PPARγ Agonistic Activity of Sulphonylureas.

BACKGROUND: Sulphonylureas (SU) are known to cause weight gain. Some investigators have reported increased insulin sensitivity with some sulphonylurea agents. OBJECTIVE: To review available evidence of SU agents having PPARγ agonist activity. METHODS: We searched online databases of PubMed®, Embase®, Google Scholar® and Web of Science® as per current guidance, published in English, between 1st January 1970 and 31st December 2017. The search found 6 articles. RESULTS: None of the 1st generation SU drugs have any demonstrable PPARγ agonist activity. Most of the 2nd generation SU agents had a positive correlation between their concentration and PPARγ agonist activity except Gliclazide. The demonstrated PPARγ agonist activity was maximum in experiments with Glimepiride and Gliquidone and was seen in these in-vitro experiments at concentrations which were pharmacologically achievable in-vivo. The PPARγ agonist activity may be responsible for some sideeffect of the SU agents as weight gain. On the contrary, the clinical efficacy of the thiazolidinediones could theoretically be reduced when used in combination with the SUs with significant PPARγ agonist activity. CONCLUSION: The PPARγ agonist activity demonstrated in vitro experiments may have clinical connotations.

Stochastic Simulation Service: Bridging the Gap between the Computational Expert and the Biologist.

We present StochSS: Stochastic Simulation as a Service, an integrated development environment for modeling and simulation of both deterministic and discrete stochastic biochemical systems in up to three dimensions. An easy to use graphical user interface enables researchers to quickly develop and simulate a biological model on a desktop or laptop, which can then be expanded to incorporate increasing levels of complexity. StochSS features state-of-the-art simulation engines. As the demand for computational power increases, StochSS can seamlessly scale computing resources in the cloud. In addition, StochSS can be deployed as a multi-user software environment where collaborators share computational resources and exchange models via a public model repository. We demonstrate the capabilities and ease of use of StochSS with an example of model development and simulation at increasing levels of complexity.

Novel isatinyl thiosemicarbazones derivatives as potential molecule to combat HIV-TB co-infection.

A series of novel 5-substituted-1-(arylmethyl/alkylmethyl)-1H-indole-2,3-dione-3-(N-hydroxy/methoxy thiosemicarbazone) analogues were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-HIV activity and anti-tubercular activity in both log phase and starved cultures. The compound 2-(1-{[4-(4-chlorophenyl)tetrahydropyrazin-1(2H)-yl]methyl}-5-methyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-3H-indol-3-yliden)-N-(methyloxy)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (B21) displayed promising activity against the replication of HIV-1 cells (EC(50) 1.69 µM). In anti-mycobacterial screening B21 proved effective in inhibiting the growth of both log phase (MIC 3.30 µM) and starved (MIC 12.11 µM) MTB cultures. Isocitrate lyase enzyme having momentous implication in persistent TB was shown to be inhibited by 1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-7-[4-{[5-methyl-3-((Z)-2-{[(methyloxy)amino]carbothioyl}hydrazono)-2-oxo-1H-indol-1(2H)-yl]methyl}tetrahydropyrazin-1(2H)-yl]-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (B30) with 63.44% inhibition at 10 mM.

Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of novel Phthalazin-4-ylacetamides against log- and starved phase cultures.

Twenty four novel 2-[3-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-1-phthalazinyl]acetic acid amides were synthesized from phthalic anhydride and were subjected to in vitro and in vivo evaluation against log- and starved phase of mycobacterial species and Mycobacterium tuberculosis isocitrate lyase enzyme inhibition studies. Among the compounds screened, 2-(2-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2-dihydro-1-oxophthalazin-4-yl)-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetamide (5j) inhibited all eight mycobacterial species with MIC's ranging from 0.08 to 5.05 microm and was non-toxic to Vero cells till 126.43 microm. Four compounds were tested against starved culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and they inhibited with MIC's ranging from 3.78 to 23.2 microm. Some compounds showed 40-66% inhibition against Mycobacterium tuberculosis isocitrate lyase enzyme at 10 microm. The docking studies also confirmed the binding potential of the compounds at the isocitrate lyase active site. In the in vivo animal model, 5j reduced the mycobacterial load in lung and spleen tissues with 1.38 and 2.9-log10 protections, respectively, at 25 mg/kg body weight dose.

Discovery of novel antitubercular 2,10-dihydro-4aH-chromeno[3,2-c]pyridin-3-yl derivatives.

Twenty two novel 2,10-dihydro-4aH-chromeno[3,2-c]pyridin-3-yl derivatives were synthesized by reacting 3-formyl chromone, (sub)-2-amino pyridines, N1-(prop-2-ynyl)arylamides in the presence of indium triflate. The compounds were evaluated their preliminary in-vitro and in-vivo activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) and multi-drug resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Among them N-[(4aS)-2-(3-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-10-oxo-2,10-dihydro-4aH-chromeno[3,2-c]pyridin-3-yl]methyl-4-ethylbenzenecarboxamide 4d was found to be the most active compound in-vitro with MIC's of 0.22 and 0.07 microg/mL against MTB and MDR-TB respectively. In the in-vivo animal model 4d decreased the bacterial load in lung and spleen tissues with 1.11 and 2.94-log10 protections respectively at 25 mg/kg body weight dose.

Novel three-component domino reactions of ketones, isatin and amino acids: synthesis and discovery of antimycobacterial activity of highly functionalised novel dispiropyrrolidines.

One-pot three-component domino reactions of cyclic mono ketones, isatin and sarcosine/phenylglycine furnishing highly functionalised dispiropyrrolidines in moderate yields are described. The reaction when performed with cyclic amino acid, proline resulted in the dimerization of azomethine ylides. These compounds have been screened for their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) using agar dilution method. Among thirty eight compounds screened, 1-methylpyrrolo(spiro[2.3']-5-bromooxindole)spiro[3.2'']-1''-nitrosotetrahydro-4''(1H)-pyridinone (4t) was found to be the most active with MIC of 1.98 microM against MTB and was 3.86 and 25.64 times more potent than the standard first line TB drugs, ethambutol and pyrazinamide respectively.

L-proline-catalysed facile green protocol for the synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of [1,4]-thiazines.

A series of ethyl 6-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-1,1-dioxo-3,5-diaryl-1,4-thiazinane-2-carboxylates was prepared in good yields (72-90%) from the reaction of ethyl 2-[(2-oxo-2-arylethyl)sulfonyl]acetate, substituted aromatic aldehydes and amines in presence of green catalyst, L-proline. These compounds were evaluated for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB), multi-drug resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Mycobacterium smegmatis (MC(2)) using agar dilution method. Ethyl 6-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-3,5-di(4-nitrophenyl)-1,1-dioxo-1,4-thiazinane-2-carboxylate was found to be the most promising compound (MIC: 0.68 microM) active against MTB and MDR-TB.

5-Nitrofuran-2-yl derivatives: synthesis and inhibitory activities against growing and dormant mycobacterium species.

Eighteen 5-nitrofuran-2-yl derivatives were prepared by reacting 5-nitro-2-furfural with various (sub)phenyl/pyridyl thiosemicarbazide using microwave irradiation. The compounds were tested for their in vitro activity against tubercular and various non-tubercular mycobacterium species in log-phase and 6-week-starved cultures. Compound N-(3,5-dibromopyridin-2-yl)-2-((5-nitrofuran-2-yl)methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (4r) was found to be the most potent compound (MIC: 0.22 microM) and was 3 times more active than standard isoniazid (INH) and equally active as rifampicin (RIF) in log-phase culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv. In starved M. tuberculosis H37Rv, 4r inhibited with MIC of 13.9 microM and was found to be 50 times more active than INH and slightly more active than RIF.

Efavirenz Mannich bases: synthesis, anti-HIV and antitubercular activities.

A series of efavirenz Mannich bases has been synthesized by reacting efavirenz, formaldehyde, and various aryl substituted piperazines using microwave irradiation (yield 35-88%). The synthesized compounds were evaluated for in-vitro anti-HIV and antimycobacterial activities. The in-vitro antiretroviral activities indicated that compound 7-(4-((6-chloro-4-(2-cyclopropylethynyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-oxo-2H-benzo[d] [1,3]oxazin-1 (4H)-yl)methyl)-3-methylpiperazin-l -yl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-l,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (4i) was equipotent to efavirenz with EC(50) of 2.4 nM. Compound 4i also inhibited M. tuberculosis with minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.2 microg/mL.

Synthesis and antimycobacterial evaluation of newer 1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-6-fluoro-7-(substituted secondary amino)-8-methoxy-5-(sub)-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids.

Thirty-four newer 1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-6-fluoro-7-(substituted secondary amino)-8-methoxy-5-(sub)-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids were synthesized from 1,2,3,4-tetrafluoro benzene and evaluated for in vitro and in vivo antimycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB), multi-drug resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Mycobacterium smegmatis (MC(2)) and also tested for the ability to inhibit the supercoiling activity of DNA gyrase. Among the synthesized compounds, 7-(1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-8-methoxy-5-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (13n) was found to be the most active compound in vitro with MIC of 0.16 and 0.33 microM against MTB and MDR-TB, respectively. In the in vivo animal model 13n decreased the bacterial load in lung and spleen tissues with 2.54 and 2.92-log10 protections, respectively, at the dose of 50mg/kg body weight. Compound 13n also inhibited the supercoiling activity of mycobacterial DNA gyrase with IC(50) of 30.0 microg/ml.

Detection of intersubtype recombinants with respect to env and nef genes of HIV-1 among female sex workers in Calcutta, India.

HIV-1 detected among female sex workers in Calcutta, India was characterized in respect to env and nef genes. A total of 39 HIV-1 seropositive samples were used in the study. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of respective regions showed that 22 out of 39 samples (56.4%) were infected with subtype C with respect to both env and nef genes; however, 17 samples (43.6%) showed distinct subtype discordance. Simplot analysis of these samples showed the presence of intersubtype recombination between subtypes C and B. Both env C/nef B and env B/nef C recombinants were found to be present; 16 samples were found to be env C/nef B and 1 sample was detected as env B/nef C. This result indicates the emergence of intersubtype recombinants of HIV-1 for the first time in this eastern part of India.

Newer tetracycline derivatives: synthesis, anti-HIV, antimycobacterial activities and inhibition of HIV-1 integrase.

A series of new tetracycline derivatives has been synthesized by reacting appropriate tetracyclines, formaldehyde and secondary amino (piperazino) function of fluoroquinolones using microwave irradiation with the yield ranging from 41 evaluated for its anti-HIV, antimycobacterial activities and HIV-1 integrase (IN) enzyme inhibition studies. Among the synthesized compounds, compound 10 was found to be the most promising compound active against HIV-1 replication with EC(50) of 5.2 microM and was nontoxic to the CEM cells until 200 microM, and MIC of 0.2 microg/mL against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with moderate inhibition of both 3'-processing and strand transfer steps of HIV-1 IN.

N-Hydroxythiosemicarbazones: synthesis and in vitro antitubercular activity.

N-Hydroxythiosemicarbazide was prepared by two methods starting from 2,4-dimethoxy benzyl amine and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, which in turn was reacted with various aldehydes and ketones to obtain the titled compounds. Eighteen compounds were tested for their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using the agar dilution method. Compound 10p was found to be the most potent compound (MIC: 0.28 microM) and was 2.5 times more active than standard isoniazid.