2-[(arylmethyl) amino]-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol DNA intercalators. An examination of the effects of aromatic ring variation on antitumor activity and DNA binding

Picolinamide-assisted ortho-C-H functionalization of pyrenylglycine derivatives using aryl iodides

Chemical transformations involving the pyrenylglycine motif (an unnatural amino acid) and practical methods toward it are seldom known. This work aimed at developing a method for synthesizing novel pyrenylglycine (pyrene-based glycine) unnatural amino acid derivatives. To realize this, initially, a new pyrenylglycine substrate possessing the picolinamide moiety was assembled via the Ugi multicomponent reaction. The picolinamide moiety linked to amine substrates is a well-known bidentate directing group for accomplishing the site-selective γ-C-H functionalization of amines. Subsequently, it was aimed at using a Pd(II)-catalyzed bidentate directing group-aided γ-C-H arylation strategy for generating a wide range of unprecedented examples of C(2)-H arylated pyrenylglycines. Accordingly, pyrenylglycine possessing the picolinamide moiety was subjected to Pd(II)-catalyzed C(2)-H arylation in the non-K-region to afford a library of C(2)-arylated pyrenylglycines (π-extended pyrenes). Additionally, pyrenylglycine-based small peptides were assembled using C(2)-arylated pyrenylglycines. The X-ray structure of a representative compound was obtained, which corroborated the structure of pyrenylglycine and the regioselectivity of C(2)-H arylation of the pyrene in the non-K-region.

Exploring Orthogonal Hydrogen Bonding towards Designing Organic-Salt-Based Supramolecular Gelators: Synthesis, Structures, and Anticancer Properties

A series of primary ammonium monocarboxylate (PAM) salts derived from β-alanine derivatives of pyrene and naphthalene acetic acid, along with the parent acids, were explored to probe the plausible role of orthogonal hydrogen bonding resulting from amide⋅⋅⋅amide and PAM synthons on gelation. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SXRD) studies were performed on two parent acids and five PAM salts in the series. The data revealed that orthogonal hydrogen bonding played an important role in gelation. Structure-property correlation based on SXRD and powder X-ray diffraction data also supported the working hypothesis upon which these gelators were designed. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell migration assay on a highly aggressive human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, revealed that one of the PAM salts in the series, namely, PAA.B2, displayed anticancer properties, and internalization of the gelator salt in the same cell line was confirmed by cell imaging.

Design, antiviral and cytostatic properties of isoxazolidine-containing amonafide analogues

A novel series of 5-arylcarbamoyl- and 5-arylmethyl-2-methylisoxazolidin-3-yl-3-phosphonates have been synthesized via cycloaddition of N-methyl-C-(diethoxyphosphoryl)nitrone with N-substituted naphthalimide acrylamides and N-allylnaphthalimides. All cis- and trans-isoxazolidine phosphonates obtained herein were assessed for antiviral activity against a broad range of DNA and RNA viruses. Isoxazolidines trans-9d and trans-9f exhibited the highest activity (EC₅₀ = 8.9 μM) toward cytomegalovirus. Compounds cis- and trans-9d as well as cis- and trans-9f were found potent against HSV and Vaccinia viruses (EC₅₀ in the 45–58 μM range), whereas isoxazolidines 10a and 10d suppressed replication of Coxsackie B4 and Punta Toro viruses (EC₅₀ in the 45–73 μM range). Antiproliferative evaluation of all obtained isoxazolidines revealed the promising activity of cis-9b, cis-9d, trans-9d, cis-9e, trans-9e, cis-9f and trans-9f toward tested cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ in the 1.1–19 μM range.

Rational approaches, design strategies, structure activity relationship and mechanistic insights for anticancer hybrids

A Hybrid drug which comprises the incorporation of two drug pharmacophores in one single molecule are basically designed to interact with multiple targets or to amplify its effect through action on another bio target as one single molecule or to counterbalance the known side effects associated with the other hybrid part(.) The present review article offers a detailed account of the design strategies employed for the synthesis of anticancer agents via molecular hybridization techniques. Over the years, the researchers have employed this technique to discover some promising chemical architectures displaying significant anticancer profiles. Molecular hybridization as a tool has been particularly utilized for targeting tubulin protein as exemplified through the number of research papers. The microtubule inhibitors such as taxol, colchicine, chalcones, combretasatin, phenstatins and vinca alkaloids have been utilized as one of the functionality of the hybrids and promising results have been obtained in most of the cases with some of the tubulin based hybrids exhibiting anticancer activity at nanomolar level. Linkage with steroids as biological carrier vector for anticancer drugs and the inclusion of pyrrolo [2,1-c] [1,4]benzodiazepines (PBDs), a family of DNA interactive antitumor antibiotics derived from Streptomyces species in hybrid structure based drug design has also emerged as a potential strategy. Various heteroaryl based hybrids in particular isatin and coumarins have also been designed and reported to posses' remarkable inhibitory potential. Apart from presenting the design strategies, the article also highlights the structure activity relationship along with mechanistic insights revealed during the biological evaluation of the hybrids.

Novel approaches to screening guanidine derivatives

INTRODUCTION

Compounds containing guanidine moiety, originating both from natural and synthetic sources, have found potential applications in both synthetic and medicinal chemistry. Indeed, guanidine functionality can be found in many natural and pharmaceutical products as well as in cosmetic ingredients produced by synthetic methods.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the latest developments in the research undertaken for the therapeutic application of newly synthesized guanidine derivatives including: small peptides and peptidomimetics. This article encompasses the selected literature published in the last three decades with a focus on the novel approaches for screening of lead drug candidates with their pharmacological action.

EXPERT OPINION

Guanidines, as they are both organically based and also hydrophilic in nature, have undergone a mammoth amount of screening and testing to discover promising lead structures with a CN3 core, appropriate for potential future drug development. The compounds have the potential to be neurodegenerative therapeutic options, as well as: anti-inflammatory, anti-protozoal, anti-HIV, chemotherapeutic, anti-diabetic agents and so on. It is true that guanidine-based compounds of natural sources also, like synthetic and virtually designed drugs, have been of significant interest and have the potential to be useful therapeutic options in the future. As for now, however, there is not sufficient data to support their use in a number of the suggested areas, and further studies are required.

Design, synthesis, and antiviral evaluation of purine-β-lactam and purine-aminopropanol hybrids

Purine-β-lactam chimera were prepared as a novel class of hybrid systems through N-alkylation of 6-benzylamino- or 6-benzyloxypurine with (ω-haloalkyl)-β-lactams, followed by reductive ring opening of the β-lactam ring by LiEt(3)BH to provide an entry into the class of purine-aminopropanol hybrids. Both new types of hybrid systems were assessed for their antiviral activity and cytotoxicity, resulting in the identification of eight purine-β-lactam hybrids and two purine-aminopropanol hybrids as promising lead structures.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds as anticancer agents: Evaluation of synthesis and in vitro cytotoxicity

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be significant environmental carcinogens. Additionally, various planar ring systems are capable of intercalating with DNA, leading to a number of drugs that possess chemotherapeutic activity. In this study, three new polyaromatic compounds with a side chain were synthesized, and spectroscopic as well as elemental analyses were performed. The addition of the long chains to either chrysene or pyrene caused a red-shift in the spectral emission when compared to the corresponding polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons itself. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the three novel polyaromatic compounds was evaluated in vitro in a panel of cultured mammalian cell lines. The pyrenyl ether demonstrated better cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin against colon (HT-29) as well as cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. In conclusion, three new compounds were synthesized and investigated in this study. This novel method is likely to play a role in other areas of research.

Novel disubstituted chrysene as a potent agent against colon cancer

Research on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives has received significant attention from the scientific community. The present study involved the synthesis of several novel 6,12-disubstituted chrysene derivatives. Nitration of chrysene with nitric acid produced 6,12-dinitrochrysene which when reduced yielded 6,12-diaminochrysene. A coupling reaction of 6,12-diaminochrysene with an acid in the presence of isobutylchloroformate produced amide. The reduction of amide produced an amine. The amino was converted to a hydrochloride salt. The new compounds were characterized through different types of analytical data. One of these compounds demonstrated marked activity in vivo against a colon cancer cell line. Inhibition of the growth of this tumor was best noted at day 20 when each treatment regimen inhibited the average tumor volume by 50%. In a number of in vivo tests in various regimens, the hydrochloride salt demonstrated consistent inhibition of the growth of the cancer HT-29 cell line. Despite the research progress in polycyclic aromatic compounds, the use of these types of molecules as anticancer agents has not been reported systematically.

Stereocontrolled synthesis of anticancer β-lactams via the Staudinger reaction

Stereocontrolled synthesis of novel beta-lactams using polyaromatic imines following the Staudinger reaction has been accomplished. The effects of domestic microwave irradiation on this type of reaction have been investigated. Formation of trans-beta-lactams has been explained through isomerization of the enolates formed during the reaction of acid chloride (equivalent) with imines in the presence of triethylamine. A donor-acceptor complex pathway is believed to be involved in the formation of cis-beta-lactams. The effect of a peri hydrogen has been found to be significant in controlling the stereochemistry of the resulting beta-lactams. SAR has identified beta-lactams with anticancer activity. The presence of an acetoxy group has proven obligatory for their anticancer activity.

Synthesis of anticancer β-lactams: mechanism of action

Synthesis of the trans 1-N-chrysenyl and 1-N-phenanthrenyl 3-acetoxy-4-phenyl-2-azetidinones has been achieved. Microwave-assisted reaction has proved useful in the synthesis of these compounds. Cell growth inhibition study has indicated selective anticancer activity against two leukemia and colon carcinoma cell lines. A mechanistic correlation of their anticancer activity has been described. Striking G2 blockade that is clearly distinct in cell cycle analysis and demonstrated only in sensitive cell lines has been observed. They do not induce apoptosis in sensitive or resistant lines. They also do not inhibit topoisomerases. Ames test has shown they are nonmutagenic.

Synthesis and antitumour activity of pyrene-linked pyrrolo [2,1-c]benzodiazepine hybrids

Pyrene-linked pyrrolobenzodiazepine hybrids have been synthesized that exhibit potential anticancer activity in a number of human tumour cell lines. These hybrids also exhibit much enhanced DNA-binding ability in comparison to the parent pyrrolobenzodiazepine ring system (DC-81).

Design and synthesis of novel chrysene-linked pyrrolo[2,1- c ][1,4]-benzodiazepine hybrids as potential DNA-binding agents

Chrysene-linked pyrrolobenzodiazepine hybrids have been prepared that possess cytotoxicity in some cancer cell lines. They also exhibit promising DNA-binding affinity and this is supported by molecular modeling studies.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds as anticancer agents: structure-activity relationships of chrysene and pyrene derivatives

A large number of diamides and diamines were synthesized using 6-amino chrysene and 1-amino pyrene as starting materials. A structure activity study with cis-platinum as internal control against animal and human tumor lines was carried out in vitro. This study indicated that the in vitro cytotoxicity toward these lines depends on the functionality present in the molecules. The diamino compounds were found to be more potent than the diamides, and these were equally active irrespective of the end heterocyclic group, whereas the activity of the diamides was strongly dependent on the terminal unit. In general, the diamides containing chrysene as the chromophore were more active than those with a pyrene ring. The size of the end heterocyclic ring, along with the nature of the spacer connecting the polycyclic ring to the heterocyclic ring, seemed to affect the biological activity in certain cell lines. Hemolysis experiments on a lead compound established that it had activities similar to those described for membrane-stabilizing agents. This agent also demonstrated the capacity to produce differentiation in leukemia cell lines.

Synthesis, DNA-damaging and cytotoxic properties of novel topoisomerase II-directed bisantrene analogues

New bisantrene analogues were synthesized, bearing one or two 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl hydrazone side chains at positions 1,4 or 9 of the anthracene ring system. A 10-azabioisostere was also prepared. The position of substituents in structurally isomeric drugs modulates topoisomerase II poisoning and specificity, along with cytotoxicity.

Sensitized photomodification of single-stranded DNA by a binary system of oligonucleotide conjugates

A photoactivatable binary system of oligonucleotide conjugates that form reactive species when assembling on a target nucleotide sequence has been developed. The binary system consists of two oligonucleotides. One contains a photosensitizing group, and the second contains a photoreactive group. Binding of the oligonucleotides to adjacent sequences in the target nucleic acid brings the groups in contact, which allows transfer of the absorbed energy from the sensitizer to the reagent and triggers crosslinking of the reagent to the target. One advantage of the binary system is the improved specificity, which is determined by independent binding of two oligonucleotides to the target sequence. Another advantage is the very high efficiency of the reaction achieved because each molecule of the target-bound sensitizing conjugate can activate many photoreactive oligonucleotide conjugate molecules bound to the target sequence.

An efficient multiple-exposure analysis of the toxicity of crisnatol, a DNA intercalator in phase II clinical trials

To investigate the toxicity and mechanism of action of crisnatol (CRS), a new DNA intercalator currently in phase II clinical trials, we analyzed cellular and nuclear flow cytometric (FCM) parameters of murine erythroleukemic cells (MELC) exposed to a range of CRS concentrations over three exposure conditions: short-term (4 h), long-term (24 h), and short-term with recovery (4 h+/19 h-). At 0.5-1.0 microM CRS, 4 h exposure results in a reversible G2-phase block, while 24 h exposure results in greater than G2 polyploidy. At 5-10 microM CRS concentrations, cells exhibit persistent retardation of S-phase progression or irreversible G2 and/or greater than G2 blocks, depending on duration of exposure. Cells terminally blocked in G2 exhibit increased nuclear/cellular volumes and increased nuclear fluorescein isothiocyanate (protein) staining, suggestive of unbalanced growth. At 25-50 microM CRS concentrations, MELC exhibit severe membrane perturbation (loss of viability) regardless of exposure. In contrast, following similar exposures to an inactive isomer of CRS, MELC exhibit minimal cell cycle effects, suggesting that cell cycle kinetics may be a useful criterion for assessing potential efficacy. Similar analyses with different classes of chemotherapeutic agents reveal that the range of induced cellular/nuclear perturbations varies with the class of compound used. Taken together, these results suggest that drug toxicity can vary with both concentration and duration of exposure and, as such, a selective multiple-exposure FCM analysis may better represent the spectrum of drug action for drug development and pharmacodynamic studies.

Polyploidy induction as a consequence of topoisomerase inhibition. A flow cytometric assessment

Following recovery from a 4-hr exposure to clinically achievable concentrations of the topoisomerase II inhibitors Adriamycin, teniposide, or amsacrine or the putative topoisomerase II inhibitor crisnatol, murine erythroleukemic cells remained viable for up to 48 hr, but did not proliferate. Cell cycle analysis after a 24-hr recovery revealed blocks in G2 (4N DNA) or greater than G2 (up to 8N DNA) polyploid stages. The relative percentages of cells in either stage was a function of drug concentration and cell cycle stage at time of exposure: typically, cells exposed during S phase became blocked in G2, whereas those exposed during G2/M progressed into greater than G2 polyploid stages. G2-blocked cells exhibited a 2- to 3-fold increase in nuclear protein content and cellular/nuclear volume (i.e. unbalanced growth) and approximately 5% more DNA stainability (as a consequence of nuclear conformational changes rather than redundant DNA synthesis). In all cases, at the drug concentrations studied, mitotic figures were absent and G2 and greater than G2 blocks were irreversible, indicating that the mechanism of polyploidy induction differs from that of microtubule inhibitors. These findings suggest that although topoisomerase inhibitors interfere with DNA synthesis in the S phase, their induction of greater than G2 polyploid blocks may involve direct or indirect inhibition of chromosome condensation.