Macrolides, as a class of natural or semisynthetic products, express their antibacterial activity primarily by reversible binding to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunits and by blocking nascent ...proteins' progression through their exit tunnel in bacterial protein biosynthesis. Generally considered to be bacteriostatic, they may also be bactericidal at higher doses. The discovery of azithromycin from the class of macrolides, as one of the most important new drugs of the 20th century, is presented as an example of a rational medicinal chemistry approach to drug design, applying classical structure-activity relationship that will illustrate an impressive drug discovery success story. However, the microorganisms have developed several mechanisms to acquire resistance to antibiotics, including macrolide antibiotics. The primary mechanism for acquiring bacterial resistance to macrolides is a mutation of one or more nucleotides from the binding site. Although azithromycin is reported to show different, two-step process of the inhibition of ribosome function of some species, more detailed elaboration of that specific mode of action is needed. New macrocyclic derivatives, which could be more potent and less prone to escape bacterial resistance mechanisms, are also continuously evaluated. A novel class of antibiotic compounds-macrolones, which are derived from macrolides and comprise macrocyclic moiety, linker, and either free or esterified quinolone 3-carboxylic group, show excellent antibacterial potency towards key erythromycin-resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, with possibly decreased potential of bacterial resistance to macrolides.
Autotaxin (ATX) is an extracellular enzyme that hydrolyses lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), which has a role in the mediation of inflammation, fibrosis and cancer. ATX is ...a drug target that has been the focus of many research groups during the last ten years. To date, only one molecule, Ziritaxestat (GLPG1690) has entered the clinic; it is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Other small molecules, with different binding modes, have been investigated as ATX inhibitors for cancer including compounds possessing a boronic acid motif such as HA155. In this work, we targeted new, improved inhibitors of ATX that mimic the important interactions of boronic acid using a benzoxaborole motif as the acidic warhead. Furthermore, we aimed to improve the plasma stability of the new compounds by using a more stable core spacer than that embedded in HA155. Compounds were synthesized, evaluated for their ATX inhibitory activity and ADME properties in vitro, culminating in a new benzoxaborole compound, 37, which retains the ATX inhibition activity of HA155 but has improved ADME properties (plasma protein binding, good kinetic solubility and rat/human plasma stability).
Edible berries such as the fruits of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) are considered to be rich in phenolic compounds, which are nowadays ...attracting great interest due to their promising health benefits. The main objective of our study was to investigate, for the first time, their inhibitory properties on Src tyrosine kinase activity, as this enzyme plays an important role in multiple cellular processes and is activated in both cancer and inflammatory cells. In hydroethanolic fruit extracts, 5.0–5.9% of total polyphenols were determined spectrophotometrically, including high amounts of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives. HPLC analysis revealed that the black chokeberry and bilberry extracts contained 2.05 mg/g and 2.54 mg/g of chlorogenic acid, respectively. Using a time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay, the extracts studied were found to have comparable inhibitory effects on Src tyrosine kinase, with IC50 values of 366 µg/mL and 369 µg/mL, respectively. The results also indicated that chlorogenic acid contributes significantly to the observed effect. In addition, both fruit extracts exhibited antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH and NO radicals with SC50 values of 153–352 µg/mL. Our study suggested that black chokeberry and bilberry fruits may be beneficial in cancer and other inflammation-related diseases.
Extracellular Hsp70 (eHsp70) can act as damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) via Toll-like receptors TLR2 and TLR4, and stimulate immune and inflammatory responses leading to sterile ...inflammation and propagation of already existing inflammation. It was found elevated in the blood of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who might suffer occasional bacterial colonizations and infections. We used a monocytic THP-1 cell line as a cellular model of systemic compartment of COPD to assess inflammatory effects of eHsp70 when present alone or together with bacterial products lypopolysaccharide (LPS) and lypoteichoic acid (LTA). THP-1 cells were differentiated into macrophage-like cells and treated with various concentrations of recombinant human Hsp70 protein (rhHsp70), LPS (TLR4 agonist), LTA (TLR2 agonist), and their combinations for 4, 12, 24, and 48 h. Concentrations of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were determined by ELISA. Cell viability was assessed by MTS assay, and mode of cell death by luminometric measurements of caspases-3/7, -8, and -9 activities. rhHsp70 showed cell protecting effect by suppressing caspases-3/7 activation, while LPS provoked cytotoxicity through caspases-8 and -3/7 pathway. Regarding inflammatory processes, rhHsp70 alone induced secretion of IL-1α and IL-8, but had modulatory effects on release of all four cytokines when applied together with LPS or LTA. Combined effect with LPS was mainly synergistic, and with LTA mainly antagonistic, although it was cytokine- and time-dependent. Our results confirmed pro-inflammatory function of extracellular Hsp70, and suggest its possible implication in COPD exacerbations caused by bacterial infection through desensitization or inappropriate activation of TLR2 and TLR4 receptors.
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The human histone demethylases of the KDM4 family have been related to diseases such as prostate and breast cancer. Majority of currently known inhibitors suffer from the low ...permeability and low selectivity between the enzyme isoforms. In this study, toxoflavin motif was used to design and synthesize new KDM4C inhibitors with improved biological activity and in vitro ADME properties. Inhibitors displayed good passive cellular permeability and metabolic stability. However, diminishing of redox liability and consequently non-specific influence on cell viability still remains a challenge.
The most common Aspergilli isolated from indoor air samples from occupied buildings and a grain mill were extracted and analyzed for their combined (
+
,
+
) cytotoxic, genotoxic and pro-inflammatory ...properties on human adenocarcinoma cells (A549) and monocytic leukemia cells induced in macrophages (THP-1 macrophages). Metabolite mixtures from the Aspergilli series
increase the cytotoxic and genotoxic potency of
extracts in A549 cells suggesting additive and/or synergistic effects, while antagonizing the cytotoxic potency of
extracts in THP-1 macrophages and genotoxicity in A549 cells. All tested combinations significantly decreased IL-5 and IL-17, while IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 relative concentrations were increased. Exploring the toxicity of extracted Aspergilli deepens the understanding of intersections and interspecies differences in events of chronic exposure to their inhalable mycoparticles.
Certain macrolide antibiotics, azithromycin included, possess anti-inflammatory properties that are considered fundamental for their efficacy in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, such ...as diffuse pan-bronchiolitis and cystic fibrosis. In this study, we disclose a novel azithromycin analog obtained via Barton-McCombie oxidation during which an unprecedented epimerization on the cladinose sugar occurs. Its structure was thoroughly investigated using NMR spectroscopy and compared to the natural epimer, revealing how the change in configuration of one single stereocenter (out of 16) profoundly diminished the antimicrobial activity through spatial manipulation of ribosome binding epitopes. At the same time, the anti-inflammatory properties of parent macrolide were retained, as demonstrated by inhibition of LPS- and cigarette-smoke-induced pulmonary inflammation. Not surprisingly, the compound has promising developable properties including good oral bioavailability and a half-life that supports once-daily dosing. This novel anti-inflammatory candidate has significant potential to fill the gap in existing anti-inflammatory agents and broaden treatment possibilities.
Selected flavonoids: galangin, kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin, fisetin, apigenin, luteolin and rutin, reversibly inhibited human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, EC 3.1.1.8). Inhibition potency of the ...flavonoids we attributed to their chemical structure, i.e., the number of OH groups and their side on the phenyl ring. The most potent BChE inhibitor among the tested flavonoids was galangin, which showed 12 times higher preference for binding to BChE (7
μmol/L) than to the related enzyme human acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7). Docking study showed that flavonoids bind to the BChE active site by forming multiple hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions. The UV-VIS (200–500
nm) absorption spectra of the flavonoid phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4), with the exception of rutin, revealed time dependant changes indicating precipitation of flavonoids or in the case of myricetin, a change in the chemical structure resulting in a BChE non-inhibiting specie. Selected flavonoids showed no cytotoxic effect on HepG2 and A549 cell lines at concentrations up to 200
μmol/L. Cytotoxicity was observed only for fisetin, apigenin and luteolin in the THP-1 cell line with IC
50 of 30, 60 and 70
μmol/L, respectively.
Display omitted Flavonoids bind to the butyrylcholinesterase active site by forming multiple hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions.
Novel imidazoline benzimidazole derivatives containing diversely substituted phenoxy moieties were synthesized with the aim of evaluating their antitrypanosomal activity, DNA/RNA binding affinity and ...in vitro ADME properties. The presence of the diethylaminoethyl subunit in 18a–18c led to enhanced antitrypanosomal potency, particularly for 18a and 18c, which contain unsubstituted and methoxy-substituted phenoxy moieties. They were found to be > 2-fold more potent against African trypanosomes than nifurtimox. Fluorescence and CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation assays and computational analysis indicated a preference of 18a–18c toward AT-rich DNA and their minor groove binding mode. Replacement of the amidine group with less basic and ionisable nitrogen-containing moieties failed to improve membrane permeability of the investigated compounds. Due to structural diversification, the compounds displayed a range of physico-chemical features resulting in variable in vitro ADME properties, leaving space for further optimization of the biological profiles.
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•Novel imidazoline-substituted 2-arylbenzimidazoles were synthesized.•Diethylaminoethyl moiety in 18a–18c enhanced antitrypanosomal potency.•18a and 18c are > 2-fold more potent against T. brucei than nifurtimox.•18a–18c indicate preference toward AT-rich DNA and minor groove binding mode.•7a−7c, 17a−17c, and 18a–18c have favourable ADME properties.
The polyphenolic composition and anti-inflammatory activity of selected
Thymus
species (
T. longicaulis
C. Presl,
T. praecox
Opiz subsp.
polytrichus
(A. Kerner Ex Borbás) Jalas,
T. pulegioides
L.,
T. ...serpyllum
L. subsp.
serpyllum
and
T. striatus
Vahl) was studied in comparison with
T. vulgaris
, as an officinal medicinal plant, to evaluate the biomedical potential of these Croatian wild-growing species. This paper provides a first insight into the polyphenolic profiles of
T
.
praecox
subsp.
polytrichus
and
T. striatus
. Also, some flavone and hydroxycinnamic derivatives were at first identified in the other studied species by LC-DAD-ESI–MS/MS analysis. Rosmarinic acid and glycosides of scutellarein and luteolin were found to be the most abundant polyphenolic constituents. The
Thymus
extracts inhibited Src tyrosine kinase activity and they reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 in Balb/C mice splenocytes. The obtained results highlighted
T. longicaulis
as a potential source of herbal drugs with anti-inflammatory properties and/or novel functional food rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids.
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