Newly Synthesized 3-Indolyl Furanoid Inhibits Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity and Prevents Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-Induced Gastric Ulceration.

Indomethacin, a known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) induces gastric inflammation, causing degradation of the extracellular matrix by specific matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We investigated the antiulcer efficacy of 3-indolyl furanoids (3g and 3c, i.e., methoxy substitution at 4- and 5-positions of the indole ring, respectively), derived from indomethacin. Interestingly, 3g protected against indomethacin-induced gastropathy in vivo by inhibiting MMP-9. Our work established a chemical modification strategy for the development of safer NSAIDs. Moreover, in vitro and in silico studies confirmed that 3g inhibited MMP-9 activity with an IC50 value of 50 µM by binding to the catalytic cleft of MMP-9, leading to ulcer prevention. Pharmacokinetics was presented as the mean concentration-time profile in the rat plasma, and the extraction efficiency was greater than 70%, showing a Cmax of 104.48 µg/mL after 6.0 h (tmax) treatment with half-life and area under the curve being 7.0 h and 1273.8 h µg/mL, respectively, indicating the higher antiulcer potency of 3g.

Fiaud's Acid: A Brønsted Acid Catalyst for Enantioselective Friedel-Crafts Alkylation of Indoles with 2-Alkene-1,4-diones.

Fiaud's acid (trans-1-hydroxy-2,5-diphenylphospholane 1-oxide), a phospholane-based phosphinic acid, is introduced as an efficient chiral Brønsted acid catalyst that mediates the asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation of indoles with 2-butene-1,4-diones. With a catalyst loading of 10 mol %, the reaction proceeded smoothly to afford 2-(indol-3-yl)butane-1,4-diones in high yield (up to 82%) and high enantioselectivity (up to 91% ee, one such product showed enhanced ee of 98% after recrystallization). The reaction conditions are sufficiently mild to tolerate sensitive functionality at room temperature and are therefore suitable for the synthesis of complex targets.

2,2'-diphenyl-3,3'-diindolylmethane: a potent compound induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells by inhibiting EGFR pathway.

Despite recent advances in medicine, 30-40% of patients with breast cancer show recurrence underscoring the need for improved effective therapy. In this study, by in vitro screening we have selected a novel synthetic indole derivative 2,2'-diphenyl-3,3'-diindolylmethane (DPDIM) as a potential anti- breast cancer agent. DPDIM induces apoptosis both in vitro in breast cancer cells MCF7, MDA-MB 231 and MDA-MB 468 and in vivo in 7,12-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene (DMBA) induced Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat mammary tumor. Our in vitro studies show that DPDIM exerts apoptotic effect by negatively regulating the activity of EGFR and its downstream molecules like STAT3, AKT and ERK1/2 which are involved in the proliferation and survival of these cancer cells. In silico predictions also suggest that DPDIM may bind to EGFR at its ATP binding site. DPDIM furthermore inhibits EGF induced increased cell viability. We have also shown decreased expression of pro-survival factor Bcl-XL as well as increase in the level of pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax, Bad, Bim in DPDIM treated cells in vitro and in vivo. Our results further indicate that the DPDIM induced apoptosis is mediated through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway involving the caspase-cascade. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of DPDIM for its anticancer activity. Altogether this report suggests that DPDIM could be an effective therapeutic agent for breast cancer.

A comparative evaluation of root canal length measurement techniques in primary teeth.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this 3-staged, in vivo, crossover study was to comparatively evaluate the accuracy of radiograph-based and apex locator-based measurements of working length in primary molars with physiological root resorption. METHODS: Endodontic access cavity preparations were performed on 13 primary molars in 10 cooperative pediatric dental outpatients who met the selection criteria. Calibrated investigators estimated the root canal length in a total of 30 canals in these 13 primary molars using both apex locators and radiographs. Following determination of working length, the teeth were extracted for in vitro measurement of the actual root canal length. The root canal lengths obtained through these 3 techniques were compared statistically and assessed for the presence of significant differences. RESULTS: Significant correlation (intraclass correlation=0.99, P<.001) could be detected between working length measurements obtained using both the techniques and direct measurements of root canals. Acceptable measures of working length (+1 mm of actual length) could be obtained in 97% and 93% of canals using apex locators and radiographs, respectively. CONCLUSION: Apex locators can be considered a viable substitute for radiographs in estimating working length during pulpectomies of primary teeth.

Development of derivatives of 3, 3'-diindolylmethane as potent Leishmania donovani bi-subunit topoisomerase IB poisons.

BACKGROUND: The development of 3, 3'-diindolyl methane (DIM) resistant parasite Leishmania donovani (LdDR50) by adaptation with increasing concentrations of the drug generates random mutations in the large and small subunits of heterodimeric DNA topoisomerase I of Leishmania (LdTOP1LS). Mutation of large subunit of LdTOP1LS at F270L is responsible for resistance to DIM up to 50 µM concentration. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In search of compounds that inhibit the growth of the DIM resistant parasite and inhibit the catalytic activity of mutated topoisomerase I (F270L), we have prepared three derivatives of DIM namely DPDIM (2,2'-diphenyl 3,3'-diindolyl methane), DMDIM (2,2'-dimethyl 3,3'-diindolyl methane) and DMODIM (5,5'-dimethoxy 3,3'-diindolyl methane) from parent compound DIM. All the compounds inhibit the growth of DIM resistant parasites, induce DNA fragmentation and stabilize topo1-DNA cleavable complex with the wild type and mutant enzyme. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the three derivatives of DIM can act as promising lead molecules for the generation of new anti-leishmanial agents.

Regioselective one pot synthesis of 3,3'-diindolylethylene derivatives and study of their cytotoxic activity.

2,2'-Diphenyl-3,3'-diindolylethylene (DPDIE) derivatives 3a-g were regioselectively prepared in one pot from indoles 1a-g in the presence of Lewis acids and were subsequently evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human leukemic cell lines, U937 and K562. The most potent compound 3g exhibited IC(50) of 13.0-17.0 µM.