Synthesis and evaluation of a novel class of ethacrynic acid derivatives containing triazoles as potent anticancer agents.

For unmet clinical needs, a novel class of ethacrynic acid (EA) derivatives containing triazole moieties (3a-i and 8) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as new anticancer agents. The in vitro anti-proliferative activities were assessed first on HL60 cell line and in a second stage, the two selected compounds 3a and 3c were tested on a panel of human cancer cell lines (A549, MCF7, PC3, U87-MG, SKOV3 and HCT116) and on a normal cell line (MCR5). Compound3c exhibited very good antitumor activities with IC50 values of 20.2, 56.5 and 76.8 nM against A549, PC3 and U87-MG cell lines respectively, which is 2.8- and 1.3-fold more active than doxorubicin on A549 and U87-MG cancer cells, respectively. In addition, compound 3c displays a very good safety index (SI) of 82 fold for A549. Compound 3a showed also good IC50 values of 50 nM on both A549 and PC3 cells and lower selectivity compared to 3c for A549 and PC3 vs. MCR5 with SI of 33 and 18 fold, respectively. The measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential on HCT116 cells after treatments by either 3a or 3c showed that both compounds induced mitochondrial dysfunctions causing thus caspase-induced apoptosis.

Development of an Efficient Dual-Action GST-Inhibiting Anticancer Platinum(IV) Prodrug.

The cytotoxicity of cisplatin (cDDP) is enhanced when co-administered with ethacrynic acid (EA), a glutathione S-transferase (GST) inhibitor. A PtIV -EA conjugate containing a cDDP core and two axial ethacrynate ligands (compound 1) was shown to be an excellent inhibitor of GST, but did not readily release a PtII species to exert a synergistic cytotoxic effect. In this study, a redesigned PtIV construct composed of a cDDP core with one axial ethacrynate ligand and one axial hydroxido ligand (compound 2) was prepared and shown to overcome the limitations of compound 1. The EA ligand in 2 is readily released in vitro together with a cytotoxic PtII species derived from cisplatin, working together to inhibit cell proliferation in cDDP-resistant human ovarian cancer cells. The in vitro activity translates well in vivo with 2, showing effective (∼80 %) inhibition of tumor growth in a human ovarian carcinoma A2780 tumor model, while showing considerably lower toxicity than cisplatin, thus validating the new design strategy.

Potent anti-proliferative actions of a non-diuretic glucosamine derivative of ethacrynic acid.

Ethacrynic acid (EA), a known inhibitor of the neoplastic marker glutathione S-transferase P1 and other GSTs, exerts a weak antiproliferative activity against human cancer cells. The clinical use of EA (Edecrin) as an anticancer drug is limited by its potent loop diuretic activity. In this study, we developed a non-diuretic 2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose conjugated EA (EAG) to target tumors cells via the highly expressed glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Cell survival assays revealed that EAG had little effect on normal cells, but was cytotoxic 3 to 4.5-fold greater than EA. Mechanistically, the EAG induced selective cell death in cancer cells by inhibiting GSTP1 and generating abundant reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, EAG induced p21(cip1) expression and a G2/M cell cycle block irrespective of the p53 gene status in tumor cells. These data encourage the development of new EA analogs.

The synthesis of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl derivatives with the ability to inhibit both glutathione S-transferase P1-1 activity and the proliferation of leukemia cells.

Ethacrynic acid (EA), an alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compound, is a glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1) inhibitor. Twenty-one novel EA derivatives have been synthesized. The effects of these compounds on GSTP1-1 activity and on the proliferation of human leukemia HL-60 cells have been determined. Compounds with a halogen substitution at the 3'-position of the aromatic ring have greater inhibitory effects on GSTP1-1 activity than those of compounds with a methyl substitution there. Compounds with substitutions at both the 2'- and 3'-positions of the aromatic ring have more antiproliferative ability than those with one substitution at 3'-position. Esterification of the carboxyl group appears to increase the antiproliferative ability.

Bivalent inhibitors of glutathione S-transferase: the effect of spacer length on isozyme selectivity.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are cytosolic enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of glutathione with a variety of exogenous and endogenous electrophiles. High affinity, isozyme-specific inhibitors of GST are required for use as pharmacological tools as well as potential therapeutics. The design of selective inhibitors is hindered due to the broad substrate binding capabilities of the GST enzymes. GSTs are dimeric enzymes, and therefore offer a unique discriminator for achieving inhibitor selectivity: the distance between binding sites on each monomer unit as a function of its quaternary organization. Bivalent analogs of the non-selective GST inhibitor ethacrynic acid were prepared, and selectivity for the GST A1-1 isozyme over GST P1-1 (IC50 values of 13.7 vs 1022 nM, respectively) was achieved through the optimization of the spacer length between the ethacrynic acid ligand domains.

A new lead for nonpeptidic active-site-directed inhibitors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus main protease discovered by a combination of screening and docking methods.

The coronavirus main protease, M(pro), is considered to be a major target for drugs suitable for combating coronavirus infections including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). An HPLC-based screening of electrophilic compounds that was performed to identify potential M(pro) inhibitors revealed etacrynic acid tert-butylamide (6a) as an effective nonpeptidic inhibitor. Docking studies suggested a binding mode in which the phenyl ring acts as a spacer bridging the inhibitor's activated double bond and its hydrophobic tert-butyl moiety. The latter is supposed to fit into the S4 pocket of the target protease. Furthermore, these studies revealed etacrynic acid amide (6b) as a promising lead for nonpeptidic active-site-directed M(pro) inhibitors. In a fluorimetric enzyme assay using a novel fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) pair labeled substrate, compound 6b showed a K(i) value of 35.3 muM. Since the novel lead compound does not target the S1', S1, and S2 subsites of the enzyme's substrate-binding pockets, there is room for improvement that underlines the lead character of compound 6b.

Novel antiglaucoma prodrugs and codrugs of ethacrynic acid.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize a novel prodrug of ethacrynic acid (ECA) with short chain polyethylene glycols (PEGs) and codrugs of ECA with the beta-adrenergic blocking agent atenolol (ATL) or timolol (TML) to overcome the adverse effects of ECA and to enhance its physicochemical properties.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of ethacrynic acid analogues on glutathione-s-transferase P1-1 activity inhibition.

Ethacrynic acid (EA) is a glutathione-s-transferase pi (GSTP1-1) inhibitor. Fifteen of EA analogues were designed and synthesized and their inhibition on GSTP1-1 activity was tested in lysate of human leukemia HL-60 cells. These compounds were synthesized using substituted phenol as precursors through reacting with 2-chlorocarboxylic acid and acylation. Structure-activity analysis indicates that replacements of chlorides of EA by methyl, bromide, and fluoride at 3' position remain the GSTP1-1 inhibitory effect. The compounds without any substitute at 3' position lose the activity on GSTP1-1 inhibition. These data suggest that the substitution of 3' position of EA is necessary for inhibiting GSTP1-1 activity.

Rational design of platinum(IV) compounds to overcome glutathione-S-transferase mediated drug resistance.

A rationally designed Pt(IV) anticancer compound is described, employing the novel concept of tethering an inhibitor of glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme associated with Pt-based drug-resistance, to cisplatin. Its enzyme inhibition activity, investigated using spectrophotometric and mass spectrometry-based techniques, and cytotoxic profile in resistant cancer cells are described.

Design, synthesis, and testing of potential antisickling agents. 7. Ethacrynic acid analogues.

In search of a drug to treat sickle cell anemia, several analogues of the diuretic ethacrynic acid (ECA) have been synthesized and found equivalent in antigelling potency to ECA, but they have moderate or little diuretic activity. Structure-activity studies revealed that most of the highly active derivatives contain an acryloyl moiety. The latter functionality reacts covalently with protein sulfhydryl groups via a Michael addition reaction. Other derivatives, which lack the acryloyl moiety, showed notably lower antigelling activity. Since the antigelling assay is run under anaerobic conditions, activity implies a stereochemical inhibition of polymerization of deoxyhemoglobin S. The solubility ratios obtained from [HbS drug]/[HbS control] of several compounds (Table I) are near those expected for a drug with clinical potential (1.06-1.20 at tolerable doses in vivo).

Acute effects of alkylating agents on canine renal function. 1. [4-(2-Bromoalkanoyl)phenoxy]acetic acids.

A group of [4-(2-bromoalkanoyl)phenoxy]acetic acids was studied to determine if there was an association between the alkylating ability and the diuretic activity of its members. Acute studies in dogs revealed that there is not a consistent correlation in the alkylating potential of these alpha-bromo ketones and their ability to induce a diuretic response. In addition, pretreatment of dogs with the various alpha-bromo ketones did not alter the diuretic activity normally observed with ethacrynic acid (EA). The role of chemical-induced renal tissue alkylation in the initiation of a diuresis or a nephrotoxic response is discussed.

Diuretic activity of Mannich base derivatives of ethacrynic acid and certain ethacrynic acid analogues.

Various Mannich base derivatives of selected phenoxyacetic acid type diuretics were synthesized and their diuretic potency was evaluated in dogs. It is concluded that the Mannich bases possess little, if any, diuretic activity of their own. Those Mannich bases that do possess diuretic activity undoubtedly do so as a consequence of an elimination reaction (a retro-Michael type reaction) which yields the corresponding pharmacologically active alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone.

Formation of a cyclic derivative of ethacrynic acid with diazomethane.

Samples of ethacrynic acid were treated with methanol-hydrochloric acid or with diazomethane. GLC and mass spectrometric analysis indicated that the methanol-hydrochloric acid reaction gave the expected methyl ester, whereas diazomethane treatment gave a compound containing an additional 14 mass units. Accurate mass measurement and PMR and IR spectra showed that this product was a cyclic derivative of the methyl ester of ethacrynic acid, methyl 4-(2,3-dihydro-4-ethyl-5-furyl)-2,3-dichlorophenoxyacetate. Either derivatization method can be used for development of an assay for ethacrynic acid.