Plasmodium falciparum endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium binding protein is a possible target of synthetic antimalarial endoperoxides, N-89 and N-251.

The endoperoxide artemisinin is a current first-line antimalarial and a critical component of the artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACT) recommended by WHO for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest of malaria parasites. However, recent emergence of the artemisinin-resistant P. falciparum urged us to develop new antimalarial drugs. We have shown that synthetic endoperoxides N-89 and its hydroxyl derivative N-251 had high antimalarial activities both in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms including the cellular targets of the endoperoxide antimalarials are not well understood. Thus, in this study, we employed chemical proteomics to survey potential molecular targets of endoperoxides by evaluating P. falciparum proteins capable to associate with endoperoxide structure (N-346, a carboxyamino derivative of N-89). We also analyzed the protein expression profiles of malaria parasites treated with N-89 or N-251 to explore possible changes associated with the drug action. From these experiments, we found that P. falciparum endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium binding protein (PfERC) had high affinity to the endoperoxide structure (N-346) and was decreased by treatment with N-89 or N-251. PfERC is a member of CREC protein family, a potential disease marker and also a potential target for therapeutic intervention. We propose that the PfERC is a strong candidate of the endoperoxide antimalarial's target.

Stage specific activity of synthetic antimalarial endoperoxides, N-89 and N-251, against Plasmodium falciparum.

We have reported that two endoperoxides, N-89 and N-251, synthesized in 2001, possess potent antimalarial activities. Aiming at their eventual use for curing malaria in humans, we have been investigating various aspects of their antimalarial actions. Here we show that N-89 and N-251 inhibit the growth of Plasmodium falciparum within human erythrocytes in vitro at its lifecycle stage 'trophozoite' specifically. It is known that artemisinin compounds, which are currently used for curing malaria, have other stage-specificities. Therefore, it is likely that the antimalarial mechanism of N-89 and N-251 differs from those of artemisinin compounds. As malaria parasites resistant to artemisinin-based combination therapy are currently emerging in some tropical regions, N-89 and N-251 are candidates for overcoming these new problems.

Synthesis and notable antimalarial activity of acyclic peroxides, L-(alkyldioxy)-L-(methyldioxy)cyclododecanes.

Of several bis(alkyldioxy)alkanes and the related acyclic peroxides prepared in this study, 1,1-bis(methyldioxy)cyclododecane showed the most notable antimalarial activity particularly in vivo (almost a half of that of artemisinin).

Antimalarial activity of novel 1,2,5,6-tetraoxacycloalkanes and 1,2,5-trioxacycloalkanes.

Photooxygenation of 2-phenylnorbornene 1 in the presence of 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide afforded 1,2-bishydroperoxide 3, which could be cycloalkylated on treatment with silver oxide and a 1,omega-diiodoalkane to provide the tricyclic peroxides 12. Trimethylsilylation of 3 followed by TMSOTf-catalyzed cyclocondensation with carbonyl compounds led to the formation of the tricyclic peroxides 14 containing a 1,2,4,5-tetroxepane structure. Photooxygenation of 1 in the presence of either unsaturated hydroperoxides or unsaturated alcohols followed by bis(collidine)iodine hexafluorophosphate promoted cyclization gave the corresponding cyclic peroxides 15-17. Several of these cyclic peroxides showed substantial antimalarial activity particularly in vitro.

Antimalarial activity of yingzhaosu A analogues.

Iodonium ion mediated cyclization of unsaturated hydroperoxides 1 afforded the expected yingzhaosu A analogues 2. In some cases, however, the corresponding cyclic ethers 5 were formed competitively with the cyclic peroxides 2, the ratios of these two products being a marked function of the structure of the starting materials. Some of the cyclic peroxides 2 showed significant antimalarial activities in vitro and in vivo.

Co(III)-alkyl complex- and Co(III)-alkylperoxo complex-catalyzed triethylsilylperoxidation of alkenes with molecular oxygen and triethylsilane.

[reaction: see text] Both a Co(III)-alkyl complex and a Co(III)-alkylperoxo complex were found to catalyze triethylsilylperoxidation of alkenes with O(2) and Et(3)SiH. On this basis, together with the nonstereoselectivity in the Co(II)-catalyzed peroxidation of 3-phenylindene and the formation of the corresponding 1,2-dioxolane from 2-phenyl-1-vinylcyclopropane (a radical clock), we propose a reasonable mechanism for the Co(II)-catalyzed novel autoxidation of alkenes with Et(3)SiH discovered by Isayama and Mukaiyama.

Schistosomicidal and antifecundity effects of oral treatment of synthetic endoperoxide N-89.

1,2,6,7-Tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) is a chemically synthesized compound with good efficacy against malaria parasites. We observed strong anti-schistosomal activities of N-89 both in vitro and in vivo. In a murine model with experimental infection of Schistosoma mansoni, orally administered N-89 at the dose of 300 mg/kg resulted in a significant reduction in worm burden (63%) when mice were treated at 2-weeks postinfection. Strong larvicidal effects of N-89 were confirmed in vitro; schistosomula of S. mansoni were killed by N-89 at an EC50 of 16 nM. In contrast, no significant reduction in worm burden was observed when N-89 was administered at 5 weeks postinfection in vivo. However, egg production was markedly suppressed by N-89 treatment at that time point. On microscopic observation, the intestine of N-89-treated female worms seemed to be empty compared with the control group, and the mean body length was significantly shorter than that of controls. Nutritional impairment in the parasite due to N-89 treatment was possible, and therefore quantification of hemozoin was compared between parasites with or without N-89 treatment. We found that the hemozoin content was significantly reduced in N-89 treated parasites compared with controls (P<0.001). The surface of adult worms was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, but there were no apparent changes. Taken together, these observations suggested that N-89 has strong antischistosomal effects, probably through a unique mode of drug efficacy. As N-89 is less toxic to mammalian host animals, it is a possible drug candidate against schistosomiasis.

Antimalarial activity of 6-(1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadec-4-yl)hexan-1-ol (N-251) and its carboxylic acid derivatives.

Malaria is one of the world's deadliest diseases and is becoming an increasingly serious problem as malaria parasites develop resistance to most of the antimalarial drugs used today. We previously reported the in vitro and in vivo antimalarial potencies of 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecane (N-89) and 6-(1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadec-4-yl)hexan-1-ol (N-251) against Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei parasites. To improve water-solubility for synthetic peroxides, a variety of cyclic peroxides having carboxyl functionality was prepared based on the antimalarial candidate, N-251, and their antimalarial activities were determined. The reactions of N-89 and its derivatives with Fe(II) demonstrated a highly efficient formation of the corresponding carbon radical which may be suspected as a key for the antiparasitic activity.

Antimalarial activity of endoperoxide compound 6-(1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadec-4-yl)hexan-1-ol.

Plasmodium falciparum, the major causative parasite for the disease, has acquired resistance to most of the antimalarial drugs used today, presenting an immediate need for new antimalarial drugs. Here, we report the in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activities of 6-(1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadec-4-yl)hexan-1-ol (N-251) against P. falciparum and Plasmodium berghei parasites. The N-251 showed high antimalarial potencies both in the in vitro and the in vivo tests (EC(50) 2.3×10(-8) M; ED(50) 15 mg/kg (per oral)). The potencies were similar to that of artemisinin in vitro and greater than artemisinin's activity in vivo (p.o.). In addition, N-251 has little toxicity: a single oral administration at 2000 mg/kg to a rat gave no health problems to it. Administration of N-251 to mice bearing 1% of parasitemia (per oral 68 mg/kg, 3 times a day for 3 consecutive days) resulted in a dramatic decrease in the parasitemia: all the 5 mice given N-251 were cured without any recurrence, with no diarrhea or weight loss occurring in the 60 days of experiment. N-251 deserves more extensive clinical evaluation, desirably including future trials in the human.

Proteome analysis of new antimalarial endoperoxide against Plasmodium falciparum.

N-89, a new antimalarial endoperoxide, was selected as a promising antimalarial compound showing high activity and selectivity. To study the mechanism of N-89 action, N-89 resistant strain (NRC10) was obtained by intermittent drug pressure. NRC10 had a tenfold increase in the EC(50) value of N-89. No cross-resistance was obtained with other antimalarial compounds. Comparative proteome analysis of N-89 sensitive and NRC10 strains revealed over-expression of 12 spots and down-regulation of 14 spots in NRC10. Fifteen proteins were identified of Plasmodium falciparum origin. The identified proteins representing several functions, mainly related to the glycolytic pathway, and metabolism of protein and lipid. Our results suggest that identified proteins may be candidates of antimalarial endoperoxide targets.

Synthesis of cyclic peroxides by chemo- and regioselective peroxidation of dienes with Co(II)/O2/Et3SiH.

In the competitive peroxidation of mixtures of two alkenes with Co(II)/O(2)/Et(3)SiH, it was found that the relative reactivities of the alkene substrates are influenced by three major factors:. (1) relative stability of the intermediate carbon-centered radical formed by the reaction of the alkene with HCo(III) complex, (2) steric effects around the C=C double bond, and (3) electronic factors associated with the C=C double bond. Consistent with results from simple alkenes, the chemo- and regioselective peroxidation of dienes was also realized. Depending on the diene structure, the product included not only the expected acyclic unsaturated triethylsilyl peroxides but also 1,2-dioxolane and 1,2-dioxane derivatives via intramolecular cyclization of the unsaturated peroxy radical intermediates.

DFT prediction of ground-state spin multiplicity of cyclobutane-1,3-diyls: notable effects of two sets of through-bond interactions.

DFT calculations (UB3LYP/6-31+G**) have been performed to predict the substituent effect on the ground-state spin-multiplicity and the singlet-triplet energy gap in cyclobutane-1,3-diyls, CB-DR. The ground state is calculated to be largely dependent on the substituents (X, Y) at the C2 and C4 positions. The substituent effects can be reasonably explained by the two sets of through-bond (TB) interactions which result from the coupling between the symmetric nonbonding molecular orbital (Psi(S)) and the C-X (Y) sigma and sigma* orbitals.

New approaches to the synthesis of spiro-peroxylactones.

Ozonolysis of (alkenyldioxy)cyclododecyl hydroperoxides in trifluoroethanol gave a separable mixture of the corresponding alpha-hydroperoxy- and alpha-hydroxy-substituted spiro-tetraoxacycloalkanes with ring sizes in the range 7-12. Dehydration of the hydroperoxides or oxidation of the hydroxy-compounds afforded the corresponding peroxylactones. The solid-state structure of 1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro[7.11]nonadecan-3-one was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

2-Silyl group effect on the reactivity of cyclopentane-1,3-diyls. Intramolecular ring-closure versus silyl migration.

Generation of singlet and triplet 2-silylcyclopentane-1,3-diyls and their reactivity have been investigated in the thermal and photochemical denitrogenation of 2,3-diaza-7-silylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. 5-Silylcyclopentene (silyl migration product) is quantitatively obtained, while 5-silylbicyclo[2.1.0]pentane (intramolecular ring-closure product) is not detected in the denitrogenation reactions. Deuterium labeling studies clarify that 5-silylcyclopentene is formed by a suprafacial [1,2] silyl migration in singlet 2-silylcyclopentane-1,3-diyl. UDFT calculations closely reproduce the observed reactivity of the singlet diradical: The enthalpic barriers of the intramolecular ring-closure are calculated to be DeltaH++exo468 = 5.8 kcal/mol and DeltaH++endo468 = 6.7 kcal/mol, which are much higher than the energy barrier for the [1,2] silyl migration, DeltaH++468 = 2.7 kcal/mol. The notable effect of the silyl group on raising the energy barrier of the intramolecular cyclization is rationalized by an electronic configuration of the lowest singlet state of 2-silylcyclopentane-1,3-diyls.

New protocol for oxidation in water: micellar oxidation systems composed of novel amphiphilic hydroperoxides.

A series of novel amphiphilic hydroperoxides, alpha-alkoxyalkyl hydroperoxides (alpha-AHPs) and their related hydroperoxides, were designed and prepared with the intention of developing new oxidizing agents bearing a micelle-forming character in water. After their fundamental physical and interfacial properties were elucidated, both oxidation of benzyl sulfide and epoxidation of geraniol promoted by these hydroperoxides were investigated in detail under various conditions. Effective oxidation ofbenzyl sulfide to the corresponding sulfoxide was achieved in aqueous micellar systems composed of alpha-AHPs la-d and a catalytic amount of MoO2(acac)2 at 30 degrees C. Up to 100% conversion was observed under the optimum conditions. In the case of epoxidation of geraniol in water, the corresponding 2,3-epoxide was selectively formed in good yields. Because the conversion of each substrate in the micellar systems was higher than that in nonmicellar media, the solubilization of substrates into micelles was certainly effective in promoting oxidations of insoluble substrates in aqueous media. Micellar oxidation systems composed of novel amphiphilic hydroperoxides afford a new protocol in order to derive safer conditions under which these reactions may be carried out.

Mechanism of an alcohol-trapping reaction in the direct and benzophenone-sensitized photodenitrogenation of a spiroepoxy-substituted azoalkane: solvent effects and stereochemical deuterium labeling.

The spin-state-dependent reactivity, singlet versus triplet, of the 2-spiroepoxy-1,3-cyclopentane-1,3-diyl DR2 has been assessed through alcohol-trapping reactions for which the effect of solvent acidity on the product distribution of the alcohol trapping products 2 versus 3 + 4 and stereochemical deuterium-labeling studies have been performed. The proposed mechanism for the solvent effect on the product ratio (2/3 + 4) reveals the importance of the hydrogen-bonded intermediates I1 and I2 in the trapping reactions; the stereochemical deuterium-labeling results clarify the dipole structure trapped by the alcohol. The dipoles DP1 and DP2, in which the configuration between the epoxide oxygen and the deuterium atoms is retained, are inferred for the direct photodenitrogenation reactions (singlet state), whereas for the benzophenone-sensitized photoreactions (triplet state), after ISC, the ring-opened dipole DP3 is implied as the intermediate that is trapped by the alcohol.

Mechanism of stereo- and regioselectivity in the Paternò-Büchi reaction of furan derivatives with aromatic carbonyl compounds: importance of the conformational distribution in the intermediary triplet 1,4-diradicals.

Temperature and substituent effects on the stereo- and regioselectivity have been investigated in the photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, the so-called Paternò-Büchi (PB) reaction, of unsymmetrically substituted furans 2a,b (2-methyl- and 3-methylfuran) with aromatic carbonyl compounds 1a,b (benzaldehyde and benzophenone). The regio-random but stereoselective (exo/endo > 97/3) formation of lower substituted oxetane 3a and higher substituted oxetane 4a is found in the reaction with benzaldehyde (1a). The exclusive stereoselectivity is not dependent on the position of methyl substituent on the furan ring and the reaction temperature. The double-bond selection (3a versus 4a) is slightly dependent on the reaction temperature (3a/4a = 55/45 to 40/60). The Eyring plots of the regioselectivity are linear. Contrastively, in the reaction with benzophenone (1b), the double-bond selection (3b versus 4b) largely depends on the reaction temperature. The Eyring plots are not linear, but the inflection points are observed. The transient absorption spectroscopic analyses (picosecond time scale) clarify the intervention of triplet 2-oxabutane-1,4-diyls in the photochemical processes. Computational studies reveal the equilibrium structures of the triplet diradicals, energy barriers between the conformers, and the equilibrium constants. A rational mechanism is herein proposed by the support of both experimental and computational investigations to account for not only the exclusive formation of the exo-configured oxetanes 3a and 4a but also the nonlinear Eyring plots observed in the reaction with 1b.

A simple determination method of the absolute configuration of 1-arylethanthiols by an intramolecular CH/pi shielding effect in 1H-NMR of diastereomeric thiol esters.

A simple method for the determination of the absolute configuration of 1-arylethanthiols was achieved by the observation of an intramolecular CH/pi shielding effect in (1)H-NMR of the corresponding thiol esters. (S)-Isomer of the diastereomers always shows remarkable shielding effect.