Verubulin (Azixa) Analogues with Increased Saturation: Synthesis, SAR and Encapsulation in Biocompatible Nanocontainers Based on Ca2+ or Mg2+ Cross-Linked Alginate.

Tubulin-targeting agents attract undiminished attention as promising compounds for the design of anti-cancer drugs. Verubulin is a potent tubulin polymerization inhibitor, binding to colchicine-binding sites. In the present work, a series of verubulin analogues containing a cyclohexane or cycloheptane ring 1,2-annulated with pyrimidine moiety and various substituents in positions 2 and 4 of pyrimidine were obtained and their cytotoxicity towards cancer and non-cancerous cell lines was estimated. The investigated compounds revealed activity against various cancer cell lines with IC50 down to 1-4 nM. According to fluorescent microscopy data, compounds that showed cytotoxicity in the MTT test disrupt the normal cytoskeleton of the cell in a pattern similar to that for combretastatin A-4. The hit compound (N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N,2-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolin-4-amine) was encapsulated in biocompatible nanocontainers based on Ca2+ or Mg2+ cross-linked alginate and it was demonstrated that its cytotoxic activity was preserved after encapsulation.

New Organometallic Ru(II) Compounds with Lonidamine Motif as Antitumor Agents.

The combination of one molecule of organic and metal-based fragments that exhibit antitumor activity is a modern approach in the search for new promising drugs. In this work, biologically active ligands based on lonidamine (a selective inhibitor of aerobic glycolysis used in clinical practice) were introduced into the structure of an antitumor organometallic ruthenium scaffold. Resistant to ligand exchange reactions, compounds were prepared by replacing labile ligands with stable ones. Moreover, cationic complexes containing two lonidamine-based ligands were obtained. Antiproliferative activity was studied in vitro by MTT assays. It was shown that the increase in the stability in ligand exchange reactions does not influence cytotoxicity. At the same time, the introduction of the second lonidamine fragment approximately doubles the cytotoxicity of studied complexes. The ability to induce apoptosis and caspase activation in tumour cell MCF7 was studied by employing flow cytometry.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of 3-Hydroxy-2-oxindoles and Pilot Evaluation of Their Antiglaucomic Activity.

Glaucoma is a widespread neurodegenerative disease for which increased intraocular pressure (IOP) is a primary modifiable risk factor. Recently, we have observed that compounds with oxindole scaffolds are involved in the regulation of intraocular pressure and therefore have potential antiglaucomic activity. In this article, we present an efficient method for obtaining novel 2-oxindole derivatives via microwave-assisted (MW) decarboxylative condensation of substituted isatins with malonic and cyanoacetic acids. Various 3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles were synthesized using MW activation for 5-10 min with high yields (up to 98%). The influence of novel compounds applied in instillations on IOP was studied in vivo on normotensive rabbits. The lead compound was found to reduce the IOP by 5.6 Torr (ΔIOP for the widely used antiglaucomatousic drug timolol 3.5 Torr and for melatonin 2.7 Torr).

Biological Activity of Novel Organotin Compounds with a Schiff Base Containing an Antioxidant Fragment.

A series of novel organotin(IV) complexes on the base of 2-(N-3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-iminomethylphenol (L) of formulae Me2SnBr2(L)2 (1), Bu2SnCl2(L)2(2), Ph2SnCl2(L) (3), Ph2SnCl2(L)2 (4) Ph3SnBr(L)2 (5) were synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C, 119Sn NMR, IR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of initial L and complex 2 were determined by XRD method. It was found that L crystallizes in the orthorhombic syngony. The distorted octahedron geometry around Sn center is observed in the structure of complex 2. Intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds were found in both structures. The antioxidant activity of new complexes as reducing agents, radical scavengers and lipoxygenase inhibitors was estimated spectrophotometrically in CUPRAC and DPPH tests (compounds 1 and 5 were found to be the most active in both methods), and in the process of enzymatic oxidation in vitro of linoleic acid under the action of lipoxygenase LOX 1-B (EC50 > 33.3 µM for complex 2). Furthermore, compounds 1-5 have been investigated for their antiproliferative activity in vitro towards HCT-116, MCF-7 and A-549 and non-malignant WI-38 human cell lines. Complexes 2 and 5 demonstrated the highest activity. The plausible mechanisms of the antiproliferative activity of compounds, including the influence on the polymerization of Tb+MAP, are discussed. Some of the synthesized compounds have also actively induced apoptosis and blocked proliferation in the cell cycle G2/M phase.

Bicyclic Isoxazoline Derivatives: Synthesis and Evaluation of Biological Activity.

The application of non-planar scaffolds in drug design allows for the enlargement of the chemical space, and for the construction of molecules that have more effective target-ligand interactions or are less prone to the development of resistance. Among the works of the last decade, a literature search revealed spirothiazamenthane, which has served as a lead in the development of derivatives active against resistant viral strains. In this work, we studied the novel molecular scaffold, which resembles spirothiazamenthane, but combines isoxazoline as a heterocycle and cyclooctane ring as a hydrophobic part of the structure. The synthesis of new 3-nitro- and 3-aminoisoxazolines containing spiro-fused or 1,2-annelated cyclooctane fragments was achieved by employing 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of 3-nitro-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-4-ol 2-oxide or tetranitromethane-derived alkyl nitronates with non-activated alkenes. A series of spiro-sulfonamides was obtained by the reaction of 3-aminoisoxazoline containing a spiro-fused cyclooctane residue with sulfonyl chlorides. Preliminary screening of the compounds for antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiproliferative properties in vitro revealed 1-oxa-2-azaspiro[4.7]dodec-2-en-3-amine and 3a,4,5,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydrocycloocta[d]isoxazol-3-amine with activity against the influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) virus in the submicromolar range, and high values of selectivity index. Further study of the mechanism of the antiviral action of these compounds, and the synthesis of their analogues, is likely to identify new agents against resistant viral strains.

Is antitumor Pt(IV) complex containing two axial lonidamine ligands a true dual- or multi-action prodrug?

This work studied the mechanism of action of a Pt(IV) complex 2 bearing two axial lonidamine ligands, which are selective inhibitors of aerobic glycolysis. The presence of two lonidamine ligands in 2 compared to the parent Pt(II) complex increased its antiproliferative activity, cellular accumulation, and changed its cell cycle profile and mechanism of cell death. In 3D cell culture, 2 showed exceptional antiproliferative activity with IC50 values as low as 1.6 µM in MCF7 cells. The study on the influence of the lonidamine ligands in the Pt complex on glycolysis showed only low potency of ligands to affect metabolic processes in cancer cells, making the investigated complex, not a dual- or multi-action prodrug. However, the Pt(IV) prodrug effectively delivers the cytotoxic Pt(II) complex into cancer cells.

Novel substituted 5-methyl-4-acylaminoisoxazoles as antimitotic agents: Evaluation of selectivity to LNCaP cancer cells.

A series of novel antimitotic agents was designed using the replacement of heterocyclic cores in two tubulin-targeting lead molecules with the acylated 4-aminoisoxazole moiety. Target compounds were synthesized via heterocyclization of ß-aryl-substituted vinylketones by tert-butyl nitrite in the presence of water as a key step. 4-Methyl-N-[5-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]benzamide (1aa) was found to stimulate partial depolymerization of microtubules of human lung carcinoma A549 cells at a high concentration of 100 µM and to totally inhibit cell growth (IC50 = 0.99 µM) and cell viability (IC50 = 0.271 µM) in the nanomolar to submicromolar concentration range. These data provide evidence of the multitarget profile of the cytotoxic action of compound 1aa. The SAR study demonstrated that the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl residue is the key structural parameter determining the efficiency both towards tubulin and other molecular targets. The cytotoxicity of 3-methyl-N-[5-methyl-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]benzamide (1ab) to the androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma cancer cell line LNCaP (IC50 = 0.301 µM) was approximately one order of magnitude higher than that to the conditionally normal cells lines WI-26 VA4 (IC50 = 2.26 µM) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (IC50 = 5.58 µM) and significantly higher than that to primary fibroblasts (IC50 > 75 µM).

Ru(III) Complexes with Lonidamine-Modified Ligands.

A series of bifunctional Ru(III) complexes with lonidamine-modified ligands (lonidamine is a selective inhibitor of aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells) was described. Redox properties of Ru(III) complexes were characterized by cyclic voltammetry. An easy reduction suggested a perspective for these agents as their whole mechanism of action seems to be based on activation by metal atom reduction. New compounds demonstrated a more pronounced antiproliferative potency than the parental drug; individual new agents were more cytotoxic than cisplatin. Stability studies showed an increase in the stability of complexes along with the linker length. A similar trend was noted for antiproliferative activity, cellular uptake, apoptosis induction, and thioredoxin reductase inhibition. Finally, at concentrations that did not alter water solubility, the selected new complex evoked no acute toxicity in Balb/c mice.

Metallodrug Profiling against SARS-CoV-2 Target Proteins Identifies Highly Potent Inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction and the Papain-like Protease PLpro.

The global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has called for an urgent need for dedicated antiviral therapeutics. Metal complexes are commonly underrepresented in compound libraries that are used for screening in drug discovery campaigns, however, there is growing evidence for their role in medicinal chemistry. Based on previous results, we have selected more than 100 structurally diverse metal complexes for profiling as inhibitors of two relevant SARS-CoV-2 replication mechanisms, namely the interaction of the spike (S) protein with the ACE2 receptor and the papain-like protease PLpro . In addition to many well-established types of mononuclear experimental metallodrugs, the pool of compounds tested was extended to approved metal-based therapeutics such as silver sulfadiazine and thiomersal, as well as polyoxometalates (POMs). Among the mononuclear metal complexes, only a small number of active inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction was identified, with titanocene dichloride as the only strong inhibitor. However, among the gold and silver containing complexes many turned out to be very potent inhibitors of PLpro activity. Highly promising activity against both targets was noted for many POMs. Selected complexes were evaluated in antiviral SARS-CoV-2 assays confirming activity for gold complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) or dithiocarbamato ligands, a silver NHC complex, titanocene dichloride as well as a POM compound. These studies might provide starting points for the design of metal-based SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agents.

New Derivatives of Bacteriopurpurin with Thiolated Au (I) Complexes: Dual Darkand Light Activated Antitumor Potency.

BACKGROUND: Conventional antitumor Photosensitizers (PS) are normally low toxic in the dark whereas light activation triggers massive cell death (photodynamic therapy, PDT). OBJECTIVE: To expand the therapeutic potential of PS to dual potency cytocidal agents, taking advantage of the use of bacteriopurpurin for a deeper tissue penetration of light, and suitability of the tetrapyrrolic macrocycle for chemical modifications at its periphery. METHODS: Conjugation of a pro-oxidant thiolate Au (I) moiety to the bacteriopurpurin core and evaluation of cytotoxicity in cell culture and in vivo. RESULTS: New water-soluble derivatives showed micromolar cytotoxicity for cultured human tumor cell lines in the dark, including the subline with an altered drug response due to p53 inactivation. Cellular PDT with the selected conjugate, thiolate Au (I)-dipropoxybacteriopurpurinimide (compound 6) with two triphenylphosphine Au fragments, triggered rapid (within minutes) cell death. Damage to the plasma membrane (necrosis) was a hallmark of cell death by compound 6 both in the dark and upon light activation. Furthermore, one single i.v. injection of compound 6 caused retardation of transplanted syngeneic tumors at the tolerable dose. Illumination of tumors that accumulated compound 6 significantly synergized with the effect of 6 in the dark. CONCLUSION: Complexes of virtually non-toxic, photoactivatable bacteriopurpurin with the gold-containing organic moiety are considered the dual potency antitumor agents, tentatively applicable for intractable tumors.

Influence of the Number of Axial Bexarotene Ligands on the Cytotoxicity of Pt(IV) Analogs of Oxaliplatin.

We present the synthesis and cytotoxic potencies of new Pt(IV) complexes with bexarotene, an anticancer drug that induces cell differentiation and apoptosis via selective activation of retinoid X receptors. In these complexes bexarotene is positioned as an axial ligand. The complex of one bexarotene ligand attached to Pt(IV) oxaliplatin moiety was potent whereas its counterpart carrying two bexarotene ligands was inactive.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 5-hydroxylaminoisoxazole derivatives as lipoxygenase inhibitors and metabolism enhancing agents.

A versatile synthesis of novel 5-hydroxylaminoisoxazoles bearing adamantane moieties has been accomplished using the heterocyclization reactions of readily available unsaturated esters by the treatment with tetranitromethane in the presence of triethylamine and subsequent reduction of resulting 5-nitroisoxazoles by SnCl2 with the participation of THF. A number of obtained isoxazole derivatives were evaluated for their antioxidative activity, inhibition of lipoxygenases and impact on the rat liver mitochondria. The majority of tested compounds demonstrated moderate antiradical activity in DPPH test (up to EC50 16µM). The same compounds strongly inhibited soybean lipoxygenase (up to IC50 0.4µM) and Fe(2+)- and Fe(3+)-induced lipid peroxidation (LP) of rat brain cortex homogenate (up to IC50 0.3µM). All tested isoxazole derivatives promoted the phosphorylating respiratory activity simultaneously with maximal stimulated respiratory activity of mitochondria and do not reveal any toxicity towards the primary culture of rat cortex neurons.

Protein ruthenation and DNA alkylation: chlorambucil-functionalized RAPTA complexes and their anticancer activity.

Chemotherapeutics for the treatment of tumorigenic conditions that feature novel modes of action are highly sought after to overcome the limitations of current chemotherapies. Herein, we report the conjugation of the alkylating agent chlorambucil to the RAPTA scaffold, a well-established pharmacophore. While chlorambucil is known to alkylate DNA, the RAPTA complexes are known to coordinate to amino acid side chains of proteins. Therefore, such a molecule combines DNA and protein targeting properties in a single molecule. Several chlorambucil-tethered RAPTA derivatives were prepared and tested for their cytotoxicity, stability in water and reactivity to protein and DNA substrates. The anticancer activity of the complexes is widely driven by the cytotoxicity of the chlorambucil moiety. However, especially in the cisplatin-resistant A2780R cells, the chlorambucil-functionalized RAPTA derivatives are in general more cytotoxic than chlorambucil and also a mixture of chlorambucil and the parent organoruthenium RAPTA compound. In a proof-of-principle experiment, the cross-linking of DNA and protein fragments by a chlorambucil-RAPTA derivative was observed.

Metal complexes with functionalised 2,2'-dipicolylamine ligand containing an antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol moiety: synthesis and biological studies.

A series of Zn, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni complexes ([MX2L], X = Cl, OAc) of the novel di-(2-picolyl)amine ligand L with an antioxidant 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol pendant were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and the molecular structures of [ZnCl2L] and [MnCl2L] were established by X-ray crystallography. The chemical oxidation of complexes with a 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol fragment to the phenoxyl radicals was studied by means of ESR method. The antioxidant radical scavenging activity of the complexes was measured spectrophotometrically using a DPPH-test and linoleic acid peroxidation. The electron transfer reactions were examined in CUPRAC tests and as the inhibition of an enzymatic reaction involving the generation of a reactive oxygen species (superoxide radical-anion) by xanthine oxidase. The lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition activity of the studied compounds was evaluated. The in vitro biological experiments were performed by using rat brain homogenates. The role of the phenol fragment and metal was found to be essential in antioxidant activity.

Metal-based antioxidants--potential therapeutic candidates for prevention the oxidative stress-related carcinogenesis: mini-review.

The oxidative stress that is associated with the abnormal level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered to be involved in the carcinogenesis process. The antioxidative defense system in the living organism regulates the toxic impact of ROS and there is strong evidence that the antioxidants prevent carcinogenesis. This review will focus on a novel approach to design synthetic metal-based antioxidants and to study their in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo activities in the cellular oxidation processes that might be involved in promotion of carcinogenesis. The antioxidants are divided into several groups depending on the nature of the ligands used: 2,6-dialkylphenols, flavonoids, polyphenols, peptides, purines, pyridines and their derivatives. Some currently achieved results in testing metal complexes as antioxidants show that they could potentially facilitate the scavenging of excess ROS, and thus restore redox balance in the damaged cells and organs. Therefore there is a strong need of the design of novel potential therapeutic candidates for prevention the oxidative stress-related carcinogenesis based on metal complexes.

Biological studies of new organotin(IV) complexes of thioamide ligands.

New organotin(IV) complexes with heterocyclic thioamides 2-mercapto-benzothiazole (Hmbzt), 5-chloro-2-mercapto-benzothiazole (Hcmbzt) and 2-mercapto-benzoxazole (Hmbzo) of formulae [(C(6)H(5))(3)Sn(mbzt)] (1), [(C(6)H(5))(3)Sn(cmbzt)] (3) and [(C(6)H(5))(2)Sn(cmbzt)(2)] (4), together with the already known [(C(6)H(5))(3)Sn(mbzo)] (2), [(n-C(4)H(9))(2)Sn(cmbzt)(2)] (5) and [(CH(3))(2)Sn(cmbzt)(2)] (6) were used to study their influence on the peroxidation of oleic acid. The influence of complexes (3)-(6) upon peroxidation of oleic acid showed that the formation of reactive radicals caused the initiation of the chain radical oxidation of the substrate. The influence of complexes (1)-(6) upon the catalytic peroxidation of linoleic acid by the enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX) was also studied and compared to those of cisplatin. Compounds (1)-(6) were finally tested for in vitro cytotoxicity against leiomyosarcoma cells.

Protective Effect of Meso-Tetrakis-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin on the In Vivo Impact of Trimethyltin Chloride on the Antioxidative Defense System.

The in vivo effect of trimethyltin chloride (Me(3)SnCl), free base meso-tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)porphyrin (R'(4)PH(2)) and their equimolar mixture, on the enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and on the total content of free sulfhydryl groups has been studied in rat liver and kidney. It was demonstrated that the simultaneous treatment of tested animals with the combination of Me(3)SnCl and R'(4)PH(2) reduced the toxic impact of Me(3)SnCl.

Inhibition of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase by methyltin compounds.

The study of inorganic tin (SnCl(2), SnCl(4)) and methyltin compounds (MeSnCl(3), Me(2)SnCI(2), Me(3)SnCl) effects on the enzymatic activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the reaction of ethanol oxidation has been carried out. The experimental results of the study show that inorganic tin and methyltin substances induce slight inhibition of the catalytic activity of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH), unable to be improved during pre-incubation with the enzyme. The conditions for carrying out the kinetic investigation of the mentioned phenomenon were optimized and as it turned out the mechanism of methyltin trichloride action, as the most effective methyltin inhibitor, is more complex than the proposed interaction of the metal atom with SH-groups of the enzyme protein. It was demonstrated that the tin compounds act in the same manner as methylmercury compounds and might serve as oxidative agents towards the co-enzyme NADH. Kinetic data on MeSnCl(3) were calculated. Data acquired on NAD-dependent ADH from horse liver and those regarding NAD-dependent LDH from sturgeon liver were compared.