Thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors: Synthesis, inhibitory activity, binding interaction and hypoglycemic activity.

In order to find effective α-glucosidase inhibitors, a series of thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (C1 âˆ¼ 36) were synthesized and evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Compared to positive control acarbose (IC50 = 654.35 ± 65.81 µM), all compounds (C1 âˆ¼ 36) showed stronger α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.52 ± 0.06 âˆ¼ 9.31 ± 0.96 µM. Among them, C23 with the best anti-α-glucosidase activity was a reversible mixed-type inhibitor. Fluorescence quenching suggested the binding process of C23 with α-glucosidase in a static process. Fluorescence quenching, CD spectra, and 3D fluorescence spectra results also implied that the binding of C23 with α-glucosidase caused the conformational change of α-glucosidase to inhibit the activity. Molecular docking displayed the binding interaction of C23 with α-glucosidase. Compound C23 (8 âˆ¼ 64 µM) showed no cytotoxicity against LO2 and 293 cells. Moreover, oral administration of C23 (50 mg/kg) could reduce blood glucose and improve glucose tolerance in mice.

Isolation, structure modification, and anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of isopimarane-type diterpenoids from Orthosiphon aristatus.

Orthosiphon aristatus is a well-known folkloric medicine and herb for Guangdong soup for the treatment of rheumatism in China. Eight isopimarane-type and migrated pimarane-type diterpenoids (1-8), including a new one with a rarely occurring α,ß-unsaturated diketone C-ring, were isolated from O. aristatus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and quantum chemical calculations. Furthermore, the most abundant compound, orthosiphol K, was structurally modified by modern synthetic techniques to give seven new derivatives (9-15). The anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity of these diterpenoids were evaluated on a TNF-α induced MH7A human rheumatoid fibroblast-like synoviocyte model. Compound 10 showed the most potent activity among these compounds. Based on their inhibitory effects on the release levels of IL-1ß, the preliminary structure-activity relationships were concluded. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that 10 could increase the expression of IκBα and decrease the expression of NF-κB p65, and the expression levels of COX-2 and NLRP3 proteins were consequently down-regulated.

New chromone derivatives bearing thiazolidine-2,4-dione moiety as potent PTP1B inhibitors: Synthesis and biological activity evaluation.

A series of chromone derivatives bearing thiazolidine-2,4-dione moiety (5 âˆ¼ 37) were synthesized and evaluated for their PTP1B inhibitory activity, interaction analysis and effects on insulin pathway in palmitic acid (PA)-induced HepG2 cells. The results showed that all derivatives presented potential PTP1B inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 1.40 ± 0.04 âˆ¼ 16.83 ± 0.54 µM comparing to that of positive control lithocholic acid (IC50: 9.62 ± 0.14 µM). Among them, compound 9 had the strongest PTP1B inhibitory activity with the IC50 value of 1.40 ± 0.04 µM. Inhibition kinetic study revealed that compound 9 was a reversible mixed-type inhibitor against PTP1B. CD spectra results confirmed that compound 9 changed the secondary structure of PTP1B by their interaction. Molecular docking explained the detailed binding between compound 9 and PTP1B. Compound 9 also showed 19-fold of selectivity for PTP1B over TCPTP. Moreover compound 9 could recovery PA-induced insulin resistance by increasing the phosphorylation of IRSI and AKT. CETSA results showed that compound 9 significantly increased the thermal stability of PTP1B.

Inhibitory effect of liriopesides B in combination with gemcitabine on human pancreatic cancer cells.

Gemcitabine (GEM) is a standard chemotherapeutic agent for patients with pancreatic cancer; however, GEM-based chemotherapy has a high rate of toxicity. A combination of GEM and active constituents from natural products may enhance its therapeutic efficacy and reduce its toxicity. This study investigated the synergistic effects of the combination of liriopesides B (LirB) from Liriope spicata var. prolifera and GEM on human pancreatic cancer cells. The results of our study showed that the combination of LirB and GEM synergistically decreased the viability of pancreatic cancer cells. The combination also caused a strong increase in apoptosis and a strong decrease in cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, LirB combined with GEM had potent inhibitory effects on pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs). Studies on the mechanisms of action showed that the combination more potently inhibited protein kinase B (Akt) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), as well as the downstream antiapoptotic molecules B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and survivin than either agent used alone. The results of this study suggest that the combination of LirB with GEM may improve the efficacy of GEM for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Correlation of sLOX-1 and CSF1 with the pathological progression of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in neonatal rats.

To provide clinical evidence for the management of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) by analyzing the role of soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) and colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF1) in the disease. We purchased 15 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat pups and randomized them into five groups (n=3), of which one group was untreated as the control group and the other four were modeled by HIE. After modeling, a group was treated as a model group without any treatment, another group was injected with sLOX-1-silencing lentiviral vector (sLOX-1-si group), and the third and fourth were injected with CSF1-silencing lentiviral vector (CSF1-si group) and an equal amount of normal saline (blank group), respectively. After the corresponding intervention, the rat tissue in each group was obtained to observe the pathological injury by HE and TUNEL staining. In addition, sLOX-1, CSF1, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) levels in brain tissue of each group were determined. The model group showed more severe pathological damage of the hippocampus and higher neuronal apoptosis than the control group. Besides, higher sLOX-1 and CSF1 levels and lower 5-HT, DA and NE contents were identified in the model group versus the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, sLOX-1-si and CSF1-si groups showed significantly alleviated hippocampal damage, inhibited neuronal apoptosis, reduced 5-HT, DA, NE, Bax, and cl-caspase-3, and increased Bcl-2 (P<0.05). Silencing sLOX-1 and CSF1 expression ameliorated the pathological injury of HIE and inhibited neuronal apoptosis.

In Vitro and In Vivo Biological Evaluation of Indole-thiazolidine-2,4-dione Derivatives as Tyrosinase Inhibitors.

Tyrosinase is an important rate-limiting enzyme in melanin biosynthesis. To find potential tyrosinase inhibitors with anti-melanogenic activity, a series of indole-thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives 5a~5z were synthesized by incorporating indole with thiazolidine-2,4-dione into one compound and assayed for their biological activities. All compounds displayed tyrosinase inhibitory activities and 5w had the highest anti-tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 11.2 µM. Inhibition kinetics revealed 5w as a mixed-type tyrosinase inhibitor. Fluorescence quenching results indicated that 5w quenched tyrosinase fluorescence in a static process. CD spectra and 3D fluorescence spectra results suggested that the binding of 5w with tyrosinase could change the conformation and microenvironment of tyrosinase. Molecular docking also represented the binding between 5w and tyrosinase. Moreover, 5w could inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis both in B16F10 cells and the zebrafish model. Therefore, compound 5w could serve as a tyrosinase inhibitor with anti-melanogenic activity.

Au-Catalyzed Asymmetric Polyene Cyclization and Its Application in the Total Synthesis of (+)-2-Ketoferruginol, (+)-Fleuryinol B, (+)-Salviol, and (-)-Erythroxylisin A.

A catalytic asymmetric 1,3-acyloxy shift/polyene cyclization cascade has been achieved with good enantioselectivities under the catalysis of the chiral Au(I) reagent. The synthetic utility of this method has been showcased by the catalytic asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-2-ketoferruginol, (+)-fleuryinol B, and (+)-salviol. Notably, the first enantioselective total synthesis of (-)-erythroxylisin A has also been realized in 15 steps.

Identification of 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-containing ß-carboline derivatives as novel α-glucosidase inhibitors with antidiabetic activity.

In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel class of 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl-containing ß-carboline derivatives, i.e., compounds f1∼f35 as potential α-glucosidase inhibitors. All the synthesized compounds possessed outstanding α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with the IC50 values in the range of 3.07-15.49 µM, representing that they are 36∼183-fold more active than a positive control, acarbose (IC50 = 564.28 µM). Among them, compound f26 exhibited the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 3.07 µM) and was demonstrated to function as a reversible and noncompetitive inhibitor. Mechanistic studies by means of 3D fluorescence spectra, CD spectra and molecular docking suggested that complexation of compound f26 with α-glucosidase through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions, led to changes in the conformation and secondary strictures of α-glucosidase and further the inhibition of the enzymatic activity. In vivo results showed that oral administration of compound f26 (50 mg/kg/day) could obviously reduce the levels of fasting blood glucose and improve glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia in diabetic mice. The present findings suggest that compound f26 is exploitable as a potential lead compound for the development of new α-glucosidase inhibitors with antidiabetic activity.

Investigation on the inhibition mechanism and binding behavior of paeonol to tyrosinase and its anti-browning property by multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking methods.

Paeonol, as one effective tyrosinase inhibitor, had been used as food preservative and clinical medication for skin disorders. In this study, the inhibition mechanism and binding behavior of paeonol to tyrosinase and its anti-browning property were investigated using multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking methods. Activity assay and kinetic results confirmed paeonol as a reversible mixed-type tyrosinase inhibitor. Results of the mechanistic studies were clarified using fluorescence quenching, synchronous fluorescence, CD spectra and 3D fluorescence, and showed that the binding of paeonol to tyrosinase might change the chromophore microenvironment and conformation of tyrosinase to inhibit enzyme catalytic activity. Molecular docking results revealed the detailed binding between paeonol and tyrosinase. Moreover, paeonol could prevent the browning of fresh-cut apples, as well as inhibiting PPO and POD activities and increasing APX activity. All above findings established a reliable basis for the inhibitory mechanism of paeonol against tyrosinase and therefore contributed to its application in anti-browning.

Synthesis, Anti-Tyrosinase Activity, and Spectroscopic Inhibition Mechanism of Cinnamic Acid-Eugenol Esters.

Tyrosinase plays crucial roles in mediating the production of melanin pigment; thus, its inhibitors could be useful in preventing melanin-related diseases. To find potential tyrosinase inhibitors, a series of cinnamic acid-eugenol esters (c1~c29) was synthesized and their chemical structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS, and FT-IR, respectively. The biological evaluation results showed that all compounds c1~c29 exhibited definite tyrosinase inhibitory activity; especially, compound c27 was the strongest tyrosinase inhibitor (IC50: 3.07 ± 0.26 µM), being ~4.6-fold stronger than the positive control, kojic acid (IC50: 14.15 ± 0.46 µM). Inhibition kinetic studies validated compound c27 as a reversible mixed-type inhibitor against tyrosinase. Three-dimensional fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectra results indicated that compound c27 could change the conformation and secondary structure of tyrosinase. Fluorescence-quenching results showed that compound c27 quenched tyrosinase fluorescence in the static manner with one binding site. Molecular docking results also revealed the binding interactions between compound c27 and tyrosinase. Therefore, cinnamic acid-eugenol esters, especially c27, could be used as lead compounds to find potential tyrosinase inhibitors.

Anti-α-Glucosidase, SAR Analysis, and Mechanism Investigation of Indolo[1,2-b]isoquinoline Derivatives.

To find potential α-glucosidase inhibitors, indolo[1,2-b]isoquinoline derivatives (1-20) were screened for their α-glucosidase inhibitory effects. All derivatives presented potential α-glucosidase inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 3.44 ± 0.36~41.24 ± 0.26 µM compared to the positive control acarbose (IC50 value: 640.57 ± 5.13 µM). In particular, compound 11 displayed the strongest anti-α-glucosidase activity, being ~186 times stronger than acarbose. Kinetic studies found that compounds 9, 11, 13, 18, and 19 were all reversible mix-type inhibitors. The 3D fluorescence spectra and CD spectra results revealed that the interaction between compounds 9, 11, 13, 18, and 19 and α-glucosidase changed the conformational changes of α-glucosidase. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation results indicated the interaction between compounds and α-glucosidase. In addition, cell cytotoxicity and drug-like properties of compound 11 were also investigated.

Palladium Catalyzed Annulation of o-Iodo-Anilines with Propargyl Alcohols: Synthesis of Substituted Quinolines.

A palladium catalyzed annulation of o-iodo-anilines with propargyl alcohols for the synthesis of substituted quinolines has been developed. The reaction tolerates diverse functional groups under mild conditions, providing direct access to 2,4-disubstituted quinolines from easily available starting materials. A broad range of 2,4-disubstituted quinolines were efficiently prepared in good to excellent yields.

Bicyclic Amidine-Triggered Cyclization of o-Alkynylisocyanobenzenes: Synthesis of Lactam-Derived Quinolines.

Efficient access to the synthesis of lactam-derived quinoline through a bicyclic amidine-triggered cyclization reaction from readily prepared o-alkynylisocyanobenzenes has been developed. The reaction was initiated by nucleophilic attack of the bicyclic amidines to o-alkynylisocyanobenzenes, subsequently with intramolecular cyclization to produce a DBU-quinoline-based amidinium salt, followed by hydrolysis to afford the lactam-derived quinoline in moderate to good yields.

Rh(I)-Catalyzed [5 + 2]/[2 + 2] Cycloaddition Cascade to Access a Cyclobutane-Fused [4-5-6-7] Tetracyclic Framework.

A Rh(I)-catalyzed [5 + 2]/[2 + 2] cycloaddition cascade has been developed to afford a complex and highly strained [4-5-6-7] tetracyclic framework in good yields and excellent diastereoselectivities. During this transformation, three rings, three C-C bonds, and four contiguous stereocenters were formed efficiently. Mechanistically, the rare sterically congested multisubstituted cyclobutanes are constructed readily through Michael addition and a Mannich reaction cascade.

Naproxen-Derived New Compound Inhibits the NF-κB, MAPK and PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways Synergistically with Resveratrol in RAW264.7 Cells.

Naproxen is widely used for anti-inflammatory treatment but it can lead to serious side effects. To improve the anti-inflammatory activity and safety, a novel naproxen derivative containing cinnamic acid (NDC) was synthesized and used in combination with resveratrol. The results showed that the combination of NDC and resveratrol at different ratios have a synergistic anti-inflammatory efficacy in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. It was indicated that the combination of NDC and resveratrol at a ratio of 2:1 significantly inhibited the expression of carbon monoxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) without detectable side effects on cell viability. Further studies revealed that these anti-inflammatory effects were mediated by the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways, respectively. Taken together, these results highlighted the synergistic NDC and resveratrol anti-inflammatory activity that could be further explored as a strategy for the treatment of inflammatory disease with an improved safety profile.

Catalyst-Controlled Nickel-Catalyzed Intramolecular endo-Selective C-H Cyclization of Benzimidazoles with Alkenes.

Compared with the widely explored exo-selective C-H cyclization, transition metal-catalyzed endo-selective C-H cyclization of benzimidazoles with alkenes has been a formidable challenge. Previous efforts mainly rely on substrate-controlled methods, rendering the product complexity restricted. Herein we report a catalyst-controlled method to facilitate endo-cyclization, in which a bulky N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and tBuOK base-enabled Ni-Al bimetallic catalyst prove critical to the endo selectivity.

Interfacial Instability-Induced (3I) Adhesives through "Mediator" Solvent Diffusion for Robust Underoil Adhesion.

Underoil adhesives are intensively needed in case of oil spill caused by pipeline rupture, but remain a challenge owing to the obstruction of oil layer or their swelling in oil. Herein, a general solvent diffusion principle is demonstrated by introducing dual-soluble "mediator" solvents to develop a new type of interfacial instability-induced (3I) adhesives, achieving effective underoil adhesion on various substrates and blocking the oil leakage within seconds. Microscopic characterization reveals a fast and dynamic solvent exchange process that destroys the oil layer by liquid-liquid interfacial diffusion between the "mediator" solvent and oil, enabling 3I adhesives to contact the solid surfaces directly. The principle of interfacial instability-induced liquid replacement is quite different from typical immiscible liquid replacement and is not restricted by the surface tension of solvents, surface energy, and roughness of solid surfaces, successfully directing the construction of a series of effective 3I adhesives with commercially available feedstocks. This study provides a unique clue for the design of next-generation adhesives in complex environments.

InI3-catalyzed polyene cyclization of allenes and its application in the total synthesis of seven abietane-type diterpenoids.

A novel polyene cyclization using the allene group as the initiator has been successfully developed. This methodology provides an efficient strategy for the construction of an abietane-type tricyclic skeleton with a functionalizable C2-C3 double bond and features a wide substrate scope and excellent stereoselectivities. Potential utility of this approach has been well demonstrated by the collective total synthesis of seven abietane-type diterpenoids. Specifically, (±)-2,3-dihydroxyferruginol and (±)-2,3-dihydroxy-15,16-dinor-ent-pimar-8,11,13-triene were synthesized for the first time.

Unperceivable motion mimicking hygroscopic geometric reshaping of pine cones.

The hygroscopic deformation of pine cones, featured by opening and closing their scales depending on the environmental humidity, is a well-known stimuli-responsive model system for artificial actuators. However, it has not been noted that the deformation of pine cones is an ultra-slow process. Here, we reveal that vascular bundles with unique parallelly arranged spring/square microtubular heterostructures dominate the hygroscopic movement, characterized as ultra-slow motion with the outer sclereids. The spring microtubes give a much larger hygroscopic deformation than that of the square microtubes along the longitudinal axis direction, which bends the vascular bundles and consequently drives the scales to move. The outer sclereids with good water retention enable the vascular-bundle-triggered deformation to proceed ultra-slowly. Drawing inspiration, we developed soft actuators enabling controllable yet unperceivable motion. The motion velocity is almost two orders of magnitude lower than that of the same-class actuators reported, which made the as-developed soft actuators applicable in camouflage and reconnaissance.