We synthesized 3-aroyl-1-arylpyrrole (ARAP) derivatives as potential anticancer agents having different substituents at the pendant 1-phenyl ring. Both the 1-phenyl ring and ...3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)carbonyl moieties were mandatory to achieve potent inhibition of tubulin polymerization, binding of colchicine to tubulin, and cancer cell growth. ARAP 22 showed strong inhibition of the P-glycoprotein-overexpressing NCI-ADR-RES and Messa/Dx5MDR cell lines. Compounds 22 and 27 suppressed in vitro the Hedgehog signaling pathway, strongly reducing luciferase activity in SAG treated NIH3T3 Shh-Light II cells, and inhibited the growth of medulloblastoma D283 cells at nanomolar concentrations. ARAPs 22 and 27 represent a new potent class of tubulin polymerization and cancer cell growth inhibitors with the potential to inhibit the Hedgehog signaling pathway.
The crucial role played by microtubules in the life of eukaryotic cell makes tubulin an important route for the anticancer therapy. The Arylthioindoles (ATIs) along with the corresponding ketone and ...methylene compounds are potent tubulin assembly inhibitors. We are here reporting the result of a series of docking and molecular dynamics experiments on this series of compounds. The results obtained from our
in silico studies not only provided us with an insight on the nature of the binding of the ATIs to tubulin, but were also at the core of the design of a new series of potent inhibitors of tubulin polymerization.
Molecular modelling studies on the binding of Arylthioindoles to tubulin colchicine site.
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► Molecular docking and dynamics simulations. ► Poor correlation between docking score and biological activity. ► Good correlation between dynamics score and biological activity. ► Overcame the metabolic instability of analyzed compounds. ► Design of new compounds
Rhinoviruses (RVs) have been linked to exacerbations of many pulmonary diseases, thus increasing morbidity and/or mortality in subjects at risk. Unfortunately, the wide variety of RV genotypes ...constitutes a major hindrance for the development of Rhinovirus replication inhibitors. In the current investigation, we have developed a novel series of pyrazole derivatives that potently inhibit the Rhinovirus replication. Compounds 10e and 10h behave as early stage inhibitors of Rhinovirus infection with a broad-spectrum activity against RV-A and RV-B species (EC50 < 0.1 μM). We also evaluate the dynamics of the emerging resistance of these promising compounds and their in vitro genotoxicity. Molecular docking experiments shed light on the pharmacophoric elements interacting with residues of the drug-binding pocket.
We synthesized new pyrrole and indole derivatives as human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors with the potential to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The presence of both ...N1-(4-sulfonamidophenyl) and 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) substituents was essential for strong hCA inhibitors. The most potent hCA XII inhibitor 15 (K i = 6.8 nM) suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its target genes MYC, Fgf20, and Sall4 and exhibited the typical markers of apoptosis, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase, and cleaved caspase-3. Compound 15 showed strong inhibition of viability in a panel of cancer cells, including colorectal cancer and triple-negative breast cancer cells, was effective against the NCI/ADR-RES DOX-resistant cell line, and restored the sensitivity to doxorubicin (DOX) in HT29/DX and MDCK/P-gp cells. Compound 15 is a novel dual-targeting compound with activity against hCA and Wnt/β-catenin. It thus has a broad targeting spectrum and is an anticancer agent with specific potential in P-glycoprotein overexpressing cell lines.
New 1,1′-biphenylsulfonamides were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of the ubiquitous human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I, II, IX, XII, and XIV using acetazolamide (AAZ) as reference compound. ...The sulfonamides 1–21 inhibited all the isoforms, with K i values in the nanomolar range of concentration, and were superior to AAZ against all of them. X-ray crystallography and molecular modeling studies on the adducts that compound 20, the most potent hCA XIV inhibitor of the series (K i = 0.26 nM), formed with the five hCAs, provided insight into the molecular determinants responsible for the high affinity of this molecule toward the target enzymes. The results pave the way to the development of 1.1′-biphenylsulfonamides as a new class of highy potent hCA XIV inhibitors.
► A homology model for the CHIKV nsP2 protease was constructed and validated. ► A new class of inhibitors of CHIKV replication was identified by virtual screening. ► SARs of the compound class were ...explored. ► Several analogues with low μM activity in the cell-based assay were identified.
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an Arbovirus that is transmitted to humans primarily by the mosquito species Aedes aegypti. Infection with this pathogen is often associated with fever, rash and arthralgia. Neither a vaccine nor an antiviral drug is available for the prevention or treatment of this disease. Albeit considered a tropical pathogen, adaptation of the virus to the mosquito species Aedes albopictus, which is also very common in temperate zones, has resulted in recent outbreaks in Europe and the US. In the present study, we report on the discovery of a novel series of compounds that inhibit CHIKV replication in the low μM range. In particular, we initially performed a virtual screening simulation of ∼5million compounds on the CHIKV nsP2, the viral protease, after which we investigated and explored the Structure–Activity Relationships of the hit identified in silico. Overall, a series of 26 compounds, including the original hit, was evaluated in a virus-cell-based CPE reduction assay. The study of such selective inhibitors will contribute to a better understanding of the CHIKV replication cycle and may represents a first step towards the development of a clinical candidate drug for the treatment of this disease.
We synthesized new N-phenylethyl-1H-indole-2-carboxamides as the first SAR study of allosteric modulators of the CB1 receptor. The presence of the carboxamide functionality was required in order to ...obtain a stimulatory effect. The maximum stimulatory activity on CB1 was exerted by carboxamides 13 (EC50 = 50 nM) and 21 (EC50 = 90 nM) bearing a dimethylamino or piperidinyl group, respectively, at position 4 of the phenethyl moiety and a chlorine atom at position 5 of the indole.
We designed new 3-arylthio- and 3-aroyl-1H-indole derivatives 3–22 bearing a heterocyclic ring at position 5, 6 or 7 of the indole nucleus. The 6- and 7-heterocyclyl-1H-indoles showed potent ...inhibition of tubulin polymerization, binding of colchicine to tubulin and growth of MCF-7 cancer cells. Compounds 13 and 19 inhibited a panel of cancer cells and the NCI/ADR-RES multidrug resistant cell line at low nanomolar concentrations. Compound 13 at 50 nM induced 77% G2/M in HeLa cells, and at 20 nM caused 50% stable arrest of mitosis. As an inhibitor of HepG2 cells (IC50 = 20 nM), 13 was 4-fold superior to 19. Compound 13 was a potent inhibitor of the human U87MG glioblastoma cells at nanomolar concentrations, being nearly one order of magnitude superior to previously reported arylthioindoles. The present results highlight 13 as a robust scaffold for the design of new anticancer agents.
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•3-Arylthio- and 3-aroyl-1H-indoles bearing a heterocyclic ring were synthesized.•The 6- and 7-heterocyclyl-1H-indoles are potent anticancer agents.•Compounds 13 and 19 inhibit MDR cell line at low nanomolar concentrations.•Compound 13 is a potent inhibitor of the human U87MG glioblastoma cells.•Compound 13 causes 50% stable arrest of mitosis in HeLa cells.
Rhinovirus (RV), member of the Enterovirus genus, is known to be involved in more than half of the common colds. Through advances in molecular biology, rhinoviruses have also been associated with ...exacerbations of chronic pulmonary diseases (e.g. asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis). In the current investigation, we develop a novel series of 4,5-dimethoxybenzyl derivatives that potently inhibits rhinovirus replication. Compound (S)-7f blocks RV-B14 replication with an EC50 value of 0.25 μM and shows a low toxicity in HeLa cells (CC50 > 271 μM). Enantioseparation followed by an absolute configuration determination by a Mosher's method revealed the interest of enantiopure compounds. Molecular docking studies permitted the identification of key biological interactions within the drug-binding pocket and an in silico drug-like study revealed a good potential for the development of these derivatives.
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•Description of potent antiviral inhibitors against RV-B14.•An original scaffold with a chiral alcohol linker.•Enantioseparation and NMR characterization work to identify the most active enantiomer.•Molecular docking studies to guide our Structure Activity Relationships studies.
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•The derivatives proven to be inhibitors of Grb2 targeting the cSH3 domain.•Five derivatives showed antitumoral activity in the range of one-digit μM concentration.•Derivatives 12 had ...a one-digit μM concentration inhibition against H1299, SKOV3 and U87 cell lines.
Growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb2) is an adaptor protein featured by a nSH3-SH2-cSH3 domains. Grb2 finely regulates important cellular pathways such as growth, proliferation and metabolism and a minor lapse of this tight control may totally change the entire pathway to the oncogenic. Indeed, Grb2 is found overexpressed in many tumours type. Consequently, Grb2 is an attractive therapeutic target for the development of new anticancer drug.
Herein, we reported the synthesis and the biological evaluation of a series of Grb2 inhibitors, developed starting from a hit-compound already reported by this research unit. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated by kinetic binding experiments, and the most promising derivatives were assayed in a short panel of cancer cells. Five of the newly synthesized derivatives proved to be able to bind the targeted protein with valuable inhibitory concentration in one-digit micromolar concentration. The most active compound of this series, derivative 12, showed an inhibitory concentration of about 6 μM for glioblastoma and ovarian cancer cells, and an IC50 of 1.67 for lung cancer cell. For derivative 12, the metabolic stability and the ROS production was also evaluated. The biological data together with the docking studies led to rationalize an early structure activity relationship.
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