla essential oils showed selective inhibition on the COX-2 enzyme and apoptosis against the selected cancer cell lines for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, with this specific dual mode of action. The initial results encourage further detailed in vivo experimental evaluations.

MnO2-Mediated Oxidative Cyclization of "Formal" Schiff's Bases: Easy Access to Diverse Naphthofuro-Annulated Triazines

A different type of MnO₂-induced oxidative cyclization of dihydrotriazines has been developed. These dihydrotriazines are considered as a "formal" Schiff's base. This method provided easy access to naphthofuro-fused triazine via the C-C/C-O oxidative coupling reaction. The reaction sequence comprised the nucleophilic addition of 2-naphthol or phenol to 1,2,4-triazine, followed by oxidative cyclization. The scope and limitations of this novel coupling reaction have been investigated. Further application of the synthesized compound has been demonstrated by synthesizing carbazole-substituted benzofuro-fused triazines. The scalability of the reaction was demonstrated at a 40 mmol load. The mechanistic study strongly suggests that this reaction proceeds through the formation of an O-coordinated manganese complex.