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Dahab MA, Mahdy HA, Elkady H, Taghour MS, Elwan A, Elkady MA, Elsakka EGE, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Ibrahim IM, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. Semi-synthesized anticancer theobromine derivatives targeting VEGFR-2: in silico and in vitro evaluations. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:4214-4233. [PMID: 37261471 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2219333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis are all crucially impacted by Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Its expression is significantly boosted throughout pathologic angiogenesis causing the development of tumors. Sothat, inhibition of VEGFR-2 has crucial role in cancer treatment. In this study, novel semisynthetic theobromine derivatives were rationally designed as VEGFR-2 inhibitors and subjected to in vitro testing for their ability to block VEGFR-2 activation. Furthermore, the antiproliferative effects of these derivatives were evaluated. Compound 7 g exhibited the most potent anti-VEGFR-2 activity, with an IC50 value of 0.072 µM, and demonstrated excellent dose-dependent inhibitory activity against both MCF-7 and HepG2 cancer cells with IC50 values of 19.35 and 27.89 µM, respectively. Notably, compound 7 g exhibited high selectivity indices of 2.6 and 1.8 against MCF-7 and HepG2 cells, respectively. Compound 7 g induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, promoted apoptosis, and boosted immunomodulation by downregulating TNF-α expression and upregulating IL-2 levels in MCF-7 cells. The molecular docking analysis revealed that compound 7 g could bind effectively to the active site of VEGFR-2, and molecular dynamic simulations confirmed the stability of the VEGFR-2/compound 7 g complex. Furthermore, ADME and toxicity profiling indicated the potential suitability of these compounds as drug candidates. In summary, compound 7 g hold promise as a VEGFR-2 inhibitor.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Elkady
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Elsayed G E Elsakka
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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Elkady H, Mahdy HA, Taghour MS, Dahab MA, Elwan A, Hagras M, Hussein MH, Ibrahim IM, Husein DZ, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Metwaly A, Eissa I. New thiazolidine-2,4-diones as potential anticancer agents and apoptotic inducers targeting VEGFR-2 kinase: Design, synthesis, in silico and in vitro studies. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2024:130599. [PMID: 38521471 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2024.130599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VEGFR-2 has emerged as a prominent positive regulator of cancer progression. AIM Discovery of new anticancer agents and apoptotic inducers targeting VEGFR-2. METHODS Design and synthesis of new thiazolidine-2,4-diones followed by extensive in vitro studies, including VEGFR-2 inhibition assay, MTT assay, apoptosis analysis, and cell migration assay. In silico investigations including docking, MD simulations, ADMET, toxicity, and DFT studies were performed. RESULTS Compound 15 showed the strongest VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 0.066 μM. Additionally, most of the synthesized compounds showed anti-proliferative activity against HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines at the micromolar range with IC50 values ranging from 0.04 to 4.71 μM, relative to sorafenib (IC50 = 2.24 ± 0.06 and 3.17 ± 0.01 μM against HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively). Also, compound 15 showed selectivity indices of 1.36 and 2.08 against HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively. Furthermore, compound 15 showed a significant apoptotic effect and arrested the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells at the S phase. Moreover, compound 15 had a significant inhibitory effect on the ability of MCF-7 cells to heal from. Docking studies revealed that the synthesized thiazolidine-2,4-diones have a binding pattern approaching sorafenib. MD simulations indicated the stability of compound 15 in the active pocket of VEGFR-2 for 200 ns. ADMET and toxicity studies indicated an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. DFT studies confirmed the ability of compound 15 to interact with VEGFR-2. CONCLUSION Compound 15 has promising anticancer activity targeting VEGFR-2 with significant activity as an apoptosis inducer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hagras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Mona H Hussein
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, College of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt.
| | - Dalal Z Husein
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University, El-Kharja 72511, Egypt.
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ahmed Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt; Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria 21934, Egypt.
| | - Ibrahim Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
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Sobh EA, Dahab MA, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Ibrahim IM, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. Computer aided drug discovery (CADD) of a thieno[2,3- d]pyrimidine derivative as a new EGFR inhibitor targeting the ribose pocket. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:2369-2391. [PMID: 37129193 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2204500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Depending on the pharmacophoric characteristics of EGFR inhibitors, a new thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative has been developed. Firstly, the potential inhibitory effect of the designed compound against EGFR has been proven by docking experiments that showed correct binding modes and excellent binding energies of -98.44 and -88.00 kcal/mol, against EGFR wild-type and mutant type, respectively. Furthermore, MD simulations studies confirmed the precise energetic, conformational, and dynamic alterations that occurred after binding to EGFR. The correct binding was also confirmed by essential dynamics studies. To further investigate the general drug-like properties of the developed candidate, in silico ADME and toxicity studies have also been carried out. The thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative was synthesized following the earlier promising findings. Fascinatingly, the synthesized compound (4) showed promising inhibitory effects against EGFRWT and EGFRT790M with IC50 values of 25.8 and 182.3 nM, respectively. Also, it exhibited anticancer potentialities against A549 and MCF-7cell lines with IC50 values of 13.06 and 20.13 µM, respectively. Interestingly, these strong activities were combined with selectivity indices of 2.8 and 1.8 against the two cancer cell lines, respectively. Further investigations indicated the ability of compound 4 to arrest the cancer cells' growth at the G2/M phase and to increase early and late apoptosis percentages from 2.52% and 2.80 to 17.99% and 16.72%, respectively. Additionally, it was observed that compound 4 markedly increased the levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 by 4 and 3-fold compared to the control cells. Moreover, it up-regulated the level of BAX by 3-fold and down-regulated the level of Bcl-2 by 3-fold affording a BAX/Bcl-2 ratio of 9.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A Sobh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Shibin-Elkom, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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4
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Eissa IH, Elkady H, Rashed M, Elwan A, Hagras M, Dahab MA, Taghour MS, Ibrahim IM, Husein DZ, Elkaeed EB, Al-ghulikah HA, Metwaly AM, Mahdy HA. Discovery of new thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives as potential VEGFR-2 inhibitors: In vitro and in silico studies. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24005. [PMID: 38298627 PMCID: PMC10828660 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, a series of seven novel 2,4-dioxothiazolidine derivatives with potential anticancer and VEGFR-2 inhibiting abilities were designed and synthesized as VEGFR-2 inhibitors. The synthesized compounds were tested in vitro for their potential to inhibit VEGFR-2 and the growth of HepG2 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. Among the compounds tested, compound 22 (IC50 = 0.079 μM) demonstrated the highest anti-VEGFR-2 efficacy. Furthermore, it demonstrated significant anti-proliferative activities against HepG2 (IC50 = 2.04 ± 0.06 μM) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 1.21 ± 0.04 M). Additionally, compound 22 also increased the total apoptotic rate of the MCF-7 cancer cell lines with cell cycle arrest at S phase. As well, computational methods were applied to study the VEGFR-2-22 complex at the molecular level. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the complex's structural and kinetic characteristics. The DFT calculations further revealed the structural and electronic properties of compound 22. Finally, computational ADMET and toxicity tests were performed indicating the likeness of the proposed compounds to be drugs. The results suggest that compound 22 displays promise as an effective anticancer treatment and can serve as a model for future structural modifications and biological investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim H. Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Rashed
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Hagras
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A. Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S. Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M. Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt
| | - Dalal Z. Husein
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University, El-Kharja, 72511, Egypt
| | - Eslam B. Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan A. Al-ghulikah
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Hazem A. Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
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5
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Sobh EA, Dahab MA, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Ibrahim IM, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. Design, synthesis, docking, MD simulations, and anti-proliferative evaluation of thieno[2,3- d]pyrimidine derivatives as new EGFR inhibitors. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2023; 38:2220579. [PMID: 37288786 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2023.2220579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A group of EGFR inhibitors derived from thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine nucleus was designed, synthesised, and examined as anti-proliferative lead compounds. MCF-7 and A549 cell lines were inhibited by 5b, the most active member. It had inhibitory partialities of 37.19 and 204.10 nM against EGFRWT and EGFRT790M, respectively. Compound 5b was 2.5 times safer against the WI-38 normal cell lines than erlotinib. Also, it demonstrated considerable potentialities for both early and late apoptosis induction in A549. Simultaneously, 5b arrested A549's growth at G1 and G2/M phases. Harmoniously, 5b upregulated the BAX and downregulated the Bcl-2 genes by 3-fold and increased the BAX/Bcl-2 ratio by 8.3-fold comparing the untreated A549 cells. Molecular docking against EGFRWT and EGFRT790M indicated the correct binding modes. Furthermore, MD simulations confirmed the precise binding of 5b against the EGFR protein over 100 ns. Finally, various computational ADMET studies were carried out and indicated high degrees of drug-likeness and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A Sobh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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6
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Elkady H, Abuelkhir AA, Rashed M, Taghour MS, Dahab MA, Mahdy HA, Elwan A, Al-Ghulikah HA, Elkaeed EB, Ibrahim IM, Husein DZ, Metwaly A, Eissa IH. New thiazolidine-2,4-diones as effective anti-proliferative and anti-VEGFR-2 agents: Design, synthesis, in vitro, docking, MD simulations, DFT, ADMET, and toxicity studies. Comput Biol Chem 2023; 107:107958. [PMID: 37714080 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Novel thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives, 11a-g, were designed, and synthesized targeting the VEGFR-2 protein. The in vitro studies indicated the abilities of the synthesized derivatives to inhibit VEGFR-2 and prevent the growth of two different cancer cell types, HepG2 and MCF-7. Compound 11 f exhibited the strongest anti-VEGFR-2 activity (IC50 = 0.053 µM). As well, compound 11 f showed impressive anti-proliferative activity against the mentioned cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 0.64 ± 0.01 and 0.53 ± 0.04 µM, respectively. Additionally, compound 11 f arrested the MCF-7 cell cycle at the S phase and increased the overall apoptosis percentage. Furthermore, cell migration assay revealed that compound 11 f has a significant ability to prevent migration and healing potentialities of MCF-7. Moreover, computational studies were used to conduct the molecular investigation of the VEGFR-2-11 f complex. The kinetic and structural features of the complex were examined using molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking. Besides, Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to explain the dynamics of the VEGFR-2-11 f complex at various spatial scales. The DFT calculations also provided further clarity regarding compound 11 f's structural and electronic features. To evaluate how closely the developed compounds might look like drugs, ADMET and toxicity experiments were computed. To conclude, the presented study demonstrates the potential of compound 11 f as a viable anti-cancer drug, which can serve as a prototype for future structural modifications and further biological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Abdelrahman A Abuelkhir
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Rashed
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Hanan A Al-Ghulikah
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Dalal Z Husein
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University, El-Kharja 72511, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt; Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria 21934, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
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7
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Elkady H, El-Dardir OA, Elwan A, Taghour MS, Mahdy HA, Dahab MA, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk BA, Ibrahim IM, Husein DZ, Hafez EE, Darwish AMG, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. Synthesis, biological evaluation and computer-aided discovery of new thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives as potential antitumor VEGFR-2 inhibitors. RSC Adv 2023; 13:27801-27827. [PMID: 37731835 PMCID: PMC10508263 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05689a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, novel VEGFR-2-targeting thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives with potential anticancer properties were designed and synthesized. The ability of the designed derivatives to inhibit VEGFR-2 and stop the growth of three different cancer cell types (HT-29, A-549, and HCT-116) was examined in vitro. The IC50 value of compound 15, 0.081 μM, demonstrated the best anti-VEGFR-2 potency. Additionally, compound 15 showed remarkable anti-proliferative activities against the tested cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 13.56 to 17.8 μM. Additional flow cytometric investigations showed that compound 15 increased apoptosis in HT-29 cancer cells (from 3.1% to 31.4%) arresting their growth in the S phase. Furthermore, compound 15's apoptosis induction in the same cell line was confirmed by increasing the levels of BAX (4.8-fold) and decreasing Bcl-2 (2.8-fold). Also, compound 15 noticeably increased caspase-8 and caspase-9 levels by 1.7 and 3.2-fold, respectively. Computational methods were used to perform molecular analysis of the VEGFR-2-15 complex. Molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking were utilized to analyze the complex's kinetic and structural characteristics. Protein-ligand interaction profiler analysis (PLIP) determined the 3D interactions and binding conformation of the VEGFR-2-15 complex. DFT analyses also provided insights into the 3D geometry, reactivity, and electronic characteristics of compound 15. Computational ADMET and toxicity experiments were conducted to determine the potential of the synthesized compounds for therapeutic development. The study's findings suggest that compound 15 might be an effective anticancer lead compound and could guide future attempts to develop new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Osama A El-Dardir
- Undergraduate Student, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University Riyadh 13713 Saudi Arabia
| | - Bshra A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University P.O. Box 84428 Riyadh 11671 Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University Giza 12613 Egypt
| | - Dalal Z Husein
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University El-Kharja 72511 Egypt
| | - Elsayed E Hafez
- Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis, ALCRI, City of scientific research and technological applications New Borg El-Arab City Alexandria 21934 Egypt
| | - Amira M G Darwish
- Food Industry Technology Program, Faculty of Industrial and Energy Technology, Borg Al Arab Technological University Alexandria Egypt
- Food Technology Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City) Alexandria 21934 Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
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8
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Sobh EA, Dahab MA, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk BA, Ibrahim IM, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. A novel thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2: A story of computer-aided drug discovery. Drug Dev Res 2023; 84:1247-1265. [PMID: 37232504 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Following the pharmacophoric features of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) inhibitors, a novel thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative has been designed and its activity against VEGFR-2 has been demonstrated by molecular docking studies that showed an accurate binding mode and an excellent binding energy. Furthermore, the recorded binding was confirmed by a series of molecular dynamics simulation studies, which also revealed precise energetic, conformational, and dynamic changes. Additionally, molecular mechanics with generalized Born and surface area solvation and polymer-induced liquid precursors studies were conducted and verified the results of the MD simulations. Next, in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity studies have also been conducted to examine the general drug-like nature of the designed candidate. According to the previous results, the thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative was synthesized. Fascinatingly, it inhibited VEGFR-2 (IC50 = 68.13 nM) and demonstrated strong inhibitory activity toward human liver (HepG2), and prostate (PC3) cell lines with IC50 values of 6.60 and 11.25 µM, respectively. As well, it was safe and showed a high selectivity index against normal cell lines (WI-38). Finally, the thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative arrested the growth of the HepG2 cells at the G2/M phase inducing both early and late apoptosis. These results were further confirmed through the ability of the thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivative to induce significant changes in the apoptotic genes levels of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2 associated X-protein, and B-cell lymphoma 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A Sobh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Shibin-Elkom, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bshra A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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9
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Sobh EA, Dahab MA, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Ibrahim IM, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH. Discovery of new thieno[2,3- d]pyrimidines as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors for cancer treatment. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1167-1184. [PMID: 37529910 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: EGFR has been considered a vital molecular target in cancer management. Aim: The discovery of new thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Methods: Nine derivatives were designed, synthesized and subjected to in vitro and in silico studies. Results: Compound 7a significantly inhibited the growth of HepG2 and PC3 cells for both EGFR wild-type and EGFRT790M. Compound 7a caused a significant apoptotic effect, arresting HepG2 cells' growth in the S and G2/M phases. Docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies confirmed the correct and stable binding modes of the synthesized compounds against the active sites. Conclusion: Compound 7a is a promising dual EGFR inhibitor for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A Sobh
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, PO Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, 12613, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy & Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research & Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, 21934, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
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10
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Mahdy HA, Elkady H, Taghour MS, Elwan A, Dahab MA, Elkady MA, Elsakka EG, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk BA, Ibrahim IM, Eissa IH, Metwaly AM. New theobromine derivatives inhibiting VEGFR-2: design, synthesis, antiproliferative, docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1233-1250. [PMID: 37466069 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: VEGFR-2 is one of the most effective targets in cancer treatment. Aim: The design and semi-synthesis of new theobromine derivatives as potential VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Methods: In vitro and in silico evaluation of the synthesized compounds. Results: Compound 5b demonstrated excellent antiproliferative and VEGFR-2 inhibitory effects with significant apoptotic activity. It modulated the immune response by increasing IL-2 and reducing TNF-α levels. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations revealed the compound's binding affinity with VEGFR-2. Lastly, computational absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity studies indicated the high potential of compound 5b for drug development. Conclusion: Compound 5b could be a promising anticancer agent targeting VEGFR-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Elkady
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Elsayed Ge Elsakka
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bshra A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, PO Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim M Ibrahim
- Biophysics Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Cairo, 12613, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy & Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research & Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, 21934, Egypt
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11
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Vuillermet F, Dahab MA, Abdelhamid D, Polat DE, Gill MA, Beauchemin AM. Synthesis of 1,2,4-Triazinones Exploiting the Reactivity of Diazadiene and N-Isocyanate Intermediates. J Org Chem 2023; 88:2095-2102. [PMID: 36749643 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.2c02494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
1,2,4-Triazinones are useful compounds, but their synthesis can be challenging. Herein, we report a strategy to build 1,2,4-triazinones using α-bromohydrazones to access diazadienes and exploiting their ability to undergo facile substitution with nitrogen nucleophiles. The N-isocyanate intermediate formed in situ can then undergo cyclization to give the desired triazinones. This provides access to products with various substituents at the 4-position, and with suitable hydrazone precursors (R2 = Ph), the cascade reaction yields 1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-ones at room temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Vuillermet
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Dalia Abdelhamid
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Dilan E Polat
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Monica A Gill
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - André M Beauchemin
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
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12
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Elkaeed EB, Taghour MS, Mahdy HA, Eldehna WM, El-Deeb NM, Kenawy AM, A Alsfouk B, Dahab MA, Metwaly AM, Eissa IH, El-Zahabi MA. New quinoline and isatin derivatives as apoptotic VEGFR-2 inhibitors: design, synthesis, anti-proliferative activity, docking, ADMET, toxicity, and MD simulation studies. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:2191-2205. [PMID: 35975321 PMCID: PMC9387325 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2110869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
New quinoline and isatin derivatives having the main characteristics of VEGFR-2 inhibitors was synthesised. The antiproliferative effects of these compounds were estimated against A549, Caco-2, HepG2, and MDA-MB-231. Compounds 13 and 14 showed comparable activities with doxorubicin against the Caco-2 cells. These compounds strongly inhibited VEGFR-2 kinase activity. The cytotoxic activities were evaluated against Vero cells. Compound 7 showed the highest value of safety and selectivity. Cell migration assay displayed the ability of compound 7 to prevent healing and migration abilities in the cancer cells. Furthermore, compound 7 induced apoptosis in Caco-2 through the expressive down-regulation of the apoptotic genes, Bcl2, Bcl-xl, and Survivin, and the upregulation of the TGF gene. Molecular docking against VEGFR-2 emerged the interactions of the synthesised compounds in a similar way to sorafenib. Additionally, seven molecular dynamics simulations studies were applied and confirmed the stability of compound 13 in the active pocket of VEGFR-2 over 100 ns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wagdy M Eldehna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
| | - Nehal M El-Deeb
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt.,Pharmaceutical and Fermentation Industries Development Center, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA city), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Kenawy
- Nucleic Acids Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute. City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Bshra A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Biopharmaceutical Products Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), Alexandria, Egypt.,Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Zahabi
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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13
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Taghour MS, Mahdy HA, Gomaa MH, Aglan A, Eldeib MG, Elwan A, Dahab MA, Elkaeed EB, Alsfouk AA, Khalifa MM, Eissa IH, Elkady H. Benzoxazole derivatives as new VEGFR-2 inhibitors and apoptosis inducers: design, synthesis, in silico studies, and antiproliferative evaluation. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:2063-2077. [PMID: 35875937 PMCID: PMC9327782 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2103552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, a set of novel benzoxazole derivatives were designed, synthesised, and biologically evaluated as potential VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Five compounds (12d, 12f, 12i, 12l, and 13a) displayed high growth inhibitory activities against HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines and were further investigated for their VEGFR-2 inhibitory activities. The most potent anti-proliferative member 12 l (IC50 = 10.50 μM and 15.21 μM against HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively) had the most promising VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity (IC50 = 97.38 nM). A further biological evaluation revealed that compound 12l could arrest the HepG2 cell growth mainly at the Pre-G1 and G1 phases. Furthermore, compound 12l could induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells by 35.13%. likely, compound 12l exhibited a significant elevation in caspase-3 level (2.98-fold) and BAX (3.40-fold), and a significant reduction in Bcl-2 level (2.12-fold). Finally, docking studies indicated that 12l exhibited interactions with the key amino acids in a similar way to sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maher H Gomaa
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Aglan
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Gomaa Eldeib
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Aisha A Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M Khalifa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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14
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Elkady H, Elwan A, El-Mahdy HA, Doghish AS, Ismail A, Taghour MS, Elkaeed EB, Eissa IH, Dahab MA, Mahdy HA, Khalifa MM. New benzoxazole derivatives as potential VEGFR-2 inhibitors and apoptosis inducers: design, synthesis, anti-proliferative evaluation, flowcytometric analysis, and in silico studies. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:397-410. [PMID: 34961427 PMCID: PMC8725875 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2021.2015343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A new series of benzoxazole derivatives were designed and synthesised to have the main essential pharmacophoric features of VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Cytotoxic activities were evaluated for all derivatives against two human cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and HepG2. Also, the effect of the most cytotoxic derivatives on VEGFR-2 protein concentration was assessed by ELISA. Compounds 14o, 14l, and 14b showed the highest activities with VEGFR-2 protein concentrations of 586.3, 636.2, and 705.7 pg/ml, respectively. Additionally, the anti-angiogenic property of compound 14b against human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) was performed using a wound healing migration assay. Compound 14b reduced proliferation and migratory potential of HUVEC cells. Furthermore, compound 14b was subjected to further biological investigations including cell cycle and apoptosis analyses. Compound 14b arrested the HepG2 cell growth at the Pre-G1 phase and induced apoptosis by 16.52%, compared to 0.67% in the control (HepG2) cells. The effect of apoptosis was buttressed by a 4.8-fold increase in caspase-3 level compared to the control cells. Besides, different in silico docking studies were also performed to get better insights into the possible binding mode of the target compounds with VEGFR-2 active sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hesham A. El-Mahdy
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S. Doghish
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ismail
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S. Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eslam B. Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim H. Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A. Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hazem A. Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed M. Khalifa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
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15
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Elwan A, Abdallah AE, Mahdy HA, Dahab MA, Taghour MS, Elkaeed EB, Mehany ABM, Nabeeh A, Adel M, Alsfouk AA, Elkady H, Eissa IH. Modified Benzoxazole-Based VEGFR-2 Inhibitors and Apoptosis Inducers: Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Proliferative Evaluation. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27155047. [PMID: 35956997 PMCID: PMC9370530 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27155047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This work is one of our efforts to discover potent anticancer agents. We modified the most promising derivative of our previous work concerned with the development of VEGFR-2 inhibitor candidates. Thirteen new compounds based on benzoxazole moiety were synthesized and evaluated against three human cancer cell lines, namely, breast cancer (MCF-7), colorectal carcinoma (HCT116), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2). The synthesized compounds were also evaluated against VEGFR-2 kinase activity. The biological testing fallouts showed that compound 8d was more potent than standard sorafenib. Such compound showed IC50 values of 3.43, 2.79, and 2.43 µM against the aforementioned cancer cell lines, respectively, compared to IC50 values of 4.21, 5.30, and 3.40 µM reported for sorafenib. Compound 8d also was found to exert exceptional VEGFR-2 inhibition activity with an IC50 value of 0.0554 μM compared to sorafenib (0.0782 μM). In addition, compound 8h revealed excellent cytotoxic effects with IC50 values of 3.53, 2.94, and 2.76 µM against experienced cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, compounds 8a and 8e were found to inhibit VEGFR-2 kinase activity with IC50 values of 0.0579 and 0.0741 μM, exceeding that of sorafenib. Compound 8d showed a significant apoptotic effect and arrested the HepG2 cells at the pre-G1 phase. In addition, it exerted a significant inhibition for TNF-α (90.54%) and of IL-6 (92.19%) compared to dexamethasone (93.15%). The molecular docking studies showed that the binding pattern of the new compounds to VEGFR-2 kinase was similar to that of sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Abdallah E. Abdallah
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Hazem A. Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A. Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S. Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.S.T.); (H.E.); (I.H.E.)
| | - Eslam B. Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Riyadh 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed B. M. Mehany
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Nabeeh
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Adel
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Aisha A. Alsfouk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.S.T.); (H.E.); (I.H.E.)
| | - Ibrahim H. Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
- Correspondence: (M.S.T.); (H.E.); (I.H.E.)
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16
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Eissa IH, El-Haggar R, Dahab MA, Ahmed MF, Mahdy HA, Alsantali RI, Elwan A, Masurier N, Fatahala SS. Design, synthesis, molecular modeling and biological evaluation of novel Benzoxazole-Benzamide conjugates via a 2-Thioacetamido linker as potential anti-proliferative agents, VEGFR-2 inhibitors and apoptotic inducers. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2022; 37:1587-1599. [PMID: 35637622 PMCID: PMC9176662 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2022.2081844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel series of 2-thioacetamide linked benzoxazole-benzamide conjugates 1-15 was designed as potential inhibitors of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). The prepared compounds were evaluated for their potential antitumor activity and their corresponding selective cytotoxicity was estimated using normal human fibroblast (WI-38) cells. Compounds 1, 9-12 and 15 showed good selectivity and displayed excellent cytotoxic activity against both HCT-116 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines compared to sorafenib, used as a reference compound. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 11 showed potent VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity. The cell cycle progression assay showed that 1 and 11 induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, with a concomitant increase in the pre-G1 cell population. Further pharmacological studies showed that 1 and 11 induced apoptosis and inhibited the expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins in both cell lines. Therefore, compounds 1 and 11 might serve as promising candidates for future anticancer therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Radwan El-Haggar
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.,Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marwa F Ahmed
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reem I Alsantali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa Elwan
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nicolas Masurier
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Samar S Fatahala
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
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17
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Alanazi MM, Elkady H, Alsaif NA, Obaidullah AJ, Alanazi WA, Al-Hossaini AM, Alharbi MA, Eissa IH, Dahab MA. Discovery of new quinoxaline-based derivatives as anticancer agents and potent VEGFR-2 inhibitors: Design, synthesis, and in silico study. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2021.132220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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18
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Alsaif NA, Taghour MS, Alanazi MM, Obaidullah AJ, Alanazi WA, Alasmari A, Albassam H, Dahab MA, Mahdy HA. Identification of new [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalines as potent VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitors: Design, synthesis, anticancer evaluation, and in silico studies. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 46:116384. [PMID: 34479065 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor angiogenesis is mainly regulated by VEGFR-2. In this study, a new series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline based-derivatives has been designed and synthesized to develop new anti-proliferative and anti-VEGFR-2 members. Anti-proliferative activities of the synthesized compounds were tested against MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines. Compound 19a exhibited the highest activity towards both MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines (IC50 = 8.2 and 5.4 µM, respectively), compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 3.51 and 2.17 µM, respectively). Additionally, all compounds were screened to evaluate their effect as VEGFR-2 inhibitors. Compound 19a (IC50 = 3.4 nM) exhibited good activity compared to sorafenib (IC50 = 3.12 nM). Furthermore, compound 19a disrupted the HepG2 cell cycle by arresting the G2/M phase. Also, marked increase in the percentage apoptotic cells was achieved by compound 19a. The induced apoptotic effect of compound 19a in HepG2 cells was assured by increased pro-apoptotic marker (Bax) expression by 2.33-fold and decreased anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) expression by 1.88-fold, resulting in an elevation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in HepG2 cells. Comparing to the control cells, compound 19a induced an increase in expression of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 by 2.44- and 2.69-fold, respectively. Finally, the binding modes of the target derivatives were investigated through docking studies against the proposed molecular target (VEGFR-2, PDB ID: 2OH4).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawaf A Alsaif
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S Taghour
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed M Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad J Obaidullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael A Alanazi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11541, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Alasmari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11541, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussam Albassam
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11541, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
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19
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Alanazi MM, Elkady H, Alsaif NA, Obaidullah AJ, Alkahtani HM, Alanazi MM, Alharbi MA, Eissa IH, Dahab MA. New quinoxaline-based VEGFR-2 inhibitors: design, synthesis, and antiproliferative evaluation with in silico docking, ADMET, toxicity, and DFT studies. RSC Adv 2021; 11:30315-30328. [PMID: 35493991 PMCID: PMC9044819 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra05925d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A new series of 3-methylquinoxaline-based derivatives having the same essential pharmacophoric features as VEGFR-2 inhibitors have been synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against two human cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and HepG-2. Compounds 15b and 17b demonstrated a significant antiproliferative effect with IC50 ranging from 2.3 to 5.8 μM. An enzymatic assay was carried out for all the tested candidates against VEGFR-2. Compound 17b was the most potent VEGFR-2 inhibitor (IC50 = 2.7 nM). Mechanistic investigation including cell cycle arrest and apoptosis was performed for compound 17b against HepG-2 cells, and the results revealed that 17b induced cell apoptosis and arrested cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Moreover, apoptosis analyses were conducted for compound 17b to evaluate its apoptotic potential. The results showed upregulation in caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels, and improving the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by more than 10-fold. Docking studies were performed to determine the possible interaction with the VEGFR-2 active site. Further docking studies were carried out for compound 17b against cytochrome P450 to present such compounds as non-inhibitors. In silico ADMET, toxicity, and physico-chemical properties revealed that most of the synthesized members have acceptable values of drug-likeness. Finally, DFT studies were carried out to calculate the thermodynamic, molecular orbital and electrostatic potential properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed M Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University P.O. Box 2457 Riyadh 11541 Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Nawaf A Alsaif
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University P.O. Box 2457 Riyadh 11541 Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad J Obaidullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University P.O. Box 2457 Riyadh 11541 Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamad M Alkahtani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University P.O. Box 2457 Riyadh 11541 Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal M Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University P.O. Box 2457 Riyadh 11541 Saudi Arabia
| | - Madhawi A Alharbi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University P.O. Box 2457 Riyadh 11541 Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University Cairo 11884 Egypt
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20
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Eissa IH, Dahab MA, Ibrahim MK, Alsaif NA, Alanazi AZ, Eissa SI, Mehany ABM, Beauchemin AM. Design and discovery of new antiproliferative 1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-ones as tubulin polymerization inhibitors targeting colchicine binding site. Bioorg Chem 2021; 112:104965. [PMID: 34020238 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Thirty-five new colchicine binding site inhibitors have been designed and synthesized based on the 1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-one nucleus. Such molecules were synthesized through a cascade reaction between readily accessible α-amino ketones and phenyl carbazate as a masked N-isocyanate precursor. The synthesized derivatives are cisoid restricted combretastatin A4 analogues containing 1,2,4-triazin-3(2H)-one in place of the olefinic bond, and they have the same essential pharmacophoric features of colchicine binding site inhibitors. The synthesized compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antiproliferative activities against a panel of three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HepG-2, and HCT-116), using colchicine as a positive control. Among them, two compounds 5i and 6i demonstrated a significant antiproliferative effect against all cell lines with IC50 ranging from 8.2 - 18.2 µM. Further investigation was carried out for the most active cytotoxic agents as tubulin polymerization inhibitors. Compounds 5i and 6i effectively inhibited microtubule assembly with IC50 values ranging from 3.9 to 7.8 µM. Tubulin polymerization assay results were found to be comparable with the cytotoxicity results. The cell cycle analysis revealed significant G2/M cell cycle arrest of the analogue 5i in HepG-2 cells. The most active compounds 4i, 4j, 5 g, 5i and 6i did not induce significant cell death in normal human lung cells Wl-38, suggesting their selectivity against cancer cells. Also, These compounds upregulated the level of active caspase-3 and boosted the levels of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax by five to seven folds in comparison to the control. Moreover, apoptosis analyses were conducted for compound 5i to evaluate its apoptotic potential. Finally, in silico studies were conducted to reveal the probable interaction with the colchicine binding site. ADME prediction study of the designed compounds showed that they are not only with promising tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity but also with favorable pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt; Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario K1N6N5, Canada.
| | - Mohamed K Ibrahim
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Nawaf A Alsaif
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - A Z Alanazi
- Department of pharmacology and toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sally I Eissa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Dariyah, Riyadh, 13713, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed B M Mehany
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - André M Beauchemin
- Centre for Catalysis Research and Innovation, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ontario K1N6N5, Canada
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21
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Al-Karmalawy AA, Dahab MA, Metwaly AM, Elhady SS, Elkaeed EB, Eissa IH, Darwish KM. Molecular Docking and Dynamics Simulation Revealed the Potential Inhibitory Activity of ACEIs Against SARS-CoV-2 Targeting the hACE2 Receptor. Front Chem 2021; 9:661230. [PMID: 34017819 PMCID: PMC8129187 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.661230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid and global spread of a new human coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has produced an immediate urgency to discover promising targets for the treatment of COVID-19. Here, we consider drug repurposing as an attractive approach that can facilitate the drug discovery process by repurposing existing pharmaceuticals to treat illnesses other than their primary indications. We review current information concerning the global health issue of COVID-19 including promising approved drugs, e.g., human angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (hACEIs). Besides, we describe computational approaches to be used in drug repurposing and highlight examples of in-silico studies of drug development efforts against SARS-CoV-2. Alacepril and lisinopril were found to interact with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2), the host entranceway for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, through exhibiting the most acceptable rmsd_refine values and the best binding affinity through forming a strong hydrogen bond with Asn90, which is assumed to be essential for the activity, as well as significant extra interactions with other receptor-binding residues. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations followed by calculation of the binding free energy were also carried out for the most promising two ligand-pocket complexes from docking studies (alacepril and lisinopril) to clarify some information on their thermodynamic and dynamic properties and confirm the docking results as well. These results we obtained probably provided an excellent lead candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs against COVID-19. Eventually, animal experiments and accurate clinical trials are needed to confirm the potential preventive and treatment effect of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed A Al-Karmalawy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University-Egypt, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M Metwaly
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sameh S Elhady
- Department of Natural Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eslam B Elkaeed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Khaled M Darwish
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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22
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Alanazi MM, Mahdy HA, Alsaif NA, Obaidullah AJ, Alkahtani HM, Al-Mehizia AA, Alsubaie SM, Dahab MA, Eissa IH. New bis([1,2,4]triazolo)[4,3-a:3',4'-c]quinoxaline derivatives as VEGFR-2 inhibitors and apoptosis inducers: Design, synthesis, in silico studies, and anticancer evaluation. Bioorg Chem 2021; 112:104949. [PMID: 34023640 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A new series of bis([1,2,4]triazolo)[4,3-a:3',4'-c]quinoxaline derivatives were designed and synthesized to have the main essential pharmacophoric features of VEGFR-2 inhibitors. VEGFR-2 inhibitory activities were assessed for the designed compounds. In addition, cytotoxic activity was evaluated for all derivatives against two human cancer cell lines namely, HepG-2 and MCF-7. The most cytotoxic compound 20 h was subjected to further biological investigations including cell cycle, apoptosis, caspase-3, caspase-9, BAX, and Bcl-2 analyses. Different in silico studies as docking, ADMET and toxicity were carried out. The results exhibited that compounds 20b, 20e, 20h and20mshowed promising VEGFR-2 inhibitory activities with IC50values of 5.7, 6.7, 3.2, and 3.1 µM, respectively. Moreover, these promising members exhibited the highest antiproliferative activities against the two cell lines with IC50values ranging from 3.3 to 14.2 µM, comparing to sorafenib (IC50 = 2.17 and 3.43 µM against HepG2 and MCF-7, respectively). Additionally, compound 20h induced cell cycle arrest of HepG2 cells at G2/M phase. Also, such compound increased the progress of apoptosis by 3.5-fold compared to the control. As well, compound 20h showed a significant increase in the level of caspase-3 (2.07-fold), caspase-9 (1.72-fold), and BAX (1.83-fold), and a significant decrease in Bcl-2 level (1.92-fold). The in silico studies revealed that the synthesized compounds have binding pattern like that of sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed M Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Nawaf A Alsaif
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad J Obaidullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamad M Alkahtani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman A Al-Mehizia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan M Alsubaie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Ibrahim H Eissa
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
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23
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Alsaif NA, Dahab MA, Alanazi MM, Obaidullah AJ, Al-Mehizia AA, Alanazi MM, Aldawas S, Mahdy HA, Elkady H. New quinoxaline derivatives as VEGFR-2 inhibitors with anticancer and apoptotic activity: Design, molecular modeling, and synthesis. Bioorg Chem 2021; 110:104807. [PMID: 33721808 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
New series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-one and [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and biologically assessed for their anti-proliferative activities against two selected tumor cell lines MCF-7 and HepG2. Comparing to sorafenib (IC50 = 2.17 ± 0.13 and 3.51 ± 0.21 µM against MCF-7 and HepG2, respectively), compound 25d, 25e, 25i, and 27e exhibited the highest activities against the examined cell lines with IC50 values extending from 4.1 ± 0.4 to 11.7 ± 1.1 µM. Furthermore, VEGFR-2 inhibitory activities were assessed for all the synthesized compounds as potential mechanisms for their anti-proliferative activities. Compounds 25d, 25e, 25i, and 27e displayed prominent inhibitory efficiency versus VEGFR-2 kinase with IC50 value ranging from 3.4 ± 0.3 to 6.8 ± 0.5 nM. Fascinatingly, the results of VEGFR-2 inhibitory assays were matched with that of the cytotoxicity data, where the most potent anti-proliferative derivatives exhibited promising VEGFR-2 inhibitory activities. Further studies displayed the ability of compound 25d to induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells and can arrest the growth of such cells at the G2/M phase. Also, compound 25d produced a significant increase in the level of BAX/Bcl-2 ratio (3.8-fold), caspase- 3 (1.8-fold), and caspase-9 (1.9-fold) compared to the control cells. Molecular docking studies were carried out to investigate the possible binding interaction inside the active site of the VEGFR-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawaf A Alsaif
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammed A Dahab
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt
| | - Mohammed M Alanazi
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmad J Obaidullah
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman A Al-Mehizia
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal M Alanazi
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saleh Aldawas
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hazem A Mahdy
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Hazem Elkady
- Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Design Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
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Dahab MA, Hegazy MM, Abbass HS. Hordatines as a Potential Inhibitor of COVID-19 Main Protease and RNA Polymerase: An In-Silico Approach. Nat Prod Bioprospect 2020; 10:453-462. [PMID: 33090359 PMCID: PMC7579552 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-020-00275-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Total 40 natural compounds were selected to perform the molecular docking studies to screen and identify the potent antiviral agents specifically for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The key targets of COVID-19, protease (PDB ID: 7BQY) and RNA polymerase (PDB ID: 7bV2) were used to dock our target compounds by Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) version 2014.09. We used 3 different conformations of protease target (6M0K, 6Y2F and 7BQY) and two different score functions to strengthen the probability of inhibitors discovery. After an extensive screening analysis, 20 compounds exhibit good binding affinities to one or both COVID-19 targets. 7 out of 20 compounds were predicted to overcome the activity of both targets. The top 7 hits are, flacourticin (3), sagerinic acid (16), hordatine A (23), hordatine B (24), N-feruloyl tyramine dimer (25), bisavenanthramides B-5 (29) and vulnibactins (40). According to our results, all these top hits was found to have a better binding scores than remdesivir, the native ligand in RNA polymerase target (PDB ID: 7bV2). Hordatines are phenolic compounds present in barley, were found to exhibit the highest binding affinity to both protease and polymerase through forming strong hydrogen bonds with the catalytic residues, as well as significant interactions with other receptor-binding residues. These results probably provided an excellent lead candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs against COVID-19. Eventually, animal experiment and accurate clinical trials are needed to confirm the preventive potentials of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Dahab
- Department of Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University (Boys), Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Mostafa M Hegazy
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University (Boys), Cairo, 11884, Egypt
| | - Hatem S Abbass
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University (Boys), Cairo, 11884, Egypt.
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, Kantara, 41636, Egypt.
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