Benzothiazole derivatives as human DNA topoisomerase IIα inhibitors

Benzothiazole derivatives resembling the structure of DNA purine bases were tested to determine their topoisomerase inhibition activities. Based on DNA topoisomerase I and II relaxation assay results, all 12 derivatives acted as human topoisomerase IIα inhibitors, whereas only two compounds inhibited Calf thymus topoisomerase I. 3-amino-2-(2-bromobenzyl)-1,3-benzothiazol-3-ium 4-methylbenzensulfonate (BM3) was observed to be the most effective human topoisomerase IIα inhibitor with the lowest IC50 value of 39 nM. The mechanistic studies suggested that BM3 was neither a DNA intercalator nor a topoisomerase poison, it was only a DNA minor groove-binding agent. BM3 initially bound to the DNA topoisomerase IIα enzyme, then to DNA. As a result, the tested benzothiazole derivatives were obtained as strong topoisomerase IIα inhibitors. The benzothiazole tosylated salt form BM3 was found as the most effective topoisomerase IIα inhibitor. BM3's mechanisms of action might be its direct interaction with the enzyme. BM3's minor groove-binding property might also contribute to this action. Hence, BM3 could be a good candidate as a new anticancer agent. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

A study on the antioxidant activities of some new benzazole derivatives

The in vitro antioxidant properties of some new benzazole derivatives ( 1–10 ) such as benzoxazoles, ben- zimidazoles, and benzothiazoles were determined by their effects on the rat liver microsomal NADPH- dependent lipid peroxidation (LP) level, the scavenging of superoxide anion and the stable radical 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Compounds 1 , 2 , 4 and 6 , showed potent scavenging effect on super- oxide radical at 10 –3 M. Compound 8, 5-nitro-2-(phenoxymethyl)benzimidazole, strongly inhibited lipid peroxidation at 10 –3 M concentration