Design and synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives as apoptosis-inducing agents by targeting Bcl-2 protein.

Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic protein, is a well-known and appealing cancer therapy target. Novel series of benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized and tested for their activity as Bcl-2 inhibitors on T98G glioblastoma, PC3 prostate, MCF-7 breast, and H69AR lung cancer cells. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect. PI Annexin V Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to detect apoptosis. Expression levels of the Bcl-2 protein were examined by the Western blot analysis and qRT-PCR. All synthesized benzimidazole derivatives exhibited a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells with IC50 values in the range of 25.2-88.2 µg/mL. Among all derivatives, compounds C1 and D1 demonstrated a higher cytotoxic effect on cancer cells with IC50 values < 50 µg/mL, while a lower cytotoxic effect against human embryonic kidney cells with IC50 values of > 100 µg/mL. C1 and D1 caused a significant increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in all types of cancer cell cells and both Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced. These results suggest that the novel benzimidazole derivatives may be candidates for apoptosis-inducing agents in cancer treatment by targeting anti-Bcl-2 proteins in cancer cells.

Novel Coumarin Derivatives Containing a Triazole Moiety: A Study on Synthesis, Cytotoxicity, Membrane Dysfunction, Apoptosis, Cell Cycle, and Antiangiogenic Effects.

BACKGROUND: Coumarin is a functional compound with a pronounced wide range of biological activities and has recently been shown to have anticancer effects on various human cancer cells. Cisplatin is widely used in treating many cancers, but its effectiveness is limited due to acquired resistance and dose-related side effects. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reveal the chemosensitizing ability of novel synthesized coumarin-triazole hybrid compounds (3a-f) compared to the cisplatin in A549, MCF-7, and HeLa cancer cells. METHODS: Cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant/oxidant status, and DNA fragmentation were determined spectrophotometrically using commercial kits. Muse™ Cell Analyzer was used to assess cell cycle progression. Pro/anti-apoptotic gene expressions were determined by Real-Time qPCR. The antiangiogenic activity was determined by VEGF expression and Hen's chorioallantoic membrane model. RESULTS: Compounds 3c, -d, -e, and -f potentiated the cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity by increasing LDH release and DNA fragmentation, inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest, overproducing oxidative stress, and decreasing cellular antioxidant levels. These compounds combined with cisplatin caused upregulation in the pro-apoptotic Bax, Bid, caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Fas, and p53 gene expressions while downregulating anti-apoptotic DFFA, NFkB1, and Bcl2 gene expressions. These combinations caused vascular loss and a reduction in VEGF expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a combinational regimen of coumarin compounds with cisplatin could enhance the effect of cisplatin in A549 cells. Besides, these compounds exhibit relatively low toxicity in normal cells, thus decreasing the dose requirement of cisplatin in cancer treatments.

Synthesis, structural, spectral, antioxidant, bioactivity and molecular docking investigations of a novel triazole derivative.

The structural, spectroscopic and electronic properties of 4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione have been analyzed by using single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts and FT-IR spectroscopic methods both theoretically and experimentally. The tautomeric (thiol and thione) energetic analysis results, structural optimization parameters (bond lengths and angles), vibrational wavenumbers, proton and carbon NMR chemical shifts, UV-Vis. parameters, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) analyses and Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) surface have been calculated by using DFT/B3LYP quantum chemical method with 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set to compare with the experimental results. The computed geometry parameters, vibrational wavenumbers, and NMR chemical shifts have been in good agreement with the experimental results. It should be noted that the radical scavenging activities of the title compound have been evaluated by using different test methods i.e. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine (DMPD) and 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS). According to obtained results, the title compound displayed DPPH (SC50 19.42 ± 0.11 µg/mL), DMPD (SC50 21.13 ± 0.08 µg/mL) and ABTS (SC50 38.17 ± 0.25 µg/mL) scavenging activities. Also, these results have been compared with Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Rutin (RUT) and Trolox (TRO) used as standard compounds. The physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity features of the compound have been determined by using drug-likeness and in silico ADMET investigations. The interaction results with SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) of the title ligand compound have been analyzed via the help of molecular docking study. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Newly Synthesized Benzimidazoles Inhibit Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 Levels in Prostate Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Investigating the effects of newly synthesized agents on various molecular mechanisms to understand their mechanism of action is an important step of pre-clinical screening. Benzimidazoles are composed of a unique fused benzene and imidazole ring and have attracted great attention due to their broad bioactivities, including antitumor. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we reported the synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives and investigated the possible cytotoxic and anti-angiogenic effects on human prostate cancer and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: MTT assay was used to assess cell viability. A scratch assay was conducted to monitor the migration of cells. mRNA expression levels of VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were evaluated using qPCR. Changes in protein levels were evaluated by western blotting. RESULTS: Compound G1, having a chlorine moiety, showed a potent cytotoxic activity on both prostate cancer cells and HUVECs, and inhibited cell migration via decreasing the mRNA and protein levels of key angiogenesis-related molecules such as VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that newly synthesized G1 may be a novel anti-angiogenic agent for prostate cancer treatment.

Synthesis and anticancer activities of some new coumarin derivatives including the triazole ring and their in silico molecular docking studies.

The synthesis, docking study, and investigation of the anticancer activities of some coumarin derivatives containing the triazole ring are reported in this study. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro anticancer activity against the cell lines CRL5807 (human bronchioalveolar carcinoma), CRL5826 (human squamous cell carcinoma), MDA-MB231 (human breast cancer cells), HTB177 (human lung cancer), PC-3 (human prostate adenocarcinoma), PANC-1 (human pancreatic cancer cells), used as cancer cells, and CCD34Lu (normal human lung fibroblasts), used as a healthy cell line. Cytotoxicity effects of the samples were determined by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay. In silico studies were also performed to explore the binding interactions of the molecules.

Novel benzimidazole derivatives: Synthesis, in vitro cytotoxicity, apoptosis and cell cycle studies.

The aim of the study was to synthesize a new series of benzimidazole derivatives and to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of the potential cell cycle inhibition and apoptotic effects against a panel of selected human cancer cell lines along with HEK-293 human embryonic kidney cells. MTT assay was used to evaluate cytotoxic effects. Muse™ Cell Analyzer was used to assess cell cycle progression. Annexin-V/PI staining assay was used for detecting apoptosis. All the synthesized compounds showed a significant cytotoxic effect against cancer cells with the IC50 values between 9.2 and 166.1 µg/mL. Among the tested derivatives, compound 5 showed significant cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, DU-145 and H69AR cancer cells with the IC50 values of 17.8 ± 0.24, 10.2 ± 1.4 and 49.9 ± 0.22 µg/mL respectively. The compounds 5 was also tested on HEK-293 human embryonic kidney cells and found to be safer with lesser cytotoxicity. The results revealed that compound 5 significantly increased cell population in the G2/M-phase which is modulated by a p53 independent mechanism. Compound 5 caused an increase in the percentage of late apoptotic cells in all tested cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Among all synthesized derivatives, compound 5 the bromo-derivative, showed the highest cytotoxic potential, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death in genotypically different human cancer cells. These results suggest that compound 5 might be a promising agent for cancer therapy and further structural modifications of benzimidazole derivatives may create promising anticancer agents.

Synthesis and molecular docking study of some 5,6-dichloro-2-cyclopropyl-1H-benzimidazole derivatives bearing triazole, oxadiazole, and imine functionalities as potent inhibitors of urease.

A new series of benzimidazole compounds including hydrazinecarbothioamide, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole and imine function were synthesized starting from 5,6-dichloro-2-cyclopropyl-1H-benzimidazole. All of the benzimidazole derivatives exhibited good urease inhibitor activity. Compound 6a proved to be the most potent showing an enzyme inhibitory activity with an IC50=0.06µM. Molecular docking studies were also conducted on enzyme extracted from Jack bean urease to identify the binding mode of the newly synthesized compounds.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of new benzimidazole derivatives with lipase inhibition activity.

A practical protocol has been used for the synthesis of benzimidazoles. The reaction of iminoester hydrochlorides of phenylacetic with 4,5-dichloro-1,2-phenylenediamine under microwave irradiation leads to the benzimidazole derivatives with good yields and in short reaction times. After the synthesis of benzimidazoles, we synthesized ester and hydrazide derivatives under microwave irradiation with good yields. All compounds were evaluated with regard to pancreatic lipase activity and 3b, 3c, 5a and 6a showed lipase inhibition at various concentrations.

Syntheses and biological activities of new hybrid molecules containing different heterocyclic moieties.

4-Aryl-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-(thi)oles 5-7, obtained starting from nicotinic acid hydrazide were converted to the corresponding Mannich bases 12-24 by the reaction with several heterocyclic amines in the presence of formaldehyde. The synthesis of S-alkylated compounds 8-11 was performed from the reaction of the corresponding triazol-5-thioles with various alkyl halides. The condensation of carbo(thio)amides 2-4 with 4-chlorophenacyl bromide afforded the corresponding 1,3-thia(oxa)zol-2(3H)-ylidene]pyridine-3-carbohydrazides 25-27. 1,3-Thia(oxa)zolidine derivatives 28-30 were obtained from the cyclization reaction between compounds 2-4 and ethyl bromoacetate. All newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial, antiurease, and antilipase activities. The biological activity studies revealed that all the compounds screened showed good or moderate antimicrobial, antiurease, and/or antilipase activity.

Application of carrier element free coprecipitation (CEFC) method for determination of Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions in food and water samples.

A simple and highly sensitive separation and preconcentration procedure, which has minimal impact on the environment, has been developed. The procedure is based on the carrier element free coprecipitation (CEFC) of Co(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) ions by using 2-{4-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]-3-(4-methylbenzyl)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro- 1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl}-N'-(pyridin-2-yl methylidene)acetohydrazide (IMOTPA), as an organic coprecipitant. The levels of analyte ions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The detection limits for Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions were found to be 0.40, 0.16 and 0.17 microg L(-1), respectively, and the relative standard deviations for the analyte ions were lower than 3.0%. Spike tests and certified reference material analyses were performed to validate the method. The method was successfully applied for the determination of Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions levels in sea and stream water as liquid samples and red pepper, black pepper, and peppermint as solid samples.

Antimicrobial and antiurease activities of newly synthesized morpholine derivatives containing an azole nucleus.

2-[6-(Morpholin-4-yl)pyridin-3-ylamino]acetohydrazide (4) was obtained starting from 6-morpholin-4-ylpyridin-3-amine (2) via the formation of ester (3) and then converted to the corresponding Schiff bases (5, 6) with the reaction with aromatic aldehydes. The carbothioamide (9), obtained from the reaction of hydrazide with phenylisothiocyanate, was converted to the corresponding 1,2,4-triazole (11) and 1,3,4-thiadiazole (12) derivatives by the treatment with NaOH or H2SO4, respectively. The cyclocondenzation of 9 with 4-chlorophenacyl bromide or ethyl bromoacetate produced the corresponding 1,3-thiazole (10) or 1,3-thiazolidine derivatives (13), respectively. Antimicrobial and antiurease activities of newly synthesized compounds were investigated. Some of them were found to be active on M. smegmatis, and they displayed activity toward C. albicans and S. cerevisiae in high concentration. Compound 10 proved to be the most potent showing an enzyme inhibition activity with an IC50 = 2.37 ± 0.19 µM.

Design, synthesis and antimicrobial activities of some azole derivatives.

Three new 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 1,3-thiazolidine and 1,2,4-triazole derivatives were obtained starting from furan-2-carbohydrazide. Then, 1,2,4-triazole compound was converted to the corresponding Mannich bases using several secondary amines including piperidine, piperazine, morpholine or thiomorpholine moiety. The synthesis of 5-(furan-2-yl)-4-{[(4-methoxyphenyl)methylidene]amino}-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (XIII) was performed starting from furan-2-carbohydrazide by three steps. The structures of the synthesized compounds were well characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral studies. Newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activities and some of them displayed activity against the tested microorganisms.

Synthesis of eperezolid-like molecules and evaluation of their antimicrobial activities.

3-Fluoro-4-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-yl)aniline (II) prepared from 3,4-difluoro nitrobenzene was converted to the corresponding Schiff bases (III) and (IV) by treatment with 4-methoxybenzaldehyde and indol-3-carbaldehyde, respectively. Treatment of amine (II) with 4-fluorophenyl isothiocyanate affordedthe corresponding thiourea derivative (V). Compound (V) was converted to thiazolidinone and thiazoline derivatives (VI) and (VII) by cyclocondensation with ethylbromoacetate or 4-chlorophenacylbromide, respectively. The synthesis of carbothioamide derivative (X) was performed starting from compound (II) by three steps. Treatment of compound (X) with sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, or chlorophenacyl bromide generated the corresponding 1,2,4-triazole (XI), 1,3,4-thiadiazole (XII), and 1,3-thiazolidinone (XIII) derivatives, respectively. The structural assignments of new compounds were based on their elemental analysis and spectral (IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and LC-MS) data. In the antimicrobial activity study all the compounds revealed high anti-Mycobacterium smegmatis activity.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of some new 1,2,3-triazole derivatives.

Some novel 4,5-disubstituted-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (3, 6, 8, 9) derivatives and or 3-(4-methylphenyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3]benzoxazole (5) were synthesized from the reaction of various ester ethoxycarbonylhydrazones (1a-e) with several primary amines. The synthesis of 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-[(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)methyl]-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (13) was performed starting from 4-Amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (2) by four steps; then 13 was converted to the corresponding Schiff base (14) by using 4-methoxybenzaldehyde. Finally, two Mannich base derivatives of 14 were obtained by using morpholine or methyl piperazine as amine component. All newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activities and some of which were found to possess good or moderate activities against the test microorganisms.

Synthesis of Schiff and Mannich bases of isatin derivatives with 4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-ones.

Ethyl imidate hydrochlorides 1 were prepared by passing HCl gas through solutions of substituted benzyl cyanides and absolute ethanol. Ethoxycarbonylhydrazones 2 were synthesized from the reaction of compounds 1 with ethyl carbazate. Treatment of 2 with hydrazine hydrate leads to the formation of substituted 4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5-ones 3. Isatin and 5-chloroisatin were added to 3 to form Schiff bases 4 and N-Mannich bases 5 of these compounds were synthesized by reacting with formaldehyde and piperidine. Their chemical structures were confirmed by means of IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR data and by elemental analysis.

Synthesis of new bis-1,2,4-triazole derivatives.

A series of new 1,2/1,3-bis[o-(N-methylidenamino-3-aryl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-4-yl)phenoxy]ethane/propane derivatives 4 were prepared in good yields by treatment of 4-amino-3-aryl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazoles 2 with certain bis-aldehydes 1.Compounds 4 were reduced with NaBH(4) to afford the corresponding 1,2/1,3-bis[o-(N-methylamino-3-aryl-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-4-yl)phenoxy]ethane/propane derivatives 5. All new compounds were characterized by IR, (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR and mass spectral data.