Coumarin-modified ruthenium complexes: Synthesis, characterization, and antiproliferative activity against human cancer cells.

Among ruthenium complexes studied as anticancer metallodrugs, NKP-1339, NAMI-A, RM175, and RAPTA-C have already entered clinical trials due to their potent antitumor activity demonstrated in preclinical studies and reduced toxicity in comparison with platinum drugs. Considering the advantages of ruthenium-based anticancer drugs and the cytostatic activity of organometallic complexes with triazole- and coumarin-derived ligands, we set out to synthesize Ru(II) complexes of coumarin-1,2,3,-triazole hybrids (L) with the general formula [Ru(L)(p-cymene)(Cl)]ClO4. The molecular structure of the complex [Ru(2a)(p-cymene)(Cl)]ClO4 (2aRu) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which confirmed the coordination of the ligand to the central ruthenium(II) cation by bidentate mode of coordination. Coordination with Ru(II) resulted in the enhancement of cytostatic activity in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells and PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells. Coumarin derivative 2a positively regulated the expression and activity of c-Myc and NPM1 in RKO colon carcinoma cells, while the Ru(II) half-sandwich complex 2cRu induced downregulation of AKT and ERK signaling in PANC-1 cells concomitant with reduced intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Altogether, our findings indicated that coumarin-modified half-sandwich Ru(II) complexes held potential as anticancer agents against gastrointestinal malignancies.

Synthesis, Antiproliferative Evaluation and QSAR Analysis of Novel Halogen- and Amidino-Substituted Benzothiazoles and Benzimidazoles.

Syntheses of 6-halogen-substituted benzothiazoles were performed by condensation of 4-hydroxybenzaldehydes and 2-aminotiophenoles and subsequent O-alkylation with appropriate halides, whereas 6-amidino-substituted benzothiazoles were synthesized by condensation of 5-amidino-2-aminothiophenoles and corresponding benzaldehydes. While most of the compounds from non-substituted and halogen-substituted benzothiazole series showed marginal antiproliferative activity on tested tumor cell lines, amidino benzazoles exhibited stronger inhibitory activity. Generally, imidazolyl benzothiazoles showed pronounced and nonselective activity, with the exception of 36c which had a strong inhibitory effect on HuT78 cells (IC50 = 1.6 µM) without adverse cytotoxicity on normal BJ cells (IC50 >100 µM). Compared to benzothiazoles, benzimidazole structural analogs 45a−45c and 46c containing the 1,2,3-triazole ring exhibited pronounced and selective antiproliferative activity against HuT78 cells with IC50 < 10 µM. Moreover, compounds 45c and 46c containing the methoxy group at the phenoxy unit were not toxic to normal BJ cells. Of all the tested compounds, benzimidazole 45a with the unsubstituted phenoxy central core showed the most pronounced cell growth inhibition on THP1 cells in the nanomolar range (IC50 = 0.8 µM; SI = 70). QSAR models of antiproliferative activity for benzazoles on T-cell lymphoma (HuT78) and non-tumor MDCK-1 cells elucidated the effects of the substituents at position 6 of benzazoles, demonstrating their dependence on the topological and spatial distribution of atomic mass, polarizability, and van der Waals volumes. A notable cell cycle perturbation with higher accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase, and a significant cell increase in subG0/G1 phase were found in HuT78 cells treated with 36c, 42c, 45a−45c and 46c. Apoptotic morphological changes, an externalization of phosphatidylserine, and changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential of treated cells were observed as well.

Synthesis, antiproliferative and antitrypanosomal activities, and DNA binding of novel 6-amidino-2-arylbenzothiazoles.

A series of 6-amidinobenzothiazoles, linked via phenoxymethylene or directly to the 1,2,3-triazole ring with a p-substituted phenyl or benzyl moiety, were synthesised and evaluated in vitro against four human tumour cell lines and the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The influence of the type of amidino substituent and phenoxymethylene linker on antiproliferative and antitrypanosomal activities was observed, showing that the imidazoline moiety had a major impact on both activities. Benzothiazole imidazoline 14a, which was directly connected to N-1-phenyl-1,2,3-triazole, had the most potent growth-inhibitory effect (IC50 = 0.25 µM) on colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620), while benzothiazole imidazoline 11b, containing a phenoxymethylene linker, exhibited the best antitrypanosomal potency (IC90 = 0.12 µM). DNA binding assays showed a non-covalent interaction of 6-amidinobenzothiazole ligands, indicating both minor groove binding and intercalation modes of DNA interaction. Our findings encourage further development of novel structurally related 6-amidino-2-arylbenzothiazoles to obtain more selective anticancer and anti-HAT agents.

Amidine- and Amidoxime-Substituted Heterocycles: Synthesis, Antiproliferative Evaluations and DNA Binding.

The novel 1,2,3-triazolyl-appended N- and O-heterocycles containing amidine 4-11 and amidoxime 12-22 moiety were prepared and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities in vitro. Among the series of amidine-substituted heterocycles, aromatic diamidine 5 and coumarine amidine 11 had the most potent growth-inhibitory effect on cervical carcinoma (HeLa), hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620), with IC50 values in the nM range. Although compound 5 was toxic to non-tumor HFF cells, compound 11 showed certain selectivity. From the amidoxime series, quinoline amidoximes 18 and 20 showed antiproliferative effects on lung adenocarcinoma (A549), HeLa and SW620 cells emphasizing compound 20 that exhibited no cytostatic effect on normal HFF fibroblasts. Results of CD titrations and thermal melting experiments indicated that compounds 5 and 10 most likely bind inside the minor groove of AT-DNA and intercalate into AU-RNA. Compounds 6, 9 and 11 bind to AT-DNA with mixed binding mode, most probably minor groove binding accompanied with aggregate binding along the DNA backbone.

Novel Bis- and Mono-Pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine and Purine Derivatives: Synthesis, Computational Analysis and Antiproliferative Evaluation.

Novel symmetrical bis-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines and bis-purines and their monomers were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549), cervical carcinoma (HeLa), ductal pancreatic adenocarcinoma (CFPAC-1) and metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620) cells. The use of ultrasound irradiation as alternative energy input in Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) shortened the reaction time, increased the reaction efficiency and led to the formation of exclusively symmetric bis-heterocycles. DFT calculations showed that triazole formation is exceedingly exergonic and confirmed that the presence of Cu(I) ions is required to overcome high kinetic requirements and allow the reaction to proceed. The influence of various linkers and 6-substituted purine and regioisomeric 7-deazapurine on their cytostatic activity was revealed. Among all the evaluated compounds, the 4-chloropyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine monomer 5f with 4,4'-bis(oxymethylene)biphenyl had the most pronounced, although not selective, growth-inhibitory effect on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (CFPAC-1) cells (IC50 = 0.79 µM). Annexin V assay results revealed that its strong growth inhibitory activity against CFPAC-1 cells could be associated with induction of apoptosis and primary necrosis. Further structural optimization of bis-chloropyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine with aromatic linker is required to develop novel efficient and non-toxic agent against pancreatic cancer.

Purine and Purine Isostere Derivatives of Ferrocene: An Evaluation of ADME, Antitumor and Electrochemical Properties.

Novel purine and purine isosteres containing a ferrocene motif and 4,1-disubstituted (11a-11c, 12a-12c, 13a-13c, 14a-14c, 15a-15c, 16a, 23a-23c, 24a-24c, 25a-25c) and 1,4-disubstituted (34a-34c and 35a-35c) 1,2,3-triazole rings were synthesized. The most potent cytotoxic effect on colorectal adenocarcinoma (SW620) was exerted by the 6-chloro-7-deazapurine 11c (IC50 = 9.07 µM), 6-chloropurine 13a (IC50 = 14.38 µM) and 15b (IC50 = 15.50 µM) ferrocenylalkyl derivatives. The N-9 isomer of 6-chloropurine 13a containing ferrocenylmethylene unit showed a favourable in vitro physicochemical and ADME properties including high solubility, moderate permeability and good metabolic stability in human liver microsomes.

The Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of 1,2,3-Triazolyl-L-Ascorbic Acid Derivatives.

The novel 4-substituted 1,2,3-triazole L-ascorbic acid (L-ASA) conjugates with hydroxyethylene spacer as well as their conformationally restricted 4,5-unsaturated analogues were synthesized as potential antioxidant and antiproliferative agents. An evaluation of the antioxidant activity of novel compounds showed that the majority of the 4,5-unsaturated L-ASA derivatives showed a better antioxidant activity compared to their saturated counterparts. m-Hydroxyphenyl (7j), p-pentylphenyl (7k) and 2-hydroxyethyl (7q) substituted 4,5-unsaturated 1,2,3-triazole L-ASA derivatives exhibited very efficient and rapid (within 5 min) 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) radical scavenging activity (7j, 7k: IC50 = 0.06 mM; 7q: IC50 = 0.07 mM). In vitro scavenging activity data were supported by in silico quantum-chemical modelling. Thermodynamic parameters for hydrogen-atom transfer and electron-transfer radical scavenging pathways of anions deprotonated at C2-OH or C3-OH groups of L-ASA fragments were calculated. The structure activity analysis (SAR) through principal component analysis indicated radical scavenging activity by the participation of OH group with favorable reaction parameters: the C3-OH group of saturated C4-C5(OH) derivatives and the C2-OH group of their unsaturated C4=C5 analogues. The antiproliferative evaluation showed that p-bromophenyl (4e: IC50 = 6.72 µM) and p-pentylphenyl-substituted 1,2,3-triazole L-ASA conjugate (4k: IC50 = 26.91 µM) had a selective cytotoxic effect on breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. Moreover, compound 4e did not inhibit the growth of foreskin fibroblasts (IC50 > 100 µM). In MCF-7 cells treated with 4e, a significant increase of hydroxylated hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) expression and decreased expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) were observed, suggesting the involvement of 4e in the HIF-1α signaling pathway for its strong growth-inhibition effect on MCF-7 cells.

Small molecule purine and pseudopurine derivatives: synthesis, cytostatic evaluations and investigation of growth inhibitory effect in non-small cell lung cancer A549.

Novel halogenated purines and pseudopurines with diverse aryl-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles were prepared. While p-(trifluoromethyl)-substituted 1,2,3-triazole in N-9 alkylated purine and 3-deazapurine was critical for strong albeit unselective activity on pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells CFPAC-1,1-(p-fluorophenyl)-1,2,3-triazole derivative of 7-deazapurine showed selective cytostatic effect on metastatic colon cancer cells SW620. Importantly, 1-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,2,3-triazole-tagged benzimidazole displayed the most pronounced and highly selective inhibitory effect in nM range on non-small cell lung cancer A549. This compound revealed to target molecular processes at the extracellular side and inside the plasma membrane regulated by GPLD1 and growth factor receptors PDGFR and IGF-1R leading to the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis mediated by p38 MAP kinase and NF-κB, respectively. Further optimisation of this compound as to reduce its toxicity in normal cells may lead to the development of novel agent effective against lung cancer.

Synthesis, anti-bacterial and anti-protozoal activities of amidinobenzimidazole derivatives and their interactions with DNA and RNA.

Amidinobenzimidazole derivatives connected to 1-aryl-substituted 1,2,3-triazole through phenoxymethylene linkers 7a-7e, 8a-8e, and 9a-9e were designed and synthesised with the aim of evaluating their anti-bacterial and anti-trypanosomal activities and DNA/RNA binding affinity. Results from anti-bacterial evaluations of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria revealed that both o-chlorophenyl-1,2,3-triazole and N-isopropylamidine moieties in 8c led to strong inhibitory activity against resistant Gram-positive bacteria, particularly the MRSA strain. Furthermore, the non-substituted amidine and phenyl ring in 7a induced a marked anti-bacterial effect, with potency against ESBL-producing Gram-negative E. coli better than those of the antibiotics ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. UV-Vis and CD spectroscopy, as well as thermal denaturation assays, indicated that compounds 7a and 8c showed also binding affinities towards ctDNA. Anti-trypanosomal evaluations showed that the p-methoxyphenyl-1,2,3-triazole moiety in 7b and 9b enhanced inhibitory activity against T. brucei, with 8b being more potent than nifurtimox, and having minimal toxicity towards mammalian cells.

Synthesis and Anti-Proliferative Effects of Mono- and Bis-Purinomimetics Targeting Kinases.

A series of mono-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 4a-4k, unsymmetrical bis-purine isosteres 5a-5e and symmetrical bis-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines 6a and 6b connected via di(1,2,3-triazolyl)phenyl linker were synthesized by click chemistry. Whereas mono- 4g and bis-pseudopurine 5e showed selective inhibitory activities on cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells, bis-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine 6b exhibited potent and selective anti-proliferative effect in the nanomolar range on pancreatic carcinoma (CFPAC-1) cells. Among these, compound 6b induced a significant reduction in the expression level of CDK9 (cyclin-dependent kinase 9)/cyclin T1 in CFPAC-1 cells concomitant with attenuation of proliferative signaling mediated by c-Raf (rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma) and p38 MAP (mitogen-activated protein) kinases. Our findings encourage further development of novel structurally related analog of 6b to obtain more selective anticancer agent for treating pancreatic cancer.

Solvent-free copper-catalyzed click chemistry for the synthesis of N-heterocyclic hybrids based on quinoline and 1,2,3-triazole.

Copper-catalyzed mechanochemical click reactions using Cu(II), Cu(I) and Cu(0) catalysts have been successfully implemented to provide novel 6-phenyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)quinolines with a phenyl-1,2,3-triazole moiety at O-4 of the quinoline core. Milling procedures proved to be significantly more efficient than the corresponding solution reactions, with up to a 15-fold gain in yield. Efficiency of both solution and milling procedures depended on the p-substituent in the azide reactant, resulting in H < Cl < Br < I reactivity bias. Solid-state catalysis using Cu(II) and Cu(I) catalysts entailed the direct involvement of the copper species in the reaction and generation of highly luminescent compounds which hindered in situ monitoring by Raman spectroscopy. However, in situ monitoring of the milling processes was enabled by using Cu(0) catalysts in the form of brass milling media which offered a direct insight into the reaction pathway of mechanochemical CuAAC reactions, indicating that the catalysis is most likely conducted on the surface of milling balls. Electron spin resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the oxidation and spin states of the respective copper catalysts in bulk products obtained by milling procedures.

1,2,3-Triazole pharmacophore-based benzofused nitrogen/sulfur heterocycles with potential anti-Moraxella catarrhalis activity.

Versatile 1,2,3-triazole pharmacophore-based benzofused heterocycles containing halogen-substituted aromatic (9-17 and 25-28), 7-substituted coumarin (18-23 and 29-30) or penciclovir-like subunit (31a,b-38a) were designed and synthesized to evaluate their antibacterial activities against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Hybridization approach using environmentally friendly Cu(I)-catalyzed click reaction under microwave irradiation was adopted in the synthesis of regioselective 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole tethered heterocycles (9-23 and 25-30), while post-N-alkylation of NH-1,2,3-triazoles afforded both 2,4- (31a-38a) and 1,4-disubstituted (31b-33b, 35b-37b) 1,2,3-triazole regioisomers. The compounds 18-23 and 25-30 revealed fluorescence in the violet region of the visible spectrum with a strong influence of phenyl spacer in 25-30 on both wavelength and emission intensity. Fusion of selected subunits led to new hybrid architecture, benzothiazole-1,2,3-triazole-coumarin 29 that demonstrated extremely narrow spectrum activity towards fastidious Gram-negative bacteria Moraxella catarrhalis. Selected hybrid showed the potency against Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC⩽0.25µg/mL) comparable to that of reference antibiotic azithromycin, which suggested that further investigations are necessary to optimize this potential hit compound as a new anti-Moraxella catarrhalis agent.

Synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative evaluation of novel N-alkylated 6-isobutyl- and propyl pyrimidine derivatives.

A series of novel N-alkylated C-6-isobutyl- or -propyl pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and their antiproliferative effect was evaluated on a panel of tumor cell lines including leukemia cell line K562 and normal diploid human fibroblasts. N-methoxymethylated 5-methylpyrimidin-2,4-dione with di(benzyloxy)isobutyl at C-6 (14b) showed the strongest effect on the cell growth at micromolar concentrations. Mechanisms of action for the lipophilic compound 14b predicted in silico, pointed to its anticancer and antimetastatic potential exerted through inhibition of DNA or RNA polymerases and adhesion molecules. The latter mechanism has been supported in vitro for adherent tumor cell lines.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new acyclic pyrimidine derivative as a probe for imaging herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase gene expression.

With the idea of finding a more selective radiotracer for imaging herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) gene expression by means of positron emission tomography (PET), a novel [¹8F]fluorine radiolabeled pyrimidine with 4-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)butyl side chain at N-1 (HHB-5-[¹8F]FEP) was prepared and evaluated as a potential PET probe. Unlabeled reference compound, HHB-5-FEP, was synthesized via a five-step reaction sequence starting from 5-(2-acetoxyethyl)-4-methoxypyrimidin-2-one. The radiosynthesis of HHB-[¹8F]-FEP was accomplished by nucleophilic radiofluorination of a tosylate precursor using [¹8F]fluoride-cryptate complex in 45% ± 4 (n = 4) radiochemical yields and high purity (>99%). The biological evaluation indicated the feasibility of using HHB-5-[¹8F]FEP as a PET radiotracer for monitoring HSV1-tk expression in vivo.

C-5 hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl acyclonucleosides as substrates for thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1 TK): syntheses and biological evaluation.

The efficient syntheses of 5-(2-hydroxyethyl)- and 5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-substituted pyrimidine derivatives bearing 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, acyclovir-, ganciclovir- and penciclovir-like side chains are reported. A synthetic approach that included the alkylation of an N-anionic-5-substituted pyrimidine intermediate (method A) provided the target acyclonucleosides in significantly higher overall yields in comparison to those obtained by method B using sylilation reaction. The phosphorylation assays of novel compounds as potential substrates for thymidine kinase of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1 TK) showed that solely pyrimidine 5-substituted acyclonucleosides with a penciclovir-like side chain acted as a fraudulent substrates of HSV-1 TK. Moreover, the uracil derivative with penciclovir-like side chain with less bulky 2-hydroxyethyl substituent at C-5 proved to be a better substrate than the corresponding one with a 3-hydroxypropyl substituent. Therefore, this acyclonucleoside was selected as a lead compound for the development of a positron emission tomography HSV-1 TK activity imaging agent.

Synthesis, characterisation and biological evaluation of monometallic Re(I) and heterobimetallic Re(I)/Fe(II) complexes with a 1,2,3-triazolyl pyridine chelating moiety.

Bioorganometallic complexes have attracted considerable interest and have shown promise for potential application in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, as well as bioimaging agents, some acting as theranostic agents. The series of novel ferrocene, benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline and fluorescein derivatives with bidentate pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole and 2,2'-dipyridylamine and their tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes was prepared and fully characterised by NMR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in biorelevant conditions. The fluorescein and benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline ligands and their complexes with Re(I) showed interactions with ds-DNA/RNA and HSA, characterised by thermal denaturation measurements, fluorimetric and circular dichroism titrations. The binding constants revealed that addition of Re(I) increases the affinity of fluorescein but decreases the affinity of benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline. The complexation of Re(I) had the opposite effect on fluorescein and benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinoline ligands' fluorimetric sensitivity upon biomacromolecule binding, Re(I) fluorescein complex emission being strongly quenched by DNA/RNA or HSA, while emission of Re(I) benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolone complex was enhanced, particularly for HSA, making it a promising fluorescent probe. Some mono- and heterobimetallic complexes showed considerable antiproliferative activity on colon cancer cells (CT26 and HT29), with ferrocene dipyridylamine complexes exhibiting the best inhibitory activity, comparable to cisplatin. The correlation of the cytotoxicity data with the linker type between the ferrocene and the 1,2,3-triazole ring suggests that direct binding of the metallocene to the 1,2,3-triazole is favourable for antitumor activity. The Re(I) benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolone complex showed moderate antiproliferative activity, in contrast to the Re(I) fluorescein complex, which exhibited weak activity on CT26 cells and no activity on HT29 cells. The accumulation of the Re(I) benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolone complex in the lysosomes of CT26 cells indicates the site of its bioactivity, thus making this complex a potential theranostic agent.

Bis-6-amidino-benzothiazole Derivative that Cures Experimental Stage 1 African Trypanosomiasis with a Single Dose.

We designed and synthesized a series of symmetric bis-6-amidino-benzothiazole derivatives with aliphatic central units and evaluated their efficacy against bloodstream forms of the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei. Of these, a dicationic benzothiazole compound (9a) exhibited sub-nanomolar in vitro potency with remarkable selectivity over mammalian cells (>26,000-fold). Unsubstituted 5-amidine groups and a cyclohexyl spacer were the crucial determinants of trypanocidal activity. In all cases, mice treated with a single dose of 20 mg kg-1 were cured of stage 1 trypanosomiasis. The compound displayed a favorable in vitro ADME profile, with the exception of low membrane permeability. However, we found evidence that uptake by T. brucei is mediated by endocytosis, a process that results in lysosomal sequestration. The compound was also active in low nanomolar concentrations against cultured asexual forms of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Therefore, 9a has exquisite cross-species efficacy and represents a lead compound with considerable therapeutic potential.

Synthesis, cytostatic activity and ADME properties of C-5 substituted and N-acyclic pyrimidine derivatives.

The synthesis of the novel 5-alkyl pyrimidine derivatives, 5,6-dihydrofuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines and 5-alkyl N-methoxymethyl pyrimidine derivatives and evaluation of their cytostatic activities are described. The mechanism of antiproliferative effect of 5-(2-chloroethyl)-substituted pyrimidine 3 that exerted the pronounced cytostatic activity was studied in further details on colon carcinoma (HCT116) cells. The cell cycle perturbation analysis demonstrated severe DNA damage (G2/M arrest) pointing to a potential DNA alkylating ability of 3. Preliminary ADME data of 3 and its 6-methylated structural congener (6-Me-3) showed their high permeability and good metabolic stability.

Green solvent-free synthesis of new N-heterocycle-L-ascorbic acid hybrids and their antiproliferative evaluation.

Aim: The authors' aim was to improve the application of copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition in the synthesis of hybrids containing biologically significant nucleobases and L-ascorbic acid scaffolds by introducing an environmentally friendly and waste-free ball mill. Results: Two series of hybrids with a purine, pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine or 5-substituted pyrimidine attached to 2,3-dibenzyl-L-ascorbic acid via a hydroxyethyl- (15a-23a) or ethylidene-1,2,3-triazolyl (15b-23b) bridge were prepared by ball milling and conventional synthesis. The unsaturated 6-chloroadenine L-ascorbic acid derivative 16b can be highlighted as a lead compound and showed strong antiproliferative activity against HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma) and SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) cells. Conclusion: Mechanochemical synthesis was superior in terms of sustainability, reaction rate and yield, highlighting the advantageous applications of ball milling over classical reactions.

Novel tetrahydropyrimidinyl-substituted benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles: synthesis, antibacterial activity, DNA interactions and ADME profiling.

A series of tetrahydropyrimidinyl-substituted benzimidazoles attached to various aliphatic or aromatic residues via phenoxymethylene were synthesised to investigate their antibacterial activities against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The influence of the type of substituent at the C-3 and C-4 positions of the phenoxymethylene linker on the antibacterial activity was observed, showing that the aromatic moiety improved the antibacterial potency. Of all the evaluated compounds, benzoyl-substituted benzimidazole derivative 15a was the most active compound, particularly against the Gram-negative pathogens E. coli (MIC = 1 µg mL-1) and M. catarrhalis (MIC = 2 µg mL-1). Compound 15a also exhibited the most promising antibacterial activity against sensitive and resistant strains of S. pyogenes (MIC = 2 µg mL-1). Significant stabilization effects and positive induced CD bands strongly support the binding of the most biologically active benzimidazoles inside the minor grooves of AT-rich DNA, in line with docking studies. The predicted physico-chemical and ADME properties lie within drug-like space except for low membrane permeability, which needs further optimization. Our findings encourage further development of novel structurally related 5(6)-tetrahydropyrimidinyl substituted benzimidazoles in order to optimize their antibacterial effect against common respiratory pathogens.