Search

A series of novel isoflavone analogs were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as multitarget-directed ligands for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In vitro evaluations revealed that some ligands had multifunctional profiles, including potent blockage of histamine 3 receptor (H3R), excellent inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), neuroprotective effects and anti-neuroinflammatory properties. Among these derivatives, compound 9b exhibited the highest ability to block H3R (IC 50  = 0.27 μM) and good inhibitory activity against AChE (IC 50  = 0.08 μM). Additionally, compound 9b showed obvious neuroprotective effect on SH-SY5Y by preventing copper-induced neuronal damage and potent anti-neuroinflammatory activity by inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors on BV-2 cells. A molecular modeling study revealed that 9b acts as a mixed-type inhibitor that interacts simultaneously with H3R and AChE. Moreover, in vivo data revealed that compound 9b did not cause acute toxicity in mice at doses up to 1000 mg/kg, and had desirable pharmacokinetic properties, as well as a good blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability (log BB = 1.24 ± 0.07). Further studies demonstrated that chronic oral treatment with 9b significantly improved cognitive dysfunction in scopolamine-induced AD mice in the step-down passive avoidance test. Taken together, the present study showed that compound 9b is a promising multifunctional drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A series of novel formononetin-dithiocarbamate derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against three selected cancer cell line (MGC-803, EC-109, PC-3). The first structure-activity relationship (SAR) for this formononetin-dithiocarbamate scaffold is explored in this report with evaluation of 14 variants of the structural class. Among these analogues, tert-butyl 4-(((3-((3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-4H-chromen-7-yl)oxy)propyl)thio)carbonothioyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate (8i) showed the best inhibitory activity against PC-3 cells (IC 50  = 1.97 μM). Cellular mechanism studies elucidated 8i arrests cell cycle at G1 phase and regulates the expression of G1 checkpoint-related proteins in concentration-dependent manners. Furthermore, 8i could inhibit cell growth via MAPK signaling pathway and inhibit migration via Wnt pathway in PC-3 cells., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

We have synthesized a series of novel isoflavone analogs and evaluated their anti-HBV and anti-cancer activities in vitro. The bioassays showed that the majority of the resultant compounds exerted inhibitory effects on HBsAg and HBeAg levels, HBV DNA replication, as well as the growth of four human cancer cell lines to various extents, which supported the rationale of the design. In particular, compound 8f showed the highest activity against HBV infection and HBV-related liver cancer. Compound 7l (IC50 = 0.47 μM) also exerted remarkable inhibitory effect on the growth lung cancer cell line A-549., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The kinesin spindle protein (KSP) is involved in the formation of bipolar mitotic spindle during cell division and it becomes a new target to overcome the neurotoxicity of MTs inhibitors. A series of flavone and isoflavone derivatives (1a-7c) have been designed, synthesized and evaluated as potential KSP inhibitors. Among them, 2c displayed the most potent inhibitory activity in vitro, which inhibited the growth of MCF-7 and Hela cell lines with IC50 values of 4.8 and 4.3 μM, respectively, and also exhibited significant KSP inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 0.023 μM). The new compounds can induce irregular monoastral spindles, the characteristic phenotype for KSP inhibiting agents. Docking simulation was further performed to determine the probable binding model., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

A convenient, fast and high yielding method for the preparation of 7-methoxyisoflavanone and 2,3-diarylchromanones has been developed by the condensation of benzyl-2-hydroxy-4-alkoxyphenylketone with arylaldehyde/paraformaldehyde in presence of diethylamine, assisted by microwave activation. All the synthesized compounds were screened for anticancer as well as antioxidant activities. Among the nine compounds, 7-methoxyisoflavanone 7 and diarylchromanone 6c shows potential anticancer activity and diarylchromanone 6b has potential antioxidant activity. Compound 6h possesses anticancer and antioxidant activity at the same concentration., (Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

We report herein the synthesis and anti-osteoporotic evaluation of certain 3-amino-2-hydroxypropoxyisoflavone derivatives. The results indicated that 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-(oxiran-2-ylmethoxy)-4H-chromen-4-one (4) and 3-{4-[3-(cyclohexylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]phenyl}-7-methoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (5a) exhibited significant inhibitory effects on osteoclast activity (TRAP activity in RAW 264.7 with an ED(50) of 0.56 and 2.28 microM respectively). Both compounds have also exhibited very strong osteogenic effects, approximately a 10-fold effect of Ipriflavone on mineralization of osteoblasts (MC3T3E1 cells, a preosteoblast cell line derived from calvaria of C57BL/6 mice). Results indicated the potency on enhancing mineralization in D1 cells (a bone marrow mesenchymal cell line derived from BALB/c mice) decreased in an order 4>Ipriflavone>5a. However, the potency on enhancing mineralization in human adipose tissue derived stem cells (hADSCs) decreased in an order 5a>4>Raloxifene>Ipriflavone. Compound 5a has been found to be non-cytotoxic and especially active in the enhancement of mineralization in human adipose tissue derived stem cells. Therefore, 5a was selected as a potential lead for further structural optimization.