Increased expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related caspase-12 and CHOP in the hippocampus of EAE mice.

The role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been proposed in several neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases and may contribute to neural apoptosis. The complex role of ER stress-mediated apoptosis introduces a novel angle on multiple sclerosis (MS) research. Nevertheless, the mechanisms through which ER stress intermediates apoptosis are not entirely understood. To this aim, we examined the expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), caspase-12, and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We found the upregulated expression of CHOP, caspase-12, and PDI in the brain of EAE mice in comparison to healthy mice. Furthermore, immunofluorescent dual-label staining verified elevated levels of caspase-12/CHOP in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia in the hippocampus section of EAE mice. This study highlighted the presence of ER stress and increased activation of caspase-12 in the hippocampus of mice in response to EAE induction. Higher levels of caspase-12/CHOP in hippocampal oligodendrocytes as compared with microglia and astrocytes denote that oligodendrocytes are particularly sensitive to ER-mediated apoptosis. In conclusion, the regulation of ER stress pathway would be beneficial for the survival of oligodendrocyte.

Synthesis and Leishmanicidal Activity of 1-[5-(5-Nitrofuran-2-yl)-1, 3, 4-Thiadiazole-2-yl]-4-BenzoylePiperazines.

A series of (5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole-2-yl derivatives 6a-6e have been synthesized and screened for in-vitro anti-leishmanial activity against the promastigote form of L. major. The structure of Schiff bases were confirmed by 1H NMR, IR. Screening results indicate that all of the designed and synthesized final compounds (6a-6e) significantly reduced the viability of promastigotes of L. major in comparison toglucantime (IC50 3× 103 µg/mL). Meta and Para substitutions in benzene ring containing compounds were more potent than other derivative and the most potent compounds were 6d, 6e with IC50 value 94 µm and 77.6 µm, respectively. The experimental data proposes that (5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole-2-yl derivatives may be further investigated as a candidate drug for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Correlation between MMP-9 and MMP-9/ TIMPs Complex with Pulmonary Function in Sulfur Mustard Exposed Civilians: Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteinases and have the vigorous capacity to degrade all parts of the extracellular matrix. MMP enzymes strongly participate in physiological processes such as normal tissue remodeling and wound healing and in pathology of pulmonary diseases. They are released in response to environmental stimuli such as toxins and regulated by endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical toxic which can cause severe permanent damages to lung tissues. The aim of this study was assessing the possible role of MMP-9 and TIMPs in SM-induced lung symptoms and signs in exposed patients 20 years after exposure. METHODS: Totally, 372 male volunteers with a history of SM- exposure and 128 age- and sex-matched unexposed controls participated and were divided into three groups: normal, mild and moderate-severe. All participants underwent clinical evaluation and pulmonary function tests and serum concentrations of MMP-9 and its inhibitors were measured using the ELISA technique. RESULTS: Serum level of MMP-9 was increased in the SM exposed group who had moderate-severe pulmonary complications compared with the SM exposed with normal lung (2.321 ± 2.836 vs. 1.546 ± 2.176, P = 0.001) while only the MMP-9/TIMP-4 complex was elevated in the SM exposed with normal lung individuals compared to its corresponding control group (85 ± 265 vs. 82 ± 222, P = 0.025). Although MMP-9 and its inhibitors did not show any correlation with spirometry findings, elevated circulating MMP-9 was detected in SM exposed patients with chronic chough and hemoptysis (P = 0.013 and P = 0.013 respectively). CONCLUSION: High level of tissue disruption and remodeling mediators could influence lung structure in long-term after SM-exposure. The correlation of clinical evaluation with these factors efficiently helps us to identify important effectors.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel imidazopyrimidin-3-amines as anticancer agents.

Groebke-Blackburn-Bienayme reaction has been utilized for the synthesis of new imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine derivatives as novel anticancer agents. The cytotoxic activities of compounds were evaluated against human cancer cell lines including MCF-7, T-47D, and MDA-MB-231, compared with etoposide as the standard drug. Among the tested compounds, hydroxy- and/or methoxy-phenyl derivatives (6a-c and 6k) with IC50 values of 6.72-14.36 µm were more potent than etoposide against all cell lines. The acridine orange/ethidium bromide double staining and DNA fragmentation studies demonstrated that the cytotoxic effect of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl derivative 6c is associated with apoptosis in cancer cells.

Novel N-2-(Furyl)-2-(chlorobenzyloxyimino) Ethyl Piperazinyl Quinolones: Synthesis, Cytotoxic Evaluation and Structure-Activity Relationship.

Quinolone antibacterials are one of the most important classes of pharmacological agents known as potent inhibitors of bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV that efficiently inhibit DNA replication and transcription by generating several double-stranded DNA break. Some quinolone derivatives demonstrated inhibitory potential against eukaryote topoismarase II and substantial dose-dependent cytotoxic potential against some cancerous cells. In present study, synthesis and cytotoxic activity evaluation of new series of N-pipearzinyl quinolones containing N-2-(furyl-2 or 3-yl)-2-(chlorobenzyloxyimino) ethyl moiety 7a-i have been studied. Reaction of quinolone, with 2-bromo-1-(furan-2 or 3-yl)ethanone-O-substituted chlorobenzyloxime in DMF in presence of NaHCO3 at room temperature, gave the title compounds N-2-(furan-2 or 3-yl)-2-(chlorobenzyloxyiminoethyl) quinolone 7a-i. Synthesized compounds were further evaluated in-vitro against three human breast tumor cell lines. Preliminary screening indicated that compound 7 g demonstrated significant growth inhibitory potential against all evaluated cell lines. The results of structure-activity relationship study exhibited that quinolone derivatives are superior in cytotoxic potential compared to 1, 8-naphthyridone series. Furthermore, ethyl quinolone derivatives were more potent cytotoxic agents comparing with cyclopropyl quinolones.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-(trimethoxyphenyl)-2(3H)-thiazole thiones as combretastatin analogs.

A series of 3-(trimethoxyphenyl)-2(3H)-thiazole thiones 5 were designed as new heterocyclic analogs of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4). Indeed, the olefinic core structure of CA-4 has been replaced by 2(3H)-thiazole thione. The general synthetic strategy to prepare compounds 5 was based on the cyclocondensation reaction between triethylammonium N-(trimethoxyphenyl)dithiocarbamate and appropriate phenacyl halide. The cytotoxic activity evaluation of 3-(trimethoxyphenyl)-2(3H)-thiazole thiones 5 against human cancer cell lines T47D, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 demonstrated that 4-methyl analog 5f showed the highest activity against all cell lines. Compound 5f had no significant toxicity towards non-tumoral cells MRC-5 and its cytotoxicity was apparently selective for cancer cells. The results of bioassays showed that the representative compound 5f depolymerized tubulin, inhibited cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis in cancer cells.

New 5-(nitroheteroaryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazols containing acyclic amines at C-2: synthesis and SAR study for their antileishmanial activity.

A novel series of 5-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-and 5-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-amines bearing acyclic amine at C-2 position of thiadiazole ring were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania major. The structure-activity of series was investigated by studying 40 compounds. The most active derivatives were hydroxypropylamino- and methoxypropylamino- analogs of 5-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole (compounds 29 and 32, respectively) with highest selectivity index (SI >12).

Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxic activity of novel chalcone-like agents.

OBJECTIVE(S): Chalcones and their rigid analogues represent an important class of small molecules having anticancer activities. Therefore, in this study the synthesis and cytotoxic activity of new 3-benzylidenchroman-4-ones were described as rigid chalcone analogues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The reaction of resorcinol with 3-chloropropionic acid in the presence of CF3SO3H was afforded corresponding propiophenone. It was cyclized using 2M NaOH to give 7-hydroxy-4-chromanone. O-Alkylation of 7-hydroxy-4-chromanone with alkyl iodide in the presence of K2CO3 gave 7-alkoxychroman-4-one. Finally, condensation of chroman-4-one derivatives with different aldehydes afforded target compounds in good yields. The newly synthesized compounds were tested in vitro against different human cancer cell lines including K562 (human erythroleukemia), MDA-MB-231 (human breast cancer), and SK-N-MC (human neuroblastoma) cells. The cell viability was evaluated using MTT colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Most of the compounds showed good inhibitory activity against cancer cells. Among them, compound 4a containing 7-hydroxy group on chromanone ring and 3-bromo-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy substitution pattern on benzylidene moiety was the most potent compound with IC50 values ≤ 3.86 µg/ml. It was 6-17 times more potent than etoposide against tested cell lines. CONCLUSION: We described synthesis and cytotoxic activity of poly-functionalized 3-benzylidenechroman-4-ones as new chalcone-like agents. These compounds can be considered as conformationally constrained congeners of chalcones to tolerate the poly-functionalization on the core structures for further optimization.

2-Amino-4-(nitroalkyl)-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles as New Cytotoxic Agents.

A series of 2-amino-4-(nitroalkyl)-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles were synthesized by an efficient multicomponent reaction in aqueous media using DBU as a catalyst at room temperature. Mild condition, environment friendly procedure and excellent yields are the main advantages of this procedure. The cytotoxic activity of target compounds were evaluated against three cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and T47D in comparison with etoposide as reference drug. Generally, all compounds showed good cell growth inhibitory activity with IC(50) values less than 30 µg/mL. Their activities were comparable or more potent than standard drug etoposide. The 6-bromo- derivatives 7e and 7f showed promising cytotoxic activity with IC50 values in the range of 3.46-18.76 µg/mL, being more potent than etoposide against all tested cell lines.