Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts derived from thymol: synthesis, in silico studies and biological activity against Giardia lamblia.

Giardiasis is a neglected disease, and there is a need for new molecules with less side effects and better activity against resistant strains. This work describes the evaluation of the giardicidal activity of thymol derivatives produced from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. Thymol acrylate was reacted with different aromatic aldehydes, using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a catalyst. Eleven adducts (8 of them unpublished) with yields between 58 and 80% were obtained from this reaction, which were adequately characterized. The in silico prediction showed theoretical bioavailability after oral administration as well as antiparasitic activity against Giardia lamblia. Compound 4 showed better biological activity against G. lamblia. In addition to presenting antigiardial activity 24 times better than thymol, this MBHA was obtained in a short reaction time (3 h) with a yield (80%) superior to the other investigated molecules. The molecule was more active than the precursors (thymol and MBHA 12) and did not show cytotoxicity against HEK-293 or HT-29 cells. In conclusion, this study presents a new class of drugs with better antigiardial activity in relation to thymol, acting as a basis for the synthesis of new bioactive molecules. Molecular hybridization technique combined with the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction provided new thymol derivatives with giardicidal activity superior to the precursor molecules.

Synthesis, anti-proliferative activity, theoretical and 1H NMR experimental studies of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts from isatin derivatives.

Quaternary or spirocyclic 3-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-oxindole is considered a privileged scaffold. In other words, it is a molecular core present on several compounds with a wide spectrum of biological activities. Among its precursors, activated ketones (isatin nucleus) can be used as interesting starting points to Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts derivatives, a class of compounds with good cytotoxic potential. In this paper, we present the synthesis, anti-proliferative activity against lung cancer cell line and a theoretical conformational study of 21 of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts from isatin derivatives, by DFT quantum chemical calculations, followed by a SAR and QSAR analysis. Besides, an efficient synthetic protocol and good biological activity profile were highlighted interesting observations about 1H NMR experimental spectra, molecular modeling results and crystallographic data available.

The Role Ionic Liquid [BMIM][PF6] in One-Pot Synthesis of Tetrahydropyran Rings through Tandem Barbier-Prins Reaction.

Tetrahydropyran (THP) rings are common in several natural products, therefore, various strategies are being developed to synthesize these rings. The present work described the study of a one-pot synthesis of 2,4,6-trisubstituted tetrahydropyran compounds promoted by the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF6] through a Barbier-Prins reaction between allyl bromide and aldehydes. The use of [BMIM][PF6] gave Prins products from several aldehydes in good yields and reaction times. We also found that the anion, PF6-, accelerates the Barbier reaction when used alone, and the excess SnBr2 from the reaction conditions of the Barbier reaction leads to the formation of the THP rings, thus acting as a catalyst for Prins cyclization. Additionally, we demonstrate that ionic liquid can be recovered and reused five times in the preparation of 4-bromo-tetrahydro-2,6-diphenyl-2H-pyran without significant yield loss.

One-Electron Reduction Potentials: Calibration of Theoretical Protocols for Morita⁻Baylis⁻Hillman Nitroaromatic Compounds in Aprotic Media.

Nitroaromatic compounds-adducts of Morita⁻Baylis⁻Hillman (MBHA) reaction-have been applied in the treatment of malaria, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease. The biological activity of these compounds is directly related to chemical reactivity in the environment, chemical structure of the compound, and reduction of the nitro group. Because of the last aspect, electrochemical methods are used to simulate the pharmacological activity of nitroaromatic compounds. In particular, previous studies have shown a correlation between the one-electron reduction potentials in aprotic medium (estimated by cyclic voltammetry) and antileishmanial activities (measured by the IC50) for a series of twelve MBHA. In the present work, two different computational protocols were calibrated to simulate the reduction potentials for this series of molecules with the aim of supporting the molecular modeling of new pharmacological compounds from the prediction of their reduction potentials. The results showed that it was possible to predict the experimental reduction potential for the calibration set with mean absolute errors of less than 25 mV (about 0.6 kcal·mol-1).

Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts Display Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Modulating Inflammatory Mediator Expression in RAW264.7 Cells.

Inflammatory response plays an important role not only in the normal physiology but also in pathologies such as cancers. The Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) are a novel group of synthetic molecules that have demonstrated many biological activities against some parasitic cells such as Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania amazonensis, and Leishmania chagasi, and antimitotic activity against sea urchin embryonic cells was also related. However, little is known about the mechanisms induced by MBHA in inflammatory process and its relation with anticancer activity. The present work investigated the cytotoxicity of three MBHA derivatives (A2CN, A3CN, and A4CN), on human colorectal adenocarcinoma, HT-29 cells, and their anti-inflammatory activities were examined in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells, being these derivatives potentially cytotoxic to HT-29 cells. Coincubation with A2CN, A3CN, or A4CN and LPS in RAW264.7 cells inhibited NO production, as well as the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also repressed. The mRNA expressions of IL-1ß and IL-6 were significantly downregulated by such MBHA compounds in RAW264.7 cells, but only A2CN was able to inhibit the COX-2 gene expression. We also showed that MBHA compounds decreased almost to zero the production of IL-1ß and IL-6. These findings display that such MBHA compounds exhibit anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities.

Synthesis and activity of novel homodimers of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts against Leishmania donovani: A twin drug approach.

It is reported here the synthesis of novel Homodimers 12-19 of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) from one-pot Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction (MBHR) between aromatic aldehydes as eletrophiles and ethylene glycol diacrylate as Michael acceptor (35-94% yields) using cheap and green conditions. The bioactivities were evaluated against promastigote form of Leishmania donovani. All homodimers showed to be more potent than corresponding monomers. It is worth highlighting that the halogenated homodimers 17 and 18 (0.50µM) is almost 400 times more active than the corresponding monomer 10 and 1.24 times more potent than the second-line drug amphotericin B (0.62µM). Moreover, the selectivity index to 18 is very high (SIrb>400) far better than amphotericin B (SIrb=18.73). This is the first report of twin drugs strategy applied on Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts.

Trypanosoma cruzi cell death induced by the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adduct 3-Hydroxy-2-methylene-3-(4-nitrophenylpropanenitrile).

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a serious health concern due to the lack of effective vaccines or satisfactory treatment. In the search for new compounds against this neglected disease, we have previously demonstrated that the compound 3-Hydroxy-2-methylene-3-(4-nitrophenylpropanenitrile) (MBHA3), derived from the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction, effectively caused a loss of viability in both the epimastigote and trypomastigote forms. However, the mechanisms of parasite death elicited by MBHA3 remain unknown. The aim of this study was to better understand the morphophysiological changes and the mechanism of cell death induced by MBHA3 treatment on T. cruzi. To perform this analysis, we used confocal microscopy and flow cytometry to monitor the fluorescent probes such as annexin-V/propidium iodide (AV/PI), calcein-AM/ethidium homodimer (CA/EH), acridine orange (AO) and rhodamine 123 (Rho 123). Lower concentrations of MBHA3 led to alterations in the mitochondrial membrane potential and AO labeling, but did not decrease the viability of the epimastiogote forms, as determined by the CA/EH and AV/PI assays. Conversely, treatment with higher concentrations of MBHA3 led to extensive plasma membrane damage, loss of mitochondrion membrane potential, DNA fragmentation and acidification of the cytoplasm. Our findings suggest that at higher concentrations, MBHA3 induces T. cruzi epimastigote death by necrosis in a mitochondrion-dependent manner.

High analgesic and anti-inflammatory in vivo activities of six new hybrids NSAIAs tetrahydropyran derivatives.

We present in this article syntheses of six new hybrids compounds (4-9) that were efficiently prepared in one or two steps (70-84.6%) from our previous prototype (±)-cis-4-chloro-6-(naphthalen-1-yl)-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)methanol (3) and the NSAIAs: acetyl salicylic acid, indomethacin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. The acetic acid-induced writhing method is able to determine that all investigated new hybrids showed stronger antinociceptive properties (2- to 10-fold less ED50 values) than their precursors. The highest antinociceptive effect was observed for compound 9 showing more than 10-fold less ED50 values than diclofenac and ninefold less ED50 value than compound 2. All compounds presented greater activity than the control group in the tail-flick test confirming the central antinociceptive effect. New hybrids did not alter the motor performance of mice by rota-rod performance and open-field tests. Investigated compounds 4-9 were not toxic after oral administration (LD50 >2000mg/kg).

The antinociceptive properties of the novel compound (±)-trans-4-hydroxy-6-propyl-1-oxocyclohexan-2-one in acute pain in mice.

The compound (±)-trans-4-hydroxy-6-propyl-1-oxocyclohexan-2-one [(±)-δ-lactone] was isolated from the plant Vitex cymosa Bertero, and determined to be the active principle. The present study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of (±)-δ-lactone and to elucidate its mechanism of action. Mice were subjected to in-vivo models of acute pain (acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests) and the open-field test. (±)-δ-Lactone, administered orally (6-900 µmol/kg), exerted a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin and hot-plate tests. (±)-δ-Lactone administered by the intrathecal (i.t.) and subplantar (s.p.) routes (10-600 nmol) exerted concentration-dependent antinociceptive effects in the formalin test, showing its spinal and peripheral activity, respectively. In the hot-plate test, (±)-δ-lactone was also active when administered i.t., confirming its spinal effect. The previous intraperitoneal (i.p.) application of naloxone, yohimbine, mecamylamine or glibenclamide did not alter the effect produced by the i.t. administration of (±)-δ-lactone, whereas the previous application of atropine and L-arginine significantly reduced its effects in the formalin and hot-plate tests. The previous i.p. application of L-NAME enhanced the antinociceptive effect of the i.t. administration of (±)-δ-lactone in the formalin and hot-plate tests. The previous i.p. application of L-NAME and L-arginine increased and decreased, respectively, the activity of (±)-δ-lactone administered by s.p. administration. These results indicate that (±)-δ-lactone has significant spinal and peripheral antinociceptive activity, and that its effects are at least partially mediated by a reduced nitric oxide production/release, most likely through mechanisms involving the cholinergic system.

Design, Prins-cyclization reaction promoting diastereoselective synthesis of 10 new tetrahydropyran derivatives and in vivo antinociceptive evaluations.

We described in this article the very efficient 2,6-cis ou 2,4,6-cis diastereoselective synthesis (2 or 3 steps, 62-65% global yields) from Prins-cyclization reaction as synthetic key-step to tetrahydropyran rings construction of 10 new congeners compounds (3-12) designed from Naproxen structure. These tetrahydropyran derivatives were in vivo bioevaluated on antinociceptive effect in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test, the tail-flick test, the rota-rod performance and open field tests. All new compounds showed greater antinociceptive activity compared to compound 1a, an analgesic tetrahydropyran derivative previously described by us. We can detach the high activity of tetrahydropyran derivative 10 which presented 87.5% inhibition (14% inhibition was presented by 1a) in the acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing test. Besides that the tail-flick tests indicate compounds 7 and 10 as the most actives. All these new compounds showed no toxicity in mice in all biologically studied models.

Antimitotic activity on sea urchin embryonic cells of seven antiparasitic Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts: a potential new class of anticancer drugs.

In the present work we described improvements in the 1-7 antiparasitic Morita-Baylis-Hillman Adducts synthesis and their antimitotic activity on sea urchin embryonic cells. The 2-[Hydroxy(2-nitrophenyl)methyl]acrylonitrile (1) and 2-[Hydroxy(4-bromophenyl) methyl]acrylonitrile (4) were the most effective compounds to block the progression to embryonic morula stage (EC(50) = 75.8 µM and 72.6 µM, respectively). Compounds 1 and 4 were also effective in blocking the first cell division but to a lesser extent. The 2-[Hydroxy(pyridin-4-yl)methyl]acrylonitrile (7) exhibited a strong inhibition of cell divisions and progression to the first cleavage and morula stage. Fluorescent dye extrusion assay suggests that these adducts are not ABC protein substrates, which confers an additional interest in these new class of potential anticancer drugs.

Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts: biological activities and potentialities to the discovery of new cheaper drugs.

This review aims to present by the first time the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) as a new class of bioactive compounds and highlight its potentialities to the discovery of new cheaper and efficient drugs. Now, most these compounds can be prepared fast and on a single synthetic step (one-pot reaction) in high yields and using ecofriendly synthetic protocols. We highlight here the aromatic MBHA, which have shown diverse biological activities as anti-Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania amazonensis (parasites that cause cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis), anti-Trypanosoma cruzi (parasite that cause Chagas disease), anti-Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei (parasites that cause malaria), lethal against Biomphalaria glabrata (the snail transmitter of schistosomiasis), antibacterial, antifungal, herbicide and actives against some human tumor cell lines. Understanding of the biological mechanisms of action of this new class of molecules is still in the infancy stage. However, we report here which has been described to date on the possibilities of biological mechanisms of action, and we present new analyzes based on literature in this area. The academic and industrial interest in selecting green and cheaper experiments to the drugs development has been the prime mover of the growth on the subject.

Synthesis, evaluation against Leishmania amazonensis and cytotoxicity assays in macrophages of sixteen new congeners Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts.

We report the design, synthesis, in vitro evaluation against Leishmania amazonensis (IC(50)), cytotoxicity assays in macrophages (CC(50)), and selectivity index (SICC(50)/IC(50)) of sixteen new congeners aromatic Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts 1-16. The 1-16 were prepared in good to excellent yields (58%-97%) from the "one pot" Morita-Baylis-Hillman Reaction between the aldehydes 29-36 and the acrylates 27 or 28 under DABCO as promoter. The MBHA 2-[Hydroxy(2-nitrophenyl)propyl] propanoate (1, IC(50) = 7.52 µg/mL or 28.38 µM; CC(50) = 35.77 µg/mL or 134.98 µM; SI = 4.75) and 2-[Hydroxy(2-nitrophenyl)hydroxyethyl] propanoate (9, IC(50) = 5.48 µg/mL or 20.52 µM; CC(50) = 29.81 µg/mL or 111.64c µM and, SI = 5.43) were the most effective and safe evaluated compounds.

Design, synthesis and antileishmanial in vitro activity of new series of chalcones-like compounds: a molecular hybridization approach.

The chalcone-like series 1a-1g was efficiently synthesized from Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction (52-74% yields). Compounds 1a-1g were designed by molecular hybridization based on the anti-inflammatory drug methyl salicylate (3) and the antileishmanial moiety of the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts 2a-2g. The 1a-1g compounds were much more actives than precursor series 2a-2g, for example, IC(50)=7.65 µM on Leishmania amazonensis and 10.14 µM on Leishmania chagasi (compound 1c) when compared to IC(50)=50.08 µM on L. amazonensis and 82.29 µM on L. chagasi (compound 2c). The IC(50) values of compound 3 (228.49 µM on L. amazonensis and 261.45 µM on L. chagasi) and acryloyl salicylate 4 (108.50 µM on L. amazonensis and 118.83 µM on L. chagasi) were determined here, by the first time, on Leishmania.

Antinociceptive activity of (-)-(2S,6S)-(6-ethyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-formic acid on acute pain in mice.

Pain is a major cause of distress, both physical and psychological. There is a continuous search for new pharmacologically active analgesic agents with minor adverse effects. Recently, the synthesis of (-)-(2S,6S)-(6-ethyl-tetrahydropyran-2-yl)-formic acid [tetrahydropyran derivative (TD)] was described. The objective of this study was to investigate antinociceptive effects of TD. Its activity was compared with the activity of morphine. The effects of TD and morphine were evaluated in models of inflammatory and noninflammatory pain. TD (6-1200 µmol/kg, intraperitoneally) significantly reduced the nociceptive effects induced by acetic acid or formalin in mice. TD also demonstrated an antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick and hot-plate model. The opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (at 15 µmol/kg, intraperitoneally), reversed the antinociceptive activity of TD in all the models evaluated. Morphine and TD induced tolerance in mice. However, the onset of tolerance to TD was delayed compared with that induced by morphine. These results indicate that TD develops significant antinociceptive activity and, at least part of its effects seems to be mediated by the opioid system.

Efficient synthesis of 16 aromatic Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts: Biological evaluation on Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi.

Sixteen aromatic Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBHA) 1-16 were efficiently synthesized in a one step Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction (MBHR) involving commercial aldehydes with methyl acrylate or acrylonitrile (81-100% yields) without the formation of side products on DABCO catalysis and at low temperature (0°C). The toxicities of these compounds were assessed against promastigote form of Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania chagasi. The low synthetic cost of these MBHA, green synthetic protocols, easy one-step synthesis from commercially available and cheap reagents as well as the very good antileishmanial activity obtained for 14 and 16 (IC50 values of 6.88µgmL⁻¹ and 11.06µgmL⁻¹ respectively on L. amazonensis; 9.58µgmL⁻¹ and 14.34µgmL⁻¹ respectively on L. chagasi) indicates that these MBHA can be a novel and promising class of anti-parasitic compounds.

3-Hydroxy-2-methylene-3-(4-nitrophenylpropanenitrile): A new highly active compound against epimastigote and trypomastigote form of Trypanosoma cruzi.

We have synthesized the Morita-Baylis-Hillman adduct (MBHA) 3-hydroxy-2-methylene-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-propanenitrile (3) in quantitative yield and evaluated on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote and bloodstream trypomastigote forms. Compound 3 strongly inhibited epimastigote growth, with IC(50)/72hof 28.5 microM and also caused intense trypomastigotes lysis, with an IC(50)/24h of 25.5 microM. Ultrastructural analysis showed significant morphological changes on both parasite forms treated with 3, including increase of cell volume and rounding of cell body as well as intense intracellular disorganization. Morphological changes indicative of apoptosis, autophagy or necrosis were observed in most affected cells. Docking calculations of 1, 2 and 3 pointed out the possibility of T. cruzi Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase (TcFPPS) enzyme inhibition in 3 mechanism of action.

Improved synthesis of seven aromatic Baylis-Hillman adducts (BHA): evaluation against Artemia salina Leach. and Leishmania chagasi.

We described a very efficient procedure to prepare seven aromatic compounds (1-7), a new class of antileishmanial substances, through Baylis-Hillman reaction (BHR). With one, all the Baylis-Hillman adducts were prepared in quantitative yields by reaction of the corresponding aromatic aldehydes in acrylonitrile at 0 degrees C in only 10-40min reaction time. We present our results about the toxicities of these compounds evaluated on the microcrustaceous Artemia salina Leach. and against promastigote Leishmania chagasi. All substances evaluated in this work have showed high bioactivity. The 3-hydroxy-2-methylene-3-(4-bromopheny)propanenitrile (4) (LC(50)=30.9 microg/mL on A. salina; IC(50)=25.2 microM on L. chagasi) was the most active compound evaluated on A. salina Leach. and on promastigote L. chagasi. The 2-[hydroxy(pyridin-4-yl)methyl]acrylonitrile (7) (LC(50)=30.9 microg/mL on A. salina Leach.; IC(50)=4.8 microg/mL on L. chagasi) was also a very active substance evaluated in this work on promastigote L. chagasi.