Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 39
Filter
1.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(8)2024 Apr 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38674101

ABSTRACT

Betulonic acid (B(O)A) is a pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoid that widely exists in plants. There are scientific reports indicating anticancer activity of B(O)A, as well as the amides and esters of this triterpenoid. In the first step of the study, the synthesis of novel amide derivatives of B(O)A containing an acetylenic moiety was developed. Subsequently, the medium-soluble compounds (EB171 and EB173) and the parent compound, i.e., B(O)A, were investigated for potential cytotoxic activity against breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and melanoma (C32, COLO 829 and A375) cell lines, as well as normal human fibroblasts. Screening analysis using the WST-1 test was applied. Moreover, the lipophilicity and ADME parameters of the obtained derivatives were determined using experimental and in silico methods. The toxicity assay using zebrafish embryos and larvae was also performed. The study showed that the compound EB171 exhibited a significant cytotoxic effect on cancer cell lines: MCF-7, A-375 and COLO 829, while it did not affect the survival of normal cells. Moreover, studies on embryos and larvae showed no toxicity of EB171 in an animal model. Compared to EB171, the compound EB173 had a weaker effect on all tested cancer cell lines and produced less desirable effects against normal cells. The results of the WST-1 assay obtained for B(O)A revealed its strong cytotoxic activity on the examined cancer cell lines, but also on normal cells. In conclusion, this article describes new derivatives of betulonic acid-from synthesis to biological properties. The results allowed to indicate a promising direction for the functionalization of B(O)A to obtain derivatives with selective anticancer activity and low toxicity.


Subject(s)
Amides , Antineoplastic Agents , Betulinic Acid , Oleanolic Acid , Zebrafish , Humans , Animals , Amides/chemistry , Amides/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacokinetics , Oleanolic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Oleanolic Acid/pharmacology , Oleanolic Acid/chemistry , Oleanolic Acid/chemical synthesis , Oleanolic Acid/pharmacokinetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Computer Simulation , MCF-7 Cells , Cell Survival/drug effects
2.
Molecules ; 29(13)2024 Jul 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38999109

ABSTRACT

In the presented work, a series of 22 hybrids of 8-quinolinesulfonamide and 1,4-disubstituted triazole with antiproliferative activity were designed and synthesised. The title compounds were designed using molecular modelling techniques. For this purpose, machine-learning, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics methods were used. Calculations of the pharmacokinetic parameters (connected with absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) of the hybrids were also performed. The new compounds were synthesised via a copper-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC). 8-N-Methyl-N-{[1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methyl}quinolinesulfonamide was identified in in silico studies as a potential strong inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase and as a compound that has an appropriate pharmacokinetic profile. The results obtained from in vitro experiments confirm the cytotoxicity of derivative 9b in four selected cancer cell lines and the lack of cytotoxicity of this derivative towards normal cells. The results obtained from silico and in vitro experiments indicate that the introduction of another quinolinyl fragment into the inhibitor molecule may have a significant impact on increasing the level of cytotoxicity toward cancer cells and indicate a further direction for future research in order to find new substances suitable for clinical applications in cancer treatment.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Machine Learning , Molecular Docking Simulation , Quinolines , Sulfonamides , Triazoles , Triazoles/chemistry , Triazoles/pharmacology , Triazoles/chemical synthesis , Humans , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Sulfonamides/chemistry , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Sulfonamides/chemical synthesis , Quinolines/chemistry , Quinolines/pharmacology , Quinolines/chemical synthesis , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Structure-Activity Relationship , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Molecular Structure
3.
Molecules ; 29(18)2024 Sep 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39339403

ABSTRACT

There are scientific studies indicating that the attachment of an indole moiety to the triterpene scaffold can lead to increased anticancer potential. Lipophilicity is one of the factors that may influence biological properties and is therefore an important parameter to determine for newly obtained compounds as drug candidates. In the present study, previously synthesized 3 and/or 28-indole-betulin derivatives were evaluated for lipophilicity by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography. The experimental values of lipophilicity (logPTLC) were then subjected to correlation analysis with theoretical values of logP, as well as for selected physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters and anticancer activity. A toxicity test using zebrafish embryos and larvae was also conducted. High correlation was observed between the experimental and theoretical values of lipophilicity. We presented correlation equations and statistical parameters describing the relationships between logPTLC and several physicochemical and ADME parameters. We also revealed the lack of correlation between the experimental values of lipophilicity and anticancer activity. Moreover, experiments on zebrafish have confirmed no toxicity of the tested compounds, which was consistent with the results of the in silico toxicity analysis. The results demonstrated, using the example of indole derivatives of betulin, the utility of lipophilicity values in the context of predicting the biological activity of new compounds.


Subject(s)
Indoles , Triterpenes , Zebrafish , Animals , Triterpenes/chemistry , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Indoles/chemistry , Indoles/pharmacology , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Larva/drug effects , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects , Molecular Structure , Betulinic Acid
4.
Curr Issues Mol Biol ; 45(12): 9961-9975, 2023 Dec 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38132468

ABSTRACT

Betulin derivatives are proposed to serve as an alternative to the drugs already established in oncologic treatment. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity leading to acute kidney injury frequently accompanies cancer treatment, and thus there is a need to research the effects of betulin derivatives on renal cells. The objective of our study was to assess the influence of the betulin derivatives 28-propynylobetulin (EB5) and 29-diethoxyphosphoryl-28-propynylobetulin (ECH147) on the expression of TGFß1, BMP2 and GDF15 in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs) cultured in vitro. The changes in mRNA expression and copy numbers were assessed using real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and the standard curve method, respectively. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the effect of the betulin derivatives on the protein concentration in the culture media's supernatant. The assessment of the betulin derivatives' influence on gene expression demonstrated that the mRNA level and protein concentration did not always correlate with each other. Each of the tested compounds affected the mRNA expression. The RT-qPCR analyses showed that EB5 and ECH147 induced effects similar to those of betulin or cisplatin and resulted in a decrease in the mRNA copy number of all the analyzed genes. The ELISA demonstrated that EB5 and ECH147 elevated the protein concentration of TGFß1 and GDF15, while the level of BMP2 decreased. The concentration of the derivatives used in the treatment was crucial, but the effects did not always exhibit a simple linear dose-dependent relationship. Betulin and its derivatives, EB5 and ECH147, influenced the gene expression of TGFß1, BMP2 and GDF15 in the renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. The observed effects raise the question of whether treatment with these compounds could promote the development of renal fibrosis.

5.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(22)2023 Nov 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38003677

ABSTRACT

Due to the incidence of ovarian cancer (OC) and the limitations of available therapeutic strategies, it is necessary to search for novel therapeutic solutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of betulin 1 and its propynoyl derivatives 2-6 against ovarian cancer cells (SK-OV-3, OVCAR-3) and normal myofibroblasts (18Co). Paclitaxel was used as the reference compound. The propynoyl derivatives 2-6 exhibited stronger antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities compared to betulin 1. In both ovarian cancer cell lines, the most potent compound was 28-propynoylbetulin 2. In the case of compound 2, the calculated IC50 values were 0.2 µM for the SK-OV-3 cells and 0.19 µM for the OVCAR-3 cells. Under the same culture conditions, the calculated IC50 values for compound 6 were 0.26 µM and 0.59 µM, respectively. It was observed that cells treated with compounds 2 and 6 caused a decrease in the potential of the mitochondrial membrane and a significant change in cell morphology. Betulin 1, a diol from the group of pentacyclic triterpenes, has a confirmed wide spectrum of biological effects, including a significant anticancer effect. It is characterized by low bioavailability, which can be improved by introducing changes to its structure. The results showed that chemical modifications of betulin 1 only at position C-28 with the propynoyl group (compound 2) and additionally at position C-3 with the phosphate group (compound 3) or at C-29 with the phosphonate group (compound 6) allowed us to obtain compounds with greater cytotoxic activity than their parent compounds, which could be used to develop novel therapeutic systems effective in the treatment of ovarian cancer.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Ovarian Neoplasms , Triterpenes , Humans , Female , Apoptosis , Structure-Activity Relationship , Cell Line, Tumor , Ovarian Neoplasms/drug therapy , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Triterpenes/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Cell Proliferation , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
6.
Molecules ; 28(6)2023 Mar 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36985481

ABSTRACT

Cancer cells need to carefully regulate their metabolism to keep them growing and dividing under the influence of different nutrients and oxygen levels. Muscle isoform 2 of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) is a key glycolytic enzyme involved in the generation of ATP and is critical for cancer metabolism. PKM2 is expressed in many human tumors and is regulated by complex mechanisms that promote tumor growth and proliferation. Therefore, it is considered an attractive therapeutic target for modulating tumor metabolism. Various modulators regulate PKM2, shifting it between highly active and less active states. In the presented work, a series of 8-quinolinesulfonamide derivatives of PKM2 modulators were designed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics techniques. New compounds were synthesized using the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction. Compound 9a was identified in in silico studies as a potent modulator of muscle isoform 2 of pyruvate kinase. The results obtained from in vitro experiments confirmed the ability of compound 9a to reduce the intracellular pyruvate level in A549 lung cancer cells with simultaneous impact on cancer cell viability and cell-cycle phase distribution. Moreover, compound 9a exhibited more cytotoxicity on cancer cells than normal cells, pointing to high selectivity in the mode of action. These findings indicate that the introduction of another quinolinyl fragment to the modulator molecule may have a significant impact on pyruvate levels in cancer cells and provides further directions for future research to find novel analogs suitable for clinical applications in cancer treatment.


Subject(s)
Pyruvate Kinase , Quinolines , Humans , Pyruvate Kinase/metabolism , Molecular Docking Simulation , Sulfonamides/pharmacology , Protein Isoforms , Quinolines/pharmacology , Cell Proliferation , Cell Line, Tumor
7.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(1)2022 Dec 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36613643

ABSTRACT

Betulin, or naturally occurring triterpene, possesses promising antiproliferative activity. To further explore this potential, thirty-eight betulin acid ester derivatives modified at the C-28 position were tested for antitumor activities. Four human cancer cell lines, MV4-11 (leukemia), A549 (lung), PC-3 (prostate), MCF-7 (breast) as well as the normal BALB/3T3 (mouse fibroblasts) cell line were examined using MTT and SRB assays. A few derivatives exhibited strong antiproliferative activity with IC50 values between 2 and 5 µM. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that some derivatives induced apoptosis by inducing caspase-3/7 activity. A strong structure-activity correlation of tested compounds has been proposed along with experimental and in silico pharmacokinetic properties.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Neoplasms , Triterpenes , Animals , Mice , Humans , Cell Line, Tumor , Esters/pharmacology , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Apoptosis , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Caspases/metabolism , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Cell Proliferation , Structure-Activity Relationship , Molecular Structure , Caspase 3/metabolism
8.
Int J Mol Sci ; 23(5)2022 Feb 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35269667

ABSTRACT

Betulin and its derivatives, 28-propyne derivative EB5 and 29-diethyl phosphonate analog ECH147, are promising compounds in anti-tumor activity studies. However, their effect on kidney cells has not yet been studied. The study aimed to determine whether betulin and its derivatives-EB5 and ECH147-influence the viability and oxidative status of human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTECs). The total antioxidant capacity of cells (TEAC), lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GPX) were evaluated. Additionally, the mRNA level of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes was assessed. Cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil were used as reference substances. Betulin and its derivatives affected the viability and antioxidant systems of RPTECs. Betulin strongly reduced TEAC in a concentration-dependent manner. All tested compounds caused an increase in MDA levels. The activity of SOD, CAT, and GPX, and the mRNA profiles of genes encoding antioxidant enzymes depended on the tested compound and its concentration. Betulin showed an cisplatin-like effect, indicating its nephrotoxic potential. Betulin derivatives EB5 and ECH147 showed different impacts on the antioxidant system, which gives hope that these compounds will not cause severe consequences for the kidneys in vivo.


Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Cisplatin , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cisplatin/pharmacology , Epithelial Cells , Humans , Lipid Peroxidation , Oxidative Stress , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Superoxide Dismutase/genetics , Triterpenes
9.
Molecules ; 27(19)2022 Sep 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36234741

ABSTRACT

Hybrids 1,4-quinone with quinoline were obtained by connecting two active structures through an oxygen atom. This strategy allows to obtain new compounds with a high biological activity and suitable bioavailability. Newly synthesized compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The enzymatic assay used showed that these compounds were a suitable DT-diaphorase (NQO1) substrates as evidenced by increasing enzymatic conversion rates relative to that of streptonigrin. Hybrids were tested in vitro against a panel of human cell lines including melanoma, breast, and lung cancers. They showed also a high cytotoxic activity depending on the type of 1,4-quinone moiety and the applied tumor cell lines. It was found that cytotoxic activity of the studied hybrids was increasing against the cell lines with higher NQO1 protein level, such as breast (MCF-7 and T47D) and lung (A549) cancers. Selected hybrids were tested for the transcriptional activity of the gene encoding a proliferation marker (H3 histone), cell cycle regulators (p53 and p21) and the apoptosis pathway (BCL-2 and BAX). The molecular docking was used to examine the probable interaction between the hybrids and NQO1 protein.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents , Hydroxyquinolines , Quinolines , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Apoptosis , Benzoquinones , Cell Line, Tumor , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Histones , Humans , Hydroxyquinolines/pharmacology , Molecular Docking Simulation , NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/metabolism , Oxygen/metabolism , Quinolines/chemistry , Quinones/metabolism , Quinones/pharmacology , Streptonigrin , Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism
10.
Bioorg Chem ; 106: 104478, 2021 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33272711

ABSTRACT

In this research, betulin derivatives were bonded to the 1,4-quinone fragment by triazole linker. Furthermore, the enzymatic assay used has shown that these compounds are a good DT-diaphorase (NQO1) substrates as evidenced by increasing enzymatic conversion rates relative to that of streptonigrin. The anticancer activities of the hybrids were tested against a panel of human cell lines, like: melanoma, ovarian, breast, colon, and lung cancers. The structure-activity relationship showed that the activity depends on the type of 1,4-quinone moiety and the tumor cell lines used. It was also found that the anticancer effects were increasing against the cell line with higher NQO1 protein level, like: breast (T47D, MCF-7), colon (Caco-2), and lung (A549) cancers. The transcriptional activity of the gene encoding a proliferation marker (H3 histone), cell cycle regulators (p53 and p21) and apoptosis pathway (BCL-2 and BAX) for selected compounds were determined. The molecular docking study was carried out to examine the interaction between the hybrids and NQO1 enzyme. The computational simulation showed that the type of the 1,4-quinone moiety influences location of the compound in the active site of the enzyme. It is worth noting that the study of new hybrids of betulin as substrate for NQO1 protein may lead to new medical therapeutic applications in the future.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Drug Design , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/antagonists & inhibitors , Quinones/pharmacology , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemical synthesis , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Humans , Molecular Docking Simulation , Molecular Structure , NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/metabolism , Quinones/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship , Substrate Specificity , Triterpenes/chemical synthesis , Triterpenes/chemistry
11.
Molecules ; 26(3)2021 Jan 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33503929

ABSTRACT

Betulin (BT) is a natural pentacyclic lupane-type triterpene exhibiting anticancer activity. Betulin derivatives bearing propynoyloxy and phosphate groups were prepared in an effort to improve the availability and efficacy of the drug. In this study, a comparative assessment of the in vitro anticancer activity of betulin and its four derivatives was carried out using two human breast cancer cell lines: SK-BR-3 and MCF-7. In both studied cell lines, 30-diethoxyphosphoryl-28-propynoylbetulin (compound 4) turned out to be the most powerful inhibitor of growth and inducer of cellular death. Detailed examination of that derivative pertained to the mechanisms underlying its anticancer action. Treatment with compound 4 decreased DNA synthesis and up-regulated p21WAF1/Cip1 mRNA and protein levels in both cell lines. On the other hand, that derivative caused a significant increase in cell death, as evidenced by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and ethidium homodimer uptake. Shortly after the compound addition, an increased generation of reactive oxygen species and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected. The activation of caspase-3 and fragmentation of genomic DNA suggested an apoptotic type of cell death. However, analysis of cellular morphology did not reveal any nuclear features typical of apoptosis. Despite necrosis-like morphology, dead cells exhibited activation of the cascade of caspases. These observations have led to the conclusion that compound 4 pushed cells to undergo a form of necrotic-like regulated cell demise.


Subject(s)
Alkynes/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy , Cell Death/drug effects , Necrosis/drug therapy , Phosphates/pharmacology , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Apoptosis/drug effects , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , Caspases/metabolism , Cell Cycle/drug effects , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Humans , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/metabolism , MCF-7 Cells , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Up-Regulation/drug effects
12.
Molecules ; 26(3)2021 Jan 31.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33572631

ABSTRACT

A series of 30-diethylphosphate derivatives of betulin were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines, such as amelanotic melanoma (C-32), glioblastoma (SNB-19), and two lines of breast cancer (T47D, MDA-MB-231). The molecular structure and activities of the new compounds were also compared with their 29-phosphonate analogs. Compounds 7a and 7b showed the highest activity against C-32 and SNB-19 cell lines. The IC50 values for 7a were 2.15 and 0.91 µM, and, for 7b, they were 0.76 and 0.8 µM for the C-32 and SNB-19 lines, respectively. The most potent compounds, 7a and 7b, were tested for their effects on markers of apoptosis, such as H3, TP53, BAX, and BCL-2. For the whole series of phosphate derivatives, a lipophilicity study was performed, and the ADME parameters were calculated. The most active products were docked to the active site of the EGFR protein. The relative binding affinity of selected phosphate betulin derivatives toward EGFR was compared with standard erlotinib on the basis of ChemScore and KDEEP score. Positively, all derivatives docked inside the cavity and showed significant interactions. Moreover, a molecular dynamics study also reveals that ligands 7a,b form stable complexes and the plateau phase started after 7 ns.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Phosphates/chemistry , Triterpenes/chemistry , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Molecular Conformation
13.
Exp Eye Res ; 181: 178-184, 2019 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30735658

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study was to investigate the endogenous fluorescence of the keratoconic cornea in order to analyze changes in the spectra due to the keratoconic stroma abnormalities. Twenty-two corneal buttons obtained from patients with keratoconus (KC, N = 22) at the time of penetrating keratoplasty were used. As a reference, twelve normal corneas (N = 12): ten from the Eye Bank and two from enucleated eyes due to choroidal melanoma were used. The fluorescence excitation/emission matrices (EEM) in the ranges of 250-400/260-600 nm were recorded. Healthy cornea, keratoconic cornea and sclera showed three main EEM bands, which correspond to the following fluorophores: tryptophan residues in the proteoglycan fraction of corneal/scleral stromas, naturally occurring collagen cross-links and the NAD(P)H fraction present in the metabolically active cells. Relative intensity factors S1, S2 and S3 describing the contribution of each kind of fluorophore to the total fluorescence of the tissue were calculated. Normal and keratoconic corneas show qualitatively similar fluorescence matrices, but the statistically significant differences in the mean values of the S1, S2 and S3 parameters for the KC and normal corneas were observed indicating changes in contribution of different fluorophores to the whole fluorescence of the tissue. Moreover, differences between multidimensional distribution of the relative intensity factors S1, S2 and S3 between these groups were demonstrated (p < 0.001). In conclusions: Differences in the relative intensity factors calculated on a basis of the fluorescence spectra can correspond to the changes found in the KC stroma regarding natural collagen cross-links and the proteoglycan fraction. These parameters well differentiate the KC and normal corneas that could serve as an additional tool for the keratoconus characterization.


Subject(s)
Corneal Stroma/diagnostic imaging , Keratoconus/diagnosis , Adult , Corneal Stroma/surgery , Female , Fluorescence , Humans , Keratoconus/surgery , Keratoplasty, Penetrating , Male , Middle Aged , Spectrometry, Fluorescence , Young Adult
14.
Bioorg Chem ; 87: 613-628, 2019 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30947097

ABSTRACT

Betulin derivatives exhibit an antiproliferative activity and have been tested for many cancer cell lines. This paper describes a new series of 3-phosphate derivatives of betulin bearing different substituents at C28 position. The synthesized compounds were tested in vitro for their antiproliferative effect against human leukemia (MV-4-11 and CCRF/CEM), lung carcinoma (A549), prostate cancer (DU 145), melanoma (Hs 294T) cell lines, and murine leukemia P388. To explore the possible mechanism of anticancer activity for the most in vitro active compounds (4, 5, 7 and 8) and betulin, molecular docking was performed to the binding sites of potential anticancer targets, described for the various triterpene derivatives, including topoisomerase I and II, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR), transcription factor NF-κB, anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ). According to the results of the docking, the best fit to the binding pocket of PPARγ was shown by compound 4.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Phosphates/pharmacology , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemical synthesis , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Density Functional Theory , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor , Humans , Molecular Structure , Phosphates/chemical synthesis , Phosphates/chemistry , Structure-Activity Relationship , Triterpenes/chemical synthesis , Triterpenes/chemistry , Tumor Cells, Cultured
15.
Int J Mol Sci ; 20(6)2019 Mar 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30893801

ABSTRACT

A series of 3-substituted derivatives of betulin and betulinic aldehyde were synthesized as promising anticancer agents. The newly triterpenes were tested against five human cancer cell lines like biphenotypic B myelomonocytic leukaemia (MV-4-11), adenocarcinoma (A549), prostate (Du-145), melanoma (Hs294T), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and normal human mammary gland (MCF-10A). The compound 9 showed towards Du-145, MCF-7 and Hs294T cells significant antiproliferative activity with IC50 ranging from 7.3 to 10.6 µM. The evaluation of ADME properties of all compounds also includes their pharmacokinetic profile. The calculated TPSA values for synthetized derivatives are in the range between 43.38 Ų and 55.77 Ų suggesting high oral bioavailability. The molecular docking calculations showed that triterpene 9 fits the active site of the serine/threonine protein kinase Akt.


Subject(s)
Aldehydes/pharmacology , Computer Simulation , Triterpenes/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Humans , Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Molecular Docking Simulation , Triterpenes/chemistry
16.
Int J Mol Sci ; 20(20)2019 Oct 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31640137

ABSTRACT

Since the beginning of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, many groups of drugs characterized by diverse mechanisms of action have been developed, which can suppress HIV viremia. 3-O-(3',3'-Dimethylsuccinyl) betulinic acid, known as bevirimat (BVM), was the first compound in the class of HIV maturation inhibitors. In the present work, phosphate and phosphonate derivatives of 3-carboxyacylbetulinic acid were synthesized and evaluated for anti-HIV-1 activity. In vitro studies showed that 30-diethylphosphonate analog of BVM (compound 14a) has comparable effects to BVM (half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) equal to 0.02 µM and 0.03 µM, respectively) and is also more selective (selectivity indices: 3450 and 967, respectively). To investigate the possible mechanism of antiviral effect of 14a, molecular docking was carried out on the C-terminal domain (CTD) of HIV-1 capsid (CA)-spacer peptide 1 (SP1) fragment of Gag protein, designated as CTD-SP1, which was described as a molecular target for maturation inhibitors. Compared with interactions between BVM and the protein, an increased number of strong interactions between ligand 14a and protein, generated by the phosphonate group, was observed.


Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/chemical synthesis , HIV-1/drug effects , Organophosphorus Compounds/chemical synthesis , Succinates/chemistry , Triterpenes/chemistry , Anti-HIV Agents/chemistry , Anti-HIV Agents/pharmacology , Capsid Proteins/chemistry , Capsid Proteins/metabolism , Cell Line , HIV-1/metabolism , Humans , Models, Molecular , Molecular Docking Simulation , Molecular Structure , Organophosphorus Compounds/chemistry , Organophosphorus Compounds/pharmacology , gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/chemistry , gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/metabolism
17.
Molecules ; 24(22)2019 Nov 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31739496

ABSTRACT

Natural 5,8-quinolinedione antibiotics exhibit a broad spectrum of activities including anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and antimalarial activities. The structure-activity research showed that the 5,8-quinolinedione scaffold is responsible for its biological effect. The subject of this review report is a presentation of the pharmacological activity of synthetic 5,8-quinolinedione compounds containing different groups at C-6 and/or C-7 positions. The relationship between the activity and the mechanism of action is included if these data have been included in the original literature. The review mostly covers the period between 2000 and 2019. Previously published literature data were used to present historical points.


Subject(s)
Quinolines/chemistry , Streptonigrin/chemistry , Molecular Structure , Structure-Activity Relationship
18.
Med Chem Res ; 27(9): 2051-2061, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30220830

ABSTRACT

The CuAAC reaction of azides and acetylenic triterpenes was used for synthesis of new triazoles of 3-acetylbetulin and betulone. The triazole derivatives were evaluated for their anticancer activity in vitro against amelanotic melanoma C-32, ductal carcinoma T47D and glioblastoma SNB-19 cell lines. 28-[1-(3'-Deoxythymidine-5'-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]carbonylbetulone 6e exhibited a significant IC50 value (0.17 µM) against the human glioblastoma SNB-19 cell line, an almost 5-fold higher potency while compared with reference cisplatin.

19.
Molecules ; 22(3)2017 Mar 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28287461

ABSTRACT

The compounds produced by a living organism are most commonly as medicinal agents and starting materials for the preparation of new semi-synthetic derivatives. One of the largest groups of natural compounds consists of products containing a 1,4-benzoquinone subunit. This fragment occurs in three enediyne antibiotics, dynemicin A, deoxydynemicin A, and uncilamicin, which exhibit high biological activity. A series of alkoxy derivatives containing 1,4-naphthoquinone, 5,8-quinolinedione, and 2-methyl-5,8-quinolinedione moieties was synthesized. Moreover, the 1,4-benzoquinone subunit was contacted with an enediyne fragment. All obtained compounds were characterized by spectroscopy and spectrometry methods. The resulting alkane, alkene, alkyne and enediyne derivatives were tested as antitumor agents. They showed high cytotoxic activity depending on the type of 1,4-benzoquinone subunit and the employed tumor cell lines. The synthesized derivatives fulfill the Lipinski Rule of Five and have low permeability through the blood-brain barrier.


Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/chemical synthesis , Benzoquinones/chemistry , Enediynes/chemical synthesis , Quinolines/chemical synthesis , Anthraquinones/chemical synthesis , Anthraquinones/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic/pharmacology , Biological Products/chemistry , Biological Products/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Survival/drug effects , Enediynes/pharmacology , Humans , Inhibitory Concentration 50 , Naphthoquinones/chemistry , Organ Specificity , Quinolines/pharmacology , Structure-Activity Relationship
20.
Molecules ; 22(11)2017 Nov 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29104263

ABSTRACT

Betulin derivatives containing a 1,2,3-triazole ring possess a wide spectrum of biological activities, including antiviral, anticancer, and antibacterial activity. A series of novel triazoles were prepared by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between the alkyne derivatives of betulin and organic azides. The chemical structures of the obtained compounds were defined by ¹H and 13C NMR, IR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) analysis. The target triazoles were screened for their antiviral activity against DNA and RNA viruses. The cytotoxic activity of the obtained compounds 5a-k and 6a-h was determined using five human cancer cell lines (T47D, MCF-7, SNB-19, Colo-829, and C-32) by a WST-1 assay. The bistriazole 6b displayed a promising IC50 value (0.05 µM) against the human ductal carcinoma T47D (500-fold higher potency than cisplatin). The microdilution method was applied for an evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of all of the compounds. The triazole 5e containing a 3'-deoxythymidine-5'-yl moiety exhibited antibacterial activity against two gram-negative bacteria vz. Klebsiellapneumoniae and Escherichia coli (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 0.95-1.95 µM).


Subject(s)
Triazoles/chemistry , Triterpenes/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/chemistry , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Gram-Negative Bacteria/chemistry , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Mass Spectrometry , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Structure-Activity Relationship
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL