Microwave-assisted synthesis of N-substituted cyclic imides and their evaluation for anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities

Antibacterial Mechanism of N-PMI and the Characteristics of PMMA-Co-N-PMI Copolymer

Aiming at the excellent killing effect of N-phenylmaleimide (N-PMI) on microorganisms, this article used structural simulation analysis, fluorescence analysis, confocal laser scanning microscope and SEM to find that the double bond in N-PMI could interact with the sulfur groups in the membrane protein, changing its conformation, rupturing the plasma membrane of the cell, leaking the contents, and ultimately causing the death of the microorganisms. Therefore, once the double bond participated in the polymerization, N-PMI lost its antimicrobial function. N-PMI could achieve azeotropic copolymerization with MMA through reactive extrusion polymerization. N-PMI with a content of 5 % can be evenly inserted into the PMMA chain segment during the copolymerization reaction, thereby increasing the Tg of pure PMMA by up to 15 °C, which provided the PMMA-co-PMI copolymer with resistance to boiling water sterilization advantageous conditions. In addition, N-PMI with a content of 5 % has little effect on the transparency of PMMA after participating in the copolymerization. Moreover, the trace amount of residual N-PMI made the material have excellent antimicrobial function, and the bacteriostatic zone is extremely small, which provided an excellent guarantee for the safety and durability of the material. As a medical biological material, the PMMA-co-PMI copolymer has a good industrialization application prospects.

Phthalimide Analogs Enhance Genotoxicity of Cyclophosphamide and Inhibit Its Associated Hypoxia

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a mutagen that is used in cancer chemotherapy, due to its genotoxicity and as an immunosuppressive agent. Thalidomide (TH) is another cancer chemotherapeutic drug. In this study, the cytogenotoxicity and hypoxia modulatory activities of two phthalimide analogs of TH have been evaluated with/without CP. Both analogs have increased CP-stimulated chromosomal aberrations than those induced by TH, including gaps, breaks/fragments, deletions, multiple aberrations, and tetraploidy. The analogs have elevated the cytotoxic effect of CP by inhibiting the mitotic activity, in which analog 2 showed higher mitosis inhibition. CP has induced binucleated and polynucleated bone marrow cells (BMCs), while micronuclei (MN) are absent. TH and analogs have elevated the CP-stimulated binucleated BMCs, while only analogs have increased the CP-induced polynucleated BMCs and inhibited the mononucleated BMCs. MN-BMCs were shown together with mononucleated, binucleated, and polynucleated cells in the CP group. Both analogs have elevated mononucleated and polynucleated MN-BMCs, whereas in presence of CP, TH and analogs have enhanced mononucleated and binucleated MN-BMCs. The analogs significantly induce DNA fragmentation in a comet assay, where analog 1 is the strongest inducer. The treatment of mice with CP has resulted in a high hypoxia status as indicated by high pimonidazole adducts and high HIF-1α and HIF-2α concentrations in lymphocytes. Analogs/CP-treated mice showed low pimonidazole adducts. Both analogs have inhibited HIF-1α concentration but not HIF-2α. Taken together, the study findings suggest that both analogs have a higher potential to induce CP-genotoxicity than TH and that both analogs inhibit CP-hypoxia via the HIF-1α-dependent mechanism, in which analog 1 is a more potent anti-hypoxic agent than analog 2. Analog 1 is suggested as an adjacent CP-complementary agent to induce CP-genotoxicity and to inhibit CP-associated hypoxia.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity evaluation of some new 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole, 1, 3, 4-thiadiazole and 1, 2, 4- triazole derivatives attached to phthalimide

Background and purpose

In the last few decades, nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds such as 1, 3, 4-thiadiazoles, 1, 2, 4-triazoles and 1, 3, 4-oxadiazoles have received considerable attention because of their notable biological properties, especially cytotoxic effects. The small molecules of mentioned azole derivatives revealed very intensive antitumor activity. In addition, phthalimide-thiadiazole and naphthalimide-triazole hybrid derivatives have shown remarkable cytotoxic effects. According to these observations, some of the hybrid derivatives containing the phthalimide-five-membered azoles were prepared in three steps in this research.

Experimental approach

The thiol group of azoles was treated with ethyl chloroacetate which was followed by a reaction with hydrazine hydrate to provide acid hydrazide derivatives. Subsequently, the corresponding acid hydrazides were utilized to prepare the final derivatives through the reaction with phthalic anhydride. Cytotoxic activity of final compounds was evaluated against MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines using MTT assay.

Findings/Results

Compound 3d containing two phthalimide moieties in its structure showed a significant improvement in cytotoxic activity with an IC₅₀ value of 29 μM against HeLa cell line. Compounds 3a-3c showed less cytotoxic effects against both cell lines.

Conclusion and implications

The combination of the thiadiazole nucleus with two phthalimide structures increased the cytotoxic activity against the HeLa cell line. This increase in cytotoxic activity is probably due to its being more lipophilic characteristic and interaction of this derivative with the biological targets of two directions.

Design and Synthesis of N-Substituted 3,4-Pyrroledicarboximides as Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agents

In the present paper, we describe the biological activity of the newly designed and synthesized series N-substituted 3,4-pyrroledicarboximides 2a-2p. The compounds 2a-2p were obtained in good yields by one-pot, three-component condensation of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole scaffold (1a-c) with secondary amines and an excess of formaldehyde solution in C2H5OH. The structural properties of the compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR FT-IR, MS, and elemental analysis. Moreover, single crystal X-ray diffraction has been recorded for compound 2h. The colorimetric inhibitor screening assay was used to obtain their potencies to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. According to the results, all of the tested compounds inhibited the activity of COX-1 and COX-2. Theoretical modeling was also applied to describe the binding properties of compounds towards COX-1 and COX-2 cyclooxygenase isoform. The data were supported by QSAR study.

COX-1/COX-2 inhibition activities and molecular docking study of newly designed and synthesized pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole Mannich bases

In the present paper we describe the biological activity of newly designed and synthesized series of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole Mannich bases (7a-n). The Mannich bases were obtained in good yields by one-pot, three-component condensation of pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole scaffold (6a-c) with secondary amines and an excess of formaldehyde solution in C₂H₅OH. The chemical structures of the compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, FT-IR, and elemental analysis. Moreover, single crystal X-ray diffraction has been recorded for compound 7l. All synthesized derivatives were investigated for their potencies to inhibit COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes by colorimetric inhibitor screening assay. In order to analyse the intermolecular interactions between theligands and cyclooxygenase, experimental data were supported with the results of molecular docking simulations. According to the results, all of the tested compounds inhibited the activity of COX-1 and COX-2.

Synthesis, docking and anticancer activity of azo-linked hybrids of 1,3,4-thia-/oxadiazoles with cyclic imides

A series of novel analogues based on a diazole-imide pharmacophore were synthesized by diazotizing substituted 1,3,4-thia-/oxadiazol-2-amines and subsequently coupling the resulting diazonium salts with N-substituted cyclic imides. The resulting compounds C1 to C28 were characterized by various spectral methods, viz. IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy. All the synthesized compounds were tested against two human cancer cell lines: human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 and colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29. Among the synthesized compounds, C14 (2-(4-chloro-3-((5-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)diazenyl)phenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione) emerged as a potential candidate against both MCF-7 and HT-29 with [Formula: see text] values of 0.09 ± 0.02 [Formula: see text]M and 0.11 ± 0.03 [Formula: see text]M, respectively. Similarly, compound C16 displayed highest anticancer activity against MCF-7 cell line with [Formula: see text] = 0.07 ± 0.02 [Formula: see text]M. Target fishing (inverse docking) using ChemMapper server identified EGFR tyrosine and CDK2 kinases as high priority targets for this pharmacophore. Computational docking (AutoDock 4.2) was used to analyse the interactions between the target proteins and active compounds.

Synthesis, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, COX1/2-inhibitory activity, and molecular docking studies of hybrid pyrazole analogues

This article reports on the design, synthesis, and pharmacological activity of a new series of hybrid pyrazole analogues: 5a–5u. Among the series 5a–5u, the compounds 5u and 5s exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity of 80.63% and 78.09% and inhibition of 80.87% and 76.56% compared with the standard drug ibuprofen, which showed 81.32% and 79.23% inhibition after 3 and 4 hours, respectively. On the basis of in vivo studies, 12 compounds were selected for assessment of their in vitro inhibitory action against COX1/2 and TNFα. The compounds 5u and 5s showed high COX2-inhibitory activity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 1.79 and 2.51 μM and selectivity index values of 72.73 and 65.75, respectively, comparable to celecoxib (selectivity index =78.06). These selected compounds were also tested for TNFα, cytotoxicity, and ulcerogenicity. Docking studies were also carried out to determine possible interactions of the potent compounds (5u and 5s), which also showed high docking scores of −12.907 and −12.24 compared to celecoxib, with a −9.924 docking score. These selective COX2 inhibitors were docked into the active site of COX2, and showed the same orientation and binding mode to that of celecoxib (selective COX2 inhibitor). Docking studies also showed that the SO₂NH₂ of 5u and 5s is inserted deep inside the selective pocket of the COX2-active site and formed a hydrogen-bond interaction with His90, Arg513, Phe518, Ser353, Gln192, and Ile517, which was further validated by superimposed docked pose with celecoxib.

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of phthalimides endowed with dual antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities

The present work reports the synthesis and evaluation of the antitumour and immunomodulatory properties of new phthalimides derivatives designed to explore molecular hybridization and bioisosterism approaches between thalidomide, thiosemicarbazone, thiazolidinone and thiazole series. Twenty-seven new molecules were assessed for their immunosuppressive effect toward TNFα, IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-6 production and antiproliferative activity. The best activity profile was observed for the (6a-f) series, which presents phthalyl and thiazolidinone groups.

Structure-based design of phthalimide derivatives as potential cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors: anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities

A group of 30 cyclic imides (1-10a-c) was designed for evaluation as a selective COX-2 inhibitor and investigated in vivo for anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Compounds 6a, 6b, 7a and 7b exhibit optimal COX-2 inhibitory potency (IC50 = 0.18, 0.24, 0.28 and 0.36 μM; respectively) and selectivity index (SI) range of 363-668. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition structure-activity studies identified compound 6a as a highly potent (IC50 = 0.18 μM), and an extremely selective [COX-2 (SI) = 668] comparable to celecoxib [COX-2 (SI) > 384], COX-2 inhibitor that showed superior anti-inflammatory activity (ED50 = 54.0 mg/kg) relative to diclofenac (ED50 = 114 mg/kg). Molecular Docking study of the synthesized compound 6a into the active site of COX-2 revealed a similar binding mode to SC-558, a selective COX-2 inhibitor. Docking study showed that the methoxy moeities of 6a inserted deep inside the 2°-pocket of the COX-2 active site, where the O-atoms of such groups underwent an H-bonding interaction with His(90) (3.02 Å), Arg(513) (1.94, 2.83 Å), and Gln(192) (3.25 Å).

Apoptotic events induced by maleimides on human acute leukemia cell lines

Cyclic imides are known for their antitumor activity, especially the naphthalimide derivatives, such as Mitonafide and Amonafide. Recently, we have demonstrated the cytotoxic effect of a series of naphthalimide derivatives against B16F10 melanoma cells. On the basis of this fact, we have developed a study starting from the synthesis of different cyclic imides and the evaluation of their cytotoxic properties on human acute leukemia cells (K562 and Jurkat). Initially, a screening test was conducted to select the compound with the best cytotoxic effect, using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. After this selection, structural modifications were performed in the most active compound to obtain five more derivatives. All compounds presented a good cytotoxic effect. The results of cell cycle analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and Annexin V-FITC assay confirmed that the cells observed in the sub-G0/G1 phase were undergoing apoptosis. From this set of results, cyclic imides 8, 10, and 12 were selected for the evaluation of the mechanisms involved in the apoptotic process. The results demonstrate the involvement of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, evidenced by the reduction in mitochondrial potential, an increase in the level of AIF protein expression, a decreased level of expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, and an increased level of expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax in both K562 and Jurkat cells treated with cyclic imides (8, 10, and 12). Furthermore, cyclic imides 8 and 10 caused an increase in the level of Fas expression in Jurkat cells, indicating the additional involvement of the extrinsic apoptosis pathway. The compounds (8, 10, and 12) also caused a decreased level of expression of anti-apoptotic protein survivin. The biological effects observed with these cyclic imide derivatives in this study suggest promising applications against acute leukemia.

Hydroarylation Reactions of N-Acylaminosubstituted Tricyclic Imides

The palladium-catalysed hydroarylation of unsaturated N-acylamino-substituted tricyclic imides provided a new stereoselective synthesis of exo-aryl(heteroaryl)-substituted tricyclic N-acylamino imides.

Molecular design, synthesis and biological evaluation of cyclic imides bearing benzenesulfonamide fragment as potential COX-2 inhibitors. Part 2

A group of cyclic imides (1-10) was designed for evaluation as a selective COX-2 inhibitors and investigated in vivo for their anti-inflammatory activity. Compounds 6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b were proved to be potent COX-2 inhibitors with IC50 range of 0.1-4.0 μM. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition structure-activity studies identified compound 8a as a highly potent (IC50=0.1 μM), and an extremely selective [COX-2 (SI)>1000] comparable to celecoxib [COX-2 (SI)>384], COX-2 inhibitor that showed superior anti-inflammatory activity (ED50=72.4 mg/kg) relative to diclofenac (ED50=114 mg/kg). Molecular modeling was carried out through docking the designed compounds into the COX-2 binding site to predict if these compounds have analogous binding mode to the COX-2 inhibitors. The study showed that the homosulfonamide fragment of 8a inserted deep inside the 2°-pocket of the COX-2 active site, where the SO2NH2 group underwent H-bonding interaction with Gln(192)(2.95 Å), Phe(518)(2.82 Å) and Arg(513)(2.63 and 2.73 Å). Docking study of the synthesized compound 8a into the active site of COX-2 revealed a similar binding mode to SC-558, a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

Evaluation of the Antioxidative Properties ofN-Acylamino-Substituted Tricyclic Imides

NewN-acylamino-substituted tricyclic imides have been screened for scavenging ability against the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH•), chelating activity on ferrous ions, and reductive potential. The results were compared with synthetic antioxidants BHT, BHA, and Trolox. The compounds exhibited different levels of antioxidant activity in all tests.

Phosphorus-nitrogen compounds. Part 23: syntheses, structural investigations, biological activities, and DNA interactions of new N/O spirocyclotriphosphazenes

The Schiff base compounds (1 and 2) are synthesized by the condensation reactions of 2-furan-2-yl-methylamine with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy- and 2-hydroxy-5-methoxy-benzaldehydes and reduced with NaBH(4) to give the new N/O-donor-type ligands (3 and 4). The monospirocyclotriphosphazenes containing 1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine rings (5 and 6) are prepared from the reactions of N(3)P(3)Cl(6) with 3 and 4, respectively. The reactions of 5 and 6 with excess pyrrolidine, morpholine, and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro [4,5] decane (DASD) produce tetrapyrrolidino (5a and 6a), morpholino (5b and 6b), and 1,4-dioxa-8-azaspiro [4,5] deca (5c and 6c) spirocyclotriphosphazenes. The structural investigations of the compounds are examined by (1)H, (13)C, (31)P NMR, DEPT, HSQC, and HMBC techniques. The solid-state structures of 5, 5a, and 6 are determined using X-ray crystallography. The compounds 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, and 6c are subjected to antimicrobial activity against six patojen bacteria and two yeast strains. In addition, interactions between these compounds and pBR322 plasmid DNA are presented by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of some novel cyclic-imides as hypoglycaemic, anti-hyperlipidemic agents

Certain new halogenated cyclic-imides related to N-substituted phthalimide moiety were synthesized. Spacers of one or two carbon atom distances were inserted to connect the N-terminus of the cyclic-imide nuclei to the used heteroaryl groups to evaluate the effect of such alteration on biological activity. The synthesized compounds were subjected to hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidemic evaluation. Some of the tested compounds proved to be more potent than the reference drugs glibenclamide and clofibrate. Compound 5e remarkably reduced serum glucose level by 55%; while 5c, 5e, 7d and 8e reduced total serum cholesterol by 58, 56, 54 and 53%, respectively. Those new cyclic-imides could be considered as useful template for future development to obtain more potent hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperlipidemic agents.

Synthesis, anti-inflammatory activity and COX-1/COX-2 inhibition of novel substituted cyclic imides. Part 1: Molecular docking study

A group of cyclic imides (1-13) was designed for evaluation as selective COX-2 inhibitors and investigated in vivo for their anti-inflammatory activities using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model. Compounds 5b, 6b, 11b, 11c, 12b and 12c were proved to be potent COX-2 inhibitors with IC50 range of 0.1-1.0 μM. In vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition structure-activity studies identified compound 5b as a highly potent (IC50=0.1 μM), and an extremely selective [COX-2 (SI)=400] comparable to celecoxib [COX-2 (SI)>333.3], COX-2 inhibitor that showed superior anti-inflammatory activity (ED50=104 mg/kg) relative to diclofenac (ED50=114 mg/kg). A Virtual screening was carried out through docking the designed compounds into the COX-2 binding site to predict if these compounds have analogous binding mode to the COX-2 inhibitors. Molecular modeling (docking) study showed that the CH3O substituents of 5b inserted deep inside the 2°-pocket of the COX-2 active site, where the O-atoms of such group underwent a H-bonding interaction with His90 (2.43, 2.83 Å), Arg513 (2.89 Å) and Tyr355 (3.34 Å). Docking study of the synthesized compound 5b into the active site of COX-2 revealed a similar binding mode to SC-558, a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

N-antipyrine-3, 4-dichloromaleimide, an effective cyclic imide for the treatment of chronic pain: the role of the glutamatergic system

BACKGROUND

In recent years, cyclic imides have attracted the attention of the scientific community because of their promising therapeutic potential. Studies with the compound N-antipyrine-3,4-dichloromaleimide (NA-3,4-DCM) also demonstrated an antinociceptive effect in formalin or capsaicin models of nociception, and that it reduced acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice.

METHODS

In this study, we examined the effects of NA-3,4-DCM on mechanical hypernociception in persistent pain-like behavioral models in mice. We also investigated the peripheral, topical, spinal, and supraspinal antinociceptive properties of NA-3,4-DCM and evaluated the involvement of the glutamatergic system on the antinociceptive effects of NA-3,4-DCM in mice.

RESULTS

NA-3,4-DCM, dosed systemically (intraperitoneally or per os), was capable of interfering with the development of mechanical hypernociception induced by intraplantar injection of carrageenan and complete Freund adjuvant in mice. Interestingly, repeated intraperitoneal or per os treatment with NA-3,4-DCM, administered after the induction of hypernociception, also reversed the mechanical sensitization induced by complete Freund adjuvant injection or partial ligation of the sciatic nerve in mice, with lower doses than gabapentin, a drug used clinically to treat chronic pain. When administered systemically, locally, spinally, or supraspinally, NA-3,4-DCM was able to inhibit the overt nociception of both phases of the formalin test. The systemic administration of NA-3,4-DCM also reduced the nociception induced by intraplantar or intrathecal injection of glutamate in mice. Furthermore, NA-3,4-DCM caused marked inhibition of the nociceptive response induced by intrathecal injection of a group I metabotropic glutamate receptors agonist (1S,3R)-aminocyclopentane-trans-1,3-dicardboxylic acid (ACPD) or N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), without interfering with nociception induced by other non-NMDA receptor agonists (alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid and kainate) or by substance P. Notably, in the same range of doses, the antinociception caused by the compound NA-3,4-DCM was not associated with nonspecific effects such as changes in locomotor activity or motor coordination.

CONCLUSION

These results provide strong evidence that NA-3,4-DCM produces antihypernociception in mice at peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal sites, and that interaction with the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors and NMDA receptors contributes to the mechanisms underlying its effect.

Reductive Heck reactions of N-methyl-substituted tricyclic imides

The palladium-catalyzed hydroarylation of N-methyl-substituted tricyclic imides was studied in order to find a new stereoselective access to a series of new exo-aryl(hetaryl)-substituted tricyclic N-methylimides.