Synthesis and Characterization of a New Class of Chromene-Azo Sulfonamide Hybrids as Promising Anticancer Candidates with the Exploration of Their EGFR, hCAII, and MMP-2 Inhibitors Based on Molecular Docking Assays.

In this study, novel selective antitumor compounds were synthesized based on their fundamental pharmacophoric prerequisites associated with EGFR inhibitors. A molecular hybridization approach was employed to design and prepare a range of 4H-chromene-3-carboxylates 7a-g, 8, and 11a-e derivatives, each incorporating a sulfonamide moiety. The structures of these hybrid molecules were verified using comprehensive analytical and spectroscopic techniques. During the assessment of the newly synthesized compounds for their anticancer properties against three tumor cell lines (HepG-2, MCF-7, and HCT-116), compounds 7f and 7g displayed remarkable antitumor activity against all tested cell lines, outperforming the reference drug Cisplatin in terms of efficacy. Consequently, these promising candidates were selected for further investigation of their anti-EGFR, hCAII, and MMP-2 potential, which exhibited remarkable effectiveness against EGFR and MMP2 when compared to Sorafenib. Additionally, docking investigations regarding the EGFR binding site were implemented for the targeted derivatives in order to attain better comprehension with respect to the pattern in which binding mechanics occur between the investigated molecules and the active site, which illustrated a higher binding efficacy in comparison with Sorafenib.

Synthesis of 9-Hydroxy-1H-Benzo[f]chromene Derivatives with Effective Cytotoxic Activity on MCF7/ADR, P-Glycoprotein Inhibitors, Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis Effects.

ß-Enaminonitriles bearing 9-hydroxy-1H-benzo[f]chromene moiety was synthesized. The targeted compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity against three human tumor cell lines, PC-3, SKOV-3 and HeLa, and the active cytotoxic compounds were further evaluated against cancer cells, MCF-7/ADR, and two normal cell lines, HFL-1 and WI-38. Few compounds were assigned to be the most potent derivatives against PC-3, SKOV-3 and HeLa cell lines in comparison with Vinblastine and Doxorubicin. Several compounds possessed a relatively good potency against MCF-7/ADR cells as compared with Doxorubicin and were tested as a P-gp inhibitor. Moreover, the halogenated substituents, 2,4-F2, 2,3-Cl2, 2,5-Cl2 and 3,4-Cl2; have good potency against P-gp-mediated MDR in MCF-7/ADR as compared with Doxorubicin. Meanwhile, Rho123 accumulation assays revealed that few compounds effectively inhibited P-pg and efflux function. In addition, certain derivatives induced apoptosis and an accumulation of the treated MCF-7/ADR cells in the G1, S and G1/S phases.

A New Family of Benzo[h]Chromene Based Azo Dye: Synthesis, In-Silico and DFT Studies with In Vitro Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Assessment.

The high biological activity of the chromene compounds coupled with the intriguing optical features of azo chromophores prompted our desire to construct novel derivatives of chromene incorporating azo moieties 4a-l, which have been prepared via a three-component reaction of 1-naphthalenol-4-[(4-ethoxyphenyl) azo], 1, with the benzaldehyde derivatives and malononitrile. The structural identities of the azo-chromene 4a-l were confirmed on the basis of their spectral data and elemental analysis, and a UV-visible study was performed in a Dimethylformamide (DMF) solution for these molecules. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity was investigated against four human pathogens (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria) and four fungi, employing an agar well diffusion method, with their minimum inhibitory concentrations being reported. Molecules 4a, 4g, and 4h were discovered to be more efficacious against Syncephalastrum racemosum (RCMB 05922) in comparison to the reference drugs, while compounds 4b and 4h demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) in evaluation against the reference drugs. Moreover, their cytotoxicity was assessed against three different human cell lines, including human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) with a selection of molecules illustrating potency against the HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines. Furthermore, the molecular modeling results depicted the binding interactions of the synthesized compounds 3b and 3h in the active site of the E. coli DNA gyrase B enzyme with a clear SAR (structure-activity relationship) analysis. Lastly, the density functional theory's (DFTs) theoretical calculations were performed to quantify the energy levels of the Frontier Molecular Orbitals (FMOs) and their energy gaps, dipole moments, and molecular electrostatic potentials. These data were utilized in the chemical descriptor estimations to confirm the biological activity.

Development of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Kaolin Sponges Stimulated by Marjoram as Hemostatic, Antibacterial, and Antioxidant Dressings for Wound Healing Promotion.

The predominant impediments to cutaneous wound regeneration are hemorrhage and bacterial infections that lead to extensive inflammation with lethal impact. We thus developed a series of composite sponges based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) inspired by marjoram essential oil and kaolin (PVA/marjoram/kaolin), adopting a freeze-thaw method to treat irregular wounds by thwarting lethal bleeding and microbial infections. Microstructure analyses manifested three-dimensional interconnected porous structures for PVA/marjoram/kaolin. Additionally, upon increasing marjoram and kaolin concentrations, the pore diameters of the sponges significantly increased, recording a maximum of 34 ± 5.8 µm for PVA-M0.5-K0.1. Moreover, the porosity and degradation properties of PVA/marjoram/kaolin sponges were markedly enhanced compared with the PVA sponge with high swelling capacity. Furthermore, the PVA/marjoram/kaolin sponges exerted exceptional antibacterial performance against Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus, along with remarkable antioxidant properties. Moreover, PVA/marjoram/kaolin sponges demonstrated significant thrombogenicity, developing high thrombus mass and hemocompatibility, in addition to their remarkable safety toward fibroblast cells. Notably, this is the first study to our knowledge investigating the effectiveness of marjoram in a polymeric carrier for prospective functioning as a wound dressing. Collectively, the findings suggest the prospective usage of the PVA-M0.5-K0.1 sponge in wound healing for hemorrhage and bacterial infection control.

A proficient microwave synthesis with structure elucidation and the exploitation of the biological behavior of the newly halogenated 3-amino-1H-benzo[f]chromene molecules, targeting dual inhibition of topoisomerase II and microtubules.

In our endeavors to develop novel and powerful agents with antiproliferative activities, a series of ß-enamionitriles, linked to the 8-bromo-1H-benzo[f]chromene moieties (4a-m), was designed and synthesized under microwave irradiation conditions. The structures of the target compounds were established on the basis of their spectral data: IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 13C NMR-DEPT/APT, 19F NMR and MS. Furthermore, the antiproliferative properties were evaluated against the human cancer cell lines MCF-7, HCT-116, and HepG-2 in comparison to the positive controls Vinblastine and Doxorubicin, employing the viability assay. The obtained results confirmed that most of the tested molecules revealed strong and selective cytotoxic activities against the three cancer cell lines. The most potent cytotoxic compounds 4b, 4d, 4e, 4i, and 4k were elected for further examination, such as the cell cycle analysis, the apoptosis assay, the Caspase production, and the DNA fragmentation. This study also revealed that the desired compounds stimulate cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phases, increase the production of Caspases 3, 8, and 9, and finally cause intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic cell death. Moreover, these compounds suppress the action of the topoisomerase II enzyme and also disrupt the microtubule functions. The SAR study of the synthesized compounds verified that the substitution on the phenyl ring of the 1H-benzo[f]chromene nucleus, accompanied with the presence of the bromine atom at the 8-position, increases the ability of these molecules against different cell lines.

Antimicrobial screening and pharmacokinetic profiling of novel phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline analogues targeting DHFR and E. coli DNA gyrase B.

A novel series of [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline derivatives of different heteroaromatization members were synthesized. The newly synthesized molecules were explored for their potential antimicrobial activities against a panel of pathogenic organisms. Among these derivatives, the chalcone compound 6e with a methoxy substituent exhibited broad potent antimicrobial activity against most of the bacterial and fungal strains. Furthermore, the analysis of the SAR disclosed that the linker and terminal aromatic fragments perform critical roles in exerting antibacterial activity. The molecular docking calculations were executed on two of the most bacterial targets, ATP-binding sites of DNA gyrase B, and the folate-binding site of DHFR enzymes. The results presented good binding data to the pockets of both enzymes showing different linkers contributions through the hydrogen-bonding and aromatic stacking interactions that stabilize the compounds in their pockets taking 6e compound as representative of most active analogs. In addition, good pharmacokinetic profiling data for the 6e compound was obtained and compared to reference drugs. Accordingly, our findings suggest that [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline scaffold is an interesting precursor for the design of potent antimicrobial agents with multitarget inhibition.

Synthesis, Biological Assessment, and Structure Activity Relationship Studies of New Flavanones Embodying Chromene Moieties.

Novel flavanones that incorporate chromene motifs are synthesized via a one-step multicomponent reaction. The structures of the new chromenes are elucidated by using IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and elemental analysis. The new compounds are screened for their in vitro antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. The antimicrobial properties are investigated and established against seven human pathogens, employing the agar well diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentrations. A majority of the assessed derivatives are found to exhibit significant antimicrobial activities against most bacterial strains, in comparison to standard reference drugs. Moreover, their cytotoxicity is appraised against four different human carcinoma cell lines: human colon carcinoma (HCT-116), human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and adenocarcinoma human alveolar basal epithelial cell (A-549). All the desired compounds are subjected to in-silico studies, forecasting their drug likeness, bioactivity, and the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties prior to their synthetic assembly. The in-silico molecular docking evaluation of all the targeted derivatives is undertaken on gyrase B and the cyclin-dependent kinase. The in-silico predicted outcomes were endorsed by the in vitro studies.

Microwave synthesis of novel halogenated ß-enaminonitriles linked 9-bromo-1H-benzo[f]chromene moieties: Induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human cancer cells via dual inhibition of topoisomerase I and II.

A novel series of halogenated ß-enaminonitriles (4a-m), linked 9-bromo-1H-benzo[f]-hromene moieties, were synthesized via microwave irradiation and were predestined for their cytotoxic activity versus three cancer cell lines, namely: MCF-7, HCT-116, and HepG-2. Several of the tested compounds showed high growth inhibitory activities versus the tumor cell lines. Particularly, compounds 4c, 4d, 4f, 4h, 4j, 4l, and 4m demonstrated superior antitumor activities against the aforementioned cell lines. Moreover, the apoptosis process in all the tested cells was induced by compounds 4c, 4d, 4h, 4l, and 4m, as observed by the Annexin V/PI double staining flow cytometric assay. The DNA flow, cytometric analysis revealed that these compounds prompted cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phases. Furthermore, the topoisomerase catalytic activity assays indicated that these compounds inhibited both the topoisomerase I and II enzymes.

First example of Azo-Sulfa conjugated chromene moieties: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial assessment, docking simulation as potent class I histone deacetylase inhibitors and antitumor agents.

This report presents the development of a novel and primary model of sulfonamide compounds encompassing a chromene azo motif with the intent of becoming applicable for drug candidates in the cases of drug-resistant pathogens. The novel molecules (7a-n) have been synthesized via a two-step reaction. First, 4-((2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)diazenyl)benzenesulfonamide (3a-e) were obtained through the reaction of their corresponding diazotized 4-aminobenzenesulfonamides (1a-e) with resorcinol, followed by the heterocyclization of 3a-e with arylidenemalononitriles (6a-d). Upon structural identification, the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Moreover, their cytotoxic screening was performed against three cancer cell lines: HCT-116, HepG-2, and MCF-7. Further examinations were comprised of the inhibitory effect analyses of the novel sulfonamide/chromene derivatives against the HDAC classes and the Tubulin polymerization in order to discern the prime antitumor drug candidates.

Antiproliferative effect, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis generation of novel synthesized anticancer heterocyclic derivatives based 4H-benzo[h]chromene.

Novel ß-enaminonitrile/ester compounds (4, 6) and an imidate of 4 (9) were utilized as key scaffolds for the synthesis of newly 2-substituted 4H-benzo[h]chromene (7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14) and 7H-benzo[h]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives (15-19). The spectral data confirmed the successful isolation of the desired compounds. The targeted compounds were assessed for their in vitro anticancer activity against mammary gland breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), human colon cancer (HCT-116), and liver cancer (HepG-2), while doxorubicin, vinblastine, and colchicine were utilized as standard references drugs. Some of the examined compounds displayed high growth inhibitory activity against the three different cell lines. For example, the aminoimino derivative (18) exhibited excellent antitumor activity versus all cancer cell lines with IC50 values = 0.45 µg/mL, 0.7 µg/mL, and 1.7 µg/mL. Among the tested molecules, compounds 9, 15, and 18 were selected for further study regarding their effects on cell cycle analysis, apoptosis assay, caspase 3/7 activity, and DNA fragmentation. We found that these three potent cytotoxic compounds induce cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases, which causes apoptosis. Furthermore, these compounds significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of the different tested cancer cells. Finally, the SAR survey highlighted the antitumor activity of the new molecules that was remarkably influenced by the hydrophilicity of substituent as well the fused rings at certain positions.

Design and Synthesis of Novel Heterocyclic-Based 4H-benzo[h]chromene Moieties: Targeting Antitumor Caspase 3/7 Activities and Cell Cycle Analysis.

Novel fused chromenes (4,7⁻11) and pyrimidines (12⁻16) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their mammary gland breast cancer (MCF-7), human colon cancer (HCT-116), and liver cancer (HepG-2) activities. The structural identity of the synthesized compounds was established according to their spectroscopic analysis, such as FT-IR, NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The preliminary results of the bioassay disclosed that some of the target compounds were proven to have a significant antiproliferative effect against the three cell lines, as compared to Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, and Colchicine, used as reference drugs. Particularly, compounds 7 and 14 exerted promising anticancer activity towards all cell lines and were chosen for further studies, such as cell cycle analysis, cell apoptosis, caspase 3/7 activity, DNA fragmentation, cell invasion, and migration. We found that these potent cytotoxic compounds induced cell cycle arrest at the S and G2/M phases, prompting apoptosis. Furthermore, these compounds significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of the different tested cancer cells. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) survey highlights that the antitumor activity of the desired compounds was affected by the hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the substituent at different positions.

Introducing novel potent anticancer agents of 1H-benzo[f]chromene scaffolds, targeting c-Src kinase enzyme with MDA-MB-231 cell line anti-invasion effect.

In our effort to develop novel and powerful agents with anti-proliferative activity, two new series of 1H-benzo[f]chromene derivatives, 4a-h and 6a-h, were synthesised using heterocyclocondensation methodologies under microwave irradiation condition. The structures of the target compounds were established on the basis of their spectral data, IR, 1H NMR, 13 C NMR, 13 C NMR-DEPT/APT, and MS data. The new compounds have been examined for their anti-proliferative activity against three cancer cell lines, MCF-7, HCT-116, and HepG-2. Vinblastine and Doxorubicin have been used as positive controls in the viability assay. The obtained results confirmed that most of the tested molecules revealed strong and selective cytotoxic activity against the three cancer cell lines. Moreover, these molecules exhibited weak cytotoxicity on the HFL-1 line, which suggested that they might be ideal anticancer candidates. The SAR study of the new benzochromene compounds verified that the substituents on the phenyl ring of 1H-benzo[f]chromene nucleus, accompanied with the presence of bromine atom or methoxy group at the 8-position, increases the ability of these molecules against the different cell lines. Due to their high anti-proliferative activity, compounds 4c and 6e were selected to be examined their proficiency to inhibit the invasiveness of the highly sensitive and invasive breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. The anti-invasion behaviour of these molecules against the highly sensitive, non-oestrogen, and progesterone MDA-MB-231 cell line gave rise to their decreasing metastatic effect compared to the reference drug. Furthermore, this report explores the apoptotic mechanistic pathway of the cytotoxicity of the target compounds and reveals that most of these compounds enhance the Caspase 3/7 activity that could be considered as potential anticancer agents.

Synthesis, in-vitro cytotoxicity of 1H-benzo[f]chromene derivatives and structure-activity relationships of the 1-aryl group and 9-position.

A series of 1H-benzo[f]chromene-2-carbonitriles was synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, HCT-116, and HepG-2 cancer cells. The SAR studies reported that the substitution in the phenyl ring at 1-position of 1H-benzo[f]chromene nucleus with the specific group, H atom, or methoxy group at 9-position increases the ability of the molecule against the different cell lines.

Design of New Benzo[h]chromene Derivatives: Antitumor Activities and Structure-Activity Relationships of the 2,3-Positions and Fused Rings at the 2,3-Positions.

A series of novel 4H-benzo[h]chromenes 4, 6-11, 13, 14; 7H-benzo[h]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidines 15-18, 20, and 14H-benzo[h]chromeno[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine derivatives 19a-e, 24 was prepared. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized on the basis of their spectral data. Some of the target compounds were examined for their antiproliferative activity against three cell lines; breast carcinoma (MCF-7), human colon carcinoma (HCT-116) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2). The cytotoxic behavior has been tested using MTT assay and the inhibitory activity was referenced to three standard anticancer drugs: vinblastine, colchicine and doxorubicin. The bioassays demonstrated that some of the new compounds exerted remarkable inhibitory effects as compared to the standard drugs on the growth of the three tested human tumor cell lines. The structure-activity relationships (SAR) study highlights that the antitumor activity of the target compounds was significantly affected by the lipophilicity of the substituent at 2- or 3- and fused rings at the 2,3-positions.

Structural Characterization and Antimicrobial Activities of 7H-Benzo[h]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidine and 14H-Benzo[h]chromeno[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c] pyrimidine Derivatives.

Three new series of chromene molecules have been synthesized in order to explore their antimicrobial activity. The series encompass 2-substituted 14-(4-halophenyl)-12-methoxy-14H-benzo[h]chromeno[3,2-e][1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines 7a-o, 9-benzylideneamino-7-(4-halo-phenyl)-5-methoxy-8-imino-7H-benzo-[h]chromeno[2,3-d]pyrimidines 8a-b and 3-ethoxycarbonyl-14-(4-halophenyl)-12-methoxy-14H-benzo-[h]chromeno[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine-2-one derivatives 12a-b. The structure of these novel compounds were confirmed using IR, ¹H- and 13C-NMR as well as MS spectroscopy. The new compounds were evaluated in vitro for their antimicrobial activity and it was demonstrated that 7H-benzochromenopyrimidine and derivatives of 14H-benzochromenotriazolopyrimidine exhibited the most promising antibacterial activities compared to the reference antimicrobial agents. The structure activity relationship (SAR) studies of the target compounds agreed with the in vitro essays and confirmed higher potent antimicrobial activity against some of the tested microorganisms.

DFT and In-silico Investigations, along with In-vitro Antitumor and Antimicrobial Assessments of Pharmacological Molecules.

BACKGROUND: Molecules bearing an active methylene bridge are one of the most fruitful and remarkable precursors that have been incorporated into the synthetic strategy of an assortment of bioactive compounds. OBJECTIVE: The reactive methylene derivatives have been endowed with multiple reactions, which target biological and medicinal applications and result from their structural diversity and discrete reactivity. METHODS: The present report endeavors to synthesize, characterize, and in-vitro evaluate several novel propanoic acids, coumarin, and pyrazole derivatives as antimicrobial and antiproliferative agents. The in-silico molecular docking, physicochemical, pharmacokinetic/ADMET, bioactivity, and drug-likeness predictions were conducted for all the synthesized compounds. RESULTS: The highest docking score is -9.9 and -8.3 kcal/mol, respectively, for compound 9 (azocoumarin) and 13 (acrylic acid derivative) with the target proteins E. coli topoisomerase II, DNA gyrase subunit B and PI3K p110α domain, respectively. Moreover, this study predicts the synthesized molecules that may inhibit the novel COVID-19, obtained through virtual screenings only, where compounds 9, 13, 14, 17, and 19 came to the limelight with good docking scores i.e., more than -8 Kcal/mol. Safety profiling of the most potent compound 9 was utilized against normal cell lines and the hemolytic effect on RBCs. CONCLUSION: The in-silico ADMET studies of the synthesized compounds revealed moderate to good -likeness, high gastro intestinal (GI) absorption, and inhibiting the Cytochrome CYP2C19 and CYP2C9 and all the derivatives possess non-cancerous nature. The in-vitro screening demonstrated that several of the novel molecules are promising drug candidates. The density functional theory (DFT) theoretical calculations were performed to calculate the energy levels of the FMOs and their energy gaps, dipolemoment, andmolecular electrostatic potential. Such parameters, along with the physicochemical parameters, could be a good tool to confirm biological activity.

Novel 2-Hydroselenonicotinonitriles and Selenopheno[2, 3-b]pyridines: Efficient Synthesis, Molecular Docking-DFT Modeling, and Antimicrobial Assessment.

Selenium containing heterocyclic compounds gained great interest as bioactive molecules as of late. This report explores the design, synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial screening of new pyridine derivatives endowed with selenium moieties. A one-pot multicomponent system with a solvent-free, microwave irradiation environment was employed to afford this series. The spectroscopic techniques were exploited to verify the structures of the synthesized derivatives. Additionally, the agar diffusion method was employed to determine the antimicrobial activity of all the desired compounds. Of all the synthesized molecules, 9b, 12b, 14f, and 16d exhibited well to remarkable antibacterial and antifungal activities. Moreover, derivative 14f demonstrated the most potent antibacterial and antifungal performance. The results were also supported by molecular docking studies, utilizing the MOE (molecular operating environment) which revealed the best binding mode with the highest energy interaction within the binding pocket. Lastly, theoretical DFT calculations were carried out in a gas phase at B3LYP 6-311G (d,p) basis set to predict the molecular geometries and chemical reactivity descriptors. DFT results have been used to illustrate that molecular docking findings and biological activity assessments.

A photochemical route to discrete, ternary metal chalcogenide clusters.

Ternary clusters Cu(9)In(10)S(9)(SEt)(21)(PPh(3))(3) and Cu(11)In(6)S(7)(S(t)Bu)(15) were isolated from the UV-photolysis products of precursors (PPh(3))(2)CuIn(SEt)(4) and (PPh(3))(2)CuIn(S(t)Bu)(4), respectively, and structurally characterized.

Structure-activity relationships and molecular docking studies of chromene and chromene based azo chromophores: A novel series of potent antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

The design of novel materials with significant biological properties is a main target in drug design research. Chromene compounds represent an interesting medicinal scaffold in drug replacement systems. This report illustrates a successful synthesis and characterization of two novel series of chromene compounds using multi-component reactions. The synthesis of the first example of azo chromophores containing chromene moieties has also been established using the same methodology. The antimicrobial activity of the new molecules has been tested against seven human pathogens including two Gm+ve, two Gm-ve bacteria, and four fungi, and the results of the inhibition zones with minimum inhibitory concentrations were reported as compared to reference drugs. All the designed compounds showed significant potent antimicrobial activities, among of them, four potent compounds 4b, 4c, 13e, and 13i showed promising MIC from 0.007 to 3.9 µg/mL. In addition, antiproliferative analysis against three target cell lines was examined for the novel compounds. Compounds 4a, 4b, 4c, and 7c possessed significant antiproliferative activity against three cell lines with an IC50 of 0.3 to 2 µg/mL. Apoptotic analysis was performed for the most potent compounds via caspase enzyme activity assays as a potential mechanism for their antiproliferative effects. Finally, the computational 2D QSAR and docking simulations were accomplished for structure-activity relationship analyses.

Design of Thermochromic Polynorbornene Bearing Spiropyran Chromophore Moieties: Synthesis, Thermal Behavior and Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Treatment.

A new class of thermochromic polynorbornene with pendent spiropyran moieties has been synthesized. Functionalization of norbornene monomers with spirobenzopyran moieties has been achieved using Steglich esterification. These new monomeric materials were polymerized via Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP). In spite of their poor solubility, polynorbornenes with spirobenzopyran exhibited thermochromic behavior due to the conversion of their closed spiropyran moieties to the open merocyanine form. Moreover, these polymers displayed bathochromic shifts in their optical response, which was attributed to the J-aggregation of the attached merocyanine moieties that were associated with their high concentration in the polymeric chain. The surface of the obtained polymers was exposed to atmospheric pressure air Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma system, which resulted in the reduction of the surface porosity and converted some surface area into completely non-porous regions. Moreover, the plasma system created some areas with highly ordered J-aggregates of the merocyanine form in thread-like structures. This modification of the polymers' morphology may alter their applications and allow for these materials to be potential candidates for new applications, such as non-porous membranes for reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, or molecular separation in the gas phase.