11a-N-tosyl-5-carbapterocarpans: Synthesis, antineoplastic evaluation and in silico prediction of ADMETox properties

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel indole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives with antihypertensive activity

Molecular design, synthesis, in vitro and in vivo studies of novel derivatives of indole-3-carboxylic acid - new series of angiotensin II receptor 1 antagonists is presented. Radioligand binding studies using [¹²⁵I]-angiotensin II displayed that new derivatives of indole-3-carboxylic acid have a high nanomolar affinity for the angiotensin II receptor (AT₁ subtype) on a par with the known pharmaceuticals such as losartan. Biological studies of synthesized compounds in spontaneously hypertensive rats have demonstrated that compounds can lower blood pressure when administered orally. Maximum the decrease in blood pressure was 48 mm Hg with oral administration of 10 mg/kg and antihypertensive effect was observed for 24 hours, which is superior to losartan.

Nickel-Catalyzed Dearomative Arylboration of Indoles: Regioselective Synthesis of C2- and C3-Borylated Indolines

Indole dearomatization is an important strategy to access indolines: a motif present in a variety of natural products and biologically active molecules. Herein, a method for transition-metal catalyzed regioselective dearomative arylboration of indoles to generate diverse indolines is presented. The method accomplishes intermolecular dearomatization of simple indoles through a migratory insertion pathway on substrates that lack activating or directing groups on the C2- or C3-positions. Synthetically useful C2- and C3-borylated indolines can be accessed through a simple change in N-protecting group in high regio- and diastereoselectivities (up to >40:1 rr and >40:1 dr) from readily available starting materials. Additionally, the origin of regioselectivity was explored experimentally and computationally to uncover the remarkable interplay between carbonyl orientation of the N-protecting group on indole, electronics of the C2-C3 π-bond, and sterics. The method enabled the first enantioselective synthesis of (-)-azamedicarpin.

Asymmetric Three-Component Heck Arylation/Amination of Nonconjugated Cyclodienes

Substituted cyclohexylamines are becoming increasingly important in drug discovery. Asymmetric Heck insertion/amination of nonconjugated cyclodienes proceeds to give 5-aryl cyclohexenylamines with good enantioselectivity and exclusive trans configurations. Primary and secondary anilines, indoline, and benzylamines are suitable amines. The weakly donating diphosphite Kelliphite forms a deep unsymmetrical pocket, which is essential for stereoselective anti attack of amines.

The LQB-223 Compound Modulates Antiapoptotic Proteins and Impairs Breast Cancer Cell Growth and Migration

Drug resistance represents a major issue in treating breast cancer, despite the identification of novel therapeutic strategies, biomarkers, and subgroups. We have previously identified the LQB-223, 11a-N-Tosyl-5-deoxi-pterocarpan, as a promising compound in sensitizing doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells, with little toxicity to non-neoplastic cells. Here, we investigated the mechanisms underlying LQB-223 antitumor effects in 2D and 3D models of breast cancer. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells had migration and motility profile assessed by wound-healing and phagokinetic track motility assays, respectively. Cytotoxicity in 3D conformation was evaluated by measuring spheroid size and performing acid phosphatase and gelatin migration assays. Protein expression was analyzed by immunoblotting. Our results show that LQB-223, but not doxorubicin treatment, suppressed the migratory and motility capacity of breast cancer cells. In 3D conformation, LQB-223 remarkably decreased cell viability, as well as reduced 3D culture size and migration. Mechanistically, LQB-223-mediated anticancer effects involved decreased proteins levels of XIAP, c-IAP1, and Mcl-1 chemoresistance-related proteins, but not survivin. Survivin knockdown partially potentiated LQB-223-induced cytotoxicity. Additionally, cell treatment with LQB-223 resulted in changes in the mRNA levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, suggesting that it might modulate cell plasticity. Our data demonstrate that LQB-223 impairs 3D culture growth and migration in 2D and 3D models of breast cancer exhibiting different phenotypes.

Enantioselective Synthesis, DFT Calculations, and Preliminary Antineoplastic Activity of Dibenzo 1-Azaspiro[4.5]decanes on Drug-Resistant Leukemias

The addition of 2-bromobenzylmagnesium bromide to chiral N- tert-butanesulfinyl imines derived from tetralone-type ketones proceeds with high levels of diastereocontrol. The resulting sulfinamide derivatives were transformed into dibenzoazaspiro compounds after a palladium-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylation. DFT calculations have been performed to rationalize the stereochemical course of the reaction. Similar results have been obtained considering either diethyl ether or toluene as a solvent, in both cases in an excellent agreement with experimental findings. NCI topological calculations have also been used to evidence crucial noncovalent interactions. In addition, the azaspiro compounds reduced the viability of chronic myeloid leukemia cells in the micromolar range. Notably, both the halogen-substituted ( R)- and ( S)-8g and -8h as well as ( R)-8j were at least two times more effective on a multidrug-resistant derivative than on the parental cell line, exerting a collateral sensitivity effect.