Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of oxazinocarbazole and N,N-bis(carbazolylmethyl)amine derivatives

Discovery of a new hydrazone-oxamide hybrid capable of inducing necroptotic cell death in triple negative breast cancer cells

The poor prognosis and inefficiency of the therapeutic agents in treating triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) have raised significant concerns, driving the quest for designing novel and potent chemotherapeutic compounds. In this regard, inducing programmed cell death (PCD) has emerged as a promising approach for breast cancer therapy. Accordingly, a series of hybrid molecules comprising hydrazone and oxamide moieties (5a-5q) were designed, synthesized, and assessed for their anticancer activity against various cancer cells. Among these synthesized hybrids, compound 5q was selected as the lead compound with remarkable ability to disrupt MDA-MB-231 cell growth, achieving an IC50-72h of 9.79 μM, while exhibiting lower toxicity in normal human cells. The in vitro experiments revealed that this compound triggers neither apoptosis nor autophagy in TNBC cells. Furthermore, the in vivo outcomes corroborated the in vitro results, showing a significant delay in tumor growth at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day following three weeks of treatment in the 4T1 mouse model of TNBC. The findings of this study suggested that compound 5q acts through necroptosis by overexpression of P-RIPK3 and phosphorylation of its downstream effector, MLKL. Compound 5q holds promise as a potential candidate for the development of anti-TNBC drugs.

Theoretical investigation of some 1,2,4-triazole-based molecules synthetized

In this study, theoretical calculations were made and interpreted to obtain chemical, nonlinear optical properties and antibacterial activity parameters of 14 registered heterocyclic 4, 5-dihydro-1H-1, 2, 4-triazole-5-one derivatives in the literature. For this purpose, first of all, 14 compounds registered in the literature and two main structures were optimized to find the minimum energy and the most stable structure by using the “B3LYP/6-311++G (d, p)” methods. HOMO–LUMO energies calculated from these optimized structures, energy differences and chemical parameters derived from HOMO–LUMO energies (I; Ionization potential, A; electron affinity, ΔE; Energy Gap, χ; electronegative σ; molecular softness, ω; Electrophilic Index, ε; Nucleophilic Index, μ; Chemical Potential) values were determined. In addition to chemical parameters, polar calculations were made for nonlinear optical properties, and it was evaluated whether the compounds could be optical materials. Finally, the antimicrobial properties of the molecules were calculated theoretically and compared with the experimental results by calculating the volume.

Mannich Bases: Centrality in Cytotoxic Drug Design

Mannich bases identified by Professor Carl Mannich have been the most extensively explored scaffolds for more than 100 years now. The versatile biological roles that they play have promoted their applications in many clinical conditions. The present review highlights the application of Mannich bases as cytotoxic agents, categorizing them into synthetic, semisynthetic and prodrugs classes and gives an exhaustive account of the work reported in the last two decades. The methods of synthesis of these cytotoxic agents, their anti-cancer potential in various cell lines and promising leads for future drug development have also been discussed. Structure-activity relationships along with the targets on which these cytotoxic Mannich bases act have been included as well.

Semi-Synthesis of Small Molecules of Aminocarbazoles: Tumor Growth Inhibition and Potential Impact on p53

The tumor suppressor p53 is inactivated by mutation in approximately 50% of human cancers. Small molecules that bind and stabilize those mutants may represent effective anticancer drugs. Herein, we report the tumor cell growth inhibitory activity of carbazole alkaloids and amino derivatives, as well as their potential activation of p53. Twelve aminocarbazole alkaloids were semi-synthesized from heptaphylline (1), 7-methoxy heptaphylline (2), and 7-methoxymukonal (3), isolated from Clausena harmandiana, using a reductive amination protocol. Naturally-occurring carbazoles 1–3 and their amino derivatives were evaluated for their potential effect on wild-type and mutant p53 activity using a yeast screening assay and on human tumor cell lines. Naturally-occurring carbazoles 1–3 showed the most potent growth inhibitory effects on wild-type p53-expressing cells, being heptaphylline (1) the most promising in all the investigated cell lines. However, compound 1 also showed growth inhibition against non-tumor cells. Conversely, semi-synthetic aminocarbazole 1d showed an interesting growth inhibitory activity in tumor cells expressing both wild-type and mutant p53, exhibiting low growth inhibition on non-tumor cells. The yeast assay showed a potential reactivation of mutant p53 by heptaphylline derivatives, including compound 1d. The results obtained indicate that carbazole alkaloids may represent a promising starting point to search for new mutp53-reactivating agents with promising applications in cancer therapy.

Carbazole scaffolds in cancer therapy: a review from 2012 to 2018

For over half a century, the carbazole skeleton has been the key structural motif of many biologically active compounds including natural and synthetic products. Carbazoles have taken an important part in all the existing anti-cancer drugs because of their discovery from a large variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. In this article, we specifically explored the literature from 2012 to 2018 on the anti-tumour activities reported to carbazole derivatives and we have critically collected the most significant data. The most described carbazole anti-tumour agents were classified according to their structure, starting from the tricyclic–carbazole motif to fused tetra-, penta-, hexa- and heptacyclic carbazoles. To date, three derivatives are available on the market and approved in cancer therapy.

Synthesis, Anti-Cancer and Anti-Migratory Evaluation of 3,6-Dibromocarbazole and 5-Bromoindole Derivatives

In this study, a new series of N-alkyl-3,6-dibromocarbazole and N-alkyl-5-bromoindole derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro as anti-cancer and anti-migration agents. Cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of these compounds were evaluated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines and an insight on the structure-activity relationship was developed. Preliminary investigations of their anti-cancer activity demonstrated that several compounds have moderate antiproliferative effects on cancer cell lines with GI50 values in the range of 4.7-32.2 µM. Moreover, carbazole derivatives 10, 14, 15, 23, and 24 inhibit migration activity of metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231 in the range of 18-20%. The effect of compounds 10, 14, and 15 in extension of invadopodia and filopodia was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and results demonstrated a reduction in actin-based cell extensions by compounds 10 and 15.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Mono- and Disubstituted 4-Hydroxyacetophenone Derivatives via Mannich Reaction: Synthesis, XRD and HS-Analysis

An efficient microwave-assisted one-step synthetic route toward Mannich bases is developed from 4-hydroxyacetophenone and different secondary amines in quantitative yields, via a regioselective substitution reaction. The reaction takes a short time and is non-catalyzed and reproducible on a gram scale. The environmentally benign methodology provides a novel alternative, to the conventional methodologies, for the synthesis of mono- and disubstituted Mannich bases of 4-hydroxyacetophenone. All compounds were well-characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectrometry. The structures of 1-{4-hydroxy-3-[(morpholin-4-yl)methyl]phenyl}ethan-1-one (2a) and 1-{4-hydroxy-3-[(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl]phenyl}ethan-1-one (3a) were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Compound 2a and 3a crystallize in monoclinic, P2₁/n, and orthorhombic, Pbca, respectively. The most characteristic features of the molecular structure of 2a is that the morpholine fragment adopts a chair conformation with strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Compound 3a exhibits intermolecular hydrogen bonding, too. Furthermore, the computed Hirshfeld surface analysis confirms H-bonds and π–π stack interactions obtained by XRD packing analyses.

Inhibition of Shiga toxin-converting bacteriophage development by novel antioxidant compounds

Oxidative stress may be the major cause of induction of Shiga toxin-converting (Stx) prophages from chromosomes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in human intestine. Thus, we aimed to test a series of novel antioxidant compounds for their activities against prophage induction, thus, preventing pathogenicity of STEC. Forty-six compounds (derivatives of carbazole, indazole, triazole, quinolone, ninhydrine, and indenoindole) were tested. Fifteen of them gave promising results and were further characterized. Eleven compounds had acceptable profiles in cytotoxicity tests with human HEK-293 and HDFa cell lines. Three of them (selected for molecular studies) prevent the prophage induction at the level of expression of specific phage genes. In bacterial cells treated with hydrogen peroxide, expression of genes involved in the oxidative stress response was significantly less efficient in the presence of the tested compounds. Therefore, they apparently reduce the oxidative stress, which prevents induction of Stx prophage in E. coli.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new carbazole derivatives as anti-cancer and anti-migratory agents

Based on the efficacy of EHop-016 as an inhibitor of migration and Rac1 activation, a new series of carbazole derivatives has been synthesized. Cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of these compounds were evaluated in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Preliminary investigations of their anticancer activity demonstrated that several compounds have moderate antiproliferative effects on cancer cell lines with GI50 values in the range of 13-50 µM. Furthermore, compounds 3b and 11b inhibit migration activity of metastatic cell line MDA-MB-231 by 32% and 34%, respectively. Compound 11b was shown to inhibit activation of the Rho GTPase Rac1 by 55% at 250 nM in both MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cell lines. Compared with the IC50 of Rac1 inhibition by lead compound EHop-016 of 1.1 µM, compound 11b demonstrates 4X improved in vitro efficacy.

N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS)-Catalyzed C-H Bond Functionalization: An Annulation of Alkynes with Electron Withdrawing Group (EWG)-Substituted Acetyl Indoles for the Synthesis of Carbazoles

An N-bromosuccinimide-catalyzed intermolecular annulation of acetyl indoles with alkynes was developed, allowing for regioselective formation of valuable carbazoles through direct C-H bond functionalization. The readily available catalyst, wide substrate scope, gram scale synthesis, and mild conditions make this method practical. Mechanistic investigations indicate that the bromination of acetyl indole takes place to generate a bromide intermediate, followed by coupling with an alkyne and intramolecular cycloaromatization to furnish carbazole products.

Recent Developments and Biological Activities of N-Substituted Carbazole Derivatives: A Review

Carbazoles represent an important class of heterocycles. These have been reported to exhibit diverse biological activities such as antimicrobial, antitumor, antiepileptic, antihistaminic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhoeal, analgesic, neuroprotective and pancreatic lipase inhibition properties. A series of carbazole derivatives such as N-substituted carbazoles, benzocarbazoles, furocarbazoles, pyrrolocarbazoles, indolocarbazoles, imidazocarbazoles, etc. have been synthesized. The N-substituted derivatives have gained the attention of researchers due to their therapeutic potential against neurological disorders and cell proliferation. Herein an attempt is made to review the medicinal importance of recently synthesized N-substituted carbazoles.

Development of 6H-Chromeno[3,4-c]pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[2,3-e]pyridazin-6-ones as Par-4 Secretagogues

Nitrosation and cyclization of 4-(3-aminothieno[2,3-b]pyridine-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-ones 1 afforded substituted 6H-chromeno[3,4-c]pyrido[3',2':4,5]thieno[2,3-e]pyridazin-6-ones 2 that inhibited the intermediary filament protein, vimentin, at low micromolar concentrations. This inhibition promoted the secretion of Prostate Apoptosis Response-4 protein (Par-4), which selectively triggered apoptosis in prostate cancer cells such as CWR22Rv1, LNCaP-derivative C4-2B, PC-3 and its aggressive analog, PC-3 MM2.

Mannich bases in medicinal chemistry and drug design

The biological activity of Mannich bases, a structurally heterogeneous class of chemical compounds that are generated from various substrates through the introduction of an aminomethyl function by means of the Mannich reaction, is surveyed, with emphasis on the relationship between structure and biological activity. The review covers extensively the literature reports that have disclosed Mannich bases as anticancer and cytotoxic agents, or compounds with potential antibacterial and antifungal activity in the last decade. The most relevant studies on the activity of Mannich bases as antimycobacterial agents, antimalarials, or antiviral candidates have been included as well. The review contains also a thorough coverage of anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of Mannich bases. In addition, several minor biological activities of Mannich bases, such as their ability to regulate blood pressure or inhibit platelet aggregation, their antiparasitic and anti-ulcer effects, as well as their use as agents for the treatment of mental disorders have been presented. The review gives in the end a brief overview of the potential of Mannich bases as inhibitors of various enzymes or ligands for several receptors.

Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of the heptaphylline and 7-methoxyheptaphylline series

Nineteen carbazole alkaloids modified from heptaphylline (I) and 7-methoxyheptaphylline (II) isolated from Clausena harmandiana were synthesized. Among these derivatives, Ih and IIi showed cytotoxicity against the NCI-H187 cell line with IC(50) values of 0.02 and 0.66 μM, respectively, which are about 138 and 4 fold stronger than the ellipticine standard. In addition, oxime Ih displayed cytotoxicity against KB cells with an IC(50) value of 0.17 μM which is about 10 times stronger than the ellipticine. This compound demonstrated weak cytotoxicity against Vero cells (IC(50) = 66.01 μM). The results show convincingly that Ih may be a promising lead for the development of cytotoxic agents.

Indole prenylation in alkaloid synthesis

Important biologically active indole alkaloids are decorated with prenyl (3,3-dimethylallyl) and tert-prenyl (1,1-dimethylallyl) groups. Covering the literature until the end of 2010, this review article comprehensively summarises and discusses the currently available technologies of prenylation and tert-prenylation of indoles, which have been applied in natural products total syntheses or could be applied there in the near future. We focus on those procedures which introduce the C(5) units in one step, organised according to the indole position to be functionalised. Key strategies include electrophilic and nucleophilic prenylation and tert-prenylation, prenyl and tert-prenyl rearrangements, transition metal-mediated reactions and enzymatic methods.