Cyclooxygenase-inhibiting platinum(IV) prodrugs with potent anticancer activity

Platinum(IV) prodrugs of the [Pt(PL)(AL)(COXi)(OH)]2+ type scaffold (where PL is 1,10-phenanthroline or 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, AL is 1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane, and COXi is a COX inhibitor, either indomethacin or aspirin) were synthesised and characterised, and their biological activity was explored. MTT assays showed that these complexes exhibit outstanding activity against a range of cancer cell lines, and nanomolar activities were observed. The most potent complex, 4, exhibited a GI50 of 3 nM in the Du145 prostate cancer cell line and was observed to display a 1614-fold increased activity against the HT29 colon cancer cell line relative to cisplatin. ICP-MS studies showed a linear correlation between increased cellular accumulation of the complexes and increased cytotoxicity, while an enzyme immunoassay showed that 1 and 2 inhibited COX-2 at 14 and 1.4 µM, respectively, which is comparable to the inhibition exhibited by indomethacin. These results suggest that while the cytotoxicity of prodrugs 1–4 was influenced by cellular uptake, it was not entirely dependent on either COX inhibition or lipophilicity

o-Vanillin derived Schiff Bases and their Organotin(IV) Compounds: Synthesis, structural characterisation, in-Silico studies and cytotoxicity

Six new organotin(IV) compounds of Schiff bases derived from S-R-dithiocarbazate [R = benzyl (B), 2- or 4-methylbenzyl (2M and 4M, respectively)] condensed with 2-hydroxy-3- methoxybenzaldehyde (oVa) were synthesised and characterised by elemental analysis, various spectroscopic techniques including infrared, UV-vis, multinuclear (1H, 13C, 119Sn) NMR and mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The organotin(IV) compounds were synthesised from the reaction of Ph2SnCl2 or Me2SnCl2 with the Schiff bases (S2MoVaH/S4MoVaH/SBoVaH) to form a total of six new organotin(IV) compounds that had a general formula of [R2Sn(L)] (where L = Schiff base; R = Ph or Me). The molecular geometries of Me2Sn(S2MoVa), Me2Sn(S4MoVa) and Me2Sn(SBoVa) were established by X-ray crystallography and verified using density functional theory calculations. Interestingly, each experimental structure contained two independent but chemically similar molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit. The coordination geometry for each molecule was defined by thiolate-sulphur, phenoxide-oxygen and imine-nitrogen atoms derived from a dinegative, tridentate dithiocarbazate ligand with the remaining positions occupied by the methyl-carbon atoms of the organo groups. In each case, the resulting five-coordinate C2NOS geometry was almost exactly intermediate between ideal trigonal-bipyramidal and squarepyramidal geometries. The cytotoxic activities of the Schiff bases and organotin(IV) compounds were investigated against EJ-28 and RT-112 (bladder), HT29 (colon), U87 and SJ-G2 (glioblastoma), MCF-7 (breast) A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), DU145 (prostate), BE2-C (neuroblastoma) Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2019, 20, 854 2 of 34 and MIA (pancreatic) cancer cell lines and one normal breast cell line (MCF-10A). Diphenyltin(IV) compounds exhibited greater potency than either the Schiff bases or the respective dimethyltin(IV) compounds. Mechanistic studies on the action of these compounds against bladder cancer cells revealed that they induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The bladder cancer cells were apoptotic after 24 h post-treatment with the diphenyltin(IV) compounds. The interactions of the organotin(IV) compounds with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were experimentally explored using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. This study revealed that the organotin(IV) compounds have strong DNA binding affinity, verified via molecular docking simulations, which suggests that these organotin(IV) compounds interact with DNA via groove-binding interactions

Tin(IV) compounds of tridentate thiosemicarbazone Schiff bases: synthesis, characterization, in-silico analysis and in vitro cytotoxicity

Twelve tin(IV) compounds ( 5 - 16 ) derived from four tridentate thiosemicarbazone Schiff bases of 4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazide with 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde ( 1, 2 ) and 4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazide with 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde ( 3, 4 ) of general formulae of [R 2 Sn(L n )] and [Sn(L n ) 2 ] (where R = Ph or Me; L n = 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 ) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UVvis, mass spectrometry and multinuclear NMR ( 1 H, 13 C and 119 Sn) spectroscopy. X-ray crystallographic data was obtained for 11′ , a 2:1 co-crystal between Ph 2 Sn(L 2 ) ( 11 ) and 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde azine, and Me 2 Sn(L 2 ) ( 12 ); L 2 H 2 is 2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-Nphenylhydrazinecarbothioamide. The analysis revealed distinct coordination geometries with 11 and 12 approaching trigonal-bipyramidal. In the crystal of 11′ , supramolecular dimers arising from amine-N–H … S(thiolate) hydrogen bonding and {… HNCS} 2 synthons are evident; π(chelate ring) … π(oxidobenzylidene) stacking is also apparent. In the crystal of 12 , supramolecular, helical chains are generated by a combination of amine-N–H … O(phenoxide) hydrogen bonding and Sn … S secondary bonding. The cytotoxic activity of the compounds against a panel of ten cancer cell lines, [HT29 (colon), U87 and SJ-G2 (glioblastoma), MCF-7 (breast), A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), DU145 (prostate), BE2-C (neuroblastoma), and MIA (pancreas) and one normal cell line, MCF-10A (normal breast)] were investigated. The thiosemicarbazone Schiff bases 1 and 4 as well as the diphenyltin(IV) compounds showed a strong ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, with particular selectivity against HT29, MCF-7, A2780, A431, BE2-C, SJ-G2, and MIA cell lines. The structure-activity relationship of all these compounds were studied by evaluating the effect of alkyl and aryl groups attached at the thiosemicarbazone backbone, the methoxy/hydroxyl groups present at the meta -position of the phenyl ring and alkyl or aryl groups bound to the tin center

Homoleptic tin(IV) compounds containing tridentate ONS dithiocarbazate Schiff bases: Synthesis, X-ray crystallography, DFT and cytotoxicity studies

Six new tin(IV) compounds derived from tridentate dinegatively charged ONS dithiocarbazate Schiff bases derived from 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (H2L1, H2L2 and H2L3) and 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (H2L4, H2L5 and H2L6) (where H2Ln = di-acids of Schiff base) are reported. The compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR and multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C and 119Sn) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of tin(IV) [S-4-methybenzyl-β-N-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylmethylene)dithiocarbazate] (2) and tin(IV) [S-benzyl-β-N-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzylmethylene)dithiocarbazate] (3) were determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. X-ray crystallography showed the molecular geometries in homoleptic 2 and 3 to be quite similar in which the dinegative tridentate ligand coordinated the tin atoms via thiolate-S, phenoxide-O and imine-N atoms. The coordination geometries are based on an octahedron with like-atoms mutually trans. The experimental findings were validated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/LanL2DZ/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. All the tin(IV) compounds, except the insoluble compound 2 were screened for their in vitro cytotoxicity against a panel ten of cancer cell lines and one normal breast cell line (MCF-10 A) by MTT assay. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity of five tin(IV) compounds against HT29, MCF7 and MIA was higher than the reference drug, cisplatin

Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of Crude Extracts and Fractions from Phyllanthus amarus

Background: Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) has been used as a medicinal plant for the prevention and treatment of chronic ailments such as diabetes, hepatitis, and cancer. Methods: The physicochemical properties, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of crude extracts and fractions from P. amarus were determined using spectrophotometric method. Results: The P. amarus methanol (PAM) extract had lower levels of residual moisture (7.40%) and water activity (0.24) and higher contents of saponins, phenolics, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins (1657.86 mg escin equivalents, 250.45 mg gallic acid equivalents, 274.73 mg rutin equivalents and 61.22 mg catechin equivalents per g dried extract, respectively) than those of the P. amarus water (PAW) extract. The antioxidant activity of PAM extract was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the PAW extract, PAM fractions, and phyllanthin (known as a major compound in the P. amarus). Higher cytotoxic activity of PAM extract based on MTT assay on different cell lines including MiaPaCa-2 (pancreas), HT29 (colon), A2780 (ovarian), H460 (lung), A431 (skin), Du145 (prostate), BE2-C (neuroblastoma), MCF-7 (breast), MCF-10A (normal breast), and U87, SJ-G2, SMA (glioblastoma) was observed in comparison to the PAW extract and PAM fractions. The cytotoxic potential of the PAW extract (200 μg/mL), based on the CCK-8 assay on a pancreatic cancer cell line (MiaCaPa2) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those of gemcitabine (50 nM) and a saponin-enriched extract from quillajia bark at 200 μg/mL (a commercial product), but was significantly higher than that of phyllanthin at 2 μg/mL. Conclusions: The results achieved from this study reveal that the PA extracts are a potential source for the development of natural antioxidant products and/or novel anticancer drugs

Cytotoxic 2-phenyacrylnitriles, the importance of the cyanide moiety and discovery of potent broad spectrum cytotoxic agents

We previously reported the discovery of a simple conjugated cyano pharmacophore which had led to the development of (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)acrylonitrile (1), as a selective inhibitor of oestrogen receptor positive (ER+ve) human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Further exploration though modification of the acrylonitrile and aromatic substituents has highlighted key structural components necessary for broad spectrum cytotoxicity. The acrylic acid derivates (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)acrylic acid (8) and (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylic acid (9) were inactive; confirming the importance of the cyanide moiety. The most potent 2-phenylacrylonitriles synthesized were (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)acrylonitrile (3) and (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-indol-5-yl)acrylonitrile (20) with an average GI₅₀ values of 1.4 and 0.53 μM respectively. Five additional (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(indolyl)acrylonitriles also displayed average GI₅₀ values of ≤8.4 μM. In the case of indole 20, this represents a 32-fold increase in broad spectrum cytotoxicity relative to the lead (1)

Synthesis and anticancer activity of a series of norcantharidin analogues

Cantharidin (1) and norcantharidin (2) display high levels of anticancer activity against a broad range of tumour cell lines. Synthetic manipulation of norcantharidin yields (3S,3aR,4S,7R,7aS)-3-hydroxyhexahydro-4,7-epoxyisobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (3), which also displays a high level of anticancer activity against tumour cells but interestingly, shows selectivity towards HT29 (colon; GI₅₀ = 14 μM) and SJ-G2 (glioblastoma; GI₅₀ = 15 μM) cell lines. Substitution at the hydroxyl group of the cyclic lactone within (3) produces a diasteromeric pair of products that have no difference in cytotoxicity over the cell lines tested. Incorporation of an isopropyl tail at this position (16) produced the most promising compound of this series to date, with strong selectivity towards HT29 (colon; GI₅₀ = 19 μM) and SJ-G2 (glioblastoma; GI₅₀ = 21 μM) cell lines but completely void of any activity against the remaining tumour cell lines (GI₅₀ > 100 μM), as per the parent molecule. We also discovered that the introduction of a terminal phosphate moiety (28) at the same position produced a different trend in cytotoxicity with strong activity in BE2-C (neuroblastoma; GI₅₀ = 9 μM) cells; suggestive of an alternate mode of action

A simple HPLC method for plasma level monitoring of mitotane and its two main metabolites in adrenocortical cancer patients

Mitotane (o,p'-DDD or (1,1-dichloro-2-[o-chlorophenyl]-2-[p-chlorophenyl]ethane, DDD) is the drug of choice for non-resectable and metastatic adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC). Measurement of mitotane and metabolites,o,p'-DDE (1,1-dichloro-2-[p-chlorophenyl]-2-[o-chlorophenyl]ethene, DDE) and o,p'-DDA (1,1-[o,p'-dichlorodiphenyl] acetic acid, DDA)provides a better understanding of mitotane pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. We have developed a simple, robust and efficient high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method to measure mitotane and its two main metabolites,DDE and DDA.The method involves a single ethanol extraction of mitotane, DDE, DDA, and an internal standard (int std) p,p'-DDD (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) with an extraction efficiency of 77–88%. All compounds are measured simultaneously using a reversed-phase phenyl HPLC column with an isocratic elution of mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min followed by UV detection at λ226nm. Inter and intraday validation demonstrates good reproducibility and accuracy. Limits of quantitation are 0.2μg/ml for mitotane and DDE, and 0.5μg/ml for DDA. The method has been evaluated in plasma from 23 patients on mitotane therapy, revealing DDA concentrations 1–18 times higher than the parent compound

Serine-threonine protein phosphatase inhibitors: development of potential therapeutic strategies

The regulation of cellular processes by the modulation of protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation is fundamental to a large number of, if not all, physiological functions. The phosphorylation level of a given protein is governed by the balance between two enzyme activities: protein kinases which transfer phosphate from ATP to the protein (phosphorylation) and protein phosphatases which catalyze the reverse reaction (dephosphorylation). It is considered that over 30% of all cellular proteins are subject to phosphorylation at one or more residues, and eukaryotic cells have been estimated to possess 575 kinase genes or 2% of the genome (given that the estimated total number of genes is 30−40000). Protein kinases are integral components of cell signal transduction pathways, and the regulation of many of these protein kinases in response to extracellular signals is well understood. Virtually every disease has, at its core, a deficiency in cellular signaling such that protein kinases are considered viable targets for the design of novel therapeutics. Understanding the role of protein phosphatases in these systems has lagged considerably behind that of protein kinases. Indeed, until recently, protein phosphatases were considered relatively nonspecific, unsophisticated enzymes that existed only to reverse the actions of protein kinases. It is now widely acknowledged that the regulation of protein phosphorylation requires the coordinated control of both kinases and phosphatases and that the regulation of phosphatases is as complex and elegant as that of kinases, perhaps more so. Genomic data suggests that there are 13 genes and 15 proteins in the PPP family and an additional 10 genes in the PPM family. Thus the serine/threonine protein phosphatases comprise <0.1% of the human genome. To view protein phosphatases as simply molecular "off switches" is clearly an oversimplification of their roles as "rheostats" governing the fine control of some processes, and in some cases the major point of control is emerging. Consequently, protein phosphatases are beginning to be linked with the etiology or control of disease processes. In the past decade there has been a substantial increase in effort to elucidate their biological roles, and thus their potential medical implications. Protein phosphatases that dephosphorylate tyrosine or serine and threonine represent distinct classes of enzyme, and each class warrants separate consideration. In this review, discussion is limited to only the serine/threonine protein phosphatases. We discuss some of the opportunities, implications, and limitations of utilizing the "inhibition of serine−threonine protein phosphatases as a therapeutic strategy"

Library synthesis and cytotoxicity of a family of 2-phenylacrylonitriles and discovery of an estrogen dependent breast cancer lead compound

In our efforts to prevent highly toxic compounds progressing through our anti-parasitic drug development program, we serendipitously discovered a family of 2-phenylacrylonitriles with excellent growth inhibition of a panel of ten human cancer cell lines. Focused library approaches facilitated the identification of a simple pharmacophore, comprising two terminal aromatic moieties linked via a conjugated cyano (acrylonitrile) moiety. Efforts that perturbed this pharmacophore resulted in a significant drop in growth inhibition. Multiple libraries led to the discovery of two key lead compounds. The first, (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile (31) exhibits broad spectrum growth inhibition with GI50 values of 0.52–3 µM (HT29 and BE2-C cancer cell lines respectively; average = 1.6 µM). Of greater note is (Z)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)acrylonitrile (28), a 0.127 ± 0.043 µM growth inhibitor of the estrogen receptor positive (ER+ve) human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Analogue 28 displays up to 543 fold selectivity towards MCF-7 cells compared with nine other non-breast derived cancer cell lines. Further screening of 28 against one human, ER−ve breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB231) and one normal non-tumourigenic breast epithelial cell line (MCF-10A) returned poor growth inhibition values of 34 ± 2 and 16 ± 4µM, demonstrating ca. [similar]268 and[similar]126 fold preference for the MCF-7 estrogen dependent breast cancer cells