Salicylic Acid as Ionic Liquid Formulation May Have Enhanced Potency to Treat Some Chronic Skin Diseases.

In recent years, numerous studies have shown that conversion of conventional drugs in ionic liquid (IL) formulation could be a successful strategy to improve their physicochemical properties or suggest a new route of administration. We report the synthesis and detailed characterization of eight salicylic acid-based ILs (SA-ILs) containing cation non-polar or aromatic amino acid esters. Using in vitro assays, we preliminary evaluated the therapeutic potency of the novel SA-ILs. We observed that conversion of the SA into ionic liquids led to a decrease in its cytotoxicity toward NIH/3T3 murine embryo fibroblasts and human HaCaT keratinocytes. It should be mentioned is that all amino acid alkyl ester salicylates [AAOR][SA] inhibit the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 in LPS-stimulated keratinocytes. Moreover, keratinocytes, pretreated with [PheOMe][SA] and [PheOPr][SA] seem to be protected from LPS-induced inflammation. Finally, the novel compounds exhibit a similar binding affinity to bovine serum albumin (BSA) as the parent SA, suggesting a similar pharmacokinetic profile. These preliminary results indicate that SA-ILs, especially those with [PheOMe], [PheOPr], and [ValOiPr] cation, have the potential to be further investigated as novel topical agents for chronic skin diseases such as psoriasis and acne vulgaris.

Curcumin-Cu(II) Ensemble-Based Fluorescence "Turn-On" Mode Sensing the Plant Defensive Hormone Salicylic Acid In Situ and In Vivo.

Salicylic acid (SA), a crucial, plant-derived signal molecule, is capable of launching global transcriptional reprogramming to assist plants in obtaining the systemic acquired resistance (SAR) mechanism. Thus, the accurate detection of SA will not only significantly contribute to the understanding of the plant SAR but also contribute to crop protection and to the security of the agricultural production and food supply. However, detection of SA using fluorescent probes is a great challenge for scientists, because SA analogues can significantly interfere with the detection results. Herein, we first reported using a simple, natural curcumin-Cu2+ ensemble to selectively and sensitively monitor SA in situ and in vivo, directed by a fluorescence "turn-on" mode. A binary combination curcumin-Cu2+ was first fabricated with a fluorescence "turn-off" pattern caused by the paramagnetic nature of Cu2+. Subsequently, a fluorescence "turn-on" response was performed for detecting SA accompanied by the formation of the ternary complex curcumin-Cu2+-SA due to the high affinity of SA toward Cu2+, which reduced the fluorescent impact caused by the paramagnetism of Cu2+. Further study revealed that the rationally designed hybrid probe could monitor SA in living cell lines. We anticipate that this finding can inspire the discovery of a high-performance SA probe.

HPLC study on Fenton-reaction initiated oxidation of salicylic acid. Biological relevance of the reaction in intestinal biotransformation of salicylic acid.

Fenton-reaction initiated in vitro oxidation and in vivo oxidative biotransformation of salicylic acid was investigated by HPLC-UV-Vis method. By means of the developed high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method salicylic acid, catechol, and all the possible monohydroxylated derivatives of salicylic acid can be separated. Fenton oxidations were performed in acidic medium (pH 3.0) with two reagent molar ratios: (1) salicylic acid: iron: hydrogen peroxide 1:3:1 and (2) 1:0.3:1. The incubation samples were analysed at different time points of the reactions. The biological effect of elevated reactive oxygen species concentration on the intestinal metabolism of salicylic acid was investigated by an experimental diabetic rat model. HPLC-MS analysis of the in vitro samples revealed presence of 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acids. The results give evidence for nonenzyme catalysed intestinal hydroxylation of xenobiotics.

Synthesis and Characterization of Two New Thiophene Acetyl Salicylic Acid Esters and their ortho- and para-effect on Anticancer Activity.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore the cytotoxic effect of ortho- and para-positional isomers of thiophene acetyl salicylic acid esters against cancer and normal cell lines. METHOD: Two new thiophene-2-acetic acid esters (2-((2-(thiophen-2-yl)acetyl)thio)benzoic acid and 4-((2-(thiophen-2- yl)acetyl)thio)benzoic acid) were synthesized and characterized by Elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C-NMR and High-resolution mass spectroscopy. The compounds were tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against A549 and Caco2 tumor cell lines and CCD- 19Lu and CCD 841 CoN normal cell lines using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,4,diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. 2-((2-(thiophene-2-yl)acetyl)thio)benzoic acid showed a higher activity with (IC50 = 239.88µM/mL) compared with a reference drug nearly as active as cyclophosphamide (IC50 = 257.11 µM/mL) on Caco2 cell line. Apoptosis was observed by flow cytometric analysis on Caco2 cells. RESULT: Thus, positional isomerism is critical for the pharmacological properties of thiophene acetyl salicylic acid esters against colon cancer cell line compared with nonsmall cell lung cancer cell line. The ortho-isomer induced cell death and was much more potent than the para-isomer.

Discovery of Novel Allosteric Non-Bisphosphonate Inhibitors of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase by Integrated Lead Finding.

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) is an established target for the treatment of bone diseases, but also shows promise as an anticancer and anti-infective drug target. Currently available anti-FPPS drugs are active-site-directed bisphosphonate inhibitors, the peculiar pharmacological profile of which is inadequate for therapeutic indications beyond bone diseases. The recent discovery of an allosteric binding site has paved the way toward the development of novel non-bisphosphonate FPPS inhibitors with broader therapeutic potential, notably as immunomodulators in oncology. Herein we report the discovery, by an integrated lead finding approach, of two new chemical classes of allosteric FPPS inhibitors that belong to the salicylic acid and quinoline chemotypes. We present their synthesis, biochemical and cellular activities, structure-activity relationships, and provide X-ray structures of several representative FPPS complexes. These novel allosteric FPPS inhibitors are devoid of any affinity for bone mineral and could serve as leads to evaluate their potential in none-bone diseases.

The antioxidant properties of salicylate derivatives: A possible new mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity.

The synthesis and antioxidant evaluation by DPPH scavenging of a series of salicylic acid derivatives is described. Gentisic acid and its ester, amide, and amino analogs possess more radical scavenging capacity than salicylic acid and other salicylate derivatives. This property can possibly provide an additional pathway for anti-inflammatory activity through either single electron or hydrogen atom transfer, leading to a new strategy for the design of anti-inflammatory agents.

Novel mixed metal Ag(I)-Sb(III)-metallotherapeutics of the NSAIDs, aspirin and salicylic acid: Enhancement of their solubility and bioactivity by using the surfactant CTAB.

The already known Ag(I)-Sb(III) compound of the formula {Ag(Ph3Sb)3(NO3)} (1) and two novel mixed metal Ag(I)-Sb(III) metallotherapeutics of the formulae {Ag(Ph3Sb)3(SalH)}(2) and {Ag(Ph3Sb)3(Asp)}(3) (SalH2=salicylic acid, AspH=aspirin or 2-acetylsalicylic acid and Ph3Sb=triphenyl antimony(III)) have been synthesised and characterised by m.p., vibrational spectroscopy (mid-FT-IR), (13)C-,(1)H-NMR, UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopic techniques, high resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS) and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1,-3 were treated with the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in order to enhance their solubility and as a consequence their bioactivity. The resulting micelles a-c were characterised with X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), conductivity, Thermal gravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and atomic absorption. Compounds 1-3 and the relevant micelles a-c were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines: MCF-7 (breast, estrogen receptor (ER) positive), MDA-MB-231 (breast, ER negative) and MRC-5 (normal human fetal lung fibroblast cells) with sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay. The results show significant increase in the activity of micelles compared to that of the initial compounds. Moreover, micelles exhibited lower activity against normal cells than tumor cells. The binding affinity of a-c towards the calf thymus (CT)-DNA, lipoxygenase (LOX) and glutathione (GSH) was studied by the fluorescent emission light and UV-vis spectroscopy.

Polymer complexes. LX. Supramolecular coordination and structures of N(4-(acrylamido)-2-hydroxybenzoic acid) polymer complexes.

A number of novel polymer complexes of various anions of copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and uranyl(II) with N(4-(acrylamido)-2-hydroxy benzoic acid) (ABH) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, magnetic susceptibility measurements, electronic spin resonance, vibrational spectra and thermal analysis. The molecular structures of the ligand are optimized theoretically and the quantum chemical parameters are calculated. Tentative structures for the polymeric metal complexes due to their potential application are also suggested. The IR data exhibit the coordination of ONO2/OAc/SO4 with the metal ions in the polymeric metal complex. Vibrational spectra indicate coordination of carboxylate oxygen and phenolic OH of the ligand giving a MO4 square planar chromophore. Ligand field ESR spectra support square planar geometry around Cu(II). The thermal decomposition of the polymer complexes were discussed in relation to structure, and the thermodynamic parameters of the decomposition stages were evaluated applying Coast-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger methods.

Cross-linked, biodegradable, cytocompatible salicylic acid based polyesters for localized, sustained delivery of salicylic acid: an in vitro study.

In order to suppress chronic inflammation while supporting cell proliferation, there has been a continuous surge toward development of polymers with the intention of delivering anti-inflammatory molecules in a sustained manner. In the above backdrop, we report the synthesis of a novel, stable, cross-linked polyester with salicylic acid (SA) incorporated in the polymeric backbone and propose a simple synthesis route by melt condensation. The as-synthesized polymer was hydrophobic with a glass transition temperature of 1 °C, which increases to 17 °C upon curing. The combination of NMR and FT-IR spectral techniques established the ester linkages in the as-synthesized SA-based polyester. The pH-dependent degradation rate and the rate of release of salicylic acid from the as-synthesized SA-based polymer were studied at physiological conditions in vitro. The polyester underwent surface erosion and exhibited linear degradation kinetics in which a change in degradation rate is observed after 4-10 days and 24% mass loss was recorded after 4 months at 37 °C and pH 7.4. The delivery of salicylic acid also showed a similar change in slopes, with a sustained release rate of 3.5% in 4 months. The cytocompatibility studies of these polyesters were carried out with C2C12 murine myoblast cells using techniques like MTT assay and flow cytometry. Our results strongly suggest that SA-based polyester supports cell proliferation for 3 days in culture and do not cause cell death (<7%), as quantified by propidium iodide (PI) stained cells. Hence, these polyesters can be used as implant materials for localized, sustained delivery of salicylic acid and have applications in adjuvant cancer therapy, chronic wound healing, and as an alternative to commercially available polymers like poly(lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid) or their copolymers.

Synthesis, ESR, UV-Visible and reactivity studies of new bis(N-dimethoxyaniline-3,5-(t)Bu2-salicylaldiminato)copper(II) complexes.

Several new copper(II) complexes (4-6) with N-dimethoxyphenyl-3,5-(t)Bu(2)-salicylaldimine ligands abbreviated as N-R-3,5-DTBS, where R=2,4-dimethoxyphenyl (1), 2,5-dimethoxyphenyl (2) and 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl (3) have been prepared and their spectroscopic (IR, (1)H NMR, UV/Vis, ESR), magnetic and redox reactivity are described. The ESR spectra of frozen-solution 4-6 and solid state 4 and 5 are indicative of axially symmetric g-tensor (g([parallel])>g([perpendicular])>2.03). The powder ESR spectrum of 6 is unusual for CuN(2)O(2) type systems and exhibits "reversed" type (g([parallel])g(2) (2.128)>g(1) (2.019) pattern indicative of a d(z)(2) ground state. Chemical oxidation of 4 and 6, as supported by ESR and UV/Vis techniques, generates new Cu(II) species and Cu(II)-phenoxyl radicals. The CV studies have shown that the complexes possess ligand-centered and copper(II)-centered quasi-reversible and irreversible responses.

Novel salicylic acid-oriented thiourea-type receptors as colorimetric chemosensor: synthesis, characterizations and selective naked-eye recognition properties.

Based on the salicylic acid backbone, three highly sensitive and selective colorimetric chemosensors with an acylthiourea binding unit have been designed, synthesized and characterized. These chemosensors have been utilized for selective recognition of fluoride anions in dry DMSO solution by typical spectroscopic titration techniques. Furthermore, the obtained chemosensors AR1-3 have shown naked-eye sensitivity for detection of biologically important fluoride ion over other anions in solution.

Identification of a non-phosphorylated, cell permeable, small molecule ligand for the Stat3 SH2 domain.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) protein is a cytosolic transcription factor that is aberrantly activated in numerous human cancers. Inhibitors of activated Stat3-Stat3 protein complexes have been shown to hold therapeutic promise for the treatment of human cancers harboring activated Stat3. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a focused library of salicylic acid containing Stat3 SH2 domain binders. The most potent inhibitor, 17o, effectively disrupted Stat3-phosphopeptide complexes (K(i)=13 µM), inhibited Stat3-Stat3 protein interactions (IC(50)=19 µM) and silenced intracellular Stat3 phosphorylation and Stat3-target gene expression profiles. Inhibition of Stat3 function in both breast and multiple myeloma (MM) tumor cells correlated with induced cell death (EC(50)=10 and 16 µM, respectively).

Antagonism of the Stat3-Stat3 protein dimer with salicylic acid based small molecules.

More than 50 new inhibitors of the oncogenic Stat3 protein were identified through a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study based on the previously identified inhibitor S3I-201 (IC50 =86 µM, K(i) >300 µM). A key structural feature of these inhibitors is a salicylic acid moiety, which, by acting as a phosphotyrosine mimetic, is believed to facilitate binding to the Stat3 SH2 domain. Several of the analogues exhibit higher potency than the lead compound in inhibiting Stat3 DNA binding activity, with an in vitro IC50 range of 18.7-51.9 µM, and disruption of Stat3-pTyr peptide interactions with K(i) values in the 15.5-41 µM range. One agent in particular exhibited potent inhibition of Stat3 phosphorylation in both breast and multiple myeloma tumor cells, suppressed the expression of Stat3 target genes, and induced antitumor effects in tumor cells harboring activated Stat3 protein.

Nitrooxyacyl derivatives of salicylic acid: aspirin-like molecules that covalently inactivate cyclooxygenase-1.

A recently described series of nitrooxyacyl derivatives of salicylic acid, displaying aspirin-like anti-inflammatory and platelet anti-aggregatory properties, were evaluated for their abilities to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX). A number of these compounds irreversibly inhibited both COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms when tested in isolated human platelets and monocytes. Further studies using COX-1 expressed in human HEK293T cells showed that this inhibition mechanism is similar to that of aspirin; namely, the products are able to covalently bind to the Ser 530 residue present in the active cleft of the enzyme. Molecular modeling enabled us to rationalize this behavior. Because these products were previously found to display NO-dependent properties in rat animal models, particularly as they decreased in vivo gastrotoxicity and induced in vitro vasodilation, they represent a new and interesting class of potential aspirin-like antithrombotic agents worthy of further study.

Design, synthesis and anti-ulcerogenic effect of some of furo-salicylic acid derivatives on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is a chronically recurrent inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. The present work describes design and synthesis of 3-aminofurosalicylic acid 4, azo-conjugates with aniline 2a, 4-ASA 2b or sulphapyridine 2c as well as N-arylsulphonamido 5, chlorosulphonyl 6, aminosulphonyl 7 and N-arylaminosulphonyl derivatives 8 (positional isosters of 5). All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-ulcerogenic effect on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. It was noticed that oral treatment with sulphasalazine (a reference drug) and the tested compounds 2a, 2c, 4 and 5c in equimolar doses significantly reduced the intensity of lesion score, ulcer area, ulcer index and wet weight/length ratio compared to the control group. On the other hand, compounds 2b, 5a, 5b and 7 had a lower anti-ulcerogenic efficacy. Also, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was screened in vitro using the agar diffusion assay technique. In addition, docking of the tested compounds into cycloxygenase II using molecular operating environment (MOE) was performed in order to rationalize the obtained biological results and their mechanism of action.

Derivatives of salicylic acid as inhibitors of YopH in Yersinia pestis.

Yersinia pestis causes diseases ranging from gastrointestinal syndromes to bubonic plague and could be misused as a biological weapon. As its protein tyrosine phosphatase YopH has already been demonstrated as a potential drug target, we have developed two series of forty salicylic acid derivatives and found sixteen to have micromolar inhibitory activity. We designed these ligands to have two chemical moieties connected by a flexible hydrocarbon linker to target two pockets in the active site of the protein to achieve binding affinity and selectivity. One moiety possessed the salicylic acid core intending to target the phosphotyrosine-binding pocket. The other moiety contained different chemical fragments meant to target a nearby secondary pocket. The two series of compounds differed by having hydrocarbon linkers with different lengths. Before experimental co-crystal structures are available, we have performed molecular docking to predict how these compounds might bind to the protein and to generate structural models for performing binding affinity calculation to aid future optimization of these series of compounds.

Enzymatic Kolbe-Schmitt reaction to form salicylic acid from phenol: enzymatic characterization and gene identification of a novel enzyme, Trichosporon moniliiforme salicylic acid decarboxylase.

Salicylic acid decarboxylase (Sdc) can produce salicylic acid from phenol; it was found in the yeast Trichosporon moniliiforme WU-0401 and was for the first time enzymatically characterized, with the sdc gene heterologously expressed. Sdc catalyzed both reactions: decarboxylation of salicylic acid to phenol and the carboxylation of phenol to form salicylic acid without any byproducts. Both reactions were detected without the addition of any cofactors and occurred even in the presence of oxygen, suggesting that this Sdc is reversible, nonoxidative, and oxygen insensitive. Therefore, it is readily applicable in the selective production of salicylic acid from phenol, the enzymatic Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene, sdc, encoding Sdc comprises 350 amino acid residues corresponding to a 40-kDa protein. The recombinant Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) expressing sdc converted phenol to salicylic acid with a 27% (mol/mol) yield at 30 degrees C for 9h.

Multicomponent synthesis of dihydrobenzoxazepinones, bearing four diversity points, as potential α-helix mimics.

A very short convergent synthesis of dihydrobenzoxazepinones, bearing four diverse diversity points, based on coupling the Ugi reaction with a Mitsunobu cyclization, was developed. These compounds are potential α-helix mimics, where three of the four appendages are expected to imitate the residues in i, i + 4 and i + 7 positions. A library of 22 compounds bearing lipophilic substituents, designed to interact with the hydrophobic cleft of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-xL, was synthesized. Preliminary biochemical tests, based on competitive binding, have already been carried out.

Novel salicylazo polymers for colon drug delivery: dissolving polymers by means of bacterial degradation.

Novel azo polymers were prepared for colonic drug delivery with a release mechanism based on structural features of azo derivatives designed for rapid bacterial degradation leading to soluble polymers. Two Salicylazo derivatives were prepared and conjugated as side chains at different ratios to methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymers (Eudragits). The azo compounds were designed to have a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part on opposite sides of the azo bond. Upon reduction of the azo bonds, the hydrophobic part is released, resulting in a more water soluble polymer. The solubility of the polymeric films was studied relative to Eudragit S known to dissolve toward the end of the small intestine. One of the two azo derivatives prepared gave rise to polymers, which showed reduced solubility relative to Eudragit S. These polymers were subjected to reduction tests in anaerobic rat cecal suspensions by following the release of the hydrophobic product. Reduction rate was found to be rapid, comparable to that of Sulfasalazine. Studies on the azopolymeric films in anaerobic rat cecal suspensions, showed that these polymers dissolve faster than in sterilized suspensions. Solid dosage forms may be coated with these polymers to provide an efficient delivery system to the colon with a rapid release mechanism.