Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel cationic liposomes loaded with melphalan for the treatment of cancer.

Therapeutically active lipids in drug delivery systems offer customization for enhanced pharmaceutical and biological effects, improving safety and efficacy. Biologically active N, N-didodecyl-3,4-dimethoxy-N-methylbenzenaminium lipid (Q) was synthesized and employed to create a liposome formulation (FQ) encapsulating melphalan (M) through a thin film hydration method. Synthesized cationic lipids and their liposomal formulation underwent characterization and assessment for additive anti-cancer effects on myeloma and melanoma cancer cell lines. These effects were evaluated through various studies, including cytotoxicity assessments, cell cycle arrest analysis, apoptosis measurements, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, DNA fragmentation, and a significant reduction in tumorigenic potential, as evidenced by a decrease in both the number and percentage area of cancer spheroids.

Natural products from the human microbiome: an emergent frontier in organic synthesis and drug discovery.

Often referred to as the "second genome", the human microbiome is at the epicenter of complex inter-habitat biochemical networks like the "gut-brain axis", which has emerged as a significant determinant of cognition, overall health and well-being, as well as resistance to antibiotics and susceptibility to diseases. As part of a broader understanding of the nexus between the human microbiome, diseases and microbial interactions, whether encoded secondary metabolites (natural products) play crucial signalling roles has been the subject of intense scrutiny in the recent past. A major focus of these activities involves harvesting the genomic potential of the human microbiome via bioinformatics guided genome mining and culturomics. Through these efforts, an impressive number of structurally intriguing antibiotics, with enhanced chemical diversity vis-à-vis conventional antibiotics have been isolated from human commensal bacteria, thereby generating considerable interest in their total synthesis and expanding their therapeutic space for drug discovery. These developments augur well for the discovery of new drugs and antibiotics, particularly in the context of challenges posed by mycobacterial resistance and emerging new diseases. The current landscape of various synthetic campaigns and drug discovery initiatives on antibacterial natural products from the human microbiome is captured in this review with an intent to stimulate further activities in this interdisciplinary arena among the new generation.

Glucosyltriazole amphiphile treatment attenuates breast cancer by modulating the AMPK signaling.

Breast cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women. Out of various subtypes, triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) account for 15% of breast cancers and exhibit more aggressive characteristics as well as a worse prognosis due to their proclivity for metastatic progression and limited therapeutic strategies. It has been demonstrated that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has context-specific protumorigenic implications in breast cancer cells. A set of glucosyltriazole amphiphiles, consisting of acetylated (9a-h) and unmodified sugar hydroxyl groups (10a-h), were synthesized and subjected to in vitro biological evaluation. Among them, 9h exhibited significant anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and 4T1 cell lines with IC50 values of 12.5, 15, and 12.55 µM, respectively. Further, compound 9h was evaluated for apoptosis and cell cycle analysis in in vitro models (using breast cancer cells) and antitumour activity in an in vivo model (orthotopic mouse model using 4T1 cells). Annexin-V assay results revealed that treatment with 9h caused 34% and 28% cell death at a concentration of 15 or 7.5 µM, respectively, while cell cycle analysis demonstrated that 9h arrested the cells at the G2/M or G1 phase in MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells, respectively. Further, in vivo, investigation showed that compound 9h exhibited equipotent as doxorubicin at 7.5 mg/kg, and superior efficacy than doxorubicin at 15 mg/kg. The mechanistic approach revealed that 9h showed potent anticancer activity in an in vivo orthotopic model (4T1 cells) partly by suppressing the AMPK activation. Therefore, modulating the AMPK activation could be a probable approach for targeting breast cancer and mitigating cancer progression.

Visible-light-mediated flow protocol for Achmatowicz rearrangement.

The batch processes of APIs/pharmaceutical synthesis are prone to suffer significant limitations, including longer process time, shortage of skilled manpower, laborious post-synthetic work-up, etc. To address the inherent limitations of batch processes, a novel approach was undertaken, resulting in the establishment and development of a visible light-assisted modular photo-flow reactor with a seamlessly integrated post-synthetic work-up procedure enabling the efficient synthesis of dihydropyranones from furfuryl alcohols. The reaction uses sun light as green energy source, and the novel photo-flow reactor platform developed with an integrated system enabling a downstream process in a time and labor-efficient manner which facilitates the Achmatowicz rearrangement, resulting in a fast (10 min) formation of the dihydropyranone products.

Diversified Stitching of Ynones with Oxindole-3-oxy acrylates: One-Flask Spiro-annulation Protocol toward Assorted 3H/5H-Spiro[furan-2,3'-indolin]-2'-ones.

Spiroannulation of oxindole-3-oxy acrylates with ynones involving two overlapping, base differentiated cascades has been observed. Initial exposure of ynones and oxindole 3-oxy acrylates to K2CO3 triggered a tandem Michael-Michael cascade to deliver a pair of spiroannulated diastereomers. Further exposure to LiHMDS led to deep restructuring through a second multistep cascade involving stereoselective recreation of the C3 quaternary center to furnish 3H-spiro[furan-2,3'-indolin]-2'-ones with functional amplification and scrambling. This new scaffold can be directly accessed in a one-flask operation from ynones and oxindole-3-oxy acrylates.

Accessing spiropiperidines from dihydropyridones through tandem triflation-allylation and ring-closing metathesis (RCM).

A novel approach to build 2-spiropiperidine moieties starting from dihydropyridones was developed. The triflic anhydride-promoted conjugate addition of allyltributylstannane onto dihydropyridones allowed for the formation of gem bis-alkenyl intermediates that were converted to the corresponding spirocarbocycles with excellent yields via ring closing metathesis. The vinyl triflate group generated on these 2-spiro-dihydropyridine intermediates could be successfully used as a chemical expansion vector for further transformations namely Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions.

Anticancer effect and apoptosis induction by azaflavanone derivative in human prostate cancer cells.

Polyphenols are naturally occurring organic compounds with varying structures represented by four major groups: flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans and stilbenes. Several studies suggested that these secondary metabolites have health benefits due to its anti-tumorigenic effect. Therefore, substantial effort has been put forward to isolate and characterize these natural compounds and synthesize analogues that may serve as potential anti-cancer therapeutics. This present study is aimed at designing and synthesis of azaflavanone derivative and in understanding its mechanism of action in vitro and in vivo. Molecular docking studies predicted that the compound can potentially bind strongly to the Cyclin E1-Cdk2 complex which is a key mediator of the cell cycle progression indicating a biological interference in aggressive prostate cancer. Further downstream studies to understand its cytotoxicity and mechanism of action showed this azaflavanone derivative markedly inhibits viability of prostate cancer cells (DU145) showing an IC50 value of 0.4 µM compared to other cancer cells. The pharmacological ROS insult using the azaflavanone derivative increases the oxidative damage leading to high expression of apoptotic markers with increasing concentration. On compound treatment, the cells lose the metabolic flexibility accompanied by mitochondrial dysfunction leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Further, no compound mediated toxicity was observed in xenograft mouse model of prostate cancer at a concentration as high as 5 mg/kg. The tumor burden was reduced to 60% rendering the azaflavanone derivative a potential candidate in cancer therapeutics. Collectively, the compound triggers cell cycle arrest and ROS mediated oxidative stress sensitizing the cancerous cells towards apoptosis.

Tandem Michael-anti-Michael Addition-Mediated Orthogonal Strapping of Diynones: Regioselective Spirocyclopentannulation of Oxindoles and Pyrazolones and DFT Validation.

An efficient protocol involving the transformation of sequentially generated recursive anions from heterocyclic precursors to orthogonally strap diynones through one pot transition-metal-free spirocyclopentannulation has been devised, employing oxindoles and pyrazolones as prototypical platforms. Insights into these regioselective tandem Michael-anti-Michael processes have been gleaned through DFT calculations.

Stitching Ynones with Nitromethanes: Domino Synthesis of Functionally Enriched Benzofurans and Benzothiophenes.

A convenient one-pot benzannulation of regioisomeric 2- or 3-substituted furan and thiophene ynones with a range of nitromethanes has been discovered to directly access densely and diversely functionalized benzofurans and benzothiophenes. In this protocol, the nitro group in nitromethanes functions as recursive carbanion activator to setup tandem Michael addition-6π-electrocyclization, and its eventual sacrificial elimination facilitates aromatization and overall benzannulation. This benzannulation was also explored with furan/thiophene based o-halo ynones wherein a Michael addition-SNAr process operates and nitromethanes leave their imprint to deliver nitro substituted benzo-furans and -thiophenes.

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel quinoline-triazole analogs for antitubercular properties via molecular hybridization approach.

Towards a quest for establishing new antitubercular agents, we have designed new quinoline-triazole hybrid analogs in a six-step reaction sequence involving versatile reactions like Vilsmeier-Haack and click reaction protocol. The design is based on the structural modification of bedaquiline moiety and involves molecular hybridization approach. The structure of the synthesized product was elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The synthesized target compounds were screened for their antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium bovis. Interestingly, two compounds of the series (8d and 8m) showed significant inhibition with MIC of 31.5 and 34.8 µM. Compounds bearing 3-fluoro phenyl and n-octyl groups on the 1,2,3-triazole ring emerged as the most potent leads among the compounds tested. Further these hit compounds were also screened for their cytotoxic effect on human embryonic kindey 293 (HEK293) cells and other cancer cell lines such as HeLa (Cervical), PC3 (Prostate), Panc-1 (Pancreatic) and SKOV3 (Ovarian) indicating to be safer with the minimal cytotoxicity.

Nitromethane as a Carbanion Source for Domino Benzoannulation with Ynones: One-Pot Synthesis of Polyfunctional Naphthalenes and a Total Synthesis of Macarpine.

A one-pot, transition-metal-free, domino Michael/SN Ar protocol of general applicability has been devised for the regioselective synthesis of polyfunctional naphthalenes by employing nitromethane and ortho-haloaryl ynones. Utilization of nitromethane as a one carbon carbanion source that is incorporated into a variety of ynones, ends up as an aromatic nitro substituent. The application of this domino process towards a total synthesis of the polycyclic alkaloid macarpine demonstrate for the efficacy of this methodology. The conceptually simple approach to affect regioselective, multifunctional benzoannulation of ynones displays wide substrate scope and functional-group tolerance and has been implemented with substituted nitromethanes, as well as with alicyclic o-haloynones.

Total synthesis of a thromboxane receptor antagonist, terutroban.

A total synthesis of terutroban is achieved using the Claisen rearrangement, Friedel-Crafts acylation and Heck coupling as key reactions, avoiding the classical Diels-Alder approach used before.

Allosteric Activation of SIRT1 by 2,4-Dihydroxy-azaflavanone Averts MPP+-Mediated Dysfunction in Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Bioenergetics: Implications for Parkinson's Disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), resulting in motor dysfunction. Among the pathways examined, mitochondria and α-synuclein were found to play a major role in the disease progression. Hence, several attempts are being made to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics or protein aggregation pathways as disease-modifying strategies. Our earlier studies reported the protective effect of 2,4-dihydroxy-azaflavanone (azaflavanone) in a transgenic Drosophila fly model of PD. In the present study, we found that azaflavanone acts as an allosteric activator of SIRT1 in both cell-free and cell-based systems and the effects were more pronounced as compared to resveratrol. Also, azaflavanone appears to interact selectively with SIRT1 as other SIRTs such as SIRT3 and SIRT6 did not exhibit any gross changes in cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). Molecular docking studies depicted a higher docking score with azaflavanone than with resveratrol. Further, N27 cells treated with azaflavanone exhibited a dose-dependent increase in the mitotracker staining, mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratio, and also mitochondrial bioenergetics. The observed effects appear to be due to the activation of SIRT1, as evidenced by an increase in the expression of PGC-1α and TFAM, which are the downstream targets of SIRT1. Lastly, the Parkinsonian mimic MPP+-induced disturbance in the mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and biogenesis were ameliorated by azaflavanone. Overall, our findings indicate that azaflavanone, being an antioxidant and an allosteric activator of SIRT1, is a promising compound for ameliorating the pathophysiology of PD.

One flask cascade approach to a complex pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-pyrazolone hybrid heterocyclic system and its initiatory neurobiological profiling.

A one-pot multicomponent approach towards a hybrid heterocyclic pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole-pyrazolone framework involving tandem Knoevenagel condensation, sequential intermolecular 1,6-Michael addition, and 6-endo dig cyclization between diynones and pyrazolones, mediated by DBU, has been discovered. This process embodies several green and sustainable chemistry features. Preliminary bioactivity profiling of the new chemical entities indicates neuroprotective and AChE inhibitory activities.

Total synthesis of nhatrangin A.

A concise and stereoselective approach for the synthesis of key intermediates for aplysiatoxins, oscillatoxins, and nhatrangins and their utility for the total synthesis of nhatrangin A has been demonstrated. The advanced intermediates aromatic aldehyde 11 and dihydroxy acid 12 were synthesized in eight steps (44% overall yield) and three steps (55% overall yield), respectively. An asymmetric Michael addition, CBS reduction, and proline-catalyzed crossed-aldol reactions were utilized as key steps for the generation of all the chirality of main chain hydroxyaldehyde, while the appended side-chain-protected 3,4-dihydroxypentanoic acid was achieved in a shortest route, using Sharpless dihydroxylation, diol protection, and RuO4-catalyzed aromatic over-oxidation reactions. Synthesis of nhatrangin A was accomplished by coupling of dihydroxy acid 12 with ß-hydroxyallyl ester (obtained from 11) under Yamaguchi reaction conditions followed by a one-pot deprotection of all protecting groups.

C-H modification of natural products: a minimalist enabling tactic for drug discovery, API processing and bioconjugation.

Intrusion into the C-H chemical space of natural products through the strategic deployment of C-H functionalization reactions could lead to incredibly new molecular diversities with an unforeseen impact on biological functions. Based on this hypothesis, semisynthetic C-H modification of natural products is emerging as a minimalist tactic in natural product based drug discovery. Several examples of C-H modification of natural products, resulting in functional gains in key pharmacological attributes viz. potency, aqueous solubility and DMPK profile, along with opportunities in allied areas such as API processing, bioconjugation, and target deconvolution, continue to surface in the recent literature. The strategy has already recorded commercial success in the development of antineoplastic drugs topotecan and irinotecan and in industrial production of pravastatin, calcitriol and artemisinin. This Feature Article highlights the broad contours of this evolving paradigm at the interface of natural product and synthetic chemistry research to accelerate and widen the scope of natural product-based drug discovery.

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Cationic Lipid: Efficient siRNA Delivery and Anticancer Activity of Survivin-siRNA Lipoplexes for the Treatment of Lung and Breast Cancers.

Survivin has been shown to be widely expressed in most tumor cells, including lung and breast cancers. Due to limited siRNA delivery, it is more challenging to target survivin using knockdown-based techniques. Designing and developing new, bifunctional chemical molecules with both selective anti-proliferative activity and effective siRNA transfection capabilities by targeting a particular gene is important to treat aggressive tumors like triple-negative breast tumors (TNBC). The cationic lipids deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) and also display inherent anti-cancer activities; therefore, cationic lipid therapies have become very popular for treating malignant cancers. In the current study, we attempted to synthesize a series of acid-containing cationic lipids, anthranilic acid-containing mef lipids, and indoleacetic acid-containing etodo lipids etc. Further, we elucidated their bi-functional activity for their anticancer activity and survivin siRNA-mediated anti-cancer activity. Our results showed that lipoplexes with siRNA-Etodo: Dotap (ED) and siRNA-Mef: Dotap (MD) exhibited homogeneous particle size and positive zeta potential. Further, biological investigations resulted in enhanced survivin siRNA delivery with high stability, improved transfection efficiency, and anti-cancer activity. Additionally, our findings showed that survivin siRNA lipoplexes (ED and MD) in A549 cells and 4T1 cells exhibited stronger survivin knockdown, enhanced apoptosis, and G1 or G2/M phase arrest in both cell types. In vivo results revealed that treatment with survivin complexed lipoplexes significantly reduced tumor growth and tumor weight compared to control. Thus, our novel quaternary amine-based liposome formulations are predicted to open up new possibilities in the development of a simple and widely utilized platform for siRNA delivery and anti-cancer activities.

Correction: Sulphonated graphene oxide catalyzed continuous flow synthesis of pyrazolo pyrimidinones, sildenafil and other PDE-5 inhibitors.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D1RA08220E.].

Regioselective C-3-alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones via C-N bond cleavage of amine derived Katritzky salts enabled by continuous-flow photoredox catalysis.

An efficient, transition metal-free visible-light-driven continuous-flow C-3-alkylation of quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones has been demonstrated by employing Katritzky salts as alkylating agents in the presence of eosin-y as a photoredox catalyst and DIPEA as a base at room temperature. The present protocol was accomplished by utilizing abundant and inexpensive alkyl amine (both primary and secondary alkyl) and as well as this a few amino acid feedstocks were converted into their corresponding redox-active pyridinium salts and subsequently into alkyl radicals. A wide variety of C-3-alkylated quinoxalin-2(1H)-ones were synthesized in moderate to high yields. Further this environmentally benign protocol is carried out in a PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy alkane) capillary based micro reactor under blue LED irradiation, enabling excellent yields (72% to 91%) and shorter reaction times (0.81 min) as compared to a batch system (16 h).

Total synthesis of antiviral drug, nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332).

The emergence and rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a potentially fatal disease, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), has swiftly led to public health crisis worldwide. Hence vaccines and antiviral therapeutics are an important part of the healthcare response to combat the ongoing threat by COVID-19. Here, we report an efficient synthesis of nirmatrelvir (PF-07321332), an orally active SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor.