Structure simplification of the Securinine skeleton reveals the importance of BCD ring system for the cytotoxic activity on HCT116 and HL60 cell lines.

Function-oriented molecular editing of the polycyclic scaffold of securinine led to the preparation of a library of simplified analogs that have been evaluated for their cytotoxicity potential against HCT116 and HL60 human cell lines. Chemical diversity at the C14 position (securinine numbering) was generated through the site-selective γ-iodination followed by Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira and Suzuki-Miyaura reactions. To explain the selectivity in the iodination step, a reaction mechanism has been proposed. Surprisingly, the piperidine ring (ring A) of the securinine skeleton has been found to be irrelevant for the cytotoxic activity. Based on this finding, the pharmacophoric core of securinine could be simplified to the key BCD motif. The nature of the substituent at the nitrogen can vary from a methyl or an isobutyl group to a benzyl or a carbamate moiety. Interestingly, the N-benzyl substituted simplified analog exhibited the same cytotoxic activity as the parent compound securinine. This functional group tolerance paves the way for the installation of reactive handles for the synthesis of molecular probes for target identification.

Bridged α-helix mimetic small molecules.

Herein, we report a strategy for generating conformationally restricted α-helix mimetic small molecules by introducing covalent bridges that limit rotation about the central axis of α-helix mimetics. We demonstrate that the bridged α-helix mimetics have enhanced binding affinity and specificity to the target protein due to the restricted conformation as well as extra interaction of the bridge with the protein surface.

Novel virosecurinine bivalent mimetics as potent reversal agents against P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a main cause of chemotherapy failure and patient death. This situation usually involves a glycoprotein (P-gp) mediated drug efflux, resulting in a low cellular drug concentration and insensitivity. Here we report the design, synthesis and evaluation of novel (+/-)-securinine bivalents as P-gp inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. MTT assays reflected that bivalent mimetics of securinine particularly the virosecurinine bivalent mimetic 8C showed promissing MDR reversal potential in both P-gp highly expressed cell line HepG2/DOX and MCF-7/ADM. At a 10 µM concentration, 8C can entirely reverse the resistance of HepG2/DOX to doxorubicin (DOX), and is more effective than the positive control verapamil (VRP). Fluorescence, flow cytometry, and DOX efflux assays demonstrated that 8C can facilitate the accumulation and diminish the efflux of intracellular DOX. Molecular docking analysis and western blot assays indicated that 8C accomplished this by competitively inhibiting the activity of P-gp rather than by affecting its expression. Compound 8C was also observed to reverse drug resistance effectively in xenograft models when combined with DOX. This study lays a foundation for the discovery of (+/-)-securinine ramifications as P-gp inhibitors and provides a promising lead compound 8C as a P-gp mediated MDR reversal agent.

Flueggeacosines A-C, Dimeric Securinine-Type Alkaloid Analogues with Neuronal Differentiation Activity from Flueggea suffruticosa.

Flueggeacosines A-C (1-3), three dimeric securinine-type alkaloid analogues with unprecedented skeletons, were isolated from Flueggea suffruticosa. Compounds 1 and 2 are the first examples of C-3-C-15' connected dimeric securinine-type alkaloids. Compound 3 is an unprecedented heterodimer of securinine-type and benzoquinolizidine alkaloids. Biosynthetic pathways for 1-3 were proposed on the basis of the coexisting alkaloid monomers as the precursors. Compound 2 exhibited significant activity in promoting neuronal differentiation of Neuro-2a cells.

Absolute Configuration and Pharmacology of the Poison Frog Alkaloid Phantasmidine.

Phantasmidine, a rigid congener of the well-known nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist epibatidine, is found in the same species of poison frog ( Epipedobates anthonyi). Natural phantasmidine was found to be a 4:1 scalemic mixture, enriched in the (2a R,4a S,9a S) enantiomer by chiral-phase LC-MS comparison to the synthetic enantiomers whose absolute configurations were previously established by Mosher's amide analysis. The major enantiomer has the opposite S configuration at the benzylic carbon to natural epibatidine, whose benzylic carbon is R. Pharmacological characterization of the synthetic racemate and separated enantiomers established that phantasmidine is ∼10-fold less potent than epibatidine, but ∼100-fold more potent than nicotine in most receptors tested. Unlike epibatidine, phantasmidine is sharply enantioselective in its activity and the major natural enantiomer whose benzylic carbon has the 4a S configuration is more active. The stereoselective pharmacology of phantasmidine is ascribed to its rigid and asymmetric shape as compared to the nearly symmetric conformations previously suggested for epibatidine enantiomers. While phantasmidine itself is too toxic for direct therapeutic use, we believe it is a useful platform for the development of potent and selective nicotinic agonists, which may have value as pharmacological tools.

Synthesis, Structure, and Cytotoxicity of a New Sulphanyl-Bridged Thiadiazolyl-Saccharinate Conjugate: The Relevance of S⋠⋠⋠N Interaction.

Reports showing that the copper concentration is considerably higher in neoplasms than in normal tissues prompted the need to develop selective copper chelators. We disclosed recently that some N-linked tetrazole-saccharinates bind selectively to copper, forming complexes that are highly cytotoxic towards cancer cells. Because tetrazole-saccharinates are photolabile, due to the photoreactivity of tetrazoles, we proposed thiadiazolyl-saccharinates as an alternative. Herein we describe the synthesis, structure, and monomeric photochemistry of a sulphanyl-bridged thiadiazolyl-saccharinate, 3-[(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)sulphanyl]-1,2-benzothiazole 1,1-dioxide (MTSB). The monomeric structure, charge density analysis, and characteristic infrared spectrum of MTSB were investigated theoretically, using quantum chemical calculations, and also experimentally, using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. The crystal structure was investigated by combining X-ray crystallography with infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Results show that the structure of isolated MTSB is similar to that found in the crystal, with an S⋅⋅⋅N interaction clearly contributing to the structure of the molecule and of the crystal. Matrix irradiation revealed a high photostability of MTSB, compared to parent tetrazole-saccharinates and to the 5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole building block, emphasizing the photostabilizing effect of the saccharyl system. Finally, in vitro toxicity assays of MTSB showed a copper concentration-dependent toxicity against cancer cells, without affecting normal cells. In particular, MTSB was most effective towards the hepatic (HepG2), neuroblastoma (SH-SY5), and lymphoma cell lines (U937). Thus, MTSB represents a promising lead for cancer chemotherapy based on chelating agents.

Secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) gene methylation changes in the human lung adenocarcinoma cells treated with L-securinine.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is important to explore the biomarkers of diagnosis and prognosis in lung cancer. To evaluate the cytotoxicity of L-securinine and the expression and methylation of secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) genes in the human lung adenocarcinoma cells, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells treated with L-securinine. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and bisulfite sequencing PCR were used to detect the expression and the DNA methylation of SFRPs genes, respectively. L-securinine inhibited the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells and induced the upregulation of SFRP1 gene expression and the methylation changes at CpG sites in the SFRP1 promoter region. L-securinine was a potential agent in the treatment of lung cancer by upregulation of SFRP1 gene expression and changing the SFRP1 gene methylation.

Polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum scabrum.

Fourteen phloroglucinols, named hyperciumoxide A-N, and a known compound were isolated from air-dried aerial parts of Hypericum scabrum. The structures of these compounds were deduced on the basis of extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. Hepatoprotective properties against D-galactosamine-induced HL-7702 cell damage of isolated compounds were evaluated. Meanwhile, these compounds were also tested for antidepressant activity by inhibiting reuptake of tritiated serotonin ([3H]-5-HT) and Noradrenalinet ([3H]-NE) in rat brain synaptosomes.

Securinine disturbs redox homeostasis and elicits oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis via targeting thioredoxin reductase.

Thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and thioredoxin (Trx) are two major components of the thioredoxin system, which plays essential roles in regulating cellular redox signaling. Mammalian TrxRs are essential seleno-flavoenzymes with a conserved penultimate selenocysteine (Sec) residue at the C-terminus, and have attracted considerable interests as promising targets for anticancer drugs. Securinine (SCR), a major active alkaloid lactone from the Chinese herbal medicine Securinega suffruticosa, has been established clinical success in treatment of neurological disorders. Recently, increasing evidence demonstrates that SCR has potential cytotoxicity to various types of tumor cells, which enables this old central nervous system drug as a potential cancer therapeutic agent. However, the mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of SCR is not well defined. We reported here that SCR inhibits both the purified TrxR and the enzyme in intact cells. SCR elicits accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), elevation of oxidized glutathione and Trx, disturbs redox homeostasis, and eventually leads to oxidative stress-mediated HeLa cell apoptosis. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of TrxR sensitizes the cells to SCR treatment, underpinning the physiological significance of targeting TrxR by SCR. Our discovery discloses a novel mechanism underlying the anticancer activity of SCR and provides basic data for further development of SCR as a cancer chemotherapeutic drug.

Securinine Derivatives as Potential Anti-amyloid Therapeutic Approach.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and amyloid deposition are tightly interconnected pathological features of Alzheimer disease. In this respect, both amyloid production and aggregation may be stimulated by oxidative stress and also the increase of pathogenic ß-amyloid and its aggregated form lead to oxidative stress progression. Therefore, the search for potential drugs with both antioxidant and antiaggregation properties are of great interest. METHODS: In this study, we described the stereospecific synthesis of alkaloid securinine aminoderivatives. RESULTS: We showed that the newly synthesized compounds possess antioxidant and metal-chelating properties. Indeed, we report that one compound has inhibitory effects towards µ-amyloid aggregation. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, aminoderivatives of securinine scaffold are promising compounds for development of new drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Design and Synthesis of Dimeric Securinine Analogues with Neuritogenic Activities.

Neurite outgrowth is crucial during neuronal development and regeneration, and strategies that aim at promoting neuritogenesis are beneficial for reconstructing synaptic connections after neuronal degeneration and injury. Using a bivalent analogue strategy as a successful approach, the current study identifies a series of novel dimeric securinine analogues as potent neurite outgrowth enhancers. Compounds 13, 14, 17-19, and 21-23, with different lengths of carbon chain of N,N-dialkyl substituting diacid amide linker between two securinine molecules at C-15 position, exhibited notable positive effects on both neuronal differentiation and neurite extension of neuronal cells. Compound 14, one of the most active compounds, was used as a representative compound for mechanistic studies. Its action on neurite outgrowth was through phosphorylation/activation of multiple signaling molecules including Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt. These findings collectively identify a new group of beneficial compounds for neuritogenesis, and may provide insights on drug discovery of neural repair and regeneration.

Novel securinine derivatives as topoisomerase I based antitumor agents.

DNA topoisomerase I (Topo I) has been validated as a target for anticancer agents. In this study, a series of novel securinine derivatives bearing ß'-hydroxy-α,ß-unsaturated ketone moiety were designed and synthesized via a Baylis-Hillman reaction for screening as Topo I inhibitors and antitumor agents. Their topoisomerase I inhibitory activity as well as their cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (A549, HeLa, HepG2, SH-SY5Y) were evaluated, and two pairs of diastereomers 4a-1 and 4a-6 with significant Topo I inhibitory activity and potent anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines were identified. The diastereomers were separated, and absolute configurations of five pairs of diastereomers were identified based on X-ray crystallographic analysis and circular dichroism (CD) spectra analysis. Further mechanism studies of the most active compounds 4a-1-R and 4a-1-S indicated that this kind of securinine derivative exhibits a different inhibitory mechanism from that of camptothecin, an established Topo I inhibitor. Unlike camptothecin, compounds 4a-1-R and 4a-1-S specifically inhibits the combination of Topo I and DNA rather than forming the drug-enzyme-DNA covalent ternary complex. In addition, molecular docking and molecular dynamic studies revealed the binding patterns of these compounds with Topo I.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of new securinine analogues as potential anticancer agents.

A series of new securinine analogues was prepared by Heck reaction from readily accessible securinine and commercially available iodoarenes. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the prepared compounds was assayed against a panel of four cancer cell lines: A375, A549, HCT-116 and HL-60 showing promising growth inhibition with excellent IC50 values in the nanomolar range. The plasmatic stability of the most potent analogue was also investigated demonstrating that they might serve as valuable leads for the development of anticancer drugs.

The Securinega alkaloids.

Securinega alkaloids represent a family of plant secondary metabolites known for 50 years. Securinine (1), the most abundant and studied alkaloid of this series was isolated by Russian researchers in 1956. In the following years, French and Japanese scientists reported other Securinega compounds and extensive work was done to elucidate their intriguing structures. The homogeneity of this family relies mainly on its tetracyclic chemical backbone, which features a butenolide moiety (cycle D) and an azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane ring system (rings B and C). Interestingly, after a period of latency of 20 years, the Securinega topic reemerged as a prolific source of new natural structures and to date more than 50 compounds have been identified and characterized. The oligomeric subgroup gathering dimeric, trimeric, and tetrameric units is of particular interest. The unprecedented structure of the Securinega alkaloids was the subject of extensive synthetic efforts culminating in several efficient and elegant total syntheses. The botanical distribution of these alkaloids seems limited to the Securinega, Flueggea, Margaritaria, and Breynia genera (Phyllanthaceae). However, only a limited number of plant species have been considered for their alkaloid contents, and additional phytochemical as well as genetic studies are needed. Concerning the biosynthesis, experiments carried out with radiolabelled aminoacids allowed to identify lysine and tyrosine as the precursors of the piperidine ring A and the CD rings of securinine (1), respectively. Besides, plausible biosynthetic pathways were proposed for virosaine A (38) and B (39), flueggine A (46), and also the different oligomers flueggenine A-D (48-51), fluevirosinine A (56), and flueggedine (20). The case of nirurine (45) and secu'amamine (37) remains elusive and additional studies seem necessary to understand their mode of production. The scope of biological of activities of the Securinega alkaloids was mainly centered on the CNS activity of securinine (1), although the exact mechanism of action remained in part unknown. Nevertheless, for its stimulant and antispasmodic effects securinine nitrate was marketed as a drug in the USSR until the early 1990s. Moreover, securinine (1) and several other Securinega alkaloids recently demonstrated promising anticancer properties. In particular securinine (1) demonstrated markedly benefits in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

From amino acids to nature-inspired molecular scaffolds: incorporation of medium-sized bridged heterocycles into a peptide backbone.

Novel molecular scaffolds comprising two to four bridged and fused heterocycles were synthesized from amino acids using seven-membered endocyclic N-acyliminium ions as key intermediates in acid-mediated tandem reactions with internal nucleophiles. This complexity-generating synthesis proceeds with high efficiency and with full stereocontrol of the newly generated stereogenic center. These results have extended the scope of medium-sized cyclic iminium ion chemistry, making it applicable as a regio- and stereoselective synthetic strategy for the generation of complex polycyclic structures. Furthermore, its compatibility with the traditional Merrifield synthesis of peptides on solid supports allowed the incorporation of the previously unexplored conformationally restricted cyclic systems into peptides without a need to independently synthesize the scaffold.

Development and validation of LC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of (-)-securinine in mouse plasma.

(-)-Securinine (SE) is a major alkaloid found in plant Securinega suffruticosa, which has a wide range of pharmacological activities including anticancer, anti-parasitic and central nervous system stimulating effects, etc. To aid the pharmacological study of SE, we developed an LC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of SE in mouse plasma. In this method, plasma samples were first prepared with salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction using cold acetonitrile (-20°C) and 2.00 M ammonium acetate. Separation of SE and the internal standard (IS) from sample matrix was achieved on a Gemini Nx C18 column using 40% acetonitrile and 60% 10.0mM ammonium acetate at a flow rate of 0.200 mL min(-1). Quantification of SE was accomplished with positive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry using mass transitions m/z 218.1→84.1 for SE, and m/z 204.1→70.2 for the IS. This method has a lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 0.600 ng mL(-1) and a linear calibration range up to 600 ng mL(-1) in mouse plasma. The intra- and inter-run accuracy (%RE) and precision (%CV) were ≤ ± 6% and 6%, respectively. The IS normalized matrix factors from six lots of plasma matrices ranged 0.92-1.07, and the recoveries of plasma SE were 99-109%. The validated method has been applied to the measurement of SE in plasma samples of a mouse study.

Dioxatricyclic and oxabicyclic polyketides from Trichocladium opacum.

Five new polyketides, trichocladinols D-H (1-5) with dioxatricyclic (1-3) and oxabicyclic (4 and 5) skeletons, and the known massarilactone C (6) were isolated from the solid-substrate fermentation cultures of the ascomycete fungus Trichocladium opacum. The structures of 1-5 were determined mainly by NMR experiments, and 1, 3, and 4 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The absolute configurations of 1 and 3 were assigned by X-ray crystallography using Cu Kα radiation, whereas that of C-5 in 2 and 4 was deduced via the circular dichroism (CD) data. Compounds 2-4 showed weak cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell lines A549, HCT116, and SW480.

Remarkable sensitivity for detection of bisphenol A on a gold electrode modified with nickel tetraamino phthalocyanine containing Ni-O-Ni bridges.

This work reports the electrocatalysis of bisphenol A on Ni(II) tetraamino metallophthalocyanine (NiTAPc) polymer modified gold electrode containing Ni-O-Ni bridges (represented as Ni(OH)TAPc). The Ni(II)TAPc films were electro-transformed in 0.1 mol L(-1) NaOH aqueous solution to form 'O-Ni-O oxo bridges', forming poly-n-Ni(OH)TAPc (where n is the number of polymerising scans). poly-30-Ni(OH)TAPc, poly-50-Ni(OH)TAPc, poly-70-Ni(OH)TAPc and poly-90-Ni(OH)TAPc films were investigated. The polymeric films were characterised by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the charge transfer resistance (R(CT)) values increased with film thickness. The best catalytic activity for the detection of bisphenol A was on poly-70-Ni(OH)TAPc. Electrode resistance to passivation improved with polymer thickness. The electrocatalytic behaviour of bisphenol A was compared to that of p-nitrophenol in terms of electrode passivation and regeneration. The latter was found to passivate the electrode less than the former. The poly-70-Ni(OH)TAPc modified electrode could reliably detect bisphenol A in a concentration range of 7x10(-4) to 3x10(-2)mol L(-1) with a limit of detection of 3.68x10(-9)mol L(-1). The sensitivity was 3.26x10(-4)A mol(-1) L cm(-2).

Isariotins E and F, spirocyclic and bicyclic hemiacetals from the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes BCC 12625.

New spirocyclic and bicyclic hemiacetals, isariotins E (1) and F (2), together with TK-57-164A (3) were isolated from the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes BCC 12625. The absolute configuration of 3 was addressed by application of the modified Mosher's method. Isariotin F (2) exhibited activity against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum K1 with an IC(50) value of 5.1 microM and cytotoxic activities against cancer cell lines (KB, BC, and NCI-H187) and nonmalignant (Vero) cells with respective IC(50) values of 15.8, 2.4, 1.6, and 2.9 microM.

Synthesis and reactivity of copper(I) complexes with an ethylene-bridged bis(imidazolin-2-imine) ligand.

A series of copper(I) complexes with a sterically hindered, bidentate ligand, BL iPr, derived from an N-heterocyclic carbene precursor have been isolated, characterized and their reactivity studied. The ethylene-bridged bis(imidazolin-2-imine) ligand (BL iPr) provides strongly donating N-donor atoms for the stabilization of a copper(I) metal center, priming it for reactivity. The complexes [(BL iPr)Cu(XyNC)]PF6 (4) and [(BL iPr)CuCl] (5) were characterized by X-ray crystallography and exhibit trigonal coordination at the copper centers. The reactivity of [(BL iPr)Cu]SbF6 toward dioxygen was studied at low temperature, indicating formation of a thermally sensitive intermediate with intense UV/Vis features and an isotope-sensitive vibration at 625 cm(-1) (599 cm(-1) with 18 O2). The intermediate is assigned as containing the bis(mu-oxo)dicopper(III) core, [2](PF6)2, and the related, stable hydroxo form was crystallized as [{(BL iPr)Cu}2(mu-OH)2](PF6)2, [3](PF6)2. The reactivity of 5 as a catalyst for the ATR polymerization of styrene was assessed in terms of reaction kinetics and polymer properties, with low PDI values achieved for polymers with molecular weights up to 30 000 g mol(-1).