Indolin-2-one compounds targeting thioredoxin reductase as potential anticancer drug leads.

Several compounds bearing the indolinone chemical scaffold are known to possess anticancer properties. For example, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib is an arylideneindolin-2-one compound. The chemical versatility associated with structural modifications of indolinone compounds underlies the potential to discover additional derivatives possessing anticancer properties. Previously synthesized 3-(2-oxoethylidene)indolin-2-one compounds, also known as supercinnamaldehyde (SCA) compounds in reference to the parent compound 1 [1-methyl-3(2-oxopropylidene)indolin-2-one], bear a nitrogen-linked α,ß-unsaturated carbonyl (Michael acceptor) moiety. Here we found that analogs bearing N-substituents, in particular compound 4 and 5 carrying an N-butyl and N-benzyl substituent, respectively, were strongly cytotoxic towards human HCT 116 colorectal and MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. These compounds also displayed strong thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) inhibitory activity that was likely attributed to the electrophilicity of the Michael acceptor moiety. Their selectivity towards cellular TrxR inhibition over related antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), thioredoxin (Trx) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was mediated through targeting of the selenocysteine (Sec) residue in the highly accessible C-terminal active site of TrxR. TrxR inhibition mediated by indolin-2-one compounds led to cellular Trx oxidation, increased oxidative stress and activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1). These events also led to activation of p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways, and cell death with apoptotic features of PARP cleavage and caspase 3 activation. In conclusion, these results suggest that indolin-2-one-based compounds specifically targeting TrxR may serve as novel drug leads for anticancer therapy.

3-(2-oxoethylidene)indolin-2-one derivatives activate Nrf2 and inhibit NF-κB: potential candidates for chemoprevention.

Induction of cytoprotective phase 2 enzymes through inhibition of Keap1, a repressor of transcription factor Nrf2, is a cancer-prevention strategy. Compounds that elicit antiinflammatory and cytoprotective effects are promising candidates for chemoprevention. Novel analogues of 1-methyl-3-(2-oxopropylidene)indolin-2-one ('supercinnamaldehyde'; SCA) were synthesized, and their abilities to induce cytoprotective responses through Nrf2 induction and to suppress inflammatory responses were examined. 1-Methyl-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethylidene)indolin-2-one (6) was identified as the lead compound. The compounds showed induction of Nrf2-dependent phase 2 enzymes in Keap1+/+ mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), which was abrogated in Keap1-/- MEFs. The compounds also displayed a suppressive effect on NF-κB signaling that was at least partly responsible for inhibition of lipopolysaccharideinduced inflammatory responses. These SCA analogues exhibited cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities and may be developed further as chemopreventive agents.

Pyridylmethylthio derivatives as VEGF inhibitors: part 2.

Optimization of compounds 5 and 6 led to the discovery of VEGF inhibitor 10g which reduced CYP inhibition. It was highly active in vitro (VEGF induced HUVEC proliferation assay) and showed efficacies in three disease models in vivo (cancer, RA, and AMD).

Pyridylmethylthio derivatives as VEGF inhibitors. Part 1.

Optimization from compound 4a, having intramolecular S-O nonbonded interaction, led to discover compounds 4m and 4n. They were highly active in vitro (VEGF induced HUVEC proliferation assay) and showed efficacies in three disease models in vivo (cancer, RA, AMD).

Conformation-activity relationship on novel 4-pyridylmethylthio derivatives with antiangiogenic activity.

We found 4-pyridylmethylthio derivative 1 to be very effective in using antiangiogenesis activity to prevent proliferation of HUVECs (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells), which was induced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Compound 1 was equally effective in inhibiting VEGF receptor2 tyrosine kinase (KDR, IC(50)=26nM). We deduced that the inhibition was the result of binding the catalytic domain of VEGF receptor2 tyrosine kinase in a similar fashion to both phthalazine derivative PTK787 2 and anthranylamide derivative AAL993 3. In this report, we will describe the conformational analyses, from ab initio MO calculation and X-ray crystallographic analyses, of compound 1 and the analogs, which include non-active 9, all in comparison with 2 and 3. The conformation-activity relationships suggest that a nonbonded intramolecular interaction between the sulfur and the carbonyl oxygen of 1 was very important in inhibiting KDR.

Effects of the new ethacrynic acid oxime derivative SA12590 on intraocular pressure in cats and monkeys.

To evaluate the pharmacological characteristics of SA12590, a new oxime-derivative of the ethacrynic acid (ECA) derivative SA9000, we examined both its ocular hypotensive effects (in ocular normotensive cats and cynomolgus monkeys) and its potential corneal toxicity (in rats). A 50 microl topical administration of 3% SA12590 significantly reduced intraocular pressure (IOP) (by 3.5 mmHg) in anesthetized cats (p<0.05). Twenty-four hours after 3 drops (5-min intervals) of 20 microl 3% SA12590, IOP was reduced by 8 mmHg (p<0.05, n=4) in conscious monkeys without evidence of corneal toxicity. Three days' daily single 20 microl dosing with 3% SA12590 reduced IOP by 4 mmHg (p<0.01, n=3) at 72 h after the first administration in conscious monkeys. The toxicity of topically administered 20 microl 3% SA9000 or SA12590 (3 drops with 5-min intervals) on rat corneal epithelium was assessed using a photo-slit lamp. In this study, 3% SA12590, unlike 3% SA9000, exhibited no corneal toxicity. In a glutathione assay for sulfhydryl (SH) reactivity, SA12590, unlike SA9000, displayed no in vitro SH reactivity. Thus, oxime-modification may both improve efficacy towards IOP upon topical administration and improve the safety profile, probably by enhancing corneal penetration and minimizing SH reactivity-related toxicity. These findings indicate that SA12590 has potential as a new ocular hypotensive drug.