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Pavić K, Poje G, Pessanha de Carvalho L, Tandarić T, Marinović M, Fontinha D, Held J, Prudêncio M, Piantanida I, Vianello R, Krošl Knežević I, Perković I, Rajić Z. Discovery of harmiprims, harmine-primaquine hybrids, as potent and selective anticancer and antimalarial compounds. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 105:117734. [PMID: 38677112 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Although cancer and malaria are not etiologically nor pathophysiologically connected, due to their similarities successful repurposing of antimalarial drugs for cancer and vice-versa is known and used in clinical settings and drug research and discovery. With the growing resistance of cancer cells and Plasmodium to the known drugs, there is an urgent need to discover new chemotypes and enrich anticancer and antimalarial drug portfolios. In this paper, we present the design and synthesis of harmiprims, hybrids composed of harmine, an alkaloid of the β-carboline type bearing anticancer and antiplasmodial activities, and primaquine, 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial drug with low antiproliferative activity, covalently bound via triazole or urea. Evaluation of their antiproliferative activities in vitro revealed that N-9 substituted triazole-type harmiprime was the most selective compound against MCF-7, whereas C1-substituted ureido-type hybrid was the most active compound against all cell lines tested. On the other hand, dimeric harmiprime was not toxic at all. Although spectrophotometric studies and thermal denaturation experiments indicated binding of harmiprims to the ds-DNA groove, cell localization showed that harmiprims do not enter cell nucleus nor mitochondria, thus no inhibition of DNA-related processes can be expected. Cell cycle analysis revealed that C1-substituted ureido-type hybrid induced a G1 arrest and reduced the number of cells in the S phase after 24 h, persisting at 48 h, albeit with a less significant increase in G1, possibly due to adaptive cellular responses. In contrast, N-9 substituted triazole-type harmiprime exhibited less pronounced effects on the cell cycle, particularly after 48 h, which is consistent with its moderate activity against the MCF-7 cell line. On the other hand, screening of their antiplasmodial activities against the erythrocytic, hepatic, and gametocytic stages of the Plasmodium life cycle showed that dimeric harmiprime exerts powerful triple-stage antiplasmodial activity, while computational analysis showed its binding within the ATP binding site of PfHsp90.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Pavić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Goran Poje
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Tana Tandarić
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, 75124 Uppsala, Sweden; Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Marinović
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Diana Fontinha
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Jana Held
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Ivo Piantanida
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Robert Vianello
- Rudjer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Ivana Perković
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Ravindar L, Hasbullah SA, Rakesh KP, Raheem S, Agustar HK, Ismail N, Ling LY, Hassan NI. Exploring diverse frontiers: Advancements of bioactive 4-aminoquinoline-based molecular hybrids in targeted therapeutics and beyond. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116043. [PMID: 38118392 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/22/2023]
Abstract
Amongst heterocyclic compounds, quinoline and its derivatives are advantaged scaffolds that appear as a significant assembly motif for developing new drug entities. Aminoquinoline moiety has gained significant attention among researchers in the 21stcentury. Considering the biological and pharmaceutical importance of aminoquinoline derivatives, herein, we review the recent developments (since 2019) in various biological activities of the 4-aminoquinoline scaffold hybridized with diverse heterocyclic moieties such as quinoline, pyridine, pyrimidine, triazine, dioxine, piperazine, pyrazoline, piperidine, imidazole, indole, oxadiazole, carbazole, dioxole, thiazole, benzothiazole, pyrazole, phthalimide, adamantane, benzochromene, and pyridinone. Moreover, by gaining knowledge about SARs, structural insights, and molecular targets, this review may help medicinal chemists design cost-effective, selective, safe, and more potent 4-aminoquinoline hybrids for diverse biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekkala Ravindar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Aishah Hasbullah
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - K P Rakesh
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Saki Raheem
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, W1W 6UW, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hani Kartini Agustar
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norzila Ismail
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicinal Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Lau Yee Ling
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Izzaty Hassan
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Pavić K, Poje G, Carvalho LPD, Held J, Rajić Z. Synthesis, antiproliferative and antiplasmodial evaluation of new chloroquine and mefloquine-based harmiquins. ACTA PHARMACEUTICA (ZAGREB, CROATIA) 2023; 73:537-558. [PMID: 38147482 DOI: 10.2478/acph-2023-0035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Here we present the synthesis and evaluation of the biological activity of new hybrid compounds, ureido-type (UT) harmiquins, based on chloroquine (CQ) or mefloquine (MQ) scaffolds and β-carboline alkaloid harmine against cancer cell lines and Plasmodium falciparum. The hybrids were prepared from the corresponding amines by 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI)-mediated synthesis. In vitro evaluation of the biological activity of the title compounds revealed two hit compounds. Testing of the antiproliferative activity of the new UT harmiquins, and previously prepared triazole-(TT) and amide-type (AT) CQ-based harmiquins, against a panel of human cell lines, revealed TT harmiquine 16 as the most promising compound, as it showed pronounced and selective activity against the tumor cell line HepG2 (IC 50 = 5.48 ± 3.35 μmol L-1). Screening of the antiplasmodial activities of UT harmiquins against erythrocytic stages of the Plasmodium life cycle identified CQ-based UT harmiquine 12 as a novel antiplasmodial hit because it displayed low IC 50 values in the submicromolar range against CQ-sensitive and resistant strains (IC 50 0.06 ± 0.01, and 0.19 ± 0.02 μmol L-1, respectively), and exhibited high selectivity against Plasmodium, compared to mammalian cells (SI = 92).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Pavić
- 1University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry Department of Medicinal Chemistry 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Goran Poje
- 1University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry Department of Medicinal Chemistry 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Jana Held
- 2University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 72074, Tübingen Germany
- 3German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), 72074, Tübingen Germany
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- 1University of Zagreb Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry Department of Medicinal Chemistry 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Ravindar L, Hasbullah SA, Rakesh KP, Hassan NI. Triazole hybrid compounds: A new frontier in malaria treatment. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 259:115694. [PMID: 37556947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Reviewing the advancements in malaria treatment, the emergence of triazole hybrid compounds stands out as a groundbreaking development. Combining the advantages of triazole and other moieties, these hybrid compounds offer a new frontier in the battle against malaria. Their potential as effective antimalarial agents has captured the attention of researchers and holds promise for overcoming the challenges posed by drug-resistant malaria strains. We focused on their broad spectrum of antimalarial activity of diverse hybridized 1,2,3-triazoles and 1,2,4-triazoles, structure-activity relationship (SAR), drug-likeness, bioavailability and pharmacokinetic properties reported since 2018 targeting multiple stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. This versatility makes them highly effective against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of P. falciparum, making them invaluable tools in regions where resistance is prevalent. The synergistic effects of combining the triazole moiety with other pharmacophores have resulted in even greater antimalarial potency. This approach has the potential to circumvent existing resistance mechanisms and provide a more sustainable solution to malaria treatment. While triazole hybrid compounds show great promise, further research and clinical trials are warranted to fully evaluate their safety, efficacy and long-term effects. As research progresses, these compounds can potentially revolutionize the field and contribute to global efforts to eradicate malaria, ultimately saving countless lives worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekkala Ravindar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Aishah Hasbullah
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - K P Rakesh
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Nurul Izzaty Hassan
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Marinović M, Rimac H, de Carvalho LP, Rôla C, Santana S, Pavić K, Held J, Prudêncio M, Rajić Z. Design, synthesis and antiplasmodial evaluation of new amide-, carbamate-, and ureido-type harmicines. Bioorg Med Chem 2023; 94:117468. [PMID: 37696205 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2023.117468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, one of the oldest parasitic diseases, remains a global health threat, and the increasing resistance of the malaria parasite to current antimalarials is forcing the discovery of new, effective drugs. Harmicines, hybrid compounds in which harmine/β-carboline alkaloids and cinnamic acid derivatives are linked via an amide bond or a triazole ring, represent new antiplasmodial agents. In this work, we used a multiple linear regression technique to build a linear quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model, based on a group of 40 previously prepared amide-type (AT) harmicines and their antiplasmodial activities against erythrocytic stage of chloroquine-sensitive strain of P. falciparum (Pf3D7). After analysing the QSAR model, new harmicines were designed and synthesized: six amide-type, eleven carbamate-type and two ureido-type harmicines at the N-9 position of the β-carboline core. Subsequently, we evaluated the antiplasmodial activity of the new harmicines against the erythrocytic and hepatic stages of the Plasmodium life cycle in vitro and their antiproliferative activity against HepG2 cells. UT harmicine (E)-1-(2-(7-methoxy-1-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indol-9-yl)ethyl)-3-(3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)allyl)urea at the N-9 position of the β-carboline ring exhibited pronounced antiplasmodial activity against both the erythrocytic and the hepatic stages of the Plasmodium life cycle, accompanied by good selectivity towards Plasmodium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Marinović
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Hrvoje Rimac
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - C Rôla
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - S Santana
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Kristina Pavić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jana Held
- University of Tübingen, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Wilhelmstraße 27, 72074 Tübingen, Germany; German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Miguel Prudêncio
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, A. Kovačića 1, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.
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Fan R, Wang S, Wu Y, Feng Y, Gao M, Cao Y, Ma X, Xie S, Wang C, Gao L, Wang Y, Dai F. Activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress by harmine suppresses the growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4655-4673. [PMID: 37525965 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide overall 5-year survival rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients is less than 20%, and novel therapeutic strategies for these patients are urgently needed. Harmine is a natural β-carboline alkaloid, which received great interest in cancer research because of its biological and anti-tumor activities. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of harmine on ESCC and its mechanism. We investigated the effects of harmine on proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and tumor growth in vivo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), real-time PCR, and western blotting were used to detect the mechanism. Harmine inhibited ESCC cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Differentially expressed genes in harmine-treated ESCC cells were mainly involved in protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Real-time PCR and western blotting confirmed harmine-induced cellular ER stress. CRISPR-Cas9 knockout of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) abolished harmine-induced expression of death receptor 5 and apoptosis. Harmine also induced the expression of CHOP-mediated sestrin-2, which in turn contributes to autophagosome formation via suppressing the AMP-activated protein kinase-protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that harmine inhibits the growth of ESCC through its regulation of ER stress, suggesting that it is a promising candidate for ESCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronghui Fan
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Senzhen Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Yalan Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Heart and Vascular Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yongli Feng
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Mengke Gao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Yue Cao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Ma
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Songqiang Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Chaojie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Lei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Food & Medicine Resource Function, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Yanming Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
| | - Fujun Dai
- Key Laboratory of Natural Medicine and Immuno-Engineering, Henan University, Kaifeng, Henan, China
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Prasad Raiguru B, Panda J, Mohapatra S, Nayak S. Recent developments in the synthesis of hybrid antimalarial drug discovery. Bioorg Chem 2023; 139:106706. [PMID: 37406519 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
In this 21st century, Malaria remains a global burden and causes massive economic trouble to disease-endemic nations. The control and eradication of malaria is a major challenge that requires an urgent need to develop novel antimalarial drugs. To overcome the aforementioned situation, several researchers have given significant effort to develop hybrid antimalarial agents in the search for new antimalarial drugs. Hence, we have summarized those developments of hybrid antimalarial agents from 2017 to till date. This review illustrates the current progress in the recent synthesis of hybrid antimalarial agents along with focusing on their antimalarial evaluation to find the most potent hybrids. This present mini-review will also be useful for the scientific community for the development of new antimalarial drugs to eradicate malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jasmine Panda
- Department of Chemistry, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack 753003, India
| | | | - Sabita Nayak
- Department of Chemistry, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack 753003, India
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Viswanathan NK, Chirgwin ME, Gibbs J, Kalaj BN, Durham S, Tran J, Gomez M, Lazaro H, Chen M, Mansfield CR, Derbyshire ER, Eagon S. Synthesis and activity of β-carboline antimalarials targeting the Plasmodium falciparum heat shock 90 protein. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2023; 92:129410. [PMID: 37478957 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
A collection of β-carbolines based on the natural product harmine, a compound known to target the heat shock 90 protein of Plasmodium falciparum, was synthesized and tested for antimalarial activity and potential toxicity. Several of these novel compounds display promising bioactivity, providing a new potential therapeutic with a mode of action that differs versus any currently available clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil K Viswanathan
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
| | | | - Julia Gibbs
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
| | - Brianna N Kalaj
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sierra Durham
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jennifer Tran
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
| | - Maximillian Gomez
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
| | - Horacio Lazaro
- Promega Biosciences, 277 Granada Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
| | - Ming Chen
- Promega Biosciences, 277 Granada Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA
| | - Christopher R Mansfield
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | | | - Scott Eagon
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA.
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Perković I, Poljak T, Savijoki K, Varmanen P, Maravić-Vlahoviček G, Beus M, Kučević A, Džajić I, Rajić Z. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Quinoline and Anthranilic Acid Derivatives as Potential Quorum Sensing Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:5866. [PMID: 37570836 PMCID: PMC10420644 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting quorum sensing (QS), a central communication system, is a promising strategy to combat bacterial pathogens without antibiotics. Here, we designed novel hybrid compounds targeting the PQS (Pseudomonas quinolone signal)-dependent quorum sensing (QS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is one of the multidrug-resistant and highly virulent pathogens with urgent need of new antibacterial strategies. We synthesized 12 compounds using standard procedures to combine halogen-substituted anthranilic acids with 4-(2-aminoethyl/4-aminobuthyl)amino-7-chloroquinoline, linked via 1,3,4-oxadiazole. Their antibiofilm activities were first pre-screened using Gram-negative Chromobacterium violaceum-based reporter, which identified compounds 15-19 and 23 with the highest anti-QS and minimal bactericidal effects in a single experiment. These five compounds were then evaluated against P. aeruginosa PAO1 to assess their ability to prevent biofilm formation, eradicate pre-formed biofilms, and inhibit virulence using pyocyanin as a representative marker. Compound 15 displayed the most potent antibiofilm effect, reducing biofilm formation by nearly 50% and pre-formed biofilm masses by 25%. On the other hand, compound 23 exhibited the most significant antivirulence effect, reducing pyocyanin synthesis by over 70%. Thus, our study highlights the potential of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 15 and 23 as promising scaffolds to combat P. aeruginosa. Additionally, interactive QS systems should be considered to achieve maximal anti-QS activity against this clinically relevant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Perković
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | | | - Kirsi Savijoki
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Pekka Varmanen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Gordana Maravić-Vlahoviček
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Maja Beus
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Anja Kučević
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Ivan Džajić
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
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Madhav H, Patel TS, Rizvi Z, Reddy GS, Rahman A, Rahman MA, Ahmedi S, Fatima S, Saxena K, Manzoor N, Bhattacharjee S, Dixit BC, Sijwali PS, Hoda N. Development of diphenylmethylpiperazine hybrids of chloroquinoline and triazolopyrimidine using Petasis reaction as new cysteine proteases inhibitors for malaria therapeutics. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115564. [PMID: 37321109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is a widespread infectious disease, causing nearly 247 million cases in 2021. The absence of a broadly effective vaccine and rapidly decreasing effectiveness of most of the currently used antimalarials are the major challenges to malaria eradication efforts. To design and develop novel antimalarials, we synthesized a series of 4,7-dichloroquinoline and methyltriazolopyrimidine analogues using a multi-component Petasis reaction. The synthesized molecules (11-31) were screened for in-vitro antimalarial activity against drug-sensitive and drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum with an IC50 value of 0.53 μM. The selected compounds were screened to evaluate in-vitro and in-silico enzyme inhibition efficacy against two cysteine proteases, PfFP2 and PfFP3. The compounds 15 and 17 inhibited PfFP2 with an IC50 = 3.5 and 4.8 μM, respectively and PfFP3 with an IC50 = 4.9 and 4.7 μM, respectively. Compounds 15 and 17 were found equipotent against the Pf3D7 strain with an IC50 value of 0.74 μM, whereas both were displayed IC50 values of 1.05 μM and 1.24 μM for the PfW2 strain, respectively. Investigation of effect of compounds on parasite development demonstrated that compounds were able to arrest the growth of the parasites at trophozoite stage. The selected compounds were screened for in-vitro cytotoxicity against mammalian lines and human red-blood-cell (RBC), which demonstrated no significant cytotoxicity associated with the molecules. In addition, in silico ADME prediction and physiochemical properties supported the drug-likeness of the synthesized molecules. Thus, the results highlighted the diphenylmethylpiperazine group cast on 4,7-dichloroquinoline and methyltriazolopyrimidine using Petasis reaction may serve as models for the development of new antimalarial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Madhav
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Tarosh S Patel
- Chemistry Department, V. P. & R. P. T. P Science College, Affiliated to Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, 388 120, Gujarat, India
| | - Zeba Rizvi
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, 500007, TS, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, UP, India
| | - G Srinivas Reddy
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, 500007, TS, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, UP, India
| | - Abdur Rahman
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Md Ataur Rahman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Saiema Ahmedi
- Medical Mycology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Sadaf Fatima
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Kanika Saxena
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, 500007, TS, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, UP, India
| | - Nikhat Manzoor
- Medical Mycology Lab, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | - Souvik Bhattacharjee
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Bharat C Dixit
- Chemistry Department, V. P. & R. P. T. P Science College, Affiliated to Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, 388 120, Gujarat, India
| | - Puran Singh Sijwali
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, 500007, TS, India.
| | - Nasimul Hoda
- Drug Design and Synthesis Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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11
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Ravindar L, Hasbullah SA, Rakesh KP, Hassan NI. Recent developments in antimalarial activities of 4-aminoquinoline derivatives. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115458. [PMID: 37163950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Malaria is the fifth most lethal parasitic infection in the world. Antimalarial medications have played a crucial role in preventing and eradicating malaria. Numerous heterocyclic moieties have been incorporated into the creation of effective antimalarial drugs. The 4-aminoquinoline moiety is favoured in antimalarial drug discovery due to the diverse biological applications of its derivative. Since the 1960s, 4-aminoquinoline has been an important antimalarial drug due to its low toxicity, high tolerability, and rapid absorption after administration. This review focused on the antimalarial efficacy of the 4-aminoquinoline moiety hybridised with various heterocyclic scaffolds developed by scientists since 2018 against diverse Plasmodium clones. It could aid in the future development of more effective antimalarial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekkala Ravindar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siti Aishah Hasbullah
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - K P Rakesh
- Department of Radiology, Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Nurul Izzaty Hassan
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, 43600, Selangor, Malaysia.
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12
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Tremblay T, Bergeron C, Gagnon D, Bérubé C, Voyer N, Richard D, Giguère D. Squaramide Tethered Clindamycin, Chloroquine, and Mortiamide Hybrids: Design, Synthesis, and Antimalarial Activity. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:217-222. [PMID: 36793432 PMCID: PMC9923836 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains one of the major health problems in the world. In this work, a series of squaramide tethered chloroquine, clindamycin, and mortiamide D hybrids have been synthesized to assess their in vitro antiplasmodial activity against 3D7 (chloroquine-sensitive) and Dd2 strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The most active compound, a simple chloroquine analogue, displayed low nanomolar IC50 value against both strains (3 nM for 3D7 strain and 18 nM for Dd2 strain). Moreover, all molecular hybrids incorporating the hydroxychloroquine scaffold showed the most potent activities, exemplified with a chloroquine dimer, IC50 = 31 nM and 81 nM against 3D7 and Dd2 strains, respectively. These results highlight the first time use of clindamycin and mortiamide D as antimalarial molecular hybrids and establish these valuable hits for future optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Tremblay
- Département
de Chimie, Université Laval, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Catherine Bergeron
- Département
de Chimie, Université Laval, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Dominic Gagnon
- Centre
de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Department of Microbiology,
Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Christopher Bérubé
- Département
de Chimie, Université Laval, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Normand Voyer
- Département
de Chimie, Université Laval, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Dave Richard
- Centre
de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Department of Microbiology,
Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Denis Giguère
- Département
de Chimie, Université Laval, 1045 Av. de la Médecine, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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13
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Alves FDM, Bellei JCB, Barbosa CDS, Duarte CL, da Fonseca AL, Pinto ACDS, Raimundo FO, Carpinter BA, Lemos ASDO, Coimbra ES, Taranto AG, Rocha VN, de Pilla Varotti F, Ribeiro Viana GH, Scopel KKG. Rational-Based Discovery of Novel β-Carboline Derivatives as Potential Antimalarials: From In Silico Identification of Novel Targets to Inhibition of Experimental Cerebral Malaria. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121529. [PMID: 36558863 PMCID: PMC9781199 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is an infectious disease widespread in underdeveloped tropical regions. The most severe form of infection is caused by Plasmodium falciparum, which can lead to development of cerebral malaria (CM) and is responsible for deaths and significant neurocognitive sequelae throughout life. In this context and considering the emergence and spread of drug-resistant P. falciparum isolates, the search for new antimalarial candidates becomes urgent. β-carbolines alkaloids are good candidates since a wide range of biological activity for these compounds has been reported. Herein, we designed 20 chemical entities and performed an in silico virtual screening against a pool of P. falciparum molecular targets, the Brazilian Malaria Molecular Targets (BRAMMT). Seven structures showed potential to interact with PfFNR, PfPK7, PfGrx1, and PfATP6, being synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antiplasmodial activity. Among them, compounds 3−6 and 10 inhibited the growth of the W2 strain at µM concentrations, with low cytotoxicity against the human cell line. In silico physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties were found to be favorable for oral administration. The compound 10 provided the best results against CM, with important values of parasite growth inhibition on the 5th day post-infection for both curative (67.9%) and suppressive (82%) assays. Furthermore, this compound was able to elongate mice survival and protect them against the development of the experimental model of CM (>65%). Compound 10 also induced reduction of the NO level, possibly by interaction with iNOS. Therefore, this alkaloid showed promising activity for the treatment of malaria and was able to prevent the development of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), probably by reducing NO synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda de Moura Alves
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Jessica Correa Bezerra Bellei
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Camila de Souza Barbosa
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Caíque Lopes Duarte
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Amanda Luisa da Fonseca
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia de Souza Pinto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Felipe Oliveira Raimundo
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Albuquerque Carpinter
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Ari Sérgio de Oliveira Lemos
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Elaine Soares Coimbra
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Alex Gutterres Taranto
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Novaes Rocha
- Research Center of Pathology and Veterinary Histology, Departament of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando de Pilla Varotti
- Research Center on Biological Chemistry (NQBio), Federal University of São João Del Rei, Divinópolis 35501-296, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
| | | | - Kézia K. G. Scopel
- Research Center Parasitology, Departament of Parasitology, Microbiology and Immunology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora 36036-900, Brazil
- Correspondence: (F.d.P.V.); (K.K.G.S.)
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14
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Poje G, Marinović M, Pavić K, Mioč M, Kralj M, de Carvalho LP, Held J, Perković I, Rajić Z. Harmicens, Novel Harmine and Ferrocene Hybrids: Design, Synthesis and Biological Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169315. [PMID: 36012590 PMCID: PMC9408872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer and malaria are both global health threats. Due to the increase in the resistance to the known drugs, research on new active substances is a priority. Here, we present the design, synthesis, and evaluation of the biological activity of harmicens, hybrids composed of covalently bound harmine/β-carboline and ferrocene scaffolds. Structural diversity was achieved by varying the type and length of the linker between the β-carboline ring and ferrocene, as well as its position on the β-carboline ring. Triazole-type harmicens were prepared using Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, while the synthesis of amide-type harmicens was carried out by applying a standard coupling reaction. The results of in vitro biological assays showed that the harmicens exerted moderate antiplasmodial activity against the erythrocytic stage of P. falciparum (IC50 in submicromolar and low micromolar range) and significant and selective antiproliferative activity against the MCF-7 and HCT116 cell lines (IC50 in the single-digit micromolar range, SI > 5.9). Cell localization experiments showed different localizations of nonselective harmicene 36 and HCT116-selective compound 28, which clearly entered the nucleus. A cell cycle analysis revealed that selective harmicene 28 had already induced G1 cell cycle arrest after 24 h, followed by G2/M arrest with a concomitant drastic reduction in the percentage of cells in the S phase, whereas the effect of nonselective compound 36 on the cell cycle was much less pronounced, which agreed with their different localizations within the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Poje
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Marinović
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristina Pavić
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marija Mioč
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boškovic Institute, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marijeta Kralj
- Laboratory of Experimental Therapy, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boškovic Institute, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Jana Held
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ivana Perković
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence:
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