Evaluation of Novel Spiro-pyrrolopyridazine Derivatives as Anticancer Compounds: In Vitro Selective Cytotoxicity, Induction of Apoptosis, EGFR Inhibitory Activity, and Molecular Docking Analysis.

Cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation, remains a global health challenge. Despite advancements in cancer treatment, drug resistance and adverse effects on normal cells remain challenging. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane tyrosine kinase protein, is crucial in controlling cell proliferation and is implicated in various cancers. Here, the cytotoxic and apoptotic potential of 21 newly synthesized spiro-pyrrolopyridazine (SPP) derivatives was investigated on breast (MCF-7), lung (H69AR), and prostate (PC-3) cancer cells. XTT assay was used for cytotoxicity assessment. Flow cytometry and western blot (WB) analyses were conducted for apoptosis detection. Additionally, the EGFR inhibitory potential of these derivatives was evaluated via a homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay, and WB and molecular docking studies were conducted to analyze the binding affinities of SPP10 with EGFR. SPPs, especially SPP10, exhibit significant cytotoxicity across MCF-7, H69AR, and PC-3 cancer cells with IC50 values of 2.31 ± 0.3, 3.16 ± 0.8, and 4.2 ± 0.2 µM, respectively. Notably, SPP10 demonstrates selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells with a low impact on nontumorigenic cells (IC50 value: 26.8 ± 0.4 µM). Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the potent induction of apoptotic cell death by SPP10 in all of the tested cancer cells. Western blot analysis revealed the involvement of key apoptotic proteins, with SPP10 notably inhibiting antiapoptotic Bcl-2 while inducing pro-apoptotic Bax and cytochrome c. SPP10 exhibited significant EGFR kinase inhibitory activity, surpassing the efficacy of the reference drug erlotinib. Molecular docking studies support these findings, revealing strong binding affinities of SPP10 with both wild-type and mutated EGFR. The study underscores the significance of heterocyclic compounds, particularly spiro-class heterocyclic molecules, in advancing cancer research. Overall, SPP10 emerges as a promising candidate for further investigations in cancer treatment, combining potent cytotoxicity, apoptotic induction, and targeted EGFR inhibition.

Bioevaluation of Spiro N-Propargylic ß-Enaminones as Anti-Breast Cancer Agents: In Vitro and Molecular Docking Studies.

The study aimed to investigate the in vitro inhibitory activities of spiro N-propargylic ß-enaminones, SPEs 1-31, against BCa cells, to perform in silico molecular docking studies to understand the nature of the interaction between the compounds and the ERα, PR, EGFR, and Her2, and to determine the ADMET and drug-likeness properties. Cytotoxic activity was investigated via MTT assay. DNA fragmentation was evaluated via ELISA assay. Cell cycle distributions were investigated by flow cytometry. Expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, p21 and Cyclin D1 were measured by qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Molecular docking was done using Autodock/vina software. ADMET analysis was calculated using the ADMETlab 2.0 tool. SPEs 1, 22, and 28 showed selective cytotoxic activity against all BCa cells with SI values >2. SPEs induced apoptosis and caused significant changes in Bcl-2 and Bax levels. The cell cycle was arrested at the S phase and levels of p21 and Cyclin D1 were induced in all BCa cells. Molecular docking analysis revealed that SPE1, SPE22, and SPE28 showed high binding affinities with ERα, PR, EGFR, and Her2. ADMET analysis revealed that SPEs are drug-like compounds as they obey the five rules of Lipinsky and are not toxic. Therefore, these potential anticancer compounds should be further validated by in vivo studies for their appropriate function in human health with a safety profile, and a comprehensive drug interaction study should be performed.

N-Propargylic ß-enaminones in breast cancer cells: Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle analyses.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide and the discovery of new cytotoxic agents is needed. Enaminones are regarded to be a significant structural motif that is found in a variety of pharmacologically active compounds however the number of studies investigating the anticancer activities of N-propargylic ß-enaminones (NPEs) is limited. Herein we investigated the potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of 23 different NPEs (1-23) on human breast cancer cells. Cytotoxicity was evaluated via MTT assay. Apoptotic cell death and cell cycle distributions were investigated by flow cytometry. CM-H2DCFDA dye was used to evaluate cellular ROS levels. Expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, p21, and Cyclin D1 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. ADME properties were calculated using the ADMET 2.0 tool. NPEs 4, 9, 16, and 21 showed selective cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cells with SI values >2. NPEs induced apoptosis and caused significant changes in Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA levels. The cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase and levels of p21 and Cyclin D1 were upregulated in both breast cancer cells. ROS levels were significantly increased by NPEs, suggesting that the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of NPEs were mediated by ROS. ADME analysis revealed that NPEs showed favorable distributions in both breast cancer cell lines, meaning good lipophilicity values, low unfractionated values, and high bioavailability. Therefore, these potential anticancer compounds should be further validated by in vivo studies for their appropriate function in human health with a safety profile, and a comprehensive drug interaction study should be performed.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptotic Effects of Novel 1-Pyrroline (3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyrrole) Derivatives on Breast Cancer Cells.

Heterocyclic compounds have emerged as promising and appealing scaffolds for developing effective antitumor agents. Here, the effects of synthesized 24 different 1-pyrroline derivatives (PDs) containing substituted aryl sulfide moiety were investigated on human breast cancer cell lines. The viability of cells was assessed via MTT assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was analyzed via fluorescent dye CM-H2DCFDA. Apoptotic cells were determined via flow cytometry. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-associated protein levels were analyzed via western blot analysis. Four of the PDs (PD-12, -14, -16 and -17) had great cytotoxic selectivity against breast cancer cells. Apoptotic cell death was induced by PDs via the generation of ROS. PDs significantly increased the GRP78, p-PEAK, p-eIF2α, and CHOP protein levels indicating ER stress in breast cancer cells. These results imply that newly synthesized PDs may be potential anticancer agents as they selectively inhibit breast cancer cells.

4-Propargyl-substituted 1H-pyrroles induce apoptosis and autophagy via extracellular signal-regulated signaling pathway in breast cancer.

Novel pyrrole derivatives (PDs) with propargyl units (1-7) were investigated for their anticancer activity on breast cancer cells. The MTT assay was used to assess the cell viability. Morphological changes in human breast cancer cells were visualized under a phase-contrast microscope. Apoptosis and autophagy were detected using the DNA fragmentation assay and staining by autophagic vacuoles, respectively. The levels of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins such as cytochrome c, Bcl-2, LC3-I/II were investigated by Western blot analysis. The effect of PDs on the ERK1/2 signaling pathway was investigated using specific inhibitors. All the tested PDs were found to be active in the range of 36.7 ± 0.2 to 459.7 ± 4.2 µM. Compounds 3 and 4 showed cytotoxic activity in breast cancer cells, but were found to be safer with lower cytotoxicity on human nontumorigenic epithelial breast cells. Compound 4 induced apoptosis, whereas compound 3 induced autophagy. Both compounds inhibited the ERK signaling pathway in breast cancer cells. The present study revealed that both synthesized PDs induced different programmed cell death types by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway in two genotypically different breast cancer cells. Therefore, novel PDs might be promising anticancer agents for breast cancer therapy and further structural modifications of PDs may yield promising anticancer agents.

One-Pot Synthesis of 2-Acetyl-1H-pyrroles from N-Propargylic ß-Enaminones via Intermediacy of 1,4-Oxazepines.

A one-pot two-step protocol for the synthesis of 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles from N-propargylic ß-enaminones was described. When treated with zinc chloride in refluxing chloroform, N-propargylic ß-enaminones produced in situ 2-methylene-2,3-dihydro-1,4-oxazepines, which, upon further refluxing in methanol with zinc chloride, afforded 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles. The process was found to be general for a wide variety of N-propargylic ß-enaminones and yielded a diverse range of 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles in good to high yields with large substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. This operationally easy method may provide a rapid access to functionalized 2-acetyl-1H-pyrroles of pharmacological interest.

Synthesis of 3-[(4-Nitrophenyl)thio]-Substituted 4-Methylene-1-pyrrolines from N-Propargylic ß-Enaminones.

A facile and efficient method for the synthesis of 3-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-substituted 4-methylene-1-pyrrolines is described. When treated with 4-nitrobenzenesulfenyl chloride in refluxing acetonitrile, N-propargylic ß-enaminones produced α-sulfenylated N-propargylic ß-enaminones, which, in the presence of sodium hydride or cesium carbonate, underwent nucleophilic cyclization to afford 4-methylene-3-[(4-nitrophenyl)thio]-1-pyrrolines in good to high yields. It was shown for the first time that on N-propargylic ß-enaminone systems, α-sulfenylation dominates over the formation of thiirenium ion. This one-pot two-step process was found to be general for a variety of N-propargylic ß-enaminones and demonstrated good tolerance to a diversity of aromatic and heteroaromatic groups with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents. This process is also applicable to the cyclization of internal alkyne-tethered N-propargylic ß-enaminones. The enrichment of 1-pyrroline core with an aryl sulfide moiety might exhibit potential for the synthesis of molecules of pharmacological interest.

A new strategy for the synthesis of pyridines from N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones.

A new method for the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted pyridines from N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones is reported. ß-Enaminothiones were prepared by thionation of the corresponding ß-enaminones with Lawesson's reagent. When treated with diisopropylamine in DMF at room temperature, N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones yielded 2,4,5-trisubstituted pyridines in moderate to high yields, along with small amounts of 2-methylene-2,3-dihydro-1,4-thiazepines. The reaction was found to be general for a broad range of N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones and tolerated the presence of aromatic, heteroaromatic and aliphatic groups with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents. The method could be widened to the internal alkyne-tethered N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones. This operationally simple method may provide rapid access to a library of functionalized pyridines of pharmacological interest.

Synthesis of 1,4-Thiazepines.

An efficient, general, and unprecedented methodology for the synthesis of 2-methylene-2,3-dihydro-1,4-thiazepines from N-propargylic ß-enaminones is described. Initially, N-propargylic ß-enaminones were thionated with Lawesson's reagent in good to high yields, and then the resulting N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones were subjected to electrophilic cyclization. When treated with zinc chloride in refluxing chloroform, N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones underwent electrophilic cyclization to yield 2-methylene-2,3-dihydro-1,4-thiazepines in good to high yields. A general trend was observed for all N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones, and the cyclization proceeded with high efficiency and large functional group tolerance. This process is also applicable to the cyclization of internal alkyne-tethered N-propargylic ß-enaminothiones. This operationally simple and facile method may represent a very rapid entry to a library of functionalized 1,4-thiazepines in the area of pharmaceuticals.

Novel ferrocenyl pyrazoles inhibit breast cancer cell viability via induction of apoptosis and inhibition of PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 signaling.

Despite the advances in early detection and targeted therapies, chemotherapy is still of vital importance in breast cancer treatment. However, development of drug resistance and serious side effects limits their usage. Thus, there is an urgent need for safer and more effective agents against breast cancer. We have previously described the synthesis of a number of pyrazole derivatives, and in the current study, we have investigated the effects of two different ferrocenyl pyrazole (FP) derivates, 5-ferrocenyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole (FP-Ph) and 5-ferrocenyl-1H-pyrazole (FP-H), on breast cancer cells. First, we investigated the effects of both FPs on cell viability and induction of cell death in breast cancer cells and benign MCF-10A cells by XTT and DNA fragmentation assays, respectively. Morphological changes in human breast cancer cells after FPs treatment were detected by both phase contrast microscope and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Then, we tested whether FPs exert their cytotoxic effect through inhibiting PI3K/Akt and/or ERK1/2 signaling pathways by using specific inhibitors. Both FPs induced cytotoxicity in a time and concentration-dependent manner in breast cancer cells; however, MCF-10A benign breast epithelial cells were much less susceptible to the cytotoxic effect of both FPs. FPs inhibited both PI3K/Akt and ERK 1/2 signaling pathways in breast cancer cells. The ultra structure images of MCF-7 cells by AFM showed that the cell surface was smooth in untreated cells, but it was rough with protrusions in treated cells. Both FPs induced apoptotic cell death in MDA-MB-231 cells; however, necrotic cell death was induced in caspase-3 lack MCF-7 cells, which implies that the synthesized FPs may induce apoptosis through caspase-3 dependent mechanism. In summary, these results suggest that FPs might be promising agents for the breast cancer therapy.

Synthesis of pyrazoles via CuI-mediated electrophilic cyclizations of α,ß-alkynic hydrazones.

Synthesis of pyrazoles via electrophilic cyclization of α,ß-alkynic hydrazones by copper(I) iodide is described. When treated with copper(I) iodide in the presence of triethylamine in refluxing acetonitrile, α,ß-alkynic hydrazones, prepared readily from hydrazines and propargyl aldehydes and ketones, undergo electrophilic cyclization to afford pyrazole derivatives in good to excellent yields. The reaction appears to be general for a variety of α,ß-alkynic hydrazones and tolerates the presence of aliphatic, aromatic, and ferrocenyl moieties with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents.

Synthesis of pyrazoles via electrophilic cyclization.

Electrophilic cyclizations of α,ß-alkynic hydrazones by molecular iodine were investigated for the synthesis of 4-iodopyrazoles. α,ß-Alkynic hydrazones were readily prepared by the reactions of hydrazines with propargyl aldehydes and ketones. When treated with molecular iodine in the presence of sodium bicarbonate, α,ß-alkynic hydrazones underwent electrophilic cyclization to afford 4-iodopyrazoles in good to high yields. Iodocyclization was general for a wide range of α,ß-alkynic hydrazones and tolerated the presence of aliphatic, aromatic, heteroaromatic, and ferrocenyl moieties with electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents.

A comparison of the Cope rearrangements of cis-1,2-divinylcyclopropane, cis-2,3-divinylaziridine, cis-2,3-divinyloxirane, cis-2,3-divinylphosphirane, and cis-2,3-divinylthiirane: a DFT study.

Transition structures, energetics, and nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) for Cope rearrangements of cis-2,3-divinylaziridine (1N), cis-2,3-divinyloxirane (1O), cis-2,3-divinylphosphirane (1P), and cis-2,3-divinylthiirane (1S), leading to 4,5-dihydro-1H-azepine (3N), 4,5-dihydrooxepine (3O), 4,5-dihydro-1H-phosphepine (3P), and 4,5-dihydrothiepine (3S), respectively, are reported at the (U)B3LYP/6-31G level and compared to those of cis-1,2-divinylcyclopropane (1C). The minimum energy path for all rearrangements proceeds through an endo-boatlike, aromatic transition structure. The predicted activation barriers increase in the order of 1C < 1N < 1O < 1P < 1S, which agrees qualitatively with the decreasing ring strain order of reference compounds (cyclopropane > aziridine > oxirane > phosphirane > thiirane). The exothermicities for these rearrangements decrease in the order of 1N > 1O > 1C > 1P > 1S. If the place of 1C in this sequence is ignored, the decreasing reaction exothermicity order correlates well with the increasing activation barrier order and with decreasing strain order of reference compounds. NICS values calculated for transition structures are typical of highly aromatic transition structures of thermally allowed pericyclic reactions.

(2-Hydroxyethyl)hydrazinium(2+) dichloride.

The crystal structure of the title compound, C2H10N2O(2+).2Cl-, is built up from one 2-hydroxyethylhydrazinium(2+) cation and two Cl- anions. The molecular structure is stabilized by O-H...Cl and N-H...Cl hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is stabilized by one N-H...O and three N-H...Cl interactions, and the three-dimensional network of hydrogen bonds stabilizes the crystal packing. All five hydrazinium H atoms are involved in hydrogen bonds to Cl- anions. The Cl...H contact distances range from 2.122 (15) to 2.809 (14) A.

Transition structures, energetics, and nucleus-independent chemical shifts for 6pi electrocyclizations of dienylketenes to cyclohexadienones: a DFT study.

6pi electrocyclizations of dienylketenes to 2,4-cyclohexadienones have been investigated at the (U)B3LYP/6-31G level and found to be a favored and exothermic process for most dienylketenes. As evidenced by calculations, dienylketene cyclizations proceed via a pseudopericyclic process. If the terminal double bond of dienylketenes is embedded into a benzenoid-type aryl moiety, the partial or complete loss of aromaticity, as indicated by NICS values, increases the activation barrier and makes the reaction less exothermic or even endothermic. The effect of aromaticity is slightly less pronounced for dienylketenes carrying five-membered heterocyclic aromatic substituents. Slightly distorted planar transition structures have been located for these types of cyclizations. Forming bond lengths in transition structures range from 1.950 to 2.339 A.

Transition structures, energetics, and nucleus-independent chemical shifts for divinylcyclobutene-to-cyclooctatriene rearrangement: a DFT study.

The minimum energy reaction paths and nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) for the Cope rearrangement of cis-3,4-divinylcyclobutene, obtained by (U)B3LYP/6-31G calculations, are reported. Three transition structures (endo-boatlike, chairlike, and exo-boatlike) have been located, giving rise to formation of cis,cis,cis-, cis,cis,trans-, and trans,cis,trans-1,3,5-cyclooctatrienes, respectively. The minimum energy path proceeds through an endo-boatlike, aromatic transition structure. The reaction path of the rearrangement is intervened by enantiomerization saddle point of the product. NICS values calculated for transition structures agree qualitatively with their activation energy and reaction exothermicity orders. Cope rearrangement and electrocyclic ring-opening processes of cis-3,4-divinylcyclobutene are competitive, but the former is relatively more favored and exothermic than the latter.

Transition structures, energetics, and secondary kinetic isotope effects for cope rearrangements of cis-1,2-divinylcyclobutane and cis-1,2-divinylcyclopropane: a DFT study.

The minimum energy reaction paths and secondary kinetic isotope effects (KIE) for the Cope rearrangements of cis-1,2-divinylcyclobutane and cis-1,2-divinylcyclopropane obtained by (U)B3LYP calculations are reported. Both reactions proceed through endo-boatlike reaction paths, and have aromatic transition states. The predicted activation energies are in agreement with the experimental data. The reaction paths of the rearrangements are intervened by enantiomerization saddle points of the products (and the reactant in the case of divinylcyclobutane). The calculated KIEs are similar in the two systems, and consistent with the geometries of the transition structures. There is computational evidence that the isotope effect associated with the conversion of a pure sp(2) C-H bond into a pure sp(3) one might be the same in all molecules. The predicted KIEs agree with experiment for divinylcyclopropane, but not for divinylcyclobutane.