Di-indenopyridines as topoisomerase II-selective anticancer agents: Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships.

Topoisomerases are key molecular enzymes responsible for altering DNA topology, thus they have long been considered as attractive targets for novel chemotherapeutic agents. Topoisomerase type II (Topo II) catalytic inhibitors embrace a fresh perspective meant to get beyond drawbacks caused by topo II poisons, such as cardiotoxicity and secondary malignancies. Based on previously reported 5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridines, here we presented new twenty-three hybrid di-indenopyridines along with their topo I/IIα inhibitory and antiproliferative activity. Most of the prepared 11-phenyl-diindenopyridines showed negligible topo I inhibitory activity, showing selectivity over topo II. Among the series, we finally selected compound 17, which displayed 100 % topo IIα inhibition at 20 µM concentration and comparable antiproliferative activity against the tested cell lines. Through competitive EtBr displacement assay, cleavable complex assay, and comet assay, compound 17 was finally determined as a non-intercalative catalytic topo IIα inhibitor. The findings in this study highlight the significance of phenolic, halophenyl, thienyl, and furyl groups at the 4-position of the indane ring in the design and synthesis of di-indenopyridines as potent catalytic topo IIα inhibitors with remarkable anticancer effects.

Potent inhibitory activity of hydroxylated 2-benzylidene-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-ones on LPS-stimulated reactive oxygen species production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

This study attempted to discover tetralone-derived potent ROS inhibitors by synthesizing sixty-six hydroxylated and halogenated 2-benzylidene-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-ones via Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction. The majority of the synthesized and investigated compounds significantly inhibited ROS in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. When compared to malvidin (IC50 = 9.00 µM), compound 28 (IC50 = 0.18 µM) possessing 6­hydroxyl and 2­trifluoromethylphenyl moiety showed the most potent ROS inhibition. In addition, the compounds 20, 31, 39, 45, 47-48, 52, 55-56, 58-60, and 62 also displayed ten folds greater ROS inhibitory activity relative to the reference compound. Based on the structure-activity relationship study, incorporating hydroxyl groups at the 6- and 7-positions of tetralone scaffold along with different halogen functionalities in phenyl ring B is crucial for potent ROS suppression. This study contributes to a better understanding of the effect of halogen and phenolic groups in ROS suppression, and further investigations on 2-benzylidene-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-1(2H)-ones will potentially lead to the discovery of effective anti-inflammatory agents.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of hydroxylated and halogenated 2,4-diaryl benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridin-7-ols as selective topoisomerase IIα inhibitors.

The objective of this study was to discover potential topoisomerase (topo) targeting anticancer agents. Novel series of hydroxylated and halogenated(-F, -Cl, and -CF3) 2,4-diaryl benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridin-7-ols were systematically designed and synthesized by faster, economic, and environmentally friendly l-proline catalyzed and microwave-assisted one pot reaction method. The synthesized compounds were assessed for topo I and IIα inhibitory and anti-proliferative activities. The in vitroevaluation displayed that most of the compounds have selective topo IIα inhibitoryactivity as well as selectivity towards T47D human cancer cell line. Structure-activity relationship study suggested that the introduction of additional hydroxyl functionality at 7-positon of benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridine skeleton is crucial for selective topo IIα inhibitory activity. Placement of phenolic moiety on the 4-position of the tricyclic system imparts better topo IIα inhibitory and anti-proliferative activity.

Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity of psiguadial B and its halogenated analogues as potential neuroprotective agents.

Psiguadial B (8), and its fluoro- (8a), chloro- (8b), and bromo- (8c) derivatives were synthesized using a sodium acetate-catalyzed single step coupling of three components: ß-caryophyllene (5), diformylphloroglucinol (11), and benzaldehyde (12). These compounds efficiently and dose-dependently decreased H2O2-induced cell death, a quantitative marker of cell death, in primary cultures of mouse cortical neurons. Psiguadial B also decreased neuronal death and accumulation of ROS induced by FeCl2 in cortical cultures. The in vitro effects of these compounds in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of nitric oxide (NO), and TNF-α and IL-6 by suppressing the NF-κB pathway in immune cells demonstrated their antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. The present findings warrant further research on the development of psiguadial B-based neuroprotective agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, acute brain injuries and immunological disorders.

AK-I-190, a New Catalytic Inhibitor of Topoisomerase II with Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activity on Androgen-Negative Prostate Cancer Cells.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is a clinical challenge in treatment because of its aggressive nature and resistance to androgen deprivation therapy. Topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitors have been suggested as a strategy to overcome these issues. We previously reported AK-I-190 as a novel topoisomerase II inhibitor. In this study, the mechanism of AK-I-190 was clarified using various types of spectroscopic and biological evaluations. AK-I-190 showed potent topoisomerase II inhibitory activity through intercalating into DNA without stabilizing the DNA-enzyme cleavage complex, resulting in significantly less DNA toxicity than etoposide, a clinically used topoisomerase II poison. AK-I-190 induced G1 arrest and effectively inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation in combination with paclitaxel in an androgen receptor-negative CRPC cell line. Our results confirmed that topoisomerase II catalytic inhibition inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of AR-independently growing prostate cancer cells. These findings indicate the clinical relevance of topoisomerase II catalytic inhibitors in androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer.

Introduction of amino moiety enhances the inhibitory potency of 1-tetralone chalcone derivatives against LPS-stimulated reactive oxygen species production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

The design and synthesis of a series of thirty-two halogenated 1-tetralone or 6-amino-1-tetralone chalcone derivatives was achieved by the Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction and were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against ROS production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. It was observed that the introduction of amino moiety into 1-tetralone skeleton greatly increased the inhibitory potency compared to corresponding 1-tetralone chalcones. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 18 which consists of 6-amino-1-tetralone skeleton together with o-fluorobenzylidene showed the most potent ROS inhibitory effect with IC50 value of 0.25 ±â€¯0.13 µM. SAR analysis revealed that amino moiety at the 6th position of 1-tetralone chalcones have an important role for exerting the greater ROS inhibitory potency in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages than those exhibited by 1-tetralone chalcones alone.

Identification of sulfonyl-loxoprofen as novel phase 2 conjugate in rat.

Loxoprofen is a prodrug that exerts strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects through its active trans-alcohol metabolite, which is produced in the liver by carbonyl reductase. Previous metabolic studies have evaluated loxoprofen, but its sulfate and taurine conjugates have not yet been studied. We characterized the metabolomic profile of loxoprofen in rat plasma, urine, and feces using high-resolution mass spectrometry. We identified 17 metabolites of loxoprofen in the three different biological matrices, 13 of which were detected in plasma and feces and 16 in urine. Amongst these metabolites, two novel taurine conjugates (M12 and M13) and two novel acyl glucuronides (M14, M15) were identified for the first time in rats. In addition, we detected three novel sulfate conjugates (M9, M10, and M11) of loxoprofen. Further study of these metabolites of loxoprofen is essential in order to assess their potency and toxicity.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of new benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridin-7-ols as DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors.

Human DNA topoisomerases have become attractive targets for developing more effective anticancer drugs. In this study, a series of new benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridin-7-ols were designed and synthesized for the first time and screened for their topoisomerase I and II inhibitory and antiproliferative activity. Structure-activity relationships revealed the position of ortho- and para-hydroxyl group at 2-phenyl ring, and meta-hydroxyl group at 4-phenyl ring of benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridin-7-ol are important for potent and selective topo II inhibitory activity. Compound 11 showed the most selective and potent topo II inhibition (100% inhibition at 100 µM) and strongest antiproliferative activity (IC50 = 0.86 µM) than all the positive controls in HeLa cell line.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyridine-linked indanone derivatives: Potential agents for inflammatory bowel disease.

A series of pyridine-linked indanone derivatives were designed and synthesized to discover new small molecules for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Compounds 5b and 5d exhibited strongest inhibitory activity against TNF-α-induced monocyte adhesion to colon epithelial cells (an in vitro model of colitis). In TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid)-induced rat colitis model, oral administration of the compounds 5b and 5d ameliorated colitis with significant recovery in altered expressions of E-cadherin, TNF-α and IL-1ß expressions, indicating 5b and 5d as potential agents for therapeutics development against IBD.

A new phenolic series of indenopyridinone as topoisomerase inhibitors: Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships.

DNA Topoisomerase IIα (topo IIα) is one of the most effective therapeutic targets to control cancer. In an effort to develop novel and effective topo IIα targeting anti-proliferative agent, a phenolic series of indenopyridinone and indenopyridinol were designed and prepared using efficient multi-component one pot synthetic method. Total twenty-two synthesized compounds were assessed for topo I and IIα inhibition, and anti-proliferation in three different human cancer cell lines. Overall structure-activity relationship study explored the significance of meta-phenolic group at 4-position and para-phenolic group at 2- and/or 4-position of indenopyridinone skeleton for strong topo IIα-selective inhibition and anti-proliferative activity against human cervix (HeLa) and colorectal (HCT15) cell lines. Compound 12 with excellent topo IIα inhibition (93.7%) was confirmed as a DNA intercalator that could be a new promising lead to develop effective topo IIα-targeted anticancer agents.

Synthesis and SAR study of new hydroxy and chloro-substituted 2,4-diphenyl 5H-chromeno[4,3-b]pyridines as selective topoisomerase IIα-targeting anticancer agents.

As part of our effort to develop potential topoisomerase IIα (topo IIα) targeting anticancer agents, we systematically designed a new series of hydroxy and chloro-substituted 2,4-diphenyl 5H-chromeno[4,3-b]pyridines. Total eighteen compounds were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit the function of topo I and IIα, and proliferation of human breast (T47D), colorectal (HCT15), and cervix (HeLa) cancer cells. Except compound 11, all of the tested compounds displayed selective topo IIα inhibitory activity. Compounds 8-18, 22, 24, and 25 showed excellent topo IIα inhibitory activity than a positive control, etoposide. Most of the compounds appeared to be superior to reference compounds in their antiproliferative activity. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) study has shown that it is better to place the hydroxyphenyl group at the 4-position of the central pyridine for superior topo IIα inhibition and antiproliferative activity. Similarly, the 3'-, or 4'-hydroxyphenyl substitution at the 2- and 4-positon of pyridine ring is important for better activity than 2'-substitution.

Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, structure-activity relationship study, and mode of action of 2-phenol-4,6-dichlorophenyl-pyridines.

Human DNA topoisomerases (Topos) are essential nuclear enzyme whose level of expression is potential indicator for prediction of responsive result of chemotherapy. Topos has become a key cellular target for most of the anticancer agents that regulates topological problems of DNA during cellular metabolic processes such as replication, transcription, and recombination. Inspired by previous studies of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyridines to find out safer and effective topoisomerase targeted anticancer agent, twenty-seven 2-phenol-4,6-dichlorophenyl-pyridines were designed, synthesized, and tested for their topo I and IIα inhibitory and anti-proliferative activity. Most of the dichlorinated meta- and para-phenolic series compounds (1-18) exhibited potent and selective topo IIα inhibition along with significant anti-proliferative activity in the HCT-15 and T47D cell lines compared to the positive control, etoposide. Interestingly, dichlorinated ortho-phenolic series compounds (19-27) exhibited potent and dual topo inhibition but very weak anti-proliferative activity in the tested cancer cell lines. Structure-activity relationship with previously synthesized compounds revealed the importance of chlorine moiety to improve the potency of topo inhibitory activity. Further mechanistic study confirmed that compounds 2 and 12 acted as non-intercalative specific topo IIα catalytic inhibitor with less DNA damage, and induced G1 arrest and apoptosis in HCT-15 and T47D cell lines, respectively.

Inhibition of LPS-stimulated ROS production by fluorinated and hydroxylated chalcones in RAW 264.7 macrophages with structure-activity relationship study.

Based on the importance of the previous fluorinated and/or hydroxylated chalcones studies, thirty-six compounds were designed as phenyl or hydroxyphenyl bearing fluoro, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethoxy phenyl propenones and synthesized by applying modified Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction as a single step. Inhibitory effects of the synthesized compounds on ROS production stimulated by LPS in RAW 264.7 macrophage were evaluated. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) study revealed that the compounds possessing para-hydroxyphenyl group combined with meta-fluoro or meta-trifluoromethyl phenyl group, and meta/para-hydroxyphenyl group combined with ortho-trifluoromethoxyphenyl group have an essential role in inhibiting the LPS-stimulated ROS production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The most significant inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated ROS production in RAW 264.7 macrophages was observed in compound 30 that possessed para-hydroxyphenyl group along with ortho-trifluoromethoxyphenyl group.

2-Chlorophenyl-substituted benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridines with enhanced topoisomerase inhibitory activity: The role of the chlorine substituent.

A new series of 2-chloropheny-substituted benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridines were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for topoisomerase I and II inhibition and antiproliferative activity. Compounds 17-19, 23, 24, 26, and 27 exhibited excellent topo II inhibitory activity. A systematic structure-activity relationship study revealed the important role of chlorine substitution in the strong topoisomerase inhibitory activity.

Effect of chlorine substituent on cytotoxic activities: Design and synthesis of systematically modified 2,4-diphenyl-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridines.

In continuation of our previous work, six hydroxylated 2,4-diphenyl-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridine analogs were modified by introducing one chlorine functionality at ortho, meta or para position of the 2- or 4-phenyl ring. Eighteen new chlorinated compounds were thus prepared and assessed for topoisomerase inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity against HCT15, T47D, and HeLa cancer cell lines. All of the chlorinated compounds displayed significant cytotoxic effect, revealing potent anticancer activity against T47D breast cancer cells. This functional group modification allowed us to explore the importance of chlorine group substitution for the cytotoxic properties. The information reported here provides valuable insight for further study to develop new anticancer agents using related scaffolds.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-phenol-4-chlorophenyl-6-aryl pyridines as topoisomerase II inhibitors and cytotoxic agents.

A new series of 2-phenol-4-chlorophenyl-6-aryl pyridines were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for topoisomerase (topo) I and II inhibitory activities as well as cytotoxic activity against four different human cancer cell lines such as HCT15, T47D, DU145, and Hela. Most of the tested compounds exhibited stronger topo II inhibitory activity at 100µM as compared to etoposide. All the compounds, except 39, did not show topo I inhibitory activity. Interestingly, compounds that showed better topo II inhibition than etoposide have ortho- or para-chlorophenyl at 4-position of central pyridine, and none of the compounds possess meta-chlorophenyl. SAR study revealed the importance of ortho- or para-chlorophenyl at 4-position of the central pyridine for selective topo II inhibitory activity. Similarly, all compounds possessing meta- or para-hydroxyphenyl moieties showed moderate to significant cytotoxic effects. Particularly, compounds 27-37, and 39 which showed excellent cytotoxicity (IC50=0.68-1.25µM) against T47D breast cancer cells suggest the importance of meta- or para-hydroxyphenyl moiety at 2-position of the central pyridine for the design of anticancer agents with related scaffolds.

Topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity, cytotoxicity, and structure-activity relationship study of dihydroxylated 2,6-diphenyl-4-aryl pyridines.

A new series of thirty-six dihydroxylated 2,6-diphenyl-4-aryl pyridines containing hydroxyl groups at the ortho, meta, or para position of 2- and 6-phenyl rings attached to the central pyridine were designed and synthesized. They were evaluated for topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines for the development of novel anticancer agents. Most of the compounds with hydroxyl moiety either at the meta or para position of 2- or 6-phenyl ring in combination with thienyl or furyl group at 4-position of central pyridine displayed significant topoisomerase II inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity. Positive correlation between topoisomerase II inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity was observed for the compounds 9-11, 15-17, 19, 21-23, 28, and 41. Among all the synthesized compounds, compound 17 emerged as the most promising topoisomerase II inhibitor with significant cytotoxicity.

Synthesis, topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity, cytotoxicity, and structure-activity relationship study of 2-phenyl- or hydroxylated 2-phenyl-4-aryl-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridines.

A series of novel twenty-eight rigid 2-phenyl- or hydroxylated 2-phenyl-4-aryl-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridines were synthesized and evaluated for their topoisomerase inhibitory activity as well as their cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines. Generally, hydroxylated compounds (16-18, 22-25, and 29-31) containing furyl or thienyl moiety at 4-position of central pyridine exhibited strong topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activity compared to positive control, camptothecin and etoposide, respectively, in low micromolar range. Structure-activity relationship study revealed that indenopyridine compounds with hydroxyl group at 2-phenyl ring in combination with furyl or thienyl moiety at 4-position are important for topoisomerase inhibition. Compounds (22-25) which contain hydroxyl group at meta position of the 2-phenyl ring at 2-position and furanyl or thienyl substitution at 4-position of indenopyridine, showed concrete correlations between topo I and II inhibitory activity, and cytotoxicity against evaluated human cancer cell lines.

Design and synthesis of conformationally constrained hydroxylated 4-phenyl-2-aryl chromenopyridines as novel and selective topoisomerase II-targeted antiproliferative agents.

To develop novel selective topoisomerase II inhibitors, we designed and synthesized a series of conformationally constrained hydroxylated 4-phenyl-2-aryl chromenopyridines and evaluated their topoisomerase inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (DU145, HCT15, and T47D) and a normal cell line (MCF10A). All of the prepared compounds displayed stronger or similar topoisomerase II inhibitory activity as well as cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines compared to etoposide. Compounds 10a, 10g, 11a, 11f, 11g, 12a, 12f, and 12g especially showed stronger topoisomerase II inhibitory activity as compared to etoposide at both 100 µM and 20 µM. A structure-activity relationship study revealed that hydroxyphenyl moiety at 4-position of pyridine and ortho-hydroxyphenyl or thienyl moiety at 2-position of pyridine has an important role in displaying selective topoisomerase II inhibition. The compound 12b with para-hydroxyphenyl and meta-hydroxyphenyl at 4- and 2-position of pyridine, respectively, showed the most significant cytotoxicity against all three cancer cell lines, whereas less cytotoxicity to a normal cell line as compared to adriamycin.

Identification of new halogen-containing 2,4-diphenyl indenopyridin-5-one derivative as a boosting agent for the anticancer responses of clinically available topoisomerase inhibitors.

Based on previous reports on the significance of halogen moieties and the indenopyridin-5-one skeleton, we designed and synthesized a novel series of halogen (F-, Cl-, Br-, CF3- and OCF3-)-containing 2,4-diphenyl indenopyridin-5-ones and their corresponding -5-ols. Unlike indenopyridin-5-ols, most of the prepared indenopyridin-5-ones with Cl-, Br-, and CF3- groups at the 2-phenyl ring conferred a strong dual topoisomerase I/IIα inhibitory effect. Among the series, para-bromophenyl substituted compound 9 exhibited the most potent topoisomerase inhibition and antiproliferative effects, which showed dependency upon the topoisomerase gene expression level of diverse cancer cells. In particular, as a DNA minor groove-binding non-intercalative topoisomerase I/IIα catalytic inhibitor, compound 9 synergistically promoted the anticancer efficacy of clinically applied topoisomerase I/IIα poisons both in vitro and in vivo, having the great advantage of alleviating poison-related toxicities.