Titanium Alkoxide-Based Regioselective Alkyne-Alkyne Reductive Coupling Mediated by In Situ Generated Arylamidate.

Titanium alkoxide-based alkyne-alkyne reductive coupling mediated by in situ generated arylamidate is described. A high level of regioselectivity is achieved in 37 examples, where (E,E)-dienes are exclusively formed. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first example of an apparent amide and carbamate directing effect in metal-mediated reductive coupling.

Reduction of Articular and Systemic Inflammation by Kava-241 in a Porphyromonas gingivalis-Induced Arthritis Murine Model.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that has been linked to several risk factors, including periodontitis. Identification of new anti-inflammatory compounds to treat arthritis is needed. We had previously demonstrated the beneficial effect of Kava-241, a kavain-derived compound, in the management of Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periodontitis. The present study evaluated systemic and articular effects of Kava-241 in an infective arthritis murine model triggered by P. gingivalis bacterial inoculation and primed with a collagen antibody cocktail (CIA) to induce joint inflammation and tissular destruction. Clinical inflammation score and radiological analyses of the paws were performed continuously, while histological assessment was obtained at sacrifice. Mice exposed to P. gingivalis and a CIA cocktail and treated concomitantly with Kava-241 exhibited a reduced clinical inflammatory score and a decreased number of inflammatory cells and osteoclasts within joint. Kava-241 treatment also decreased significantly tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in serum from mice injected with a Toll-like receptor 2 or 4 (TLR-2/4) ligand, P. gingivalis-lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Finally, bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with P. gingivalis and exposed to Kava-241 displayed reduced TLR-2/4, reduced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-related signal elements, and reduced LPS-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF), all explaining the observed reduction of TNF-α secretion. Taken together, these results emphasized the novel properties of Kava-241 in the management of inflammatory conditions, especially TNF-α-related diseases such as infective RA.

Diastereodivergent Synthesis of Chiral Tetrahydropyrrolodiazepinediones via a One-Pot Intramolecular aza-Michael/Lactamization Sequence.

A modular and diastereodivergent synthesis of tetrahydro-1 H-pyrrolo[1,2 d]diazepine-(2,5)-diones is presented. The tetrahydropyrrolodiazepinedione scaffold is obtained via a base-mediated three-step isomerization/tandem cyclization of amino acid-coupled homoallylic amino esters. Diastereoselectivity of the process is mediated by the interplay of a kinetic cyclization event and a propensity for thermodynamic epimerization at two labile chiral centers, giving rise to two distinct major diastereomers dependent on starting material stereochemistry and reaction conditions selected. Herein, we present a synthetic and computational study for this tandem process on a variety of amino ester substrates.

Kava analogues as agents for treatment of periodontal diseases: Synthesis and initial biological evaluation.

Six kava analogues of the structural type 3-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl benzoates (and corresponding benzamides) were synthesized and evaluated for their affect on periodontal deconstruction in collagen anti-body primed oral gavage model of periodontitis. The compounds were prepared through an acylation or amidation of the enolizable cyclic 1,3-diketone. We have learned that three of the analogues are responsible for the reduction of inflammatory cell counts within soft tissue. These novel kava-like molecules where the lactone is replaced by an α,ß-unsaturated ketone show promise in the prevention and treatment of inflammation and alveolar bone loss associated with periodontitis.

Kava-241 reduced periodontal destruction in a collagen antibody primed Porphyromonas gingivalis model of periodontitis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Kava-241, an optimized Piper methysticum Kava compound, on periodontal destruction in a collagen antibody primed oral gavage model of periodontitis. METHODS: Experimental periodontitis was induced by oral gavage of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) + type II collagen antibody (AB) in mice during 15 days. Mice were treated with Kava-241 concomitantly or prior to P. gingivalis gavage and compared to untreated mice. Comprehensive histomorphometric analyses were performed. RESULTS: Oral gavage with P. gingivalis induced mild epithelial down-growth and alveolar bone loss, while oral gavage with additional AB priming had greater tissular destruction in comparison with gavage alone (p < .05). Kava-241 treatment significantly (p < .05) reduced epithelial down-growth (72%) and alveolar bone loss (36%) in P. gingivalis+AB group. This Kava-241 effect was associated to a reduction in inflammatory cell counts within soft tissues and an increase in fibroblasts (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Priming with type II collagen antibody with oral gavage is a fast and reproducible model of periodontal destruction adequate for the evaluation of novel therapeutics. The effect of Kava-241 shows promise in the prevention and treatment of inflammation and alveolar bone loss associated with periodontitis. Further experiments are required to determine molecular pathways targeted by this therapeutic agent.

Total synthesis of (+)-isatisine a: application of a silicon-directed mukaiyama-type [3 + 2]-annulation.

Complete details of an asymmetric synthesis of (+)-isatisine A (1) are described. The synthesis highlights the use of a highly diastereoselective Mukaiyama-type [3 + 2]-annulation of allylsilane 5 with the unsaturated aldehyde 9a to assemble the functionalized tetrahydrofuran core of isatisine A. A convergent route to the framework of the natural product was established that employed a substrate-controlled indole coupling that was followed by a late-stage intramolecular copper(I)-mediated amidation to complete the assembly of the tetracyclic framework of (+)-isatisine A. In addition, the scope of the [3 + 2]-annulation was evaluated and enhanced utilizing diastereomeric allylsilanes anti-5 and syn-5 to establish an efficient route to stereochemically well-defined tetrahydrofurans.

Divergent synthesis of functionalized carbocycles through organosilane-directed asymmetric alkyne-alkene reductive coupling and annulation sequence.

An organosilane-directed alkyne-alkene reductive coupling of readily available propargylsilanes is used to access densely functionalized chiral allylsilanes. The divergent reactivity of the allylsilanes can be controlled to afford a range of novel carbocyclic ring systems through an intramolecular allylation, [3+2] annulation, and Sakurai-like homodimerization.

Total synthesis of (-)-virginiamycin M2: application of crotylsilanes accessed by enantioselective Rh(II) or Cu(I) promoted carbenoid Si-H insertion.

A stereoselective synthesis of the antibiotic (-)-virginiamycin M(2) is detailed. A convergent strategy was utilized that proceeded in 10 steps (longest linear sequence) from enantioenriched silane (S)-15. This reagent, which was prepared via a Rh(II)- or Cu(I)-catalyzed carbenoid Si-H insertion, was used to introduce the desired olefin geometry and stereocenters of the C1-C5 propionate subunit. A modified Negishi cross-coupling or an efficient alkoxide-directed titanium-mediated alkyne-alkyne reductive coupling strategy was utilized to assemble the trisubstituted (E,E)-diene. An underutilized late-stage SmI(2)-mediated macrocyclization was employed to construct the 23-membered macrocycle scaffold of the natural product.

Synthesis of reblastatin, autolytimycin, and non-benzoquinone analogues: potent inhibitors of heat shock protein 90.

A full account of an asymmetric synthesis of reblastatin (1) and the first total synthesis of autolytimycin (2) and related structural compounds is described. The syntheses expand the utility of a highly regio- and diastereoselective hydrometalation aldehyde addition sequence to assemble the fully functionalized ansa chain of the natural products. Also documented is an intramolecular copper-mediated amidation reaction to close the 19-membered macrolactams. The amidation reaction was also employed for the generation of structural derivatives (6-9) of phenolic ansamycins. Ansamycin natural products and selected structural analogues were evaluated in a competitive binding assay to breast cancer cell lysate and a cytotoxicity assay. Both reblastatin (1) and autolytimycin (2) were shown to bind the heat shock protein 90 with enhanced binding activity (approximately 25 nM) than 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG, 4), a geldanamycin (3) derivative currently under evaluation for treatment of cancer (approximately 100 nM).

Synthesis of a 35-member stereoisomer library of bistramide A: evaluation of effects on actin state, cell cycle and tumor cell growth.

Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of a 35-member library of bistramide A stereoisomers are reported. All eight stereoisomers of the C1-C13 tetrahydropyran fragment of the molecule were prepared utilizing crotylsilane reagents 9 and 10 in our [4+2]-annulation methodology. In addition, the four isomers of the C14-C18 gamma-amino acid unit were accessed via a Lewis acid mediated crotylation reaction with use of both enantiomers of organosilane 11. The spiroketal subunit of bistramide A was modified at the C39-alcohol to give another point of stereochemical diversification. The fragments were coupled by using a standard peptide coupling protocol to provide 35 stereoisomers of the natural product. These stereochemical analogues were screened for their effects on cellular actin and cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines (UO-31 renal and SF-295 CNS). The results of these assays identified one analogue, 1.21, with enhanced potency relative to the natural product, bistramide A.

[4 + 2]-Cycloaddition and 1,4-Addition of ortho-Quinone Methides by a Chiral Crotyl Silane.

Anhydrous FeCl3 in the presence of 2,6-lutidine promotes the substrate-controlled enantioselective [4 + 2]-cycloaddition and crotylation reaction between an enantioenriched ( S, E)-crotyl silane and in situ generated ortho-quinone methides ( oQMs). The reaction produces both the chiral chroman and crotylation products in a ratio reflective of the electronic nature of the parent oQM with overall combined yields up to 96%. A ring-opening and elimination sequence was subsequently developed to provide direct access to the crotylation products, containing two contiguous tertiary carbon stereocenters, in good yields and enantioselectivities.

Identification of a Kavain Analog with Efficient Anti-inflammatory Effects.

Kavain, a compound derived from Piper methysticum, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. To optimize its drug properties, identification and development of new kavain-derived compounds was undertaken. A focused library of analogs was synthesized and their effects on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) elicited inflammation were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. The library contained cyclohexenones (5,5-dimethyl substituted cyclohexenones) substituted with a benzoate derivative at the 3-position of the cyclohexanone. The most promising analog identifed was a methylated derivative of kavain, Kava-205Me (5,5-dimethyl-3-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl 4-methylbenzoate.) In an in vitro assay of anti-inflammatory effects, murine macrophages (BMM) and THP-1 cells were infected with P. gingivalis (MOI = 20:1) and a panel of cytokines were measured. Both cell types treated with Kava-205Me (10 to 200 µg/ml) showed significantly and dose-dependently reduced TNF-α secretion induced by P. gingivalis. In BMM, Kava-205Me also reduced secretion of other cytokines involved in the early phase of inflammation, including IL-12, eotaxin, RANTES, IL-10 and interferon-γ (p < 0.05). In vivo, in an acute model of P. gingivalis-induced calvarial destruction, administration of Kava-205Me significantly improved the rate of healing associated with reduced soft tissue inflammation and osteoclast activation. In an infective arthritis murine model induced by injection of collagen-antibody (ArthriomAb) + P. gingivalis, administration of Kava-205Me was able to reduce efficiently paw swelling and joint destruction. These results highlight the strong anti-inflammatory properties of Kava-205Me and strengthen the interest of testing such compounds in the management of P. gingivalis elicited inflammation, especially in the management of periodontitis.

Discovery of Macrocyclic Inhibitors of Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is an essential base excision repair enzyme that is upregulated in a number of cancers, contributes to resistance of tumors treated with DNA-alkylating or -oxidizing agents, and has recently been identified as an important therapeutic target. In this work, we identified hot spots for binding of small organic molecules experimentally in high resolution crystal structures of APE1 and computationally through the use of FTMAP analysis ( http://ftmap.bu.edu/ ). Guided by these hot spots, a library of drug-like macrocycles was docked and then screened for inhibition of APE1 endonuclease activity. In an iterative process, hot-spot-guided docking, characterization of inhibition of APE1 endonuclease, and cytotoxicity of cancer cells were used to design next generation macrocycles. To assess target selectivity in cells, selected macrocycles were analyzed for modulation of DNA damage. Taken together, our studies suggest that macrocycles represent a promising class of compounds for inhibition of APE1 in cancer cells.

Total synthesis of the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin.

An enantioselective synthesis of the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin was achieved in 20 linear steps and 2.0% overall yield from 2-methoxyhydroquinone. The synthesis is highlighted by a regio- and stereoselective hydroboration reaction; a Sc(OTf)(3)/Et(3)SiH-mediated pyran ring-opening reaction; an enantioselective crotylation to simultaneously install the C8-C9 (E) -trisubstituted olefin, the C10 and C11 stereocenters; a chelation-controlled asymmetric metallated acetylide addition; and an intramolecular copper(I)-mediated aryl amidation reaction to close the 19-membered macrolactam.

Total synthesis of herboxidiene/GEX 1A.

A convergent enantioselective synthesis of herboxidiene/GEX 1A (1) is described that features a double stereodifferentiating crotylation, [4 + 2] annulation, and a silicon-based sp2-sp2 cross-coupling to assemble the conjugated diene.

Preparation and use of enantioenriched allenylsilanes for the stereoselective synthesis of homopropargylic ethers.

A convenient procedure for the synthesis of highly enantioenriched allenylsilanes by Johnson orthoester Claisen rearrangement of 1-silyl propargylic alcohols is described. Allenylsilanes are then used as carbon nucleophiles in three-component, Lewis acid mediated additions to in situ generated oxonium ions, resulting in enantioenriched homopropargylic ethers.

Preparation of alkylidene indane and related scaffolds and their further elaboration to novel chemotypes.

Alkylidene indane and ring-expanded scaffolds have been prepared using an enantioselective crotylation/Heck cyclization sequence. Further diversification using consecutive cyclopropanation-Cope rearrangement affords novel chemotypes including spiroindane frameworks.

Stereochemical and skeletal diversity employing pipecolate ester scaffolds.

[structure: see text] The stereocontrolled synthesis of pyridooxazinones by Mg(OTf)2-promoted epoxide ring-opening with use of chiral pipecolates as nucleophiles is described. Pyridooxazinone products derived from azido-epoxides can be further rearranged to seven-membered pyridodiazepinones by azide reduction. The sequence of functional group interconversions generates diversity through topological and stereochemical variation.

Total synthesis of bistramide A.

An asymmetric synthesis of the marine metabolite bistramide A is reported. The synthesis relies on the utility of three different organosilane reagents to construct all principle fragments and 8 of the 11 stereogenic centers of the natural product. [structure: see text].