Synthesis, biological evaluation and quantitative structure-active relationships of 1,3-thiazolidin-4-one derivatives. A promising chemical scaffold endowed with high antifungal potency and low cytotoxicity

A Therapeutic Journey of Pyridine-Based Heterocyclic Compounds as Potent Anticancer Agents: A Review (From 2017 to 2021)

Pyridine derivatives are the most common and significant heterocyclic compounds, which show their fundamental characteristics to various pharmaceutical agents and natural products. Pyridine derivatives possess several pharmacological properties and a broad degree of structural diversity that is considered most valuable to explore the novel therapeutic agents. These compounds have an extensive range of biological activities such as antifungal, antibacterial, anticancer, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antitubercular, antihypertensive, antineuropathic, antihistaminic, antiviral activities, and antiparasitic. The potent therapeutic properties of pyridine derivatives allow medicinal chemists to synthesize novel and effective chemotherapeutic agents. Consequently, the imperative objective of this comprehensive review is to summarize and investigate the literature regarding recent advancements in pyridine-based heterocycles to treat several kinds of cancer. Furthermore, the performances of pyridine derivatives were compared with some standard drugs including etoposide, sorafenib, cisplatin, and triclosan against different cancer cell lines. We hope this study will support the new thoughts to pursue the most active and less toxic rational designs.

Dimroth-type N/S-interchange of N-aminothioglycolurils in the synthesis of 2-hydrazonoimidazo[4,5-d]thiazolones

An original method for the synthesis of 2-hydrazonoimidazo[4,5-d]thiazolone derivatives has been developed based on a one-pot acid-induced sequence of hydrazone formation from 3-thioxoperhydroimidazo[4,5-e]-1,2,4-triazinones and aromatic aldehydes, triazine ring contraction to imidazolidine one, and Dimroth-type N/S-interchange of N-aminothioglycolurils formed in situ into 2-hydrazonoimidazo[4,5-d]thiazolones. 3-Phenylacroleine derivatives are also suitable substrates for the reaction with thioxoperhydroimidazotriazinones.

An original method for the synthesis of 2-hydrazonoimidazo[4,5-d]thiazolone derivatives has been developed based on an acid-induced Dimroth-type N/S-interchange of N-aminothioglycolurils formed in situ into 2-hydrazonoimidazo[4,5-d]thiazolones.

Design, synthesis, fungicidal activities and structure-activity relationship studies of (-)-borneol derivatives containing 2-aryl-thiazole scaffold

A series of (-)-borneol derivatives containing 2-aryl-thiazole scaffold were designed, synthesized, and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS. The fungicidal activities of these novel compounds against Fusarium oxysporum, Magnaporthe grisea, Botrytis cinerea, and Penicillium digitatum were evaluated. The results indicated that (1S,2R,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl(Z)-4-oxo-4-(((2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)methyl)amino)but-2-enoate (6a) displayed potential fungicidal activities with broad spectrum. Especially, 6a exhibited an IC₅₀ value of 48.5 mg/L against P. digitatum, which has higher fungicidal activity than commercial products hymexazol and amicarthiazol. Moreover, (1S,2R,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl-4-oxo-4-(((2-phenylthiazol-4-yl)methyl)amino)butanoate (5a) possesses an IC₅₀ value of 24.3 mg/L against B. cinerea, comparable to hymexazol and far superior to amicarthiazol. Furthermore, the superficial structure-activity relationship was discussed, which might be helpful for discovering novel fungicides.

Pathogenesis and Clinical Relevance of Candida Biofilms in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

The ability of Candida spp. to form biofilms is crucial for its pathogenicity, and thus, it should be considered an important virulence factor in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent VVC (RVVC). Its ability to generate biofilms is multifactorial and is generally believed to depend on the site of infection, species and strain involved, and the microenvironment in which the infection develops. Therefore, both cell surface proteins, such as Hwp1, Als1, and Als2, and the cell wall-related protein, Sun41, play a critical role in the adhesion and virulence of the biofilm. Immunological and pharmacological approaches have identified the NLRP3 inflammasome as a crucial molecular factor contributing to host immunopathology. In this context, we have earlier shown that Candida albicans associated with hyphae-secreted aspartyl proteinases (specifically SAP4-6) contribute to the immunopathology of the disease. Transcriptome profiling has revealed that non-coding transcripts regulate protein synthesis post-transcriptionally, which is important for the growth of Candida spp. Other studies have employed RNA sequencing to identify differences in the 1,245 Candida genes involved in surface and invasive cellular metabolism regulation. In vitro systems allow the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples, making them an ideal screening technique for estimating various physicochemical parameters, testing the activity of antimicrobial agents, and analyzing genes involved in biofilm formation and regulation (in situ) in specific strains. Murine VVC models are used to study C. albicans infection, especially in trials of novel treatments and to understand the cause(s) for resistance to conventional therapeutics. This review on the clinical relevance of Candida biofilms in VVC focuses on important advances in its genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Moreover, recent experiments on the influence of biofilm formation on VVC or RVVC pathogenesis in laboratory animals have been discussed. A clear elucidation of one of the pathogenesis mechanisms employed by Candida biofilms in vulvovaginal candidiasis and its applications in clinical practice represents the most significant contribution of this manuscript.

A comprehensive overview of the medicinal chemistry of antifungal drugs: perspectives and promise

The emergence of new fungal pathogens makes the development of new antifungal drugs a medical imperative that in recent years motivates the talents of numerous investigators across the world. Understanding not only the structural families of these drugs but also their biological targets provides a rational means for evaluating the merits and selectivity of new agents for fungal pathogens and normal cells. An equally important aspect of modern antifungal drug development takes a balanced look at the problems of drug potency and drug resistance. The future development of new antifungal agents will rest with those who employ synthetic and semisynthetic methodology as well as natural product isolation to tackle these problems and with those who possess a clear understanding of fungal cell architecture and drug resistance mechanisms. This review endeavors to provide an introduction to a growing and increasingly important literature, including coverage of the new developments in medicinal chemistry since 2015, and also endeavors to spark the curiosity of investigators who might enter this fascinatingly complex fungal landscape.

Promising Alternative Therapeutics for Oral Candidiasis

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Candida is the main human fungal pathogen causing infections (candidiasis), mostly in the elderly and immunocompromised hosts. Even though Candida spp. is a member of the oral microbiota in symbiosis, in some circumstances, it can cause microbial imbalance leading to dysbiosis, resulting in oral diseases. Alternative therapies are urgently needed to treat oral candidiasis (usually associated to biofilms), as several antifungal drugs’ activity has been compromised. This has occurred especially due to an increasing occurrence of drugresistant in Candida spp. strains. The overuse of antifungal medications, systemic toxicity, cross-reactivity with other drugs and a presently low number of drug molecules with antifungal activity, have contributed to important clinical limitations.

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We undertook a structured search of bibliographic databases (PubMed Central, Elsevier’s ScienceDirect, SCOPUS and Springer’s SpringerLink) for peer-reviewed research literature using a focused review in the areas of alternatives to manage oral candidiasis. The keywords used were “candidiasis”, “oral candidiasis”, “biofilm + candida”, “alternative treatment”, “combination therapy + candida” and the reports from the last 10 to 15 years were considered for this review.

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This review identified several promising new approaches in the treatment of oral candidiasis: combination anti-Candida therapies, denture cleansers, mouth rinses as alternatives for disrupting candidal biofilms, natural compounds (e.g. honey, probiotics, plant extracts and essential oils) and photodynamic therapy.

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The findings of this review confirm the importance and the urgency of the development of efficacious therapies for oral candidal infections.