Chromone-based small molecules for multistep shutdown of arachidonate pathway: Simultaneous inhibition of COX-2, 15-LOX and mPGES-1 enzymes.

As a new approach to the management of inflammatory disorders, a series of chromone-based derivatives containing a (carbamate)hydrazone moiety was designed and synthesized. The compounds were assessed for their ability to inhibit COX-1/2, 15-LOX, and mPGES-1, as a combination that should effectively impede the arachidonate pathway. Results revealed that the benzylcarbazates (2a-c) demonstrated two-digit nanomolar COX-2 inhibitory activities with reasonable selectivity indices. They also showed appreciable 15-LOX inhibition, in comparison to quercetin. Further testing of these compounds for mPGES-1 inhibition displayed promising activities. Intriguingly, compounds 2a-c were capable of suppressing edema in the formalin-induced rat paw edema assay. They exhibited an acceptable gastrointestinal safety profile regarding ulcerogenic liabilities in gross and histopathological examinations. Additionally, upon treatment with the test compounds, the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was elevated, whereas that of TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1ß, and COX-2 were downregulated in LPS-challenged RAW264.7 macrophages. Docking experiments into the three enzymes showed interesting binding profiles and affinities, further substantiating their biological activities. Their in silico physicochemical and pharmacokinetic parameters were advantageous.

Inclusion of Nitrofurantoin into the Realm of Cancer Chemotherapy via Biology-Oriented Synthesis and Drug Repurposing.

Structural modifications of the antibacterial drug nitrofurantoin were envisioned, employing drug repurposing and biology-oriented drug synthesis, to serve as possible anticancer agents. Eleven compounds showed superior safety in non-cancerous human cells. Their antitumor efficacy was assessed on colorectal, breast, cervical, and liver cancer cells. Three compounds induced oxidative DNA damage in cancer cells with subsequent cellular apoptosis. They also upregulated the expression of Bax while downregulated that of Bcl-2 along with activating caspase 3/7. The DNA damage induced by these compounds, demonstrated by pATM nuclear shuttling, was comparable in both MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 (p53 mutant) cell lines. Mechanistic studies confirmed the dependence of these compounds on p53-mediated pathways as they suppressed the p53-MDM2 interaction. Indeed, exposure of radiosensitive prostatic cancer cells to low non-cytotoxic concentrations of compound 1 enhanced the cytotoxic response to radiation indicating a possible synergistic effect. In vivo antitumor activity was verified in an MCF7-xenograft animal model.

Challenging inflammatory process at molecular, cellular and in vivo levels via some new pyrazolyl thiazolones.

The work reported herein describes the synthesis of a new series of anti-inflammatory pyrazolyl thiazolones. In addition to COX-2/15-LOX inhibition, these hybrids exerted their anti-inflammatory actions through novel mechanisms. The most active compounds possessed COX-2 inhibitory activities comparable to celecoxib (IC50 values of 0.09-0.14 µM) with significant 15-LOX inhibitory activities (IC50s 1.96 to 3.52 µM). Upon investigation of their in vivo anti-inflammatory activities and ulcerogenic profiles, these compounds showed activity patterns equivalent or more superior to diclofenac and/or celecoxib. Intriguingly, the most active compounds were more effective than diclofenac in suppressing monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation and inflammatory cytokine production by activated macrophages, as well as their ability to induce macrophage apoptosis. The latter finding potentially adds a new dimension to the previously reported anti-inflammatory mechanisms of similar compounds. These compounds were effectively docked into COX-2 and 15-LOX active sites. Also, in silico predictions confirmed the appropriateness of these compounds as drug-like candidates.

Anti-leishmanial click modifiable thiosemicarbazones: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and in silico studies.

Leishmaniasis is a devastating tropical disease with limited therapeutic options. Depending on recently reported active anti-leishmanial compounds, we designed and synthesized a series of click modifiable 1,2,3-triazole and thiosemicarbazone hybrids. Most of the synthesized compounds showed comparable to superior activity to a well-established anti-leishmanial drug miltefosine. Compounds 2 and 10a showed nanomolar IC50s against promastigotes of L. major (227.4 nM and 140.3 nM respectively, vs 7.8 µM for miltefosine). Their antiamastigote IC50s were 1.4 µM and 1 µM respectively, which are 6 and 8 times the activity of miltefosine (IC50 8.09 µM). Folic and folinic acids reversed the anti-leishmanial effects of compounds 2 and 10a and hence we anticipate they act via an anti-folate mechanism. They exhibited better safety profiles than that of miltefosine on VERO cell lines. Also they were relatively safe on experimental mice when administered via oral and parenteral routes. Docking experiments on PTR1 identified preferential binding interactions and docking scores. Finally, drug-likeness and ligand efficiency were assessed indicating that both 2 and 10a are promising hits and/or leads as anti-leishmanial chemotherapeutic agents.