Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Evaluation of the Effect of Nano-Formulated Spironolactone and Progesterone on Inflammation and Hormonal Levels for Managing Hirsutism Experimentally Induced in Rats.

Hirsutism is a dermatological condition that refers to the excessive growth of hair in androgen-sensitive areas in women. Recently, the enhancement of the visible signs of a hairy female has taken special concern that affected the quality of life. The present study was developed to compare the follicular targeting effect of topical spironolactone (SP) or progesterone (PG)-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) on the management of hirsutism. Four NLC formulations were prepared using cold homogenization techniques and pharmaceutically evaluated. SP-NLC and PG-NLC topical hydrogels were prepared to explore their pharmacological effect on letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in rats. Inflammatory mediators, antioxidant, and hormonal parameters were assayed. Additionally, histopathological examination was carried out to confirm the successful induction of PCOS. Results confirmed that all NLC formulations have a spherical shape with particle size ranged from 225.92 ± 0.41 to 447.80 ± 0.66 nm, entrapment efficiency > 75%, and zeta potential (- 31.4 to - 36.5 mV). F1 and F3 NLCs were considered as selected formulations for SP and PG, respectively. Female Wistar rats treated with F1 formulation for 3 weeks displayed better outcomes as manifested by the measured parameters as compared to the other tested groups. A significant reduction in hair follicle diameter and density was observed after topical application of SP or PG nano-gels. Finally, the outcomes pose a strong argument that the development of topically administered SP-NLC can be explored as a promising carrier over PG-NLC for more effectual improvement in the visible sign of hirsutism.

A Fluoran-Based Cu2+-Selective Fluorescent Probe and its Application in Cell Imaging.

Based on a fluoran skeleton, we herein reported a new fluorescent probe FLACu for Cu2+ by facile modification of the spirolactone of dye 1 with phenylhydrazine. Taking advantage of the spirolactam moiety, FLACu only delivers a specific "off-on" fluorescence signal output towards Cu2+ when treated with various metal ions, which has been well elucidated as the result of spirolactam ring opening and hydrolysis processes induced by copper ion. Meanwhile, the limit of detection (LOD) for FLACu has been estimated to be 35.4 nM and a pH range of 5.0-9.0 is evaluated to be suitable for Cu2+ detection. Significantly, FLACu shows low cell cytotoxicity and can be further ultilzied in the detection of exogenous Cu2+ in the living Hela cells.

Facile Preparation of Spirolactones by an Alkoxycarbonyl Radical Cyclization-Cross-Coupling Cascade.

An alkoxycarbonyl radical cyclization-cross-coupling cascade has been developed that allows functionalized γ-butyrolactones to be prepared in one step from simple tertiary alcohol-derived homoallylic oxalate precursors. The reaction succeeds with aryl and vinyl electrophiles and is compatible with heterocyclic fragments in both coupling partners. This chemistry allows for the rapid construction of spirolactones, which are of interest in drug discovery endeavors.

Synthesis, bioactivity and mode of action of 5A 5B 6C tricyclic spirolactones as novel antiviral lead compounds.

BACKGROUND: Plant viral diseases cause tremendous decreases in yield and quality. Natural polycyclic compounds such as those containing carbocycles are often very important lead compounds for drug and pesticide development. Tricyclic spiranoid lactones with 5A 5B 6C -ring fusion topologies possess various bioactivities. In this study, 33 new 5A 5B 6C tricyclic spirolactones were rationally designed, synthesized, characterized and evaluated for antiviral activities. RESULT: These compounds showed no apparent toxicity against Italian honeybees up to 2.73 µg bee-1 . Spirolactones 14, 16, 19, 23 and 28 at a concentration of 100 µg mL-1 inactivated 90% of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) infection, making these compounds much more potent than the positive controls. Significantly, compound 19 displayed the best inactivation activity causing inhibition of up to 98%. CONCLUSION: The results of the bioassays and QSAR studies indicated that the carbon-containing cyclic moiety was the antiviral pharmacophore, and derivative 19, which showed the best inactivation activity, could emerge as a potential antiviral agent against TMV. In vitro capsid protein (CP) assembly and TMV assembly inhibition determinations indicated that these compounds induced crosslinking in the TMV and prevented its uncoating, which was a putative new mode of action for TMV inactivation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Bioactive Natural Spirolactone-Type 6,7-seco-ent-Kaurane Diterpenoids and Synthetic Derivatives.

Diterpenoids are widely distributed natural products and have caused considerable interest because of their unique skeletons and antibacterial and antitumor activities and so on. In light of recent discoveries, ent-kaurane diterpenoids, which exhibit a wide variety of biological activities, such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities, pose enormous potential to serve as a promising candidate for drug development. Among them, spirolactone-type 6,7-seco-ent-kaurane diterpenoids, with interesting molecular skeleton, complex oxidation patterns, and bond formation, exhibit attractive activities. Furthermore, spirolactone-type diterpenoids have many modifiable sites, which allows for linking to various substituents, suitable for further medicinal study. Hence, some structurally modified derivatives with improved cytotoxicity activities are also achieved. In this review, natural bioactive spirolactone-type diterpenoids and their synthetic derivatives were summarized.

Novel π-extended hybrid xanthene dyes with two spirolactone rings for optoelectronic and biological applications.

The design, synthesis, and photophysical properties of organic fluorophores have attracted considerable research interest due to the utility of these compounds for various optoelectronic, analytical, and biological applications. In this study, we synthesized two novel π-extended red-emitting hybrid xanthene dyes, each of which has two spirolactone rings and combines a seminaphthofluorescein moiety and a seminaphthorhodafluor moiety in a single molecule. The photophysical properties of the dyes in methanol in the presence of acid, base, and metal cations were investigated. Mono-ring-opened seminaphthofluorescein and seminaphthorhodafluor forms of the dyes could be obtained by the addition of OH- or H+, respectively. Owing to the changes in the absorbance spectra of the mono-ring-opened forms induced by addition of H+ and OH-, the dyes could perform simultaneously the functions of an XOR gate and an INHIBIT gate, with the absorbances at 510 and 560 nm as outputs, respectively, and could act as half-subtractors with H+ and OH- as inputs. Furthermore, stepwise ring-opening could be induced by Hg2+ ions in methanol. In water, the dyes existed in double-ring-opened forms that emitted deep-red fluorescence and were mitochondria-targetable, suggesting that these chromophores might be useful as fluorescence tracers in biological applications. Because the absorption and fluorescence properties of these fluorophores can be regulated via their two spirolactone rings, we expect that these compounds will find utility in various optoelectronic, analytical, and biological applications.

Total Syntheses of Bisdehydroneostemoninine and Bisdehydrostemoninine by Catalytic Carbonylative Spirolactonization.

The first total syntheses of the stemona alkaloids bisdehydroneostemoninine and bisdehydrostemoninine in racemic forms have been achieved. The synthetic strategy features a novel palladium-catalyzed carbonylative spirolactonization of a hydroxycyclopropanol to rapidly construct the oxaspirolactone moiety. It also features a Lewis acid promoted tandem Friedel-Crafts cyclization and lactonization to form the 5-7-5 tricyclic core of the target stemona alkaloids.

Evaluation of Spironolactone Solid Dispersions Prepared by Co-Spray Drying With Soluplus® and Polyvinylpyrrolidone and Influence of Tableting on Drug Release.

Solid dispersions of spironolactone with Soluplus® and polyvinylpyrrolidone were prepared by spray drying according to a mixture experimental design and evaluated for moisture content, particle size, drug solubility, crystallinity (powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry), and physicochemical interactions (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman). In vitro dissolution was evaluated for the spray dried product itself and after compression into tablets, and prediction models were derived using multiple linear regression analysis. The spray dried products consisted of amorphous drug, indicated by the absence of crystalline powder X-ray diffraction peaks. Amorphization and interactions impacted changes in the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra in the ranges 2900-3000 cm-1 (C-H) and 1600-1800 cm-1 (C=O) and caused merging at 1690 cm-1 (C=O of lactone) and 1670 cm-1 (C=O of thioacetyl group). In the Raman spectra, amorphization and interactions resulted in disappearance of peak at 1690 cm-1 (C=O) and merging of peaks at 582 and 600 cm-1 (C-S). Hydrogen bonding between the thioacetyl group of the drug with the hydroxyl groups of Soluplus® caused marked suppression of the peak at 1190 cm-1 (R-C(=O)-S vibration). Amorphization and interactions resulted in improved solubility and dissolution which was greatest for drug/Soluplus® ratio 1:4 and was also demonstrated in the corresponding tablets.

Fungal biotransformation of diuretic and antihypertensive drug spironolactone with Gibberella fujikuroi, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium lini, and Aspergillus alliaceus.

Derivatives of spironolactone (1), a diuretic and antihypertensive drug, were synthesized by using fungal cells for the first time. Ten different fungi were screened for their ability to biotransform 1, four of which were able to produce metabolites 2-8. Gibberella fujikuroi produced canrenone (2), 1-dehydrocanrenone (3), Curvularia lunuta provided compound 2, and 7α-thio-spironolactone (4), Fusarium lini yielded compounds 2, 3, 1ß-hydroxycanrenone (5), 1α-hydroxycanrenone (6), 1-dehydro-15α-hydroxycanrenone (7), and 15α-hydroxycanrenone (8), while Aspergillus alliaceus was able to produce all the seven metabolites. Metabolites 5, 6, and 7 were identified as new compounds. Their structures were elucidated by using different spectroscopic techniques. Substrate 1 and its metabolites 2, 3, and 5-8 were also evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro. Substrate 1 was found to be strongly active with IC50 = 335 ±â€¯4.3 µM as compared to the standard drug acarbose IC50 = 840 ±â€¯1.73 µM, whereas all of resulting metabolites were found to be inactive.

Anti-proliferative, Cytotoxic and NF-ĸB Inhibitory Properties of Spiro(Lactone-Cyclohexanone) Compounds in Human Leukemia.

BACKGROUND/AIM: NF-ĸB affects most aspects of cellular physiology. Deregulation of NF-ĸB signaling is associated with inflammatory diseases and cancer. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic and NF-ĸB inhibition potential of new spiro(lactone-cyclohexanone) compounds in two different human leukemia cell lines (U937 and K562). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The anti-proliferative effects of the spiro(lactone-cyclohexanone) compounds on human K562 and U937 cell lines was evaluated by trypan blue staining, as well as their involvement in NF-kB regulation were analyzed by luciferase reporter gene assay, Caspase-3/7 activities were evaluated to analyze apoptosis induction. RESULTS: Both spiro(coumarin-cyclohexanone) 4 and spiro(6- methyllactone-cyclohexanone) 9 down-regulated cancer cell viability and proliferation. Compound 4 inhibited TNF-α-induced NF-ĸB activation in a dose-dependent manner and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in both leukemia cell lines. CONCLUSION: Results show that compound 4 and compound 9 have potential as anti-cancer agents. In addition, compound 4 exerted NF-kB inhibition activity in leukemia cancer cells.

Synthetic approaches towards the multi target drug spironolactone and its potent analogues/derivatives.

Spironolactone is a well-known multi-target drug and is specifically used for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. It is also used for the treatment of edema, cirrhosis of the liver, malignant, pediatric, nephrosis and primary hyperaldosteronism. Spironolactone in association with thiazide diuretics treats hypertension and in association with furosemide treats bronchopulmonary dyspepsia. The therapeutic mechanism of action of spironolactone involves binding to intracellular mineralocorticoids receptors (MRs) in kidney epithelial cells, thereby inhibiting the binding of aldosterone. Since its first synthesis in 1957 there are several synthetic approaches have been reported throughout the years, Synthetic community has devoted efforts to improve the synthesis of spironolactone and to synthesize its analogues and derivatives. This review aims to provide comprehensive insight for the synthetic endeavors devoted towards the synthesis of a versatile drug spironolactone and its analogues/derivatives.

Enantioselective Assembly of Spirolactones through NHC-Catalyzed Remote γ-Carbon Addition of Enals with Isatins.

A chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalyzed formal [4 + 2] annulation of ß-methyl substituted enals with isatins was developed to construct six-membered spirolactones bearing highly congested quaternary carbon stereocentersin good yields and high enantioselectivities. The strategy realized a challenging remote γ-carbon addition of enals and chiral control of ß-methyl substituted enals in the presence of the NHC catalyst only.

Spirolactone and spirothiolactone rhodamine-pyrene probes for detection of Hg²âº with different sensing properties and its application in living cells.

Two new rhodamine B-based fluorescent probes PyRbS and PyRbO containing pyrene moiety were designed and synthesized. Both of the probes showed colorimetric and fluorometric sensing abilities for Hg(2+) with high selectivity over other metal ions. The binding analysis using Job's plot suggested 1:1 stoichiometry for the complexes formed for Hg(2+). Compared with PyRbO, the PyRbS showed higher selectivity and sensitivity due to the thiophilic property of Hg(2+) ion. The PyRbS exhibited the linear fluorescence quenching to Hg(2+) in the range of 0.3 to 4.8 µM (λ(ex)=365 nm) and 0.3 to 5.4 µM (λ(ex)=515 nm), and the detection limit was 0.72 µM. Moreover, ratiometric changes of PyRbS with Hg(2+) in absorption spectrum were observed, which could not be obtained in the combination of PyRbO with Hg(2+). In addition, the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay demonstrated that RbPyS had low cytotoxicity and was successfully used to monitor intracellular Hg(2+) levels in living cells.

Synthetic Study on Naphthospironone A: Construction of Benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octene Skeleton with Oxaspirocycle.

In connection with the total synthesis of naphthospironone A, a model study has revealed a promising approach to construct a benzobicyclo[3.2.1]octene skeleton possessing an oxaspirocycle by employing an intramolecular aldol cyclization.

A new approach towards the synthesis of drospirenone and steroidal spirolactones.

A general methodology for the synthesis of different steroidal 17-spirolactones is described. This method uses lithium acetylide of ethyl propiolate as the three carbon synthon and the method was successfully applied for the process development of drospirenone.

Stereoselective transformations of (+)-abietic acid into (+)-vitedoin B and (+)-negundoin A.

The first synthesis of spirolactone (+)-vitedoin B (14 steps, 8.0% global yield) and spiro enol ether (+)-negundoin A (19 steps, 3.7% global yield), via a nor-labdane acetoxy ester, has been achieved starting from commercial (+)-abietic acid.

Organocatalytic 1,4-conjugate addition of ascorbic acid to α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes: bio-inspired total syntheses of leucodrin, leudrin and proposed structure of dilaspirolactone.

The organocatalytic additions of ascorbic acid to various α,ß-unsaturated aldehydes via tandem 1,4-conjugate addition/hemiacetalization/hemiketalization were developed, which provided a rapid entry into the 5-5-5 spirodilactone cores of a family of ascorbylated natural products. Based on the described chemistry, total syntheses of leucodrin, leudrin and the proposed structure of dilaspirolactone were achieved.

Synthesis of spirolactone-type diterpenoid derivatives from kaurene-type oridonin with improved antiproliferative effects and their apoptosis-inducing activity in human hepatoma Bel-7402 cells.

A series of novel spirolactone-type diterpenoid derivatives of oridonin (12a-j) were designed and synthesized. All the target compounds showed improved anti-proliferative activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines and the most effective compound 12j was more potent than positive control Taxol in K562 and Bel-7402 cells with IC(50) values of 0.39 µM and 1.39 µM, respectively. The cellular mechanisms showed that compound 12j induced apoptosis at low micromolar concentrations in human hepatoma Bel-7402 cells. These results demonstrate that the spirolactone-type diterpenoid derivatives of oridonin have optimized growth inhibitory activity against cancer cells and interesting apoptosis-inducing ability.

A diastereoselective synthesis of 7α-nitromethyl steroid derivative and its use for an efficient synthesis of eplerenone.

A novel and efficient method of stereoselectively introducing α-nitromethyl group to C-7 position of 11α-hydroxyl canrenone 4 was described. In addition, this method was successfully applied in a total synthesis of Eplerenone 8. The route was characteristic of simple operation, moderate reaction conditions with 5 steps and 55% total yield, at the same time, without any expensive or toxic reagent in use.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of spirolactones bearing 2-ureidobenzothiophene as acetyl-CoA carboxylases inhibitors.

The co-crystal structure of the human acetyl-coenzyme A 2 (ACC2) carboxyl transferase domain and the reported compound CP-640186 (1b) suggested that two carbonyl groups are essential for potent ACC2 inhibition. By focusing on enhancing the interactions between the two carbonyl groups and the amino acid residues Gly(2162) and Glu(2230), we used ligand- and structure-based drug design to discover spirolactones bearing a 2-ureidobenzothiophene moiety.