Synthesis and in†vitro Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Novel Dendrobine Amide/Sulfonamide Derivatives.

A traditional Chinese medicine ingredient, dendrobine, has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, due to its poor anti-inflammatory properties, its clinical use is limited. Consequently, we have designed and synthesized 32 new amide/sulfonamide dendrobine derivatives and screened their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro. Experiments showed that nitric oxide (NO) generation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells was strongly reduced by derivative 14, with an IC50 of 2.96 µM. Western blot research revealed that 14 decreased the concentration-dependent expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS). Molecular docking was used to predict the binding of the inflammation-associated proteins COX-2 and INOS to compound 14.

C-2 derivatized 8-sulfonamidoquinolines as antibacterial compounds.

A series of C-2 derivatized 8-sulfonamidoquinolines were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against the common mastitis causative pathogens Streptococcus uberis, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, both in the presence and absence of supplementary zinc (50 µM ZnSO4). The vast majority of compounds tested were demonstrated to be significantly more active against S. uberis when in the presence of supplementary zinc (MICs as low as 0.125 µg/mL were observed in the presence of 50 µM ZnSO4). Compounds 5, 34-36, 39, 58, 79, 82, 94 and 95 were shown to display the greatest antibacterial activity against S. aureus (MIC ≤ 8 µg/mL; both in the presence and absence of supplementary zinc), while compounds 56, 58 and 66 were demonstrated to also exhibit activity against E. coli (MIC ≤ 16 µg/mL; under all conditions). Compounds 56, 58 and 66 were subsequently confirmed to be bactericidal against all three mastitis pathogens studied, with MBCs (≥3log10 CFU/mL reduction) of ≤ 32 µg/mL (in both the presence and absence of 50 µM ZnSO4). To validate the sanitizing activity of compounds 56, 58 and 66, a quantitative suspension disinfection (sanitizer) test was performed. Sanitizing activity (>5log10 CFU/mL reduction in 5 min) was observed against both S. uberis and E. coli at compound concentrations as low as 1 mg/mL (compounds 56, 58 and 66), and against S. aureus at 1 mg/mL (compound 58); thereby validating the potential of compounds 56, 58 and 66 to function as topical sanitizers designed explicitly for use in non-human applications.

Novel lipophilic analogues from 2,4-D and Propanil herbicides: Biological activity and kinetic studies.

This work describes the synthesis of new lipophilic amides and esters analogues of classical organochlorides herbicides by incorporation of long-chains from fatty acids and derivatives. The new fatty esters and amides were synthesized in 96-99% and 80-89% yields, respectively. In general, all compounds tested showed superior in vitro activity than commercial herbicides against growth L. sativa and A. cepa, in ranges 86-100% of germinative inhibition. The target compounds showed, significantly more susceptible towards acid hydrolysis than 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The kinetic and NMR studies showed that the incorporation of lipophilic chains resulted in a decrease in half-life time of new herbicides compounds (1.5 h) than 2,4-D (3 h). These findings suggest the synthesis of new lipophilic herbicides as potential alternative to traditional formulations, by incorporation of long fatty alkyl chains in the molecular structure of 2,4-D, resulting in superior in vitro herbicidal activity, best degradation behavior and more hydrophobic derivatives.

Structure-based design, semi-synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of tocotrienolic amides as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

Inflammation contributes to the development of various pathologies, e.g. asthma, cardiovascular diseases, some types of cancer, and metabolic disorders. Leukotrienes (LT), biosynthesized from arachidonic acid by 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), constitute a potent family of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators. δ-Garcinoic acid (δ-GA) (1), a natural vitamin E analogue, was chosen for further structural optimization as it selectively inhibited 5-LO activity in cell-free and cell-based assays without impairing the production of specialized pro-resolving mediators by 15-LO. A model of semi-quantitative prediction of 5-LO inhibitory potential developed during the current study allowed the design of 24 garcinamides that were semi-synthesized. In accordance with the prediction model, biological evaluations showed that eight compounds potently inhibited human recombinant 5-LO (IC50 < 100 nM). Interestingly, four compounds were substantially more potent than 1 in activated primary human neutrophils assays. Structure - activity relationships shed light on a supplementary hydrophobic pocket in the allosteric binding site that could be fitted with an aromatic ring.

Design, synthesis and antifungal activity of pterolactam-inspired amide Mannich bases.

Pterolactam (5-methoxypyrrolidin-2-one) is a heterocycle naturally occurring in plants. In an attempt to identify antifungal agents, a series of novel Mannich bases of amide derivated from Pterolactam have been designed, synthesized and their antifungal activities were evaluated on a panel of nine fungal strains and three non albicans candida yeasts species which have demonstrated reduced susceptibility to commonly used antifungal drugs. A third of the target compounds exhibited good to high antifungal activities on at least one strain with EC50 lower than the control antifungal agent. N,N'-aminals derivated from Pterolactam proved to be good candidates for the development of biosourced fungicides, with compound 3o being the most broader-spectrum agent, active against five strains and devoted of any cytotoxicity.

Molecular design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of bisamide derivatives as cyclophilin A inhibitors for HCV treatment.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of end-stage liver diseases. Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), including inhibitors of nonstructural proteins (NS3/4A protease, NS5A, and NS5B polymerase), represent key components of anti-HCV treatment. However, some DAAs are associated with increased drug resistance and undesired side effects. Previous reports have shown that bisamides could be a novel class of cyclophilin A (CypA) inhibitors for treating HCV as a member of combinational therapies. To fully elucidate structure-activity relationships of bisamide derivatives and find a better hit compound with diverse binding modes, 16 biamides were designed with the help of docking program. They were then synthesized using one-pot four-component Ugi reaction. 7e with selectivity index of more than 18.9 (50% effective concentration of 5.3 µM, but no cytotoxicity at 100 µM) and unique binding mode that could be dived into gatekeeper pocket was selected as a new hit compound. Surface plasmon resonance experiments revealed that 7e is able to bind to CypA with a KD of 3.66 µM. Taken together, these results suggest that 7e as a CypA inhibitor could be used as an alternative anti-HCV agent in combinational therapy in the future.

Activity of methylgerambullin from Glycosmis species (Rutaceae) against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia duodenalis in vitro.

Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia duodenalis are widespread intestinal protozoan parasites which both spread via cysts that have to be ingested to infect a new host. Their environment, the small intestine for G. duodenalis and the colon for E. histolytica, contains only very limited amounts of oxygen, so both parasites generate energy by fermentation and substrate level phosphorylation rather than by oxidative phosphorylation. They both contain reducing agents able to reduce and activate nitroimidazole drugs such as metronidazole which is the gold standard drug to treat Entamoeba or Giardia infections. Although metronidazole works well in the majority of cases, it has a number of drawbacks. In animal models, the drug has carcinogenic activity, and concerns about a possible teratogenic activity remain. In addition, the treatment of G. duodenalis infections is hampered by emerging metronidazole resistance. Plant-derived drugs play a dominant role in human medicine, therefore we tested the activity of 14 isolated plant compounds belonging to seven different classes in vitro against both parasites. The tests were performed in a new setting in microtiter plates under anaerobic conditions. The compound with the highest activity was methylgerambullin, a sulphur-containing amide found in Glycosmis species of the family Rutaceae with an EC50 of 14.5 µM (6.08 µg/ml) after 24 h treatment for E. histolytica and 14.6 µM (6.14 µg/ml) for G. duodenalis. The compound was successfully synthesised in the laboratory which opens the door for the generation of new derivatives with higher activity.

Identification of High-affinity Small Molecules Targeting Gamma Secretase for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimers Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease which is characterized by the deposition of amyloid plaques in the brain- a concept supported by most of the researchers worldwide. The main component of the plaques being amyloid-beta (Aß42) results from the sequential cleavage of Amyloid precursor protein (APP) by beta and gamma secretase. This present study intends to inhibit the formation of amyloid plaques by blocking the action of gamma secretase protein with Inhibitors (GSI). METHODS: A number of Gamma Secretase Inhibitors (GSI) were targeted to the protein by molecular docking. The inhibitor having the best affinity was used as a subject for further virtual screening methods to obtain similar compounds. The generated compounds were docked again at the same docking site on the protein to find a compound with higher affinity to inhibit the protein. The highlights of virtually screened compound consisted of Pharmacophore Mapping of the docking site. These steps were followed by comparative assessments for both the compounds, obtained from the two aforesaid docking studies, which included interaction energy descriptors, ADMET profiling and PreADMET evaluations. RESULTS: 111 GSI classified as azepines, sulfonamides and peptide isosteres were used in the study. By molecular docking an amorpholino-amide, compound (22), was identified to be the high affinity compound GSI along with its better interaction profiles.The virtually screened pubchem compound AKOS001083915 (CID:24462213) shows the best affinity with gamma secretase. Collective Pharmacophore mapping (H bonds, electrostatic profile, binding pattern and solvent accesibility) shows a stable interaction. The resulting ADMETand Descriptor values were nearly equivalent. CONCLUSION: These compounds identified herein hold a potential as Gamma Secretase inhibitors.According to PreADMET values the compound AKOS001083915 is effective and specific to the target protein. Its BOILED-egg plot analysis infers the compound permeable to blood brain barrier.Comparative study for both the compounds resulted in having nearly equivalent properties. These compounds have the capacity to inhibit the protein which is indirectly responsible for the formation of amyloid plaques and can be further put to in vitro pharmacokinetic and dynamic studies.

Discovery of d-amino acid oxidase inhibitors based on virtual screening against the lid-open enzyme conformation.

d-Amino acid oxidase (DAAO) inhibitors are typically small polar compounds with often suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties. Features of the native binding site limit the operational freedom of further medicinal chemistry efforts. We therefore initiated a structure based virtual screening campaign based on the X-ray structures of DAAO complexes where larger ligands shifted the loop (lid opening) covering the native binding site. The virtual screening of our in-house collection followed by the in vitro test of the best ranked compounds led to the identification of a new scaffold with micromolar IC50. Subsequent SAR explorations enabled us to identify submicromolar inhibitors. Docking studies supported by in vitro activity measurements suggest that compounds bind to the active site with a salt-bridge characteristic to DAAO inhibitor binding. In addition, displacement of and interaction with the loop covering the active site contributes significantly to the activity of the most potent compounds.

The Development of New Factor Xa Inhibitors Based on Amide Synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Factor Xa (FXa) is known to play a central role in blood coagulation cascade and considered to be one of the most attractive targets for oral anticoagulants of new generation. OBJECTIVE: Our approach for the development of directly acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC), FXa inhibitors was demonstrated in this work. METHOD: Chemical synthesis is the base of our approach for the development of potential inhibitors. In this work, the substances like R1-(CONH)-R2-(CONH)-R3 are being developed, using previously described docking and screening methods, where R1, R2 and R3 are some chemical groups and (CONH) are amide bonds connecting R1, R2 and R3. The direction of amide bond (CONH) could be arbitrary for R1, R2 and R2, R3. RESULTS: Chemical modifications were made in the frame of the results, taking into account the structure of FXa, chemical synthesis capabilities, as well as patentability of the target compounds. Subnanomolar potency of several developed compounds was achieved. Several analyzers and various testing-suites have been used to measure the concentration that doubled the prothrombin time (PTx2). Moreover, in human plasma the PTx2 concentration of the compound 217 (DD217) turned out to be 80±20 nM. The compound efficacy has proved by in vivo assays including oral administrations in rats, rabbits and monkeys. CONCLUSION: The pharmacodynamic profile of DD217 for oral administration in cynomolgus monkeys proves the efficacy of the compound, which makes it promising for the future preclinical trials.

Preparation and characterization of molecularly-imprinted polymers for extraction of sanshool acid amide compounds followed by their separation from pepper oil resin derived from Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum).

Molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared using the molecular structure analogs of sanshool as template molecule, 2-vinylpyridine and ß-cyclodextrin as double functional monomers, ethylene dimethacrylate as cross linker, and azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The structural characteristics of the polymers were determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Dynamic adsorption and isothermal adsorption were also investigated. The molecularly imprinted polymers were used to prepare a molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction column in order to separate acid amide components from pepper oil resin derived from Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum). After eluting, the percentage of acid amide components was enhanced to 92.40 ± 1.41% compared with 23.34 ± 1.21% in the initial pepper oil resin, indicating good properties of purification of molecularly imprinted polymers and potential industrial application.

Discovery of a novel 2,4-dimethylquinoline-6-carboxamide M4 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) chemotype via scaffold hopping.

This Letter details our efforts to replace the 3-amino moiety, an essential pharmacophore for M4 PAM activity in most M4 PAMs to date, within the thieno[2,3-b]pyridine core, as the ß-amino carboxamide motif has been shown to engender poor solubility, varying degrees of P-gp efflux and represents a structural alert. A scaffold hopping exercise identified a novel 2,4-dimethylquinoline carboxamide core that provided M4 PAM activity and good CNS penetration without an amino moiety. In addition, MacMillan photoredox catalysis chemistry was essential for construction of the 2,4-dimethylquinoline core.

Synthesis, Radiosynthesis, and Preliminary in vitro and in vivo Evaluation of the Fluorinated Ceramide Trafficking Inhibitor (HPA-12) for Brain Applications.

Ceramide levels are increased in blood and brain tissue of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Since the ceramide transporter protein (CERT) is the only known protein able to mediate non-vesicular transfer of ceramide between organelle membranes, the modulation of CERT function may impact on ceramide accumulation. The competitive CERT inhibitor N-(3-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-3-phenylpropyl) dodecanamide (HPA-12) interferes with ceramide trafficking. To understand the role of ceramide/CERT in AD, HPA-12 can be a useful tool to modulate ceramide trafficking. Here we first report the synthesis and in vitro properties of HPA-12 radiolabeled with fluorine-18 and present preliminary in vitro and in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and biodistribution data. In vitro results demonstrated that the fluorination did not alter the biological properties of HPA-12 since the [fluorine-19]HPA-12, interferes with 5-DMB-ceramide trafficking in HeLa cells. Radiolabeled HPA-12, [fluorine-18]HPA-12, was obtained with a radiochemical yield of 90% and a specific activity of 73 MBq/µmol. PET imaging on wild-type mice showed hepatobiliary clearance and a brain uptake on the order of 0.3 standard uptake value (SUV) one hour post injection. Furthermore, the biodistribution data showed that after removal of the blood by intracardial perfusion, radioactivity was still measurable in the brain demonstrating that the [fluorine-18]HPA-12 crosses the blood brain barrier and is retained in the brain.

Synthesis of antimalarial amide analogues based on the plant serrulatane diterpenoid 3,7,8-trihydroxyserrulat-14-en-19-oic acid.

A plant-derived natural product scaffold, 3,7,8-trihydroxyserrulat-14-en-19-oic acid (1) was isolated in high yield from the aerial parts of the endemic Australian desert plant Eremophila microtheca. This scaffold (1) was subsequently used in the generation of a series of new amide analogues via a one-pot mixed anhydride amidation using pivaloyl chloride. The structures of all analogues were characterized using MS, NMR, and UV data. The major serrulatane natural products (1-3), isolated from the plant extract, and all amide analogues (6-15) together with several pivaloylated derivatives of 3,7,8-trihydroxyserrulat-14-en-19-oic acid (16-18) were evaluated for their antimalarial activity against 3D7 (chloroquine sensitive) and Dd2 (chloroquine resistant) Plasmodium falciparum strains, and preliminary cytotoxicity data were also acquired using the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293. The natural product scaffold (1) did not display any antimalarial activity at 10µM. Replacing the carboxylic acid of 1 with various amides resulted in moderate activity against the P. falciparum 3D7 strain with IC50 values ranging from 1.25 to 5.65µM.

Simple Synthesis Hydrogenated Castor Oil Fatty Amide Wax and Its Coating Characterization.

A simple method for incorporating amine groups in hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) to produce wax for beeswax or carnauba wax substitution in packaging and coating was developed. From the conversion rate of the products, HCO was reacted with ethanolamine at 150°C for 5 h, and the molar ratio of HCO and ethanolamine was 1:4. The hardness of the final product was seven times higher than that of beeswax, the cohesiveness of the final product was 1.3 times higher than that of beeswax and approximately one half of that of carnauba wax, and the melting point of the final product is 98°C. The Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy showed that the amide groups were incorporated to form the amide products. In coating application, the results showed that the force of the final product coating cardboard was higher than that of beeswax and paraffin wax and less than that of carnauba wax. After 24 h soaking, the compression forces were decreased. HCO fatty acid wax can be an alternative wax for carnauba wax and beeswax in coating applications.

Advances in Green Organic Sonochemistry.

Over the past 15 years, sustainable chemistry has emerged as a new paradigm in the development of chemistry. In the field of organic synthesis, green chemistry rhymes with relevant choice of starting materials, atom economy, methodologies that minimize the number of chemical steps, appropriate use of benign solvents and reagents, efficient strategies for product isolation and purification and energy minimization. In that context, unconventional methods, and especially ultrasound, can be a fine addition towards achieving these green requirements. Undoubtedly, sonochemistry is considered as being one of the most promising green chemical methods (Cravotto et al. Catal Commun 63: 2-9, 2015). This review is devoted to the most striking results obtained in green organic sonochemistry between 2006 and 2016. Furthermore, among catalytic transformations, oxidation reactions are the most polluting reactions in the chemical industry; thus, we have focused a part of our review on the very promising catalytic activity of ultrasound for oxidative purposes.

Synthesis and immunostimulatory activity of substituted TLR7 agonists.

Fifteen new substituted adenines were synthesized as potential TLR7 agonists. These compounds, along with 9 previously reported compounds, were analyzed for TLR7 activity and for the selective stimulation of B cell proliferation. Several functionalized derivatives exhibit significant activity, suggesting their potential for use as vaccine adjuvants.

Discovery of 5-substituted tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl-methyl with N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)propionamide derivatives as potent opioid receptor ligands.

A new series of novel opioid ligands have been designed and synthesized based on the 4-anilidopiperidine scaffold containing a 5-substituted tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl)methyl group with different N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)propionamide derivatives to study the biological effects of these substituents on µ and δ opioid receptor interactions. Recently our group reported novel 4-anilidopiperidine analogues, in which several aromatic ring-contained amino acids were conjugated with N-phenyl-N-(piperidin-4-yl)propionamide and examined their biological activities at the µ and δ opioid receptors. In continuation of our efforts in these novel 4-anilidopiperidine analogues, we took a peptidomimetic approach in the present design, in which we substituted aromatic amino acids with tetrahydronaphthalen-2yl methyl moiety with amino, amide and hydroxyl substitutions at the 5th position. In in vitro assays these ligands, showed very good binding affinity and highly selective toward the µ opioid receptor. Among these, the lead ligand 20 showed excellent binding affinity (2 nM) and 5000 fold selectivity toward the µ opioid receptor, as well as functional selectivity in GPI assays (55.20 ± 4.30 nM) and weak or no agonist activities in MVD assays. Based on the in vitro bioassay results the lead compound 20 was chosen for in vivo assessment for efficacy in naïve rats after intrathecal administration. Compound 20 was not significantly effective in alleviating acute pain. This discrepancy between high in vitro binding affinity, moderate in vitro activity, and low in vivo activity may reflect differences in pharmacodynamics (i.e., engaging signaling pathways) or pharmacokinetics (i.e., metabolic stability). In sum, our data suggest that further optimization of this compound 20 is required to enhance in vivo activity.

Synthesis of Carfentanil Amide Opioids Using the Ugi Multicomponent Reaction.

We report a novel approach to synthesize carfentanil amide analogues utilizing the isocyanide-based four-component Ugi multicomponent reaction. A small library of bis-amide analogues of carfentanil was created using N-alkylpiperidones, aniline, propionic acid, and various aliphatic isocyanides. Our lead compound showed high affinity for mu (MOR) and delta opioid receptors (DOR) with no appreciable affinity for kappa (KOR) receptors in radioligand binding assays. The compound was found to be a mixed MOR agonist/partial DOR agonist in [(35)S]GTPγS functional assays, and it showed moderate analgesic potency in vivo. The compound showed no visible signs of physical dependence or constipation in mice. In addition, it produced less respiratory depression than morphine. Most mixed MOR/DOR opioids reported in the literature are peptides and thereby systemically inactive. Our approach utilizing a multicomponent reaction has the promise to deliver potent and efficacious small-molecule analgesics with potential clinical utility.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a series of fatty acid amides from Echinacea.

Alkylamides are lipophilic constituents of Echinacea and possess numerous biological activities. Although significant effort has been focused on the study of crude Echinacea extracts, very little is known regarding the activities of the individual constituents that make up these herbal treatments. Herein we explore the SAR of simple alkylamides found in Echinacea extracts with respect to their ability to decrease the production of the pro-inflammatory mediator TNF-α. Our results have revealed the key structural requirements for activity and provide lead compounds for further investigation of these poorly understood molecules.