ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is involved in complications on immunocompromised patients. Current therapeutics are associated with several drawbacks, such as nephrotoxicity. PURPOSE: As HCMV infection affects inflammation pathways, especially prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production via cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme (COX-2), we designed 2'-hydroxychalcone compounds to inhibit human cytomegalovirus. STUDY DESIGN: We first selected the most efficient new synthetic chalcones for their effect against COX-2-catalyzed PGE2. STUDY SAMPLE: Among the selected compounds, we assessed the antiviral efficacy against different HCMV strains, such as the laboratory strain AD169 and clinical strains (naïve or multi-resistant to conventional drugs) and toxicity on human cells. RESULTS: The most efficient and less toxic compound (chalcone 7) was tested against HCMV in combination with other antiviral molecules: artesunate (ART), baicalein (BAI), maribavir (MBV), ganciclovir (GCV), and quercetin (QUER) using Compusyn software. Association of chalcone 7 with MBV and BAI is synergistic, antagonistic with QUER, and additive with GCV and ART. CONCLUSION: These results provide a promising search path for potential bitherapies against HCMV.
Subject(s)
Chalcone , Cytomegalovirus , Antiviral Agents/pharmacology , Artesunate/pharmacology , Chalcone/pharmacology , Cyclooxygenase 2/pharmacology , Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors/pharmacology , Dinoprostone/pharmacology , Ganciclovir/pharmacology , HumansABSTRACT
Several classes of flavonoids (flavones, flavanones, 2'-hydroxychalcones and flavan-4-ols) having a variety of substituents on A ring were investigated for their antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Structure-activity relationships of these compounds were discussed. 2'-hydroxychalcones and methoxylated flavanones were found to be potent inhibitors of MCF-7 cells growth whereas flavones and flavan-4-ols appeared to be weak inhibitory agents except 7,8-dihydroxyflavone.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/chemistry , Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Flavonoids/chemistry , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Cell Division/drug effects , Humans , Structure-Activity Relationship , Tumor Cells, CulturedABSTRACT
Chalcones were tested for estimating anti-aromatase, anti-3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase delta5/delta4 isomerase (3beta-HSD) and anti-17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) activities in human placental microsomes. In the present study, we have demonstrated for the first time that chalcones are potent inhibitors of aromatase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities: these enzymes being considered as important targets in the metabolic pathways of human mammary hormone-dependent cells. Our results showed that naringenin chalcone and 4-hydroxychalcone were the most effective aromatase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase inhibitors with IC50 values of 2.6 and 16 microM respectively. In addition, inhibitory effects of some flavones and flavanones were compared to those of the corresponding chalcones. A structure-activity relationship was established and regions or/and substituents essential for these inhibitory activities were determined.
