Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of Hybrid Molecules Based on Lithocholic and (5Z,9Z)-Tetradeca-5,9-dienedioic Acids Linked via Mono(di,tri,tetra)ethylene Glycol and α,ω-Diaminoalkane Units.

For the first time, hybrid molecules were synthesized on the basis of lithocholic and (5Z,9Z)-1,14-tetradeca-5,9-dienedicarboxylic acids, obtained in two stages using the homo-cyclomagnesiation reaction of 2-(hepta-5,6-diene-1-yloxy)tetrahydro-2H-pyran at the key stage. The resulting hybrid molecules containing 5Z,9Z-dienoic acids are of interest as novel synthetic biologically active precursors to create modern drugs for the treatment of human oncological diseases. The synthesized hybrid molecules were found to exhibit extremely high in vitro inhibitory activity against human topoisomerase I, which is 2-4 times higher than that of camptothecin, a known topoisomerase I inhibitor. Using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, it was first shown that these new molecules are efficient apoptosis inducers in HeLa, U937, Jurkat, K562, and Hek293 cell cultures. In addition, the results of investigations into the effect of the synthesized acids on mitochondria and studies of possible DNA damage in Jurkat tumor cells are also presented.

Hybrid molecules based on fullerene C60 and 5Z,9Z-dienoic acids: Synthesis and cytotoxic activity.

The present research project details synthesis of new hybrid methanofullerenes based on acetylene and triazole esters of malonic acid containing 5Z,9Z-dienoic acids and fullerene C60 under Bingel-Hirsch conditions, including study of the cytotoxic activity with respect to Jurkat, K562, U937 and HL60 tumor cell lines. Hybrid methanofullerenes containing acetylenic fragments, unlike triazole substituents, were found to exhibit higher cytotoxicity, but are characterized by lower selectivity of action in relation to healthy cells.

Catalytic cyclometallation in steroid chemistry VI: Targeted synthesis of hybrid molecules based on steroids and tetradeca-5Z,9Z-diene-1,14-dicarboxylic acid and study of their antitumor activity.

Hybrid molecules based on a number of steroids (cholesterol, pregnenolone, androsterone) and 1,14-tetradeca-5Z,9Z-dienedicarboxylic acid linked via mono- and diethylene glycol spacers were synthesized for the first time and studied for antitumor activity in vitro. The acid was prepared using catalytic cyclomagnesiation of oxygenated 1,2-dienes with Grignard reagent in the presence of Cp2TiCl2 as the key synthetic step. Using flow cytometry, the new molecules were shown for the first time to be efficient apoptosis inducers in the HeLa, Hek293, U937, Jurkat, and K562 cell cultures and to have dose-dependent effect on the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle.

Catalytic cyclometallation in steroid chemistry V: Synthesis of hybrid molecules based on steroid oximes and (5Z,9Z)-tetradeca-5,9-dienedioic acid as potential anticancer agents.

Synthetic analogues of natural 5Z,9Z-dienoic acids - hybrid molecules based on the oximes of cholesterol, pregnenolone, and androsterone with 1,14-tetradeca-5Z,9Z-dienedicarboxylic acid - were synthesized for the first time and studied for antitumor activity in vitro. The acid was prepared using catalytic cyclomagnesiation of O-containing 1,2-dienes with Grignard reagent in the presence of Cp2TiCl2 as the key step. Using flow cytometry, it was shown for the first time that the new molecules are efficient apoptosis inducers in the HeLa, Hek293, U937, Jurkat, and K562.

Novel Hybrid Molecules on the Basis of Steroids and (5Z,9Z)-Tetradeca-5,9-dienoic Acid: Synthesis, Anti-Cancer Studies and Human Topoisomerase I Inhibitory Activity.

Novel steroid derivatives of 5Z,9Z-dienoic acids were prepared by the DCC/DMAP-catalyzed esterification of (5Z,9Z)-tetradeca-5,9-dienoic acid with hydroxy steroids. High cytotoxicity towards the HEK293, Jurkat, K562 cancer cell lines and human topoisomerase I (hTop1) inhibitory activity in vitro were found for the synthesized acids. A probable mechanism of topoisomerase I inhibition was hypothesized on the basis of in silico studies resorting to docking.

Short Route to the Total Synthesis of Natural Muricadienin and Investigation of Its Cytotoxic Properties.

An original synthesis of the acetogenin muricadienin, the bioprecursor of solamin, has been developed. The key step in the five-step 41% overall yield synthesis is the catalytic cross-cyclomagnesiation reaction of functionally substituted 1,2-dienes with EtMgBr in the presence of Cp2TiCl2 and magnesium metal. It has been demonstrated for the first time that muricadienin exhibits a moderate in vitro inhibitory activity against topoisomerases I and IIα, key cell cycle enzymes. Using flow cytometry, muricadienin was shown to have high cytotoxicity toward the HEK293 kidney cancer cells (IC50 0.39 µM).