Redox-cycling and intercalating properties of novel mixed copper(II) complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs tolfenamic, mefenamic and flufenamic acids and phenanthroline functionality: Structure, SOD-mimetic activity, interaction with albumin, DNA damage study and anticancer activity.

Copper(II) complexes containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been the subject of many research papers and reviews. Here we report the synthesis, spectroscopic study and biological activity of novel mixed copper(II) complexes with NSAIDs: tolfenamic (tolf), mefenamic (mef) and flufenamic (fluf) acids and phenanthroline (phen): [Cu(tolf-O,O')2(phen)] (1), [Cu(mef-O,O')2(phen)] (2), [Cu(fluf-O,O')2(phen)] (3). Complexes were characterized by X-ray analysis and EPR spectroscopy. Complexes 1-3 are monomeric, six-coordinate and crystallize in a monoclinic space group. Interaction of Cu(II) complexes with DNA was studied by means of absorption titrations, viscosity measurements and gel electrophoresis. The relative ability of the complexes to cleave DNA even in the absence of hydrogen peroxide is in the order 3 > 2 > 1. Application of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, L-histidine, DMSO and SOD confirmed that singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radicals (Fenton reaction) and superoxide radical were formed, respectively. Thus, in addition to mechanism of intercalation, redox-cycling mechanism which in turn lead to the formation of ROS contribute to DNA damage. Cu(II) complexes exhibit excellent SOD-mimetic activity in the order 3~1 > 2. The fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that albumin may act as a targeted drug delivery vehicle for Cu(II) complexes (K~106). The anticancer activities of complexes 1-3 were investigated using an MTS assay (reduction of the tetrazolium compound) against three cancer cell lines (HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma, HeLa and T-47D breast cancer cells) and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). The most promising compound, from the viewpoint of its NSAID biological activity is 3, due to the presence of the three fluorine atoms participating in the formation of weak hydrogen-bonds at the DNA surface.

Potent and selective aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) inhibitors based on the benzoisoxazole moiety: application of a bioisosteric scaffold hopping approach to flufenamic acid.

The aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) isoform plays a vital role in the biosynthesis of androgens and is considered an attractive target in prostate cancer (PCa). No AKR1C3-targeted agent has to date been approved for clinical use. Flufenamic acid and indomethacine are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs known to inhibit AKR1C3 in a non-selective manner as COX off-target effects are also observed. Recently, we employed a scaffold hopping approach to design a new class of potent and selective AKR1C3 inhibitors based on a N-substituted hydroxylated triazole pharmacophore. Following a similar strategy, we designed a new series focused around an acidic hydroxybenzoisoxazole moiety, which was rationalised to mimic the benzoic acid role in the flufenamic scaffold. Through iterative rounds of drug design, synthesis and biological evaluation, several compounds were discovered to target AKR1C3 in a selective manner. The most promising compound of series (6) was found to be highly selective (up to 450-fold) for AKR1C3 over the 1C2 isoform with minimal COX1 and COX2 off-target effects. Other inhibitors were obtained modulating the best example of hydroxylated triazoles we previously presented. In cell-based assays, the most promising compounds of both series reduced the cell proliferation, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and testosterone production in AKR1C3-expressing 22RV1 prostate cancer cells and showed synergistic effect when assayed in combination with abiraterone and enzalutamide. Structure determination of AKR1C3 co-crystallized with one representative compound from each of the two series clearly identified both compounds in the androstenedione binding site, hence supporting the biochemical data.

Novel Zn(II) complexes with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory ligand, flufenamic acid: Characterization, topoisomerase I inhibition activity, DNA and HSA binding studies.

A series of new Zn(II) complexes with flufenamic acid (flu) has been synthesized, namely [Zn3(dmso)2(flu)6] (1), [Zn3(flu)6(py)2] (2), [Zn(flu)2(tmen)] (3), [ZnCl(flu)(neo)] (4), and [Zn(cyclam)(flu)2] (5), where py=pyridine, tmen=N,N,N',N'-Tetramethylethylene diamine, neo=2,9-Dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and cyclam=1,4,8,11-Tetraazacyclotetradecane. These complexes have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, elemental and thermal analysis. All complexes contain deprotonated flufenamic acid coordinated via carboxylato group to zinc atoms, but their structures differ in the carboxylato binding mode, the coordination number of the central atom, the shape of the coordination polyhedra and the resultant supramolecular structures. Furthermore, an interaction of complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) and human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated by spectroscopic techniques. Moreover, the complexes 1 and 2 inhibit the catalytic activity of topoisomerase I at 60µM.

Pharmaceutical Co-Crystal of Flufenamic Acid: Synthesis and Characterization of Two Novel Drug-Drug Co-Crystal.

Two novel pharmaceutical co-crystals of anti-inflammatory drug flufenamic acid (FFA) with 2-chloro-4-nitrobenzoic acid (CNB) and ethenzamide (ETZ) have been synthesized by solvent evaporation method as well as by solvent drop-assisted grinding method. The synthesized co-crystals were characterized thoroughly by various spectroscopic methods and crystal structures were determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction technique. In FFA-CNB co-crystal, robust supramolecular acid-acid homosynthon was observed. FFA-ETZ co-crystal is formed via robust supramolecular acid-amide heterosynthon. In FTIR spectra, a significant shift in the carbonyl stretching frequency was observed for the co-crystals due to the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bond. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance study suggests the presence of hydrogen bond in the solution state of FFA-ETZ co-crystal; however, it was absent for FFA-CNB co-crystal. Solubility study in Millipore water revealed that the solubility of FFA is increased by 2-fold when it is in the form of FFA-CNB co-crystal and no increment in the solubility of FFA was observed in FFA-ETZ co-crystal. About 5-fold increment in the solubility of FFA was observed in both the co-crystals in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1) solution. The synthesized co-crystals were found to be non-hygroscopic at ∼75% relative humidity and stable for a period of 6 months at ambient temperature (∼25°C).

Pentafluorosulfanyl-containing flufenamic acid analogs: Syntheses, properties and biological activities.

Pentafluorosulfanyl-containing analogs of flufenamic acid have been synthesized in high yields. Computationally, pKa, LogP and LogD values have been determined. Initial bioactivity studies reveal effects as ion channel modulators and inhibitory activities on aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3) as well as COX-1 and COX-2.

Aminocarbonyloxymethyl ester prodrugs of flufenamic acid and diclofenac: suppressing the rearrangement pathway in aqueous media.

Aminocarbonyloxymethyl ester prodrugs are known to undergo rearrangement in aqueous solutions to form the corresponding N-acylamine side product via an O-->N intramolecular acyl transfer from the carbamate conjugate base. Novel aminocarbonyloxymethyl esters of diclofenac and flufenamic acid containing amino acid amide carriers were synthesized and evaluated as potential prodrugs displaying less ability to undergo rearrangement. These compounds were prepared in reasonable yield by a four-step synthetic method that uses the appropriate N-Boc-protected amino acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester and secondary amine and chloromethyl chloroformate as key reactants. Their reactivity in pH 7.4 buffer and 80% human plasma at 37 degrees C was assessed by RP-HPLC. The aminocarbonyloxymethyl esters containing a secondary carbamate group derived from amino acids such as glycine or phenylalanine were hydrolyzed quantitatively to the parent drug both in non-enzymatic and enzymatic conditions, with no rearrangement product being detected. The oral bioavailability in rats was determined for selected diclofenac derivatives. These derivatives displayed a bioavailability of 25 to 68% relative to that of diclofenac, probably due to their poor aqueous solubility and lipophilicity. These results suggest that further optimization of aminocarbonyloxymethyl esters as potential prodrugs for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs require the use of amino acid carriers with ionizable groups to improve aqueous solubility.

Synthesis of the cholesteryl ester prodrugs cholesteryl ibuprofen and cholesteryl flufenamate and their formulation into phospholipid microemulsions.

Phospholipid micoremulsions have been suggested as a drug-delivery system for hydrophobic compounds. In this study hydrophobicity was achieved by derivatizing with cholesterol. Cholesteryl ibuprofen (3) and cholesteryl flufenamate (4) were synthesized. 3 was isolated as an amorphous, white solid with a melting range of 114-120 degrees C. 4 was isolated as a crystalline, white solid with a melting range of 145-148 degrees C. The proposed structures of 3 and 4 were supported by IR, NMR, MS, and organic microanalysis. Phospholipid:cholesteryl ester microemulsions were prepared by the addition of a 1-propanol solution of the cholesteryl ester, other lipids, and phospholipid to a rapidly mixing KCl/KBr solution. The hydrophobic phase was modified by the addition of cholesteryl oleate or triolein to study the effect of the fluidity of the hydrophobic core on the formation of the microemulsions. The results indicated that a molar ratio of 75:25 and a total lipid concentration of 60 mg/mL consistently gave microemulsions with a mean size of 100-150 nm. In addition, the formation of eutectic mixtures of 3 and 4 with cholesteryl oleate were determined to be 16% (w/w) for 3 and 12% (w/w) for 4; melting points were 35.2 and 45.2 degrees C, respectively. The solubilities of 3 and 4 in triolein were determined to be 13.2% (w/w) and 11.5% (w/w), respectively. Other investigators have shown that if the core of a phospholipid:cholesteryl estermicroemulsion exists in a liquid state at physiologic temperature, the turnover of the cholesteryl esters from these microemulsions occurs at a faster rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[On the chemistry of etofenamate, a novel anti-inflammatory agent from the series of N-arylanthranilic acid derivatives (author's transl)]. / Zur Chemie von Etofenamat, einem Antiphlogistikum aus der Klasse der N-Arylanthranilsäurederivate.

Etofenamate is 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethyl-N-(a,a,a,-trifluorom-tolyl)anthranilate and has been selected as an antiphlogistic agent for percutaneous therapy. Its characteristic alcohol-ether-ester structure brings about an increase in lipophilia and in its ability to penetrate through the intact skin. Furthermore, its oily consistency renders it ideal for pharmaceutical formulation in gels. The physico-chemical material constants, partition coefficients (RM values) as a measure for lipophilia, spectra and molecular models of etofenamate are described. Various methods of synthesis of etofenamate and of its intermediates are described. Structural identification is made of by-products simultaneously obtained in the reaction. Pure etofenamate is obtained through repeated molecular distillation. The synthesis is carried out uniformly with protected reaction components and, after splitting off the protective groups, extremely pure etofenamate is obtained.