SP-8356, a (1S)-(-)-Verbenone Derivative,Inhibits the Growth and Motility of Liver Cancer Cells by Regulating NF-κB and ERK Signaling

Liver cancer is a common tumor and currently the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. Liver cancer is highly related to inflammation as more than 90% of liver cancer arises in the context of hepatic inflammation, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection. Despite significant improvements in the therapeutic modalities for liver cancer, patient prognosis is not satisfactory due to the limited efficacy of current drug therapies in anti-metastatic activity. Therefore, developing new effective anti-cancer agents with anti-metastatic activity is important for the treatment of liver cancer. In this study, SP-8356, a verbenone derivative with anti-inflammatory activity, was investigated for its effect on the growth and migration of liver cancer cells. Our findings demonstrated that SP-8356 inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cells by inducing apoptosis and suppressing the mobility and invasion ability of liver cancer cells. Functional studies revealed that SP-8356 inhibits the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways, which are related to cell proliferation and metastasis, resulting in the downregulation of metastasis-related genes. Moreover, using an orthotopic liver cancer model, tumor growth was significantly decreased following treatment with SP-8356. Thus, this study suggests that SP-8356 may be a potential agent for the treatment of liver cancer with multimodal regulation.     

Multiple anti-inflammatory pathways triggered by resveratrol lead to amelioration of staphylococcal enterotoxin B-induced lung injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Inhalation of the superantigen,staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), leads to the activation of the host T and invariant natural killer (iNK) T cells, thereby resulting in acute lung inflammation and respiratory failure but the underlying mechanism(s) of disease remain elusive, with limited treatment options. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effectiveness of resveratrol, a plant polyphenol, during SEB-induced lung inflammation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

C57BL/6 mice were exposed to SEB (50 µg·per mouse), administered intranasally, and were treated with resveratrol (100 mg·kg⁻¹) before or after SEB exposure. Lung injury was studied by measuring vascular permeability, histopathological examination, nature of infiltrating cells, inflammatory cytokine induction in the bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF), apoptosis in SEB-activated T cells and regulation of SIRT1 and NF-κB signalling pathways.

KEY RESULTS

Pretreatment and post-treatment with resveratrol significantly reduced SEB-induced pulmonary vascular permeability, and inflammation. Resveratrol significantly reduced lung infiltrating cells and attenuated the cytokine storm in SEB-exposed mice, which correlated with increased caspase-8-dependent apoptosis in SEB-activated T cells. Resveratrol treatment also markedly up-regulated Cd11b+ and Gr1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that inhibited SEB-mediated T cell activation in vitro. In addition, resveratrol treatment was accompanied by up-regulation of SIRT1 and down-regulation of NF-κB in the inflammatory cells of the lungs.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The current study demonstrates that resveratrol may constitute a novel therapeutic modality to prevent and treat SEB-induced lung inflammation inasmuch because it acts through several pathways to reduce pulmonary inflammation.     

Anti-arthritis effects of (E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)- 2-butenal are mediated by inhibition of the STAT3 pathway

Background and Purpose

Products of Maillard reactions between aminoacids and reducing sugars are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Here we have assessed the anti-arthritis effects of (E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal and its possible mechanisms of action.

Experimental Approach

We used cultures of LPS-activated macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) and human synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis for in vitro assays and the collagen-induced arthritis model in mice. NO generation, iNOS and COX2 expression, and NF-κB/IKK and STAT3 activities were measured in vitro and in joint tissues of arthritic mice, along with clinical scores and histopathological assessments. Binding of (E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal to STAT3 was evaluated by a pull-down assay and its binding site was predicted using molecular docking studies with Autodock VINA.

Key Results

(E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal (2.5–10 μg·mL⁻¹) inhibited LPS-inducedNO generation, iNOS and COX2 expression, and NF-κB/IKK and STAT3 activities in macrophage and human synoviocytes. This compound also suppressedcollagen-induced arthritic responses in mice by inhibiting expression of iNOS and COX2, and NF-κB/IKK and STAT3 activities; it also reduced bone destruction and fibrosis in joint tissues. A pull-down assay showed that (E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal interfered with binding of ATP to STAT3. Docking studies suggested that (E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal bound to the DNA-binding interface of STAT3 possibly inhibiting ATP binding to STAT3 in an allosteric manner.

Conclusions and Implications

(E)-2,4-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butenal exerted anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects through inhibition of the NF-κB/STAT3 pathway by direct binding to STAT3. This compound could be a useful agent for the treatment of arthritic disease.     

Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant properties of novel 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl) benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(2-arylmethylene amino) acetamides and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl) benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(4-oxo-2-aryl-thiazolidine-3-yl) acetamides-I

Our approach was to synthesize and examine the antioxidant properties of some new 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(2-arylmethyleneamino) acetamide (1-18) and 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)benzimidazole-1-yl]-N-(4-oxo-2-aryl-thiazolidine-3-yl)acetamide (1t-18t) derivatives. Their in vitro effects on rat liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation levels (LP assay) and microsomal ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities (EROD assay) were determined. The free radical scavenging properties of the compounds were also examined in vitro determining the interaction of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical. The compounds showed significant effects in the above tests.     

Inhibitory effects of rosiglitazone on paraquat-induced acute lung injury in rats

Aim:

To investigate the effects of the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone on acute lung injury induced by the herbicide paraquat (PQ) and the underlying mechanisms of action.

Methods:

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with PQ (20 mg/kg, ip). Rosiglitazone (3 or 10 mg/kg, ip) was administered 1 h before PQ exposure. Peripheral blood was collected at 4, 8, 24 and 72 h after PQ exposure for measuring the levels of MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β, and the SOD activity. Lung tissues were collected at 72 h after PQ exposure to determine the wet-to-dry (W/D) ratios and lung injury scores, as well as the protein levels of NF-κBp65, PPAR-γ, Nrf2, IκBα and pIκBα.

Results:

At 72 h after PQ exposure, the untreated rats showed a 100% cumulative mortality, whereas no death was observed in rosiglitazone-pretreated rats. Moreover, rosiglitazone pretreatment dose-dependently attenuated PQ-induced lung edema and lung histopathological changes. The pretreatment significantly reduced the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and MDA, increased SOD activity in the peripheral blood of PQ-treated rats. The pretreatment also efficiently activated PPAR-γ, induced Nrf2 expression and inhibited NF-κB activation in the lung tissues of PQ-treated rats. Furthermore, the pretreatment dose-dependently inhibited IκB-α degradation and phosphorylation, thus inhibiting NF-κB activation.

Conclusion:

Pretreatment with rosiglitazone protects rats against PQ-induced acute lung injury by activating PPAR-γ, inducing Nrf2 expression and inhibiting NF-κB activation.     

SB-616234-A (1-[6-(cis-3,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-2,3-dihydro-5-methoxyindol-1-yl]-1-[2'methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2,3-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methanone hydrochloride): a novel, potent and selective 5-HT1B receptor antagonist

SB-616234-A possesses high affinity for human 5-HT_1B receptors stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (pK_i 8.3 ± 0.2), and is over 100-fold selective for a range of molecular targets except h5-HT_1D receptors (pK_i 6.6 ± 0.1). Similarly, affinity (pK_i) for rat and guinea pig striatal 5-HT_1B receptors is 9.2 ± 0.1. In [³⁵S]-GTPγS binding studies in the human recombinant cell line, SB-616234-A acted as a high affinity antagonist with a pA₂ value of 8.6 ± 0.2 whilst providing no evidence of agonist activity in this system. In [³⁵S]-GTPγS binding studies in rat striatal membranes, SB-616234-A acted as a high affinity antagonist with an apparent pK_B of 8.4 ± 0.5, again whilst providing no evidence of agonist activity in this system. SB-616234-A (1 μM) potentiated electrically stimulated [³H]-5-HT release from guinea pig and rat cortical slices (S₂/S₁ ratios of 1.8 and 1.6, respectively). SB-616234-A (0.3–30 mg kg⁻¹ p.o.) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of ex vivo [³H]-GR125743 binding to rat striatal 5-HT_1B receptors with an ED₅₀ of 2.83 ± 0.39 mg kg⁻¹ p.o. Taken together these data suggest that SB-616234-A is a potent and selective 5-HT_1B autoreceptor antagonist that occupies central 5-HT_1B receptors in vivo following oral administration.     

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 4-[2-hydroxy-3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propoxy]-4-azatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione

The synthesis and pharmacological activity of 4-[2-hydroxy-3-(4-phenyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propoxy]-4-aza-tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione is described. The structure of the compound was confirmed by elemental analysis, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ¹³C NMR, mass spectra, and X-ray crystallography. The compound exhibited significant affinity to both 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A receptors, similarly to aripiprazole, which is an atypical antipsychotic drug.     

Antiallergic effects of 4-[2-oxo-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2H-chromen-8-yloxy]-bu tyric acid

Antiallergic effects of 4-[2-oxo-3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2H-chromen-8-yloxy]-buty ric acid (C4C) were studied. C4C is an active principal metabolite of an orally effective antiallergic agent, KP-136. C4C (0.2-1 mg/kg, i.v.) markedly inhibited the mast cell-mediated homologous PCA of rats and the experimental allergic asthma of rats and guinea pigs, although it had almost no effects on heterologous PCA and compound 48/80-induced cutaneous response in rats. C4C (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.) was scarcely effective on cutaneous responses induced by intradermal injection of histamine and serotonin which are principal chemical mediators of rat homologous PCA, and it blocked the decrease of skin histamine content after the PCA. In addition, C4C (0.01-0.5 micrograms/ml) inhibited the increase of 45Ca uptake of mast cells, the histamine release and the degranulation induced by the antigen-antibody interaction. These effects of C4C were much the same as those of KP-136. From the above findings, C4C is considered to be an antiallergic agent that inhibits the mast cell activation by blocking the calcium influx, and it shares similar pharmacological properties with KP-136.     

Synthesis and morphine enhancement activity of N-[5-(2-phenoxyphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2-yl]-N'-phenylurea derivatives

The synthesis of N-[5-(2-phenoxyphenyl)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazole-2-yl]-N'-phenylurea derivatives is reported. The structures of these compounds are supported by their IR, (1)H-NMR and mass spectra. Conformational analysis and superimposition of energy minima conformers of these compounds on L-365, 260, a known 3-ureido-1, 4-benzodiazepine CCK-B antagonist, showed that the aromatic rings fell in the same contour. Morphine analgesia enhancement evaluation of the synthesized compounds in comparison with a control group showed that compounds 8a, 8c, 8h-8j, 8l, 8o have significant effects.     

1-(3-(9H-Carbazol-9-yl)-1-propyl)-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-piperidinol,a novel subtype selective inhibitor of the mouse type II GABA-transporter

The selectivity of new derivatives of the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-uptake inhibitor, tiagabine was characterized at the four cloned mouse GABA transporters (mGAT1 through mGAT4) by measuring [³H]-GABA uptake into stably transfected baby hamster kidney cells. While tiagabine is a highly selective inhibitor of mGAT1 (K_i=0.11±0.02 μM), these derivatives exhibited low potencies at mGAT1 but differential activities at mGAT2, mGAT3 and mGAT4. In particular, 1-(3-(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-1-propyl)-4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-piperidinol (NNC 05-2090) was a potent inhibitor of mGAT2 (K_i=1.4±0.3 μM) showing at least 10 fold selectivity over mGAT1, mGAT3 and mGAT4. NNC 05-2090 is the first subtype selective inhibitor of mGAT2 and may represent a novel useful tool for investigating the physiological roles of GAT2 in the brain and periphery.     

Synthesis, characterization, and pharmacological evaluation of 1-[2-(6-nitro-4-oxo-2-phenyl-4H-quinazolin-3-yl)-ethyl]-3-phenyl ureas

In the present communication, a series based on 1-[2-(6-nitro-4-oxo-2-phenyl-4H-quinazolin-3-yl)-ethyl]-3-phenyl-urea have been synthesized by an efficient synthetic protocol. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, ESI Mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the compounds were studied against selected strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 11774, and Candida albicans ATCC 66027) by using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion technique and broth dilution technique. All the synthesized compounds showed good antifungal potency against strain C. albicans.     

Synthesis, Analgesic, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of [6-(3,5-Dimethyl-4-Chloropyrazole-1-yl)-3(2H)-Pyridazinon-2-yl]Acetamides

A series of structurally diverse amide derivatives of [6-(3,5-dimethyl-4-chloro-pyrazole-1-yl)-3(2H)-pyridazinone-2-yl]acetic acid were prepared and tested for their in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity by using p-benzoquinone-induced writhing test and carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model, respectively. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the compounds, 7c, 7d and 7k were found to be equipotent to aspirin (as an analgesic) and indometacin (as an anti-inflammatory drug), respectively. The other amide derivatives generally resulted in lower activity on comparision with reference compounds.     

Synthesis of deuterium-labeled CCR2 antagonist JNJ-26131300, [4-(1H-indol- 3-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid

Synthesis of multiple deuterium-labeled CCR2 antagonist JNJ-26131300, that is, [4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid, is described. First, condensation of indole-D₇ with 4-piperidone produced 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole-D₅, which subsequently underwent catalytic hydrogenation to give 3-piperidin-4-yl-1H-indole-D₅. Next, bromo-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid was prepared through multiple steps from 3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acrylic acid and bromo-piperidin-4-yl-acetic acid ethyl ester. Nucleophilic coupling of 3-piperidin-4-yl-1H-indole-D₅ with bromo-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid afforded the desired compound [4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-piperidin-1-yl]-{1-[3-(3,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-acryloyl]-piperidin-4-yl}-acetic acid-D₅.     

4-［2-(2-氨基-4，7-二氢-4-氧-1H-吡咯［2，3-d］嘧啶-5-基)乙基］苯甲酸的中试生产

目的:研究培美曲塞二钠的关键中间体4-[2-(2-氨基-4,7-二氢-4-氧-1H-吡咯[2,3-d]嘧啶-5-基)乙基]苯甲酸的放大生产.方法: 以对碘苯甲酸甲酯为起始原料,经缩合、溴代、环合、水解等反应得到制备培美曲塞二钠的关键中间体.结果:总收率约36.8%,本方法操作简单,收率稳定,适合工业化生产.     

Synthesis,Properties and Structure of 1-Acetyl-6-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]imidazole-3,5-dione

Cyclization of N-[5-(4-chlorobenzylidene]-4-oxo-2-imidazolidinyl]glycine ( 4 ) in acetic acid anhydride yielded 1-acetyl-6-(4-chlorobenzylidene)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-b]imidazole-3,5-dione ( 5 ). The structure of 5 was ascribed on basis of its MS, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR properties. The crystal structure of 5 was solved by X-ray analysis. On the basis of semiempirical quantum chemistry calculations (PM3 method) the thermodynamic stability of theoretically possible cyclization products was determined. These data allow to predict the direction of cyclization. The stability and the reactivity of 5 toward nucleophilic attack were examined.     

含哌嗪环的三唑醇类化合物的合成及体外抗真菌活性

目的设计合成含哌嗪环侧链的三唑醇类化合物并研究其体外抗真菌活性。方法以2-氯-2′,4′-二氟苯乙酮为起始原料经多步反应合成目标化合物，化合物结构经IR、^1H-NMR谱确证；选择8种真菌为实验菌株，按国际标准抗真菌敏感性实验方法测定体外抑菌活性。结果设计合成了11个新化合物。所有目标化合物对8种真菌均具有一定的抑制作用。结论多个目标化合物的抗真菌活性明显高于阳性对照药氟康唑，其中化合物11具有广谱、高活性的优点，其体外抗真菌活性与对照药伊曲康唑相当，有进一步研究开发的价值。     

Pharmacological properties of a novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor agonist, 2-(3,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)piperidin-4-yl]-1H-benzimidazole, with anxiolytic potential

We have characterized the pharmacological properties of the novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (NOP receptor) agonist, 2-(3,5-dimethylpiperazin-1-yl)-1-[1-(1-methylcyclooctyl)piperidin-4-yl]-1H-benzimidazole (PCPB). PCPB bound to the NOP receptor in mouse brain membranes (Ki=0.12 nM) and to recombinant human NOP receptor (Ki=2.1 nM). PCPB showed full agonism for the NOP receptor in isolated mouse vas deferens with a maximal effect and high potency that were similar to the pharmacological profile observed for nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) (pD(2): 6.9+/-0.2; 95+/-2% activity). Orally administered PCPB (30 mg/kg) penetrated well into the brains of the mice. PCPB exhibited an anxiolytic activity in mice subjected to the Vogel conflict test that was comparable to the maximal response induced by diazepam, a representative anxiolytic agent. The anxiolytic effect of PCPB was dose-dependently blocked by the NOP receptor antagonist, J-113397, demonstrating that this effect was mediated by the NOP receptor agonist activity. Behavioral studies in mice also showed that PCPB prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time but did not cause muscle relaxation at the oral anxiolytic dose of 30 mg/kg. Unlike diazepam, however, these central effects of PCPB were weak. Our results indicate that PCPB is a potent anxiolytic agent with agonistic activities for the NOP receptor.     

2-[(吡啶-4-基)甲基氨基]-N-[4-(三氟甲基)苯基]苯甲酰胺的合成工艺研究

目的合成2-[(吡啶-4-基)甲基氨基]-N-[4-(三氟甲基)苯基]苯甲酰胺(Ⅰ)。方法以邻硝基苯甲酸为起始原料,经氯代、氨解、水合肼还原、缩合、硼氢化钠还原共5步反应合成得到目标化合物Ⅰ。结果与结论经5步反应合成了目标化合物Ⅰ,其结构经核磁共振氢谱、质谱确证。改进后的合成工艺反应条件温和,操作简便,收率可达54.5%。     

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of some 3-(substituted phenacyl)-5-[4'-(4H-4-oxo-1-benzopyran-2-yl)-benzylidene]-2,4- thiazolidinediones.

Synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial activity of some 3-(substituted phenacyl)-5-[4'(4H-4-oxo-1-benzopyran-2-yl)-benzylidene]-2-4- thiazolidinedione derivatives are described. These products were synthesized by the Knoevenagel reaction from 4'-flavone carboxaldehyde and 3-substituted phenacyl-2,4-thiazolidinediones.