Benzimidazoquinazolines as new potent anti-TB chemotypes: Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation.

In search for new molecular entities as anti-TB agents, the benzimidazoquinazoline polyheterocyclic scaffold has been designed adopting the scaffold hopping strategy. Thirty-two compounds have been synthesized through an improved tandem decarboxylative nucleophilic addition cyclocondensation reaction of o-phenylenediamine with isatoic anhydride followed by further cyclocondensation of the intermediately formed 2-(o-aminoaryl)benzimidazole with trialkyl orthoformate/acetate. The resultant benzimidazoquinazolines were evaluated in vitro for anti-TB activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC27294 strain). Fourteen compounds exhibiting MIC values in the range of 0.4-6.25 µg/mL were subjected to cell viability test against RAW 264.7 cell lines and were found to be non-toxic (<30% inhibition at 50 µg/mL). The active compounds were further evaluated against INH resistant Mtb strains. The most active compound 6x [MIC (H37Rv) of 0.4 µg/mL] and the compound 6d [MIC (H37Rv) of 0.78 µg/mL] were also found to be active against INH resistant Mtb strain with MIC values of 12.5 and 0.78 µg/mL, respectively.

Rationalization of Benzazole-2-carboxylate versus Benzazine-3-one/Benzazine-2,3-dione Selectivity Switch during Cyclocondensation of 2-Aminothiophenols/Phenols/Anilines with 1,2-Biselectrophiles in Aqueous Medium.

The cyclocondensation reaction of 2-aminothiophenols with 1,2-biselectrophiles such as ethyl glyoxalate and diethyl oxalate in aqueous medium leads to the formation of benzothiazole-2-carboxylates via the 5-endo-trig process contrary to Baldwin's rule. On the other hand, the reaction of 2-aminophenols/anilines produced the corresponding benzazine-3-ones or benzazine-2,3-diones via the 6-exo-trig process in compliance with Baldwin's rule. The mechanistic insights of these cyclocondensation reactions using the hard-soft acid-base principle, quantum chemical calculations (density functional theory), and orbital interaction studies rationalize the selectivity switch of benzothiazole-2-carboxylates versus benzazine-3-ones/benzazine-2,3-diones. The presence of water facilitates these cyclocondensation reactions by lowering of the energy barrier.

Discovery of pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives as novel inhibitors of ataxia telangiectasia and rad3 related protein (ATR).

The ATR pathway is a critical mediator of the replication stress response in cells. In aberrantly proliferating cancer cells, this pathway can help maintain sufficient genomic integrity for cancer cell progression. Herein we describe the discovery of 19, a pyrazolopyrimidine-containing inhibitor of ATR via a strategic repurposing of compounds targeting PI3K.

Design, synthesis and optimization of bis-amide derivatives as CSF1R inhibitors.

Signaling via the receptor tyrosine kinase CSF1R is thought to play an important role in recruitment and differentiation of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). TAMs play pro-tumorigenic roles, including the suppression of anti-tumor immune response, promotion of angiogenesis and tumor cell metastasis. Because of the role of this signaling pathway in the tumor microenvironment, several small molecule CSF1R kinase inhibitors are undergoing clinical evaluation for cancer therapy, either as a single agent or in combination with other cancer therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors. Herein we describe our lead optimization effort that resulted in the identification of a potent, cellular active and orally bioavailable bis-amide CSF1R inhibitor. Docking and biochemical analysis allowed the removal of a metabolically labile and poorly permeable methyl piperazine group from an early lead compound. Optimization led to improved metabolic stability and Caco2 permeability, which in turn resulted in good oral bioavailability in mice.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and structure-activity relationship of 2-styrylquinazolones as anti-tubercular agents.

2-Styrylquinazolones are reported as a novel class of potent anti-mycobacterial agents. Forty-six target compounds have been synthesized using one pot reaction involving isatoic anhydride, amine, and triethyl orthoacetate followed by aldehyde to construct the 2-styrylquinazolone scaffold. The anti-mycobacterial potency of the compounds was determined against H37Rv strain. Twenty-six compounds exhibited anti-Mtb activity in the range of 0.40-6.25µg/mL. Three compounds 8c, 8d and 8ab showed MIC of 0.78µg/mL and were found to be non-toxic (<50% inhibition at 50µg/mL) to HEK 293T cell lines with the therapeutic index >64. The most potent compound 8ar showed MIC of 0.40µg/mL with the therapeutic index >125. An early structure activity relationship for this class of compounds has been established. The computational studies indicate the possibility of these compounds binding to the penicillin binding proteins (PBPs).

Targeting prostate cancer with compounds possessing dual activity as androgen receptor antagonists and HDAC6 inhibitors.

While enzalutamide and abiraterone are approved for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), approximately 20-40% of patients have no response to these agents. It has been stipulated that the lack of response and the development of secondary resistance to these drugs may be due to the presence of AR splice variants. HDAC6 has a role in regulating the androgen receptor (AR) by modulating heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) acetylation, which controls the nuclear localization and activation of the AR in androgen-dependent and independent scenarios. With dual-acting AR-HDAC6 inhibitors it should be possible to target patients who don't respond to enzalutamide. Herein, we describe the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of dual-acting compounds which target AR and are also specific towards HDAC6. Our efforts led to compound 10 which was found to have potent dual activity (HDAC6 IC50=0.0356µM and AR binding IC50=<0.03µM). Compound 10 was further evaluated for antagonist and other cell-based activities, in vitro stability and pharmacokinetics.

Benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(piperazin-1-yl)methanones as new anti-mycobacterial chemotypes: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and 3D-QSAR studies.

The benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(piperazin-1-yl)methanones scaffold has been identified as new anti-mycobacterial chemotypes. Thirty-six structurally diverse benzo[d]thiazole-2-carboxamides have been prepared and subjected to assessment of their potential anti-tubercular activity through in vitro testing against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain and evaluation of cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 cell lines. Seventeen compounds showed anti-mycobacterial potential having MICs in the low (1-10) µM range. The 5-trifluoromethyl benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl(piperazin-1-yl)methanones emerged to be the most promising resulting in six positive hits (2.35-7.94 µM) and showed low-cytotoxicity (<50% inhibition at 50 µg/mL). The therapeutic index of these hits is 8-64. The quantitative structure activity relationship has been established adopting a statistically reliable CoMFA model showing high prediction (rpred(2)=0.718,rncv(2)=0.995).

Oxazolidinones as Anti-tubercular Agents: Discovery, Development and Future Perspectives.

TB drug development pipeline represents varied structural classes of molecules. Oxazolidinones represent synthetic anti-bacterial agents with unique mechanism of action having wide spectrum of activity, oral bioavailability and well established SAR. They act by inhibiting translation at the initiation phase of protein synthesis. Linezolid was the first oxazolidinone to reach the market in the year 2000 for the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal and vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections. Oxazolidinones have shown very good anti-mycobacterial activities. Several oxazolidinones are currently in development for their possible use in TB therapy. Oxazolidinones are classified on the basis of C-ring modifications. DuP-721 was the first oxazolidinone having good anti-TB activity. Linezolid, sutezolid and AZD5847 are in clinical development. Several other C-ring modifications have shown promising results. The usefulness of these oxazolidinones in the drug resistant TB is already established. Toxicity, especially myelosuppression, has been an important limiting factor for their development.

Progress in COX-2 inhibitors: a journey so far.

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are diverse group of compounds used for the treatment of inflammation, since the introduction of acetylsalicylic acid in 1899. Traditional (first generation) NSAIDs exert antiinflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects through the blockade of prostaglandin synthesis via non-selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) isozymes. Their use is associated with side effects such as gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. A number of selective (second generation) COX-2 inhibitors (rofecoxib, celecoxib, valdecoxib etc.) were developed as safer NSAIDs with improved gastric safety profile. Observation of increased cardiovascular risks in APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention on Vioxx) study sent tremors and led to voluntary withdrawn of Vioxx (rofecoxib) by Merck from the market in September 2004 followed by Bextra (valdecoxib) in 2005 raising a question on the safety of selective COX-2 inhibitors. This leads to the belief that these effects are mechanism based and may be class effect. However, some studies suggested association of traditional NSAIDs with similar effects requiring a relook into the whole class of NSAIDs rather than simply victimizing the selective COX-2 inhibitors. Recognition of new avenues for selective COX-2 inhibitors such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, major depression, ischemic brain injury and diabetic peripheral nephropathy has kindled the interest in these compounds. This review highlights the various structural classes of selective COX-2 inhibitors developed during past seven years (2003-2009) with special emphasis on diaryl-hetero/carbo-cyclic class of compounds. Molecular modeling aspects are also briefly discussed.