Synthesis of a new 2-prenylated quinoline as potential drug for metabolic syndrome with pan-PPAR activity and anti-inflammatory effects.

We have previously reported the total synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of 2-prenylated benzopyrans with PPAR agonist activity. Herein, we have described the synthesis and PPAR activity of 2-prenylated benzopyrans and 2-prenylated quinolines. The benzopyran nucleus was generated via enamine-catalyzed Kabbe condensation, and the quinoline nucleus via Friedländer condensation. Results demonstrated that both benzopyran (5a) and quinoline (4b) derivatives bearing a γ,δ-unsaturated ester displayed a pan-PPAR agonism. They were full PPARα agonists, but showed different preferences for PPARγ and PPARß/δ activation. It was noteworthy that quinoline 4b displayed full hPPARα activation (2-fold than WY-14,643), weak PPARß/δ and partial PPARγ activation. In addition, quinoline 4b showed anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages by reducing LPS-induced expression of both MCP-1 and IL-6. Therefore, 4b emerges as a first-in-class promising hit compound for the development of potential therapeutics aimed at treating metabolic syndrome, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and its associated cardiovascular comorbidities.

Anti-inflammatory effects and improved metabolic derangements in ob/ob mice by a newly synthesized prenylated benzopyran with pan-PPAR activity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are widely used to treat metabolic complications; however, the limited effect of PPARα agonists on glucose metabolism and the adverse effects associated with selective PPARγ activators have stimulated the development of novel pan-PPAR agonists to treat metabolic disorders. Here, we synthesized a new prenylated benzopyran (BP-2) and evaluated its PPAR-activating properties, anti-inflammatory effects and impact on metabolic derangements. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: BP-2 was used in transactivation assays to evaluate its agonism to PPARα, PPARß/δ and PPARγ. A parallel-plate flow chamber was employed to investigate its effect on TNFα-induced leukocyte-endothelium interactions. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to determine its effects on the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) and chemokines and p38-MAPK/NF-κB activation. PPARs/RXRα interactions were determined using a gene silencing approach. Analysis of its impact on metabolic abnormalities and inflammation was performed in ob/ob mice. KEY RESULTS: BP-2 displayed strong PPARα activity, with moderate and weak activity against PPARß/δ and PPARγ, respectively. In vitro, BP-2 reduced TNFα-induced endothelial ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and fractalkine/CX3CL1 expression, suppressed mononuclear cell arrest via PPARß/δ-RXRα interactions and decreased p38-MAPK/NF-κB activation. In vivo, BP-2 improved the circulating levels of glucose and triglycerides in ob/ob mice, suppressed T-lymphocyte/macrophage infiltration and proinflammatory markers in the liver and white adipose tissue, but increased the expression of the M2-like macrophage marker CD206. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: BP-2 emerges as a novel pan-PPAR lead candidate to normalize glycemia/triglyceridemia and minimize inflammation in metabolic disorders, likely preventing the development of further cardiovascular complications.

Synthesis and biological studies of "Polycerasoidol" and "trans-δ-Tocotrienolic acid" derivatives as PPARα and/or PPARγ agonists.

2-Prenylated benzopyrans represent a class of natural and synthetic compounds showing a wide range of significant activities. Polycerasoidol is a natural prenylated benzopyran isolated from the stem bark of Polyalthia cerasoides (Annonaceae) that exhibits dual PPARα/γ agonism and an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting mononuclear leukocyte adhesion to the dysfunctional endothelium. Herein, we report the synthesis of three new series of prenylated benzopyrans containing one (series 1), two (series 2, "polycerasoidol" analogs) and three (series 3, "trans-δ-tocotrienolic acid" analogs) isoprenoid units in the hydrocarbon side chain at the 2-position of the chroman-6-ol (6-hydroxy-dihydrobenzopyran) scaffold. Isoprenoid moieties were introduced through a Grignard reaction sequence, followed by Johnson-Claisen rearrangement and subsequent Wittig olefination. hPPAR transactivation activity and the structure activity relationships (SAR) of eleven novel synthesized 2-prenylated benzopyrans were explored. PPAR transactivation activity demonstrated that the seven-carbon side chain analogs (series 1) displayed selectivity for hPPARα, while the nine-carbon side chain analogs (polycerasoidol analogs, series 2) did so for hPPARγ. The side chain elongation to 11 or 13 carbons (series 3) resulted in weak dual PPARα/γ activation. Therefore, 2-prenylated benzopyrans of seven- and nine-carbon side chain (polycerasoidol analogs) are good lead compounds for developing useful candidates to prevent cardiovascular diseases associated with metabolic disorders.

1-(2'-Bromobenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-N-methyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline and 1,2-Demethyl-nuciferine as Agonists in Human D2 Dopamine Receptors.

Certain D2-like dopamine receptor (DR) agonists are useful therapeutically as antiparkinsonian drugs, whereas D2-like DR antagonists or partial agonists are proven effective as antipsychotics. Two isoquinoline derivatives, 1-(2'-bromobenzyl)-6,7-dihydroxy-N-methyl-tetrahydroisoquinoline (Br-BTHIQ, 1) and 1,2-demethyl-nuciferine (aporphine, 2), were herein synthesized, and their dopaminergic affinity in cloned human D2R, D3R, and D4R subtypes and their behavior as agonists/antagonists were evaluated. They showed affinity values (Ki) for hD2, hD3, and hD4 DR within the nanomolar range. The trends in affinity were hD4R ≫ hD3R > hD2R for Br-BTHIQ (1) and hD2R > hD4R > hD3R for 1,2-demethyl-nuciferine (2). The functional assays of cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling at human D2R showed a partial agonist effect for Br-BTHIQ (1) and full agonist behavior for aporphine (2), with half maximal effective concentration values of 2.95 and 10.2 µM, respectively. Therefore, both isoquinolines 1 and 2 have emerged as lead molecules for the synthesis of new therapeutic drugs that ultimately may be useful to prevent schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, respectively.

Synthesis of benzopyran derivatives as PPARα and/or PPARγ activators.

We describe the synthesis of 26 compounds, small polycerasoidol analogs, that are Lipinski's rule-of-five compliant. In order to confirm key structural features to activate PPARα and/or PPARγ, we have adopted structural modifications in the following parts: (i) the benzopyran core (hydrophobic nucleus) by benzopyran-4-one, dihydrobenzopyran or benzopyran-4-ol; (ii) the side chain at 2-position by shortening to C3, C4 and C5-carbons versus C-9-carbons of polycerasoidol; (iii) the carboxylic group (polar head) by oxygenated groups (hydroxyl, acetoxy, epoxide, ester, aldehyde) or non-oxygenated motifs (allyl and alkyl). Benzopyran-4-ones 6, 12, 13 and 17 as well as dihydrobenzopyrans 22, 24 and 25 were able to activate hPPARα, whereas benzopyran-4-one (7) with C5-carbons in the side chain exhibited hPPARγ agonism. According to our previous docking studies, SAR confirm that the hydrophobic nucleus (benzopyran-4-one or dihydrobenzopyran) is essential to activate PPARα and/or PPARγ, and the flexible linker (side alkyl chain) should containg at least C5-carbon atoms to activate PPARγ. By contrast, the polar head ("carboxylic group") tolerated several oxygenated groups but also non-oxygenated motifs. Taking into account these key structural features, small polycerasoidol analogs might provide potential active molecules useful in the treatment of dyslipidemia and/or type 2 diabetes.

Polycerasoidol, a Natural Prenylated Benzopyran with a Dual PPARα/PPARγ Agonist Activity and Anti-inflammatory Effect.

Dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α/γ (PPARα/γ) agonists regulate both lipid and glucose homeostasis under different metabolic conditions and can exert anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the potential dual PPARα/γ agonism of prenylated benzopyrans polycerasoidol (1) and polycerasoidin (2) and their derivatives for novel drug development. Nine semisynthetic derivatives were prepared from the natural polycerasoidol (1) and polycerasoidin (2), which were evaluated for PPARα, -γ, -δ and retinoid X receptor-α activity in transactivation assays. Polycerasoidol (1) exhibited potent dual PPARα/γ agonism and low cytotoxicity. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed that a free phenol group at C-6 and a carboxylic acid at C-9' were key features for dual PPARα/γ agonism activity. Molecular modeling indicated the relevance of these groups for optimal ligand binding to the PPARα and PPARγ domains. In addition, polycerasoidol (1) exhibited a potent anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting mononuclear leukocyte adhesion to the dysfunctional endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner via RXRα/PPARγ interactions. Therefore, polycerasoidol (1) can be considered a hit-to-lead molecule for the further development of novel dual PPARα/γ agonists capable of preventing cardiovascular events associated with metabolic disorders.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitors with anti-inflammatory activity.

The synthesis of inhibitors of SphK2 with novel structural scaffolds is reported. These compounds were designed from a molecular modeling study, in which the molecular interactions stabilizing the different complexes were taken into account. Particularly interesting is that 7-bromo-2-(2-phenylethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1,4-epoxynaphtho[1,2-b]azepine, which is a selective inhibitor of SphK2, does not exert any cytotoxic effects and has a potent anti-inflammatory effect. It was found to inhibit mononuclear cell adhesion to the dysfunctional endothelium with minimal impact on neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions. The information obtained from our theoretical and experimental study can be useful in the search for inhibitors of SphK2 that play a prominent role in different diseases, especially in inflammatory and cardiovascular disorders.

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of cadiolides A, B and C and analogues.

The one-pot multicomponent synthesis of natural butenolides named cadiolides A, B, C and analogues has been realized. The antibacterial structure activity relationship shows that the presence of phenolic hydroxyl groups and the number and position of bromine atoms on the different aromatic rings are important features for antibacterial activity, besides it was demonstrated the tolerance of both benzene and furan ring at position 3 of the butenolide nucleus. Furthermore, none of the most relevant antibacterial compounds showed any cytotoxicity in freshly isolated human neutrophils.

Synthesis of new melatoninergic hexahydroindenopyridines.

Hexahydroindenopyridine (HHIP) is an interesting heterocyclic framework that contains an indene core similar to ramelteon. This type of tricyclic piperidines aroused our interest as potential melatoninergic ligands. Melatonin receptor ligands have applications in insomnia and depression. We report herein an efficient two-step method to prepare new HHIP by the reaction of an enamine with 3-bromopropylamine hydrobromide. Some synthesized compounds showed moderate affinity for melatonin receptors in the nanomolar or low micromolar range. Furthermore, the methylenedioxy HHIPs 2d (N-phenylacetamide) and 2f (N,N-diethylacetamide), exhibited high selectivity at MT1 or MT2 receptors, respectively, when compared with melatonin. It seems that the methylenedioxy group on the indene ring system and the N-acetamide substituent are important structural features to bind selectively MT1 or MT2 subtypes.

Benzopyran hydrazones with dual PPARα/γ or PPARα/δ agonism and an anti-inflammatory effect on human THP-1 macrophages.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play a major role in regulating inflammatory processes, and dual or pan-PPAR agonists with PPARγ partial activation have been recognised to be useful to manage both metabolic syndrome and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Previous works have demonstrated the capacity of 2-prenylated benzopyrans as PPAR ligands. Herein, we have replaced the isoprenoid bond by hydrazone, a highly attractive functional group in medicinal chemistry. In an attempt to discover novel and safety PPAR activators, we efficiently prepared benzopyran hydrazone/hydrazine derivatives containing benzothiazole (series 1) or 5-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)-2-pyridine moiety (series 2) with a 3- or 7-carbon side chain at the 2-position of the benzopyran nucleus. Benzopyran hydrazones 4 and 5 showed dual hPPARα/γ agonism, while hydrazone 14 exerted dual hPPARα/δ agonism. These three hydrazones greatly attenuated inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and MCP-1 on the THP-1 macrophages via NF-κB activation. Therefore, we have discovered novel hits (4, 5 and 14), containing a hydrazone framework with dual PPARα/γ or PPARα/δ partial agonism, depending on the length of the side chain. Benzopyran hydrazones emerge as potential lead compounds which could be useful for treating metabolic diseases.

Enhanced efficacy and broadening of antibacterial action of drugs via the use of capped mesoporous nanoparticles.

Bug busters: A novel nanodevice consisting of mesoporous nanoparticles loaded with vancomycin and capped with ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL) was prepared and its interaction with different Gram-negative bacteria studied. A remarkable improvement in the efficacy of the antimicrobial drug ε-PL and a broadening of the antimicrobial spectrum of vancomycin is demonstrated.

3,4-Dihydroxy- and 3,4-methylenedioxy- phenanthrene-type alkaloids with high selectivity for D2 dopamine receptor.

Dopamine-mediated neurotransmission plays an important role in relevant psychiatric and neurological disorders. Nowadays, there is an enormous interest in the development of new drugs acting at the dopamine receptors (DR) as potential new targets for the treatment of schizophrenia or Parkinson's disease. Previous studies have revealed that isoquinoline compounds such as tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs) can behave as selective D2 dopaminergic alkaloids. In the present study we have synthesized five aporphine compounds and five phenanthrene alkaloids and evaluated their potential dopaminergic activity. Binding studies on rat striatal membranes were used to evaluate their affinity and selectivity towards D1 and D2 DR. Phenanthrene type alkaloids, in particular the 3,4-dihydroxy- and 3,4-methylenedioxy derivatives, displayed high selectivity towards D2 DR. Therefore, they are potential candidates to be used in the treatment of schizophrenia (antagonists) or Parkinson's disease (agonists) due to their scarce D1 DR-associated side effects.

Novel isoquinoline derivatives as antimicrobial agents.

The wide variety of potent biological activities of natural and synthetic isoquinoline alkaloids encouraged us to develop novel antimicrobial isoquinoline compounds. We synthesized a variety of differently functionalized 1-pentyl-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQs), including dihydroisoquinolinium salts (2 and 5), methyl pentanoate-THIQ (6), 1-pentanol-THIQ (7), ester derivatives (8-15) and carbamate derivatives (16-23). We employed classic intramolecular Bischler-Napieralski cyclodehydration to generate the isoquinoline core. All the structures were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The bactericide and fungicide activities were evaluated for all the synthesized compounds and structure-activity relationships were established. Many compounds exhibited high and broad-range bactericidal activity. Fluorophenylpropanoate ester 13 and the halogenated phenyl- (17, 18) and phenethyl carbamates (21, 22) exerted the most remarkable bactericidal activity. However, few compounds displayed antifungal activity against most of the fungi tested. Among them, chlorinated derivatives like chlorobenzoate and chlorophenylpropanoate esters (10 and 14, respectively) and chlorophenethyl carbamate 22, exhibited the greatest antifungal activity.

Synthesis of 2-aminopropyl benzopyran derivatives as potential agents against triple-negative breast cancer.

Synthesis of three series of 2-aminopropyl derivatives containing a benzopyran nucleus was performed to evaluate their performance against triple-negative breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-436) and normal breast epithelial cells (MCF10A). For the three series, the cytotoxic activity was as follows: N-methylated derivatives (tertiary amines) 5b, 6b, and 7b > secondary amine benzopyrans 5, 6, and 7 > quaternary amine salts 5c, 6c, and 7c > free phenolic derivatives 5a, 6a, and 7a. The structure-activity relationship showed the importance of the presence of an amine group and a p-fluorobenzyloxy substituent in the chromanol ring (IC50 values from 1.5 µM to 58.4 µM). In addition, 5a, 5b, 6a, and 7b displayed slight selectivity towards tumor cells. Compounds 5, 5a, 5b, 6, 6a, 6c, 7, and 7b showed apoptotic/necrotic effects due to, at least in part, an increase in reactive oxygen species generation, whereas 5b, 5c, 6b, 7a, and 7c caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. Further cell-based mechanistic studies revealed that 5a, 6a, and 7b, which were the most promising compounds, downregulated the expression of Bcl-2, while 5b downregulated the expression of cyclins CCND1 and CCND2. Therefore, 2-aminopropyl benzopyran derivatives emerge as new hits and potential leads for developing useful agents against breast cancer.

General diastereoselective synthetic approach toward isospongian diterpenes. Synthesis of (-)-marginatafuran, (-)-marginatone, and (-)-20-acetoxymarginatone.

This work describes a synthetic approach to the carbocyclic skeleton of isospongian diterpenes that uses the commercially available monoterpene (S)-carvone as a C-ring synthon, which is incorporated into the tetracyclic isospongian framework via a C→ABC→ABCD ring annulation strategy using intramolecular Diels-Alder and ring-closing metathesis reactions. This approach has been successfully used to prepare both the title natural isospongians and several nonnatural oxygenated analogues. A preliminary evaluation of the inhibitory activity of the small collection of synthesized isospongians on the mammalian mitochondrial respiratory chain revealed that most were able to inhibit the integrated electron transfer chain (NADH oxidase activity) in the micromolar range.

Searching the "biologically relevant"conformation of dopamine: a computational approach.

We report here an exhaustive and complete conformational study on the conformational potential energy hypersurface (PEHS) of dopamine (DA) interacting with the dopamine D2 receptor (D2-DR). A reduced 3D model for the binding pocket of the human D2-DR was constructed on the basis of the theoretical model structure of bacteriorhodopsin. In our reduced model system, only 13 amino acids were included to perform the quantum mechanics calculations. To obtain the different complexes of DA/D2-DR, we combined semiempirical (PM6), DFT (B3LYP/6-31G(d)), and QTAIM calculations. The molecular flexibility of DA interacting with the D2-DR was evaluated from potential energy surfaces and potential energy curves. A comparative study between the molecular flexibility of DA in the gas phase and at D2-DR was carried out. In addition, several molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to evaluate the molecular flexibility of the different complexes obtained. Our results allow us to postulate the complexes of type A as the "biologically relevant conformations" of DA. In addition, the theoretical calculations reported here suggested that a mechanistic stepwise process takes place for DA in which the protonated nitrogen group (in any conformation) acts as the anchoring portion, and this process is followed by a rapid rearrangement of the conformation allowing the interaction of the catecholic OH groups.

Synthesis of new antimicrobial pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-ones.

The attractive structure of the pyrroloisoquinoline moiety, together with its potential antimicrobial activity, encouraged us to prepare six 8-substituted and seven 8,9-disubstituted-1,2,3,5,6,10b-hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-ones in a few steps with good yields. We applied a convenient methodology via double intramolecular cyclization conducted by a Bischler-Napieralski cyclodehydration-imine reduction sequence, which is widely employed in the synthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids. Therefore, we synthesized three series of these pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-ones characterized by the substituent at the 8-position or 8,9-positions of the aromatic ring: (a) different side chains are attached to an 8-OH group (series 1); (b) a chlorine atom is attached to the 8-position (series 2); and (c) 8- and 9-carbons are bearing an identical group (series 3). The compounds bearing a benzylic moiety at the 8-position, for example, 8-benzyloxy-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-one (1a) and 8-(4-fluorobenzyloxy)-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-one (1e), as well as, a 8-chloro-9-methoxy moiety including the 8-chloro-9-methoxy-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-one (2a), provided the most fungicide and bactericide agents, respectively.

3-hydroxypropionic acid as an antibacterial agent from endophytic fungi Diaporthe phaseolorum.

Endophytic fungi are considered a rich source of active compounds resulting from their secondary metabolism. Fungi from marine environment grow in a habitat with unique conditions that can contribute to the activation of metabolic pathways of synthesis of different unknown molecules. The production of these compounds may support the adaptation and survival of the fungi in the marine ecosystem. Mangroves are ecosystems situated between land and sea. They are frequently found in tropical and subtropical areas and enclose approximately 18.1 million hectares of the planet. The great biodiversity found in these ecosystems shows the importance of researching them, including studies regarding new compounds derived from the endophytic fungi that inhabit these ecosystems. 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA) has been isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Diaporthe phaseolorum, which was obtained from branches of Laguncularia racemosa. The structure of this compound was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR. In bioassays, 3-HPA showed antimicrobial activities against both Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi. The structure of this antibiotic was modified by the chemical reaction of Fischer-Speier esterification to evaluate the biologic activity of its chemical analog. The esterified product, 3-hydroxypropanoic ethyl ester, did not exhibit antibiotic activity, suggesting that the free carboxylic acid group is important to the pharmacological activity. The antibiotic-producing strain was identified with internal transcribed spacer sequence data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of antibacterial activity by 3-HPA against the growth of medically important pathogens.

Natural products and analogs as preventive agents for metabolic syndrome via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: An overview.

Natural products and synthetic analogs have drawn much attention as potential therapeutical drugs to treat metabolic syndrome. We reviewed the underlying mechanisms of 32 natural products and analogs with potential pharmacological effects in vitro, and especially in rodent models and/or patients, that usually act on the PPAR pathway, along with other molecular targets. Recent outstanding total syntheses or semisyntheses of these lead compounds are stated. In general, they can activate the transcriptional activity of PPARα, PPARγ, PPARα/γ, PPARß/δ, PPARα/δ, PPARγ/δ and panPPAR as weak, partial agonists or selective PPARγ modulators (SPPARγM), which may be useful for managing obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia and non-fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Terpenoids is the largest group of compounds that act as potential modulators on PPARs and are comprised from small lipophilic cannabinoids to lipophilic pentacyclic triterpenes and polar saponins. Shikimates-phenylpropanoids include polar heterocyclic flavonoids and phenolic compounds containing at least one C3-C6 unit and usually a double bond on the propyl chain. Quercetin (19), resveratrol (24) and curcumin (27), stand out from this group for exhibiting beneficial effects on patients. Alkaloids, the minor group of potential modulators on PPARs, include berberine (30), which has been widely explored in preclinical and clinical studies for its potential beneficial effects on T2D and dyslipidemia. However, large-scale clinical trials may be warranted for the promising compounds.

Synthesis of 2-Prenylated Alkoxylated Benzopyrans by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons Olefination with PPARα/γ Agonist Activity.

We have synthesized series of 2-prenylated benzopyrans as analogues of the natural polycerasoidol, a dual PPARα/γ agonist with anti-inflammatory effects. The prenylated side chain consists of five or nine carbons with an α-alkoxy-α,ß-unsaturated ester moiety. Prenylation was introduced via the Grignard reaction, followed by Johnson-Claisen rearrangement, and the α-alkoxy-α,ß-unsaturated ester moiety was introduced by the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction. Synthetic derivatives showed high efficacy to activate both hPPARα and hPPARγ as dual PPARα/γ agonists. These prenylated benzopyrans emerge as lead compounds potentially useful for preventing cardiometabolic diseases.