A new triazolothiadiazine derivative inhibits stemness and induces cell death in HCC by oxidative stress dependent JNK pathway activation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly heterogeneous cancer, and resistant to both conventional and targeted chemotherapy. Recently, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to decrease the incidence and mortality of different types of cancers. Here, we investigated the cellular bioactivities of a series of triazolothiadiazine derivatives on HCC, which have been previously reported as potent analgesic/anti-inflammatory compounds. From the initially tested 32 triazolothiadiazine NSAID derivatives, 3 compounds were selected based on their IC50 values for further molecular assays on 9 different HCC cell lines. 7b, which was the most potent compound, induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HCC cells. Cell death was due to oxidative stress-induced JNK protein activation, which involved the dynamic involvement of ASK1, MKK7, and c-Jun proteins. Moreover, 7b treated nude mice had a significantly decreased tumor volume and prolonged disease-free survival. 7b also inhibited the migration of HCC cells and enrichment of liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) alone or in combination with sorafenib. With its ability to act on proliferation, stemness and the migration of HCC cells, 7b can be considered for the therapeutics of HCC, which has an increased incidence rate of ~ 3% annually.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Triazolothiadiazoles Derived from NSAIDs as Anticancer Agents.

BACKGROUND: Although transplantation, surgical resection, and tumor ablation are treatment options available following early diagnosis of HCC, poor prognosis and high recurrence rates restrict the efficacy of these approaches. Hence, small molecules with high selectivity and bioactivity are urgently required. OBJECTIVE: This study presents the synthesis of a series of new triazolothiadiazole derivatives (1a-3j) with NSAID moieties and their cytotoxic bioactivities. METHODS: The new synthetic derivatives (1-3; 1a-3j) and NSAIDs ibuprofen, naproxen, and flurbiprofen that commonly used in clinics were screened against human liver (Huh7), breast (MCF7), and colon (HCT116) carcinoma cell lines under in vitro conditions via NCI-sulforhodamine B assay. RESULTS: The 4-methoxyphenyl substituted condensed derivatives 1h, 2h, and 3h were the most active compounds. Based on its high potency, compound 3h was selected for the further biological evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, and the mechanisms underlying cell death induced by 3h were determined. The results revealed that compound 3h induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the sub G1 phase in human liver cancer cells. CONCLUSION: These new small molecules may be used for the development of new lead compounds.

Synthesis, characterization, and in vivo pharmacological evaluation of novel mannich bases derived from 1,2,4-triazole containing a naproxen moiety.

A new series of 1,2,4-triazole-5-thione Mannich derivatives containing a naproxen moiety (1a-o) was designed and synthesized to create naproxen analogs, with the aim of developing novel anti-inflammatory/analgesic agents with improved safety profiles. Target compounds were synthesized using classical Mannich reaction (i.e. one-pot three component condensation reaction), by reacting triazole molecule (1), formaldehyde, and diverse secondary amines in ethanol. The synthesized compounds were investigated using FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopies, as well as elemental analysis. Compounds were then evaluated for their potential antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities using some validated invivo methods. Data obtained from acetic acid induced-writhing and carrageenan-induced paw edema tests revealed that all compounds induced peripherally-mediated antinociceptive activities, as well as notable anti-inflammatory effects. The results of hot-plate and tail-clip tests indicated that compounds 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1g, and 1j have also centrally-mediated antinociceptive activities in addition to their peripherally-mediated effects. Molecular docking studies were performed to investigate the putative binding modes of the interactions between all compounds and COX-1/COX-2 enzymes using AutoDock Vina software. Docking of the compounds into the COX-2 active site produced binding interactions that are essential for COX-2 inhibitory activity. None of the compounds in the serial, except for 1m and 1j, induced significant gastrointestinal irritation. Overall, the results indicated that triazol Mannich bases bearing a naproxen moiety potentially represent a novel class of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory agent with an improved gastric safety profile.

Design and Synthesis of 1,2,4-Triazolo[3,2-b]-1,3,5-thiadiazine Derivatives as a Novel Template for Analgesic/Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Previously, we demonstrated that certain heterocyclic compounds derived from 3-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones had promising analgesic/anti-inflammatory activities together with low ulcerogenic properties. Therefore, we sought to design and synthesize new derivatives of triazol-5-thiones-fused heterocycles. In the present study, a series of novel bis-Mannich bases, namely 2,6-disubstituted-6,7-dihydro-5H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,2-b]-1,3,5-thiadiazines (1a-d, 2a-c, and 3a-d), were synthesized and characterized to assess their possible anti-inflammatory/analgesic properties. Additionally, their ability to induce gastric toxicity was also evaluated. Several of the condensed compounds produced a degree of analgesic activity comparable to reference drugs in both the hot plate and tail-flick tests. A strong anti-inflammatory effect was observed for the derivatives carrying a benzyl group at the second position (2a-c). The majority of the prepared compounds caused comparatively less gastrointestinal (GI) side effects than the reference drugs naproxen and indomethacin did. These results showed that 1,2,4-triazolo[3,2-b]-1,3,5-thiadiazine derivatives might afford a safer alternative to currently available analgesic/anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment and management of inflammatory disease and pain.

Novel triazolothiadiazines act as potent anticancer agents in liver cancer cells through Akt and ASK-1 proteins.

Newly designed triazolothiadiazines incorporating with structural motifs of nonsteroidal analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs were synthesized and screened for their bioactivity against epithelial cancer cells. Compounds with bioactivities less then ∼5µM (IC50) were further analyzed and showed to induce apoptotic cell death and SubG1 cell cycle arrest in liver cancer cells. Among this group, two compounds (1g and 1h) were then studied to identify the mechanism of action. These molecules triggered oxidative stress induced apoptosis through ASK-1 protein activation and Akt protein inhibition as demonstrated by downstream targets such as GSK3ß, ß-catenin and cyclin D1. QSAR and molecular docking models provide insight into the mechanism of inhibition and indicate the optimal direction of future synthetic efforts. Furthermore, molecular docking results were confirmed with in vitro COX bioactivity studies. This study demonstrates that the novel triazolothiadiazine derivatives are promising drug candidates for epithelial cancers, especially liver cancer.

Novel thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazoles derived from naproxen with analgesic/anti-inflammatory properties: Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular modeling studies.

3-Substituted-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones are versatile synthetic intermediates for the preparation of several biologically active N-bridged heterocyclic compounds, given that they have two reactive sites, thiocarbonyl and an amine nitrogen (N1/N4). For several years, our interest has focused on the synthesis of novel heterocyclic systems derived from 3-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones having analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, a series of novel thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-6(5H)-one derivatives bearing naproxen was synthesized and evaluated for their in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in acute experimental pain and inflammation models. The compounds were also tested for their ulcerogenic potential. Our findings showed that all the newly synthesized derivatives attenuate nociception and inflammation compared with a control. All the synthesized compounds exhibited much lower ulcerogenic risk than the standard drugs indomethacin and naproxen. Some compounds with significant analgesic and/or anti-inflammatory activities as well as low ulcer scores were further evaluated for in vitro COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitory potential in a COX-catalyzed prostaglandin biosynthesis assay. Among the tested compounds, compound 1q showed the highest selectivity index (SI) of 4.87. The binding mode for some of the tested compounds to the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes was predicted using docking studies.

Thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-5(6H)-one substituted with ibuprofen: novel non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents with favorable gastrointestinal tolerance.

In an effort to establish new candidates with improved analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities and lower ulcerogenic risk, a series of thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-5(6H)-one derivatives of ibuprofen were synthesized. All compounds were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities in mice. Furthermore, the ulcerogenic risks of the compounds were determined. In general, none of the compounds represent a risk for developing stomach injury as much as observed in the reference drugs ibuprofen and indomethacin. The compounds carrying a 3-phenyl-2-propenylidene (1a), (biphenyl-4-yl)methylidene (1f) and (1-methylpyrrol-2-yl)methylidene (1n) at the 6th position of the fused ring have been evaluated as potential analgesic/anti-inflammatory agents without a gastrointestinal side effect. These new compounds, therefore, deserve further attention to develop new lead drugs.

Synthesis of 3,6-disubstituted 7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazines as novel analgesic/anti-inflammatory compounds.

In this study, a new class of 4-amino-3-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones (1-4) and their corresponding condensed derivatives 3,6-disubstituted 7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazines (1a-4c) were synthesized and evaluated for their analgesic/anti-inflammatory activities. All synthesized compounds were also tested for their gastric toxicity and antioxidant activity on acute administration. Most of the compounds showed significant activity in both carrageenan-induced oedema and acetic acid-induced writhing tests besides negligible gastrointestinal toxicity. The compounds showing less ulcerogenic effect also showed less lipid peroxidation (LPO) level. Most promising results were obtained with the compounds that placed a fluoro or a chloride on the phenyl ring at the sixth position of the fused ring.

Novel 3,6-disubstituted 7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines: synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of analgesic/anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities.

In this study, the synthesis of a new series of 3,6-disubstituted-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine 1a-4c compounds derived from 4-amino-3-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones 1-4 is described. All of the synthesized compounds were screened for their possible analgesic / anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activities and gastric toxicity. The compound 2c was found to have both significant analgesic and consistent anti-inflammatory activity without inducing any gastric lesions along with minimal lipid peroxidation. A deep insight into the structures of the active compounds revealed that the compounds carrying an electron withdrawing group (a chloride or fluoride) on the phenyl ring at 6-position of the condensed heterocyclic derivatives exhibited noticeable higher activity.

Investigation of antioxidant properties of some 6-(alpha-aminobenzyl)thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-5-ol compounds.

Promising antiinflammatory activity together with low ulcerogenic properties of some Michael addition products of thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-5(6H)-ones which have been synthesized in our previous study, prompted us to investigate their antioxidant properties. Since compound Ib has both antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities beside the lowest ulcerogenic incidence, it was selected for investigation of its inhibitory effect on various cyclooxygenase ezymes. It was found that while it did not inhibit cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzyme, there was a small inhibitory effect (17%) on COX-2 enzyme. We concluded that the diminished harmful effects on the stomach of this novel antiinflammatory compound were related to its antioxidant properties since it is ineffective on COX-1 enzyme. In conclusion, the compounds having both antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities with a lack of COX-1 enzyme inhibitory effect may improve the gastrointestinal safety profile of such compounds.

Design and synthesis of some new thiazolo [3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-5(6H)-ones substituted with flurbiprofen as anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents.

In the course of our ongoing studies, a series of thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-5(6H)-ones substituted with flurbiprofen (CAS 5104-49-4) has been prepared. The compounds were synthesized by the cyclization of the 3-[(2-fluoro-4-biphenyl)ethyl]-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (3) with chloroacetic acid and relevant benzaldehydes in the presence of acetic acid, acetic anhydride and anhydrous sodium acetate in one step. The product of this one-pot synthesis that precipitated on cooling of the reaction mixture was identified undoubtedly by X-ray crystallographic analysis as thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole. In-vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the compounds were assessed by carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction tests in mice, respectively. In addition, the ulcerogenic risks were evaluated. It is worthy of saying that the compounds which maintained analgesic/antiinflammatory activity of the starting compound were found to be safer with regard to gastric lesion risks at 100 mg/kg oral dose when compared with flurbiprofen. Among the synthesized compounds 3d showed the highest analgesic and antiinflammatory activity without inducing any gastric lesion and deserves further attention in order to develop new lead drug candidates.

Preparation of 5-aryl-3-alkylthio-l,2,4-triazoles and corresponding sulfones with antiinflammatory-analgesic activity.

In this study, a series of 5-aryl-3-alkylthio-1,2,4-triazoles and corresponding sulfones were prepared with the objective of developing better analgesic-antiinflammatory compounds with minimum ulcerogenic risk. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectral and elemental analysis. The compounds were assayed per os in mice for their antiinflammatory and analgesic activity as well as the ulcerogenic risk and acute toxicity. Several of these compounds showed significant activity. Alkylsulfone derivatives were found to be much more potent analgesic-antiinflammatory agents than the corresponding alkylthio analogs. Compounds 9 and 11 were the most active of the series in both analgesic and antiinflammatory activity tests. In contrast to reference compound acetyl salicylic acid, these compounds did not induce gastric lesions in the stomach of experimental animals at the doses that exhibited analgesic/antiinflammatory activity.

Synthesis and evaluation of analgesic/ anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities of 3-substituted- 1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones.

In this study, the synthesis of a novel series of Mannich bases of 5-mercapto-3-aryl-1,2,4-triazoles is described. The structures attributed to compounds la-5e were elucidated using IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopic techniques besides elemental analysis. The formation of 1-aminomethyl-3-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones - not the isomeric 3-substituted-4-aminomethyl-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis of 1c. The compounds were examined for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity in two different bioassays, namely carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction tests in mice, respectively. In addition, the ulcerogenic effects of the compounds were determined. Among the tested derivatives most promising results were obtained for the compounds bearing a nonsubstituted phenyl group at C-3 position of the triazole ring (1a-e). The compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity against a series of gram positive bacteria [Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212)], gram negative bacteria [Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853)] and yeast-like microorganisms [Candida albicans (ATCC 90028), C. krusei (ATCC 6258), C. parapsilosis (ATCC 22019)]. One series of the examined compounds (3a-e) exhibited better antibacterial activity especially against gram positive bacteria than against gram negative bacteria. Compounds 2c, 3b, and 3e were found to be more effective against C. parapsilosis compared with the other derivatives (MIC: 16 microg/mL).

Protective effects of thiazolo[3,2-b]-1 ,2,4-triazoles on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in mouse brain and liver.

A series of 3-[1-(4-(2-methylpropyl) phenyl) ethyl]-1 ,2,4-triazole-5-thione (I) and its bicyclic condensed derivatives 6-benzylidenethiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazole-5(6H)-ones (IIa-IIf) were investigated for the prevention of ethanol-induced oxidative stress in liver and brain of mice. Administration of ethanol (0.1 mL/mice, p.o.) resulted in a drop of total thiol groups (T-SH) and non-protein thiol groups (NP-SH), and an increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in both liver and brain tissue of mice (p < 0.001). Among the compounds investigated (at a dose of 200 mg/kg, p.o.), I and IId ameliorated the peroxidative injury in these tissues effectively. Compounds IIa, IIc and IIe improved the peroxidative tissue injury only in brain. These findings suggest that certain condensed thiazolo-triazole compounds may contribute to the control of ethanol-induced oxidative stress in an organ selective manner.

Mechanistic studies of inactivation of glutathione S-transferase Pi isozyme by a haloenol lactone derivative.

Cancer chemotherapy often fails due to acquired drug resistance. One of the most critical biochemical changes observed in drug-resistant tumor cells is over-expression of glutathione S-transferase Pi isozyme (GSTP1). Glutathione S-transferase inhibitors have been used as potentiating agents of chemotherapeutic drugs. Earlier we reported haloenol lactone 1 as a site-directed GSTP1 inactivator. We proposed that enzymatic hydrolysis of the haloenol lactone may be the initial step of GSTP1 chemical modification, resulting in the inactivation of the enzyme. Enzyme inactivation is initiated through addition of Cys-47 to the lactone ring, which is opened in the process to form an alpha-bromoketone adduct. The acidity of Cys-47 confers good leaving group properties, and rapid hydrolysis occurs to generate an alpha-bromoketoacid intermediate. The reaction may proceed via alkylation of the transient thioester to form a six-membered ring episulfonium ion intermediate which would be yet more reactive toward hydrolysis, with either process leading to the observed mass increase of 230 Da. To probe the importance of the bromine of the lactone in GST inactivation, we designed and synthesized compound 2. Unlike lactone 1, lactone 2 did not show time-dependent inhibitory effect on GSTP1. Incubation of compounds 1 and 2 with excess of N-acetyl cysteine produced the corresponding di-N-acetyl cysteine conjugate and mono-N-acetyl cysteine conjugate, respectively. To probe the role of Cys-47 in the inactivation of GSTP1 by compound 1, we prepared mutant C47A GSTP1. The mutant GSTP1 still showed good activity toward CDNB, but it lost susceptibility to the inactivation by compound 1. In addition, LC-MS/MS technique allowed us to identify the modified Cys-47 after the enzyme was exposed to compound 1.

6-(2-Fluorobenzylidene)-2-[1-(2-fluoro-4-biphenyl)ethyl]thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazol-5(6H)-one.

The title compound, C(25)H(17)F(2)N(3)OS, was synthesized from 6-(benzylidene)thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazol-5(6H)-one. The fused thiazolo[3,2-b][1,2,4]triazole system is essentially planar, and bifurcated C-H.O, C-H.N and C-H.F interactions are present between molecules.

Synthesis, characterization and antiinflammatory-analgesic properties of 6-(alpha-amino-4-chlorobenzyl)thiazolo [3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazol-5-ols.

A series of 6-(alpha-amino-4-chlorobenzyl)-thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazol-5-ols (2a-j) were synthesized from 6-(4-chlorobenzylidene) thiazolo[3,2-b]-1,2,4-triazolo-5(6H)-one (2) by applying Michael addition reaction. All the compounds were characterized by their melting points, elementary analysis, IR and 1H-NMR spectra and screened for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Among the derivatives compound 2i bearing 4-(4-acetylphenyl)piperazine showed the highest and dose-dependent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity without inducing any gastric lesion.

Synthesis of some 1,2,4-triazolo[3,2-b]-1,3-thiazine-7-ones with potential analgesic and antiinflammatory activities.

Starting from 3-substituted-1,2,4-triazole-5-thiones (la-h), eight new 5-carbomethoxy-2-substituted-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,2-b]-1,3-thiazine-7-ones (2a-h) were synthesized and characterized by spectral and elementary analysis. The obtained compounds were submitted to preliminary pharmacological assay to evaluate their antiinflammatory and analgesic activities as well as gastrointestinal irritation liability and acute toxicity. Among the compounds studied, compounds 2c, 2d, 2e and 2h showed most remarkable antiinflammatory activity in the carrageenan and serotonin induced edema and in the inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhea tests. The analgesic activity of these active compounds correlated with their antiinflammatory activities in the inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing test. In gastric ulceration studies, the compounds were found safety at low dose levels (10 and 20 mg/kg).