Synthesis, biological evaluation (antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxic) and molecular docking study of hydroxy methoxy benzoin/benzil analogous.

In this work, due to the biological activity evaluation, a series of hydroxy methoxy benzoins (1-8), benzils (10-16) and methoxy benzoin/benzil-O-ß-d-glucosides (17-28) were synthesized. Antioxidant (FRAP, CUPRAC, DPPH), antimicrobial (16 microorganisms, and two yeast), enzyme inhibition (α-amylase, α-glucosidase, AChE, BChE, and tyrosinase) of all synthesized benzoin/benzil analogs were investigated. Benzoins (1-8) showed the most effective antioxidant properties compared to all three methods. Compound 28 against α-amylase, compound 9 against α-glucosidase, compound 11 against AChE, compound 2 against BChE, and compound 13 against tyrosinase showed the best activities with the better or similar IC50 values as used standards. Hydroxy methoxy benzoin compounds (1-8) among all four groups were seen as the most effective against the tested microorganism. Molecular docking analysis showed that all tested compounds 1-28 (0.01-2.22 µM) had the best binding affinity against AChE enzyme. Cytotoxic effects of the many of compounds (1-16, 21, and 24) also investigated and it was found that they caused different effects in different cells. The LDH tests of compounds 1a + b, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 21, and 24, seemed to be effective compared to the positive control cisplatin. The cytotoxicity of compounds 6 (9.24%) for MCF7 cancer cells, 8 (5.16%) and 4 (8.26%) for HT29 cancer cells, 24 (9.84%) for Hep3B cells and 8 (8.52%), 7 (5.70%), 4 (6.94) and 9 (7.22%) for C6 cells were at normal values. And also cytotoxic activity of four compounds (5, 9, 21, and 24) among the all synthetic groups, were evaluated to the HeLa and RPE. Compound 5 showed anticancer activity on HeLa and RPE cancer cells as much as or better than cisplatin which was used as standard.

New antibacterial and 5-lipoxygenase activities of synthetic benzyl phenyl ketones: Biological and docking studies.

We investigated twelve benzyl phenyl ketone derivatives which are synthetic precursors of isoflavonoids that are shown be good 5-hLOX inhibitors, especially those that have the catechol group, but these precursors never have been assayed as 5-hLOX inhibitors being a novelty as inhibitors of the enzyme, due to sharing important structural characteristics. Screening assays, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) and kinetic assays of all the studied molecules (5 µg/ml in media assay) showed that 1-(2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-2-(3-chlorophenyl)-ethanone (K205; IC50 = 3.5 µM; Ki = 4.8 µM) and 1-(2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-2-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethanone (K206; IC50 = 2.3 µM; Ki = 0.7 µM) were potent, selective, competitive and nonredox inhibitors of 5-hLOX. Antioxidant behavior was also assayed by DPPH, FRAP, and assessing ROS production, and those with antibacterial and antiproliferative properties relating to 1-(2,4-dihydroxy-3-methylphenyl)-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-ethanone (K208) established it as the most interesting and relevant compound studied, as it showed nearly 100% inhibition of bacterial growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Finally, docking studies were done that helped to characterize how the inhibitor structures correlated to decreased 5-hLOX activity.

Molecular modeling based approach, synthesis, and cytotoxic activity of novel benzoin derivatives targeting phosphoinostide 3-kinase (PI3Kα).

The oncogenic potential of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3Kα) has made it an attractive target for anticancer drug design. In this work, we describe our efforts to optimize the lead PI3Kα inhibitor 2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone (benzoin). A series of 2-oxo-1,2-diphenylethyl benzoate analogs were identified as potential PI3Kα inhibitors. Docking studies confirmed that the aromatic interaction is mediating ligand/protein complex formation and identified Lys802 and Val851 as H-bonding key residues. Our biological data in human colon carcinoma HCT116 showed that the structure analogs inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis.

[Effect of (E)-2-(4-bromophenyl )-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl )ethanone oxime on proliferation and activation of mice lymphocytes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of (E)-2-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl) ethanone oxime (BDEO) on the proliferation and activation of the mice' s splenic lymphocytes and the peripheral blood lymphocytes induced by Concanavalin A (Con A) in vitro and in vivo, and its molecular mechanism. METHODS: During the lymphocyte proliferation and activation induced by Con A in vitro, MTT and cell counting were used to detect the transformation rates and survival rates of lymphocytes, and ELISA was used to measure the activity of caspase-9; moreover, the levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 were determined by Western blot, in order to observe the effects of BDEO on cell proliferation and activation. The effects of administration of Con A [15 mg/(kg x d)] and BDEO [(3, 6 mg/(kg x d)] by intraperitoneal injection on transformation rates of spleen cells and peripheral blood lymphocyte, as well as phagocytosis rate of peritoneal macrophages in mice were also observed in vivo. RESULTS: 0.3-1 micromol/L BDEO significantly inhibited the transformation rates and growth of mice lymphocyte (P < 0.05). The activity of caspase-9 and the levels of mitochondrial pro-apoptotic protein Bax and Bak gradually increased, then decreased as the BDEO continually accumulated. Anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 as well as mitochondrial Cyt C levels first decreased then increased gradually, and cytoplasmic Cyt C, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 levels showed firstly a increase, then decrease gradually. Additionally, administration of BDEO by intraperitoneal injection significantly inhibited proliferation of spleen lymphocytes and peripheral blood lymphocyte, as well as phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophagesin in mice. CONCLUSION: BDEO might regulate the proliferation and activation of lymphocytes through activation of caspase-3 mainly via a mitochondrial intrinsic pathway; the inhibiting effect on the proliferation and transformation rate of lymphocytes was significant when the concentration of BDEO was relatively low; as the concentration accumulated increasingly, the inhibiting effect reduced. The results indicated that BDEO has immunosuppressive activity.

Density functional theory study of the structure-antioxidant activity of polyphenolic deoxybenzoins.

Quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) have been employed to study the relationship between the structure and the antioxidant activity of four polyphenolic deoxybenzoins (DOBs) in solvents and the gas phase. The three main working mechanisms, H-atom transfer (HAT), single electron transfer-proton transfer (SET-PT) and sequential proton loss electron transfer (SPLET) have been investigated. The calculated results closely matched experimental values. The results obtained prove that for the HAT mechanism, the most efficient system possessed ortho-dihydroxy functionality. The results suggested that HAT would be the most favourable mechanism for explaining the radical-scavenging activity of polyphenolic DOBs in the gas phase, whereas the SPLET mechanism is the thermodynamically favourable pathway in polar solvents.

Cytotoxic deoxybenzoins and diphenylethylenes from Arundina graminifolia.

Eight new C-4-alkylated deoxybenzoins (1-8), three new diphenylethylenes (9-11), and five known diphenylethylenes were isolated from Arundina graminifolia. The structures of 1-11 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 9-11 are the first naturally occurring diphenylethylenes possessing a hydroxyethyl unit. Compounds 1-11 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines. Compounds 4, 5, and 9-11 showed significant cytotoxicity against five cancer cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 1.8 to 8.7 µM.

Estrogenic effect of three substituted deoxybenzoins.

Deoxybenzoins (1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone) are possible precursors or metabolites of isoflavanones which may have xenoestrogenic potential on estrogen receptor (ER). In this study we evaluated three 2'-substituted deoxybenzoin derivatives for their estrogenic effect based upon their ability to affect the proliferation of ERα(+) MCF7 cells, ERß(+) PC3 cells and Hep2 cells stably transfected and expressing either ERα or ERß. These compounds designated as CMPD3, CMPD6 and CMPD9 had -COOH, -(CH(2))(4)-CH(3) and -CH(3) substitutions, respectively on the 2'-position of the 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl ring of deoxybenzoin. We found that all three compounds increased the proliferation of ERα(+) MCF7 cells (EC(50)~1-12 µM) and ERα(+) Hep2 cells, while causing apoptosis in ERß(+) PC3 cells (IC(50)~1-5 µM) and ERß(+) Hep2 cells. The compounds also up-regulated the expression of estrogen sensitive genes, trefoil factor 1 (TFF1, previously known as pS2) and cathepsin-D (CTSD), in these cells. We performed in vitro ER transcription activation assays using Hep2 cells transiently co-transfected with estrogen response element driven luciferase and either ERα or ERß vectors to ascertain the mechanism of action of these compounds through the 'classical' genomic pathway of estrogenic activity and to determine their ER subtype selectivity. Molecular docking of the compounds with the Ligand Binding Domain of ERα and ERß showed similar docking scores (Glidescores of -6.5 to -8.5 kcal/mol) indicating that these compounds were ligands of both ERα and ERß with similar affinity.

The novel phloroglucinol derivative BFP induces apoptosis of glioma cancer through reactive oxygen species and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways.

Prenyl-phloroglucinol derivatives from hop plants have been shown to have anticancer activities. This study is the first to investigate the anticancer effects of the new phloroglucinol derivative (2,4-bis(4-fluorophenylacetyl)phloroglucinol; BFP). BFP induced cell death and anti-proliferation in three glioma, U251, U87 and C6 cells, but not in primary human astrocytes. BFP-induced concentration-dependently cell death in glioma cells was determined by MTT and SRB assay. Moreover, BFP-induced apoptotic cell death in glioma cells was measured by Hochest 33258 staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) of propidine iodine (PI) analysis. Treatment of U251 human glioma cells with BFP was also found to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which was detected by a fluorescence dye used FACS analysis. Treatment of BFP also increased a number of signature endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers glucose-regulated protein (GRP)-78, GRP-94, IRE1, phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF-2α) and up-regulation of CAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). Moreover, treatment of BFP also increased the down-stream caspase activation, such as pro-caspase-7 and pro-caspase-12 degradation, suggesting the induction of ER stress. Furthermore, BFP also induced caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation as well as up-regulation of cleaved PARP expression. Treatment of antioxidants, or pre-transfection of cells with GRP78 or CHOP siRNA reduced BFP-mediated apoptotic-related protein expression. Taken together, the present study provides evidences to support that ROS generation, GRP78 and CHOP activation are mediating the BFP-induced human glioma cell apoptosis.

Effects of Litchi chinensis fruit isolates on prostaglandin E(2) and nitric oxide production in J774 murine macrophage cells.

BACKGROUND: Litchi chinensis is regarded as one of the 'heating' fruits in China, which causes serious inflammation symptoms to people. METHODS: In the current study, the effects of isolates of litchi on prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) production in J774 murine macrophage cells were investigated. RESULTS: The AcOEt extract (EAE) of litchi was found effective on stimulating PGE(2) production, and three compounds, benzyl alcohol, hydrobenzoin and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfurolaldehyde (5-HMF), were isolated and identified from the EAE. Benzyl alcohol caused markedly increase in PGE(2) and NO production, compared with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as positive control, and in a dose-dependent manner. Hydrobenzoin and 5-HMF were found in litchi for the first time, and both of them stimulated PGE(2) and NO production moderately in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression and NF-κB (p50) activation might be involved in mechanism of the stimulative process. CONCLUSION: The study showed, some short molecular compounds in litchi play inflammatory effects on human.

Arylalkyl ketones, benzophenones, desoxybenzoins and chalcones inhibit TNF-α induced expression of ICAM-1: structure-activity analysis.

The interaction between leukocytes and the vascular endothelial cells (EC) via cellular adhesion molecules plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Small molecules that block these interactions have been targeted as potential therapeutic agents against acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. In an effort to identify potent intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) inhibitors, a large number of arylalkyl ketones, benzophenones, desoxybenzoins and chalcones and their analogs (54 in total) have been synthesized and screened for their ICAM-1 inhibitory activity. The structure-activity relationship studies of these compounds identified three potent chalcone derivatives and also demonstrated the possible mechanism for their ICAM-1 inhibitory activities. The most active compound was found to be 79.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of deoxybenzoins on relaxing effects of porcine coronary artery.

Deoxybenzoins are potent antioxidants and tyrosinase inhibitors with potential to be developed as food preservatives and cosmetic ingredients. To explore the potential in cardiovascular protection, 25 polyphenolic deoxybenzoins were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory effects on KCl-induced porcine coronary arterial contraction. The results revealed deoxybenzoins are significant inhibitors of KCl-induced arterial contraction. Among those synthesized, two-thirds of the deoxybenzoins exhibited moderate to good efficacy on relaxing contracted artery including 2,4-dihydroxydeoxybenzoin with EC50=3.30 µM (Emax=100%, n=7) and 2,4-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydeoxybenzoin EC50=3.70 µM (Emax=100%, n=5). Deoxybenzoins displayed an endothelium-dependent relaxing manner on the contracted artery; the contractile responses of neither endothelium denuded nor L-NAME deactivated rings were inhibited. The structure-activity relationships of deoxybenzoin on arterial relaxing effects concluded that the 2,4-dihydroxylated deoxybenzoins presented a potential vascular relaxing pharmacophore, with favoring substitution on ring B in the order of H≥p-OMe>p-OH>o-OMe>m,p-diOMe≥m-OMe.

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of uranium, thorium, and zirconium using the partial least squares method after their preconcentration by alpha-benzoin oxime modified Amberlite XAD-2000 resin.

A new solid phase extraction method for separation and preconcentration of trace amounts of uranium, thorium, and zirconium in water samples is proposed. The procedure is based on the adsorption of U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) ions on a column of Amberlite XAD-2000 resin loaded with alpha-benzoin oxime prior to their simultaneous spectrophotometric determination with Arsenazo III using orthogonal signal correction partial least squares method. The enrichment factor for preconcentration of uranium, thorium, and zirconium was found to be 100. The detection limits for U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) were 0.50, 0.54, and 0.48microgL(-1), respectively. The precision of the method, evaluated as the relative standard deviation obtained by analyzing a series of 10 replicates, was below 4% for all elements. The practical applicability of the developed sorbent was examined using synthetic seawater, natural waters and ceramic samples.

Potential antioxidants and tyrosinase inhibitors from synthetic polyphenolic deoxybenzoins.

Deoxybenzoins (DOBs) are one-pot synthetic precursors of isoflavones with feature analogous to those beneficial polyphenols such as resveratrol (stilbene) and phloretin (dihydrochalcone). In this study, seventeen polyphenolic DOBs were synthesized and evaluated by various antioxidant assays and tyrosinase inhibitory effect in vitro. Results displayed that these DOBs are powerful antioxidants; for example, 2,3,4-trihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxydeoxybenzoin possesses an excellent anti-lipid peroxidation activity (IC(50)=0.72+/-0.16 microM), whilst 2,4,4',5-tetrahydroxydeoxybenzoin showed good DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC(50)=0.69+/-0.04 microM), which were better than Trolox and vitamin C. Besides exhibiting a weak metal chelating effect, these DOBs were effective in scavenging ABTS(+) and superoxide anion (O2-) radicals. DOBs also exhibited potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity; for example 2,3,4'-trihydroxy-4-methoxydeoxybenzoin displayed stable and significant inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity, with IC(50) values 43.37, 43.10 and 46.10 microM at incubation intervals of 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5h, respectively. These results suggest that, with the advantage of being readily synthesizable small molecules, DOBs can be potentially developed into clinical and industrial antioxidants.

Deoxybenzoins are novel potent selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Deoxybenzoins are plant compounds with similar structure to isoflavones. In this study, we evaluated the ability of two synthesized deoxybenzoins (compound 1 and compound 2) (a) to influence the activity of the estrogen receptor subtypes ERalpha and ERbeta in HeLa cells co-transfected with an estrogen response element-driven luciferase reporter gene and ERalpha- or ERbeta-expression vectors, (b) to modulate the IGFBP-3 and pS2 protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, (c) to induce mineralization of KS483 osteoblasts and (d) to affect the cell viability of endometrial (Ishikawa) and breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) cancer cells. Docking and binding energy calculations were performed using the mixed Monte Carlo/Low Mode search method (Macromodel 6.5). Compound 1 displayed significant estrogenic activity via ERbeta but no activity via ERalpha. Compound 2 was an estrogen-agonist via ERalpha and antagonist via ERbeta. Both compounds increased, like the pure antiestrogen ICI182780, the IGFBP-3 levels. Compound 2 induced, like 17beta-estradiol, significant mineralization in osteoblasts. The cell viability of Ishikawa cells was unchanged in the presence of either compound. Compound 1 increased MCF-7 cell viability consistently with an increase in pS2 levels, whereas compound 2 inhibited the cell viability. Molecular modeling confirmed the agonistic or antagonistic behaviour of compound 2 via ER subtypes. Compound 2, being an agonist in osteoblasts, an antagonist in breast cancer cells, with no estrogenic effects in endometrial cancer cells, makes it a potential selective estrogen receptor modulator and a choice for hormone replacement therapy.

Benzoin 4-ethylthiosemicarbazone.

In the title compound, 2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone 4-ethylthiosemicarbazone, C17H19N3OS, the thiosemicarbazone moiety is planar and has an E configuration. The planar phenyl rings make dihedral angles of 82.34 (8) and 8.07 (17) degrees with the plane of the thiosemicarbazone moiety. The crystal structure contains two intramolecular (N-H...O and N-H...N) and one intermolecular interaction (O-H...S), as well as two C-H...pi(benzene) interactions. Molecules are stacked in columns running along the a axis. Molecules in each column are connected to each other by means of linear O-H...S hydrogen bonds and C-H...pi interactions. In addition, there are also C-H...pi(benzene) interactions between the columns.

A new class of phytoestrogens; evaluation of the estrogenic activity of deoxybenzoins.

Although deoxybenzoins are intermediates in the synthesis of isoflavones, their estrogenic activity has not been investigated. Eleven deoxybenzoins were synthesized and their estrogenicity was evaluated. While their affinities for estrogen receptors (ER) ERalpha and ERbeta were found grossly comparable to those of daidzein, some exhibited considerable selectivity and transcriptional bias toward ERbeta, which appeared to allow for enhancement of ER-mediated transcription via deoxybenzoin binding of ERbeta. Their activity to stimulate the proliferation of ER-positive breast cancer cells and regulate the expression of endogenous and stably transfected reporter genes differed considerably, with some inhibiting cell proliferation while effectively inducing gene expression at the same time. Molecular modeling confirmed that deoxybenzoins fit well in the ligand binding pocket of ERbeta, albeit with different orientations. Our data support the view that deoxybenzoins constitute a promising new class of ERbeta-biased phytoestrogens.

The use of caged adenine nucleotides and caged phosphate in intact skeletal muscle fibres of the mouse.

The effects of 1-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl ester of ATP (NPE-caged ATP), NPE-caged ADP, NPE-caged phosphate (Pi) and desoxybenzoinyl phosphate (desyl-caged Pi) on mouse skeletal muscle function were studied. All these caged compounds, when microinjected into intact single mouse muscle fibres, reduced the myoplasmic calcium during a tetanus (tetanic [Ca2+]i) and reduced force. Flash photolysis partially reversed this reduction of tetanic [Ca2+]i and force. In fibres fatigued by repeated tetani, flash photolysis of NPE-caged ATP, ADP and Pi, also caused a transient recovery of tetanic [Ca2+]i, and force. Because photolytic release of ATP, ADP and Pi produced comparable effects it seems that the mechanism of action is the reduction in concentration of the caged compound rather than the release of the biologically active molecule. Experiments on mechanically skinned rat skeletal muscle fibres with intact T-tubular/sarcoplasmic reticulum coupling showed that 1 mM NPE-caged ATP had no effect on depolarization-induced force. This result suggests that the depressant effects of the NPE-caged compounds are neither on voltage-activated Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum nor on myofibrillar function. Thus all the caged compounds tested inhibit excitation-contraction coupling in muscle by an unknown mechanism and this limits their value as sources of biologically important molecules. This inhibitory effect was smallest for desyl-caged Pi and under conditions of maximal activation photolytic release of Pi caused a direct inhibition of the contractile proteins. This inhibition amounted to a 1% reduction of maximum force with an increase of [Pi] of about 0.3 mM. The mean rate of force decline under these conditions was 55 s-1, which reflects the rate of cross-bridge cycling during a maximal tetanus.

In vitro and in vivo myocardial effects of a cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor structurally related to natural cardenolides.

The myocardial effects of the lactonic deoxybenzoin glucoside, AP 10, an ATPases and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases inhibitor, were investigated in vitro and in vivo. AP 10 showed marked positive inotropic effects on spontaneously beating frog and mammal isolated hearts. This drug induced a substantial increase in cyclic AMP atrial level comparable to that observed with papaverine in the rat. Its inotropic effects on stimulated rat left atria were moderate and suppressed by reserpine pretreatment, in contrast with papaverine inotropic effects which were not significantly modified. As papaverine (10(-5) M), AP 10 (10(-4) M) shifted to the left the atrial dose-response curve for isoproterenol. The positive inotropic effects of AP 10 were more pronounced at low calcium concentrations. Furthermore, AP 10 prolonged the time course of tension decline in stimulated rat left atria exposed to Ca++ free medium. AP 10 (1 mg/kg) did not induce any in vivo hemodynamic disturbance in both anaesthetized and conscious dogs and significantly improved ventricular automaticity in anaesthetized dogs (0.5 mg/kg). This drug was also compared to quinidine in two in vivo experimental arrhythmias. AP 10 was more effective than quinidine in preventing ouabain-induced arrhythmias in conscious rabbits and electrically-induced atrial fibrillation in conscious dogs. Despite its ATPases inhibiting properties and some structural similarities with cardiac glycosides, AP 10 did not show a typical "digitalis-like" pharmacological profile. It exhibited some of the myocardial features which characterize phosphodiesterase inhibitors as caffeine, papaverine or Ro 7-2956. An interesting particularity of AP 10 action was its capacity to prevent experimental arrhythmias.