Synthesis of novel nicotinic acid derivatives of potential antioxidant and anticancer activity.

This study comprises the design and synthesis of novel nicotinic acid-based cytotoxic agents with selective inhibitory efficacy against the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2). Screening of novel compounds for cytotoxicity was assessed against 60 human cancer cell lines. The two most active compounds, 5b and 5c, and the reference drugs sorafenib and doxorubicin were investigated against HCT-15, PC-3, and CF-295 cancer cell lines. Compound 5c exhibited the highest cytotoxic potential compared to doxorubicin against the HCT-15 and PC-3 tumor cell lines. Moreover, it exhibited higher cytotoxic potential and selectivity toward the HCT-15 cell panel compared with sorafenib. Compound 5c demonstrated promising VEGFR-2 inhibition (concentration needed to inhibit cell viability by 50%, IC50 = 0.068 µM) and superior VEGFR-2 selectivity over the epidermal growth factor receptor and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß enzymes. It also reduced the total and phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and induced apoptosis, as evidenced by a 4.3-fold rise in caspase-3 levels. The antioxidant potential of the new compounds was determined via measuring the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, among which compound 5c exhibited an SOD level almost comparable to ascorbic acid. These results suggested that compound 5c exhibited dual cytotoxic and antioxidant activities. Docking of 5c into the VEGFR-2 pocket showed a similar binding mode to sorafenib. Moreover, the ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) profile of 5c outlined drug-likeness. Finally, The density functional theory calculations displayed an increased binding affinity of 5c to the target enzyme.

LCZ696 (sacubitril/valsartan) protects against cyclophosphamide-induced nephrotoxicity in adult male rats: Up-regulation of Apelin-13/ACE2, miR-200, and down-regulation of TGF-ß/SMAD 2/3 and miR-192.

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug. However, the associated nephrotoxicity restricts its clinical use. AIM: The present research was designed to study the impact of LCZ696 (LCZ); which is a combination of Sacubitril/Valsartan compared to valsartan (VAL) on CP-induced nephrotoxicity. MAIN METHODS: Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly and equally assigned into 6 groups as follows: Control, LCZ (30 mg/kg, p.o.), VAL (15 mg/kg, p.o.), CP (200 mg/kg, single dose, i.p.), CP/LCZ, and CP/VAL groups. LCZ and VAL were given once daily for 6 days prior to CP (groups 5 & 6). At the end of the experiment, kidney functions, oxidants/antioxidants, inflammatory and fibrotic biomarkers in renal tissues were assessed. Further, immunohistochemical, and histomorphometric analyses were carried out. KEY FINDINGS: In comparison with CP-treated rats, LCZ resulted in a significant reduction in serum urea (26.6 %) and creatinine (63 %), moreover it decreased renal content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox (ZEB)-1, SMAD2/3, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1, fibronectin, histone deacetylase (HDAC)-4, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and miR-192 expression by ~40-60 % as well as the immunohistological expressions of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and anti-phospho Histone (H2AX) by ~75 % reduction. Whereas the renal total antioxidant capacity (TAC), apelin-13, miR-200 expression, and the immunoreactivity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) were enhanced by ~3-4-folds. Noteworthy, the prophylactic effect of LCZ was superior to VAL on the histomorphometric and immunohistological levels. SIGNIFICANCE: Prophylactic administration of LCZ protected against CP-induced nephrotoxicity via up-regulating apelin-13/ACE2, miR-200, and down-regulating TGF-ß/SMAD 2/3 and miR-192.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of anticancer activity of new pyrazoline derivatives by down-regulation of VEGF: Molecular docking and apoptosis inducing activity.

Two series of pyrazoline compounds were designed and synthesized as antiproliferative agents by VEGFR pathway inhibition. All synthesized compounds were screened by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, USA for anticancer activity against 60 human cancer cell lines. Compound 3f exhibited the highest anticancer activity on the ovarian cell line (OVCAR-4) with IC50 = 0.29 µM and on the breast cell line (MDA-MB-468) with IC50 = 0.35 µM. It also exhibited the highest selectivity index (SI = 74). Compound 3f caused cell cycle arrest in OVCAR-4 cell line at the S phase which consequently inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Moreover, 3f showed potent down-regulation of VEGF and p-VEGFR-2. Docking studies showed that compound 3f interacts in a similar pattern to axitinib on the VEGFR-2 receptor. The same compound was also able to fit into the gorge of STAT3 binding site, the transcription factor for VEGF, which explains the VEGF down-regulation.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of halogenated phenoxychalcones and their corresponding pyrazolines as cytotoxic agents in human breast cancer.

Novel halogenated phenoxychalcones 2a-f and their corresponding N-acetylpyrazolines 3a-f were synthesised and evaluated for their anticancer activities against breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) and normal breast cell line (MCF-10a), compared with staurosporine. All compounds showed moderate to good cytotoxic activity when compared to control. Compound 2c was the most active, with IC50 = 1.52 µM and selectivity index = 15.24. Also, chalcone 2f showed significant cytotoxic activity with IC50 = 1.87 µM and selectivity index = 11.03. Compound 2c decreased both total mitogen activated protein kinase (p38α MAPK) and phosphorylated enzyme in MCF-7 cells, suggesting its ability to decrease cell proliferation and survival. It also showed the ability to induce ROS in MCF-7 treated cells. Compound 2c exhibited apoptotic behaviour in MCF-7 cells due to cell accumulation in G2/M phase and elevation in late apoptosis 57.78-fold more than control. Docking studies showed that compounds 2c and 2f interact with p38alpha MAPK active sites.