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1,3,4-Oxadiazole derivatives are widely used in research on antineoplastic drugs. Recently, we discovered a novel unsymmetrical 1,3,4-oxadiazole compound with antiproliferative properties called 2j. To further investigate its possible targets and molecular mechanisms, RNA-seq was performed and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained after treatment. Data were analyzed using functional (Gene Ontology term) and pathway (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) enrichment of the DEGs. The hub genes were determined by the analysis of protein-protein interaction networks. The connectivity map (CMap) information provided insight into the model action of antitumor small molecule drugs. Hub genes have been identified through function gene networks using STRING analysis. The small molecular targets obtained by CMap comparison showed that 2j is a tubulin inhibitor and it acts mainly affecting tumor cells through the cell cycle, FoxO signaling pathway, apoptotic, and p53 signaling pathways. The possible targets of 2j could be TUBA1A and TUBA4A. Molecular docking results indicated that 2j interacts at the colchicine-binding site on tubulin.

In recent years, cannabinoid type 2 receptors (CB2R) have emerged as promising therapeutic targets in a wide variety of diseases. Selective ligands of CB2R are devoid of the psychoactive effects typically observed for CB1R ligands. Based on our recent studies on a class of pyridazinone 4-carboxamides, further structural modifications of the pyridazinone core were made to better investigate the structure–activity relationships for this promising scaffold with the aim to develop potent CB2R ligands. In binding assays, two of the new synthesized compounds [6-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-(4-fluorobenzyl)-cis-N-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-3-oxo-2,3-dihydropyridazine-4-carboxamide (2) and 6-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-cis-N-(4-methylcyclohexyl)-3-oxo-2-pentyl-2,3-dihydropyridazine-4-carboxamide (22)] showed high CB2R affinity, with Ki values of 2.1 and 1.6 nm, respectively. In addition, functional assays of these compounds and other new active related derivatives revealed their pharmacological profiles as CB2R inverse agonists. Compound 22 displayed the highest CB2R selectivity and potency, presenting a favorable in silico pharmacokinetic profile. Furthermore, a molecular modeling study revealed how 22 produces inverse agonism through blocking the movement of the toggle-switch residue, W6.48.

The mixture of sodium borohydride and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine in combination with a palladium catalyst is a mild and efficient system for the regioselective hydrodebromination of polybrominated indoles with both N-donating and N-withdrawing substituents [N-methyl- and N-(methoxycarbonyl)indoles, respectively].

A new hydrophilic interaction ultra-performance LC method was established for the whole blood measurement of L-ergothioneine. Chromatographic separation was achieved in a fairly short time, less than 4 min, on a 100 × 2.1 mm Acquity UPLC BEH HILIC 1.7 μm column with a mobile phase consisting of a mixture of 100 mmol/L ammonium acetate/ACN/water (5:85:10, v/v/v) that flowed isocratically at 0.250 mL/min. The LOD and the limit of quantification were 3.85 and 11.67 μmol/L, respectively. The method exhibited linearity in a concentration range of 15.63–1000 μmol/L (R2 > 0.999). Mean recovery was 96.34% whereas intraassay and interassay precision were 1.52 and 1.82% RSD, respectively. On the whole, the developed method is simple, fast, precise, accurate, and sensitive and may be useful for routine analyses.

Antitumour activity was observed in a series of tricyclic compounds characterised by a 2-(1 H -pyrrol-3-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety with various substitutions. Their synthesis and antiproliferative activity toward a panel of human tumour cell lines is described. The most interesting compounds 1 c and 4 c were selected for further evaluation to elucidate their possible mechanism of action. Interesting antitumour activity was observed in a series of tricyclic compounds characterised by the presence of a 2-(1 H -pyrrol-3-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole moiety that is variously substituted. Their synthesis and antiproliferative activity toward a panel of human tumour cell lines is described. The two most interesting compounds were selected for further evaluation to elucidate their possible mechanism of action. Analysis of cell cycle, tubulin polymerisation, modulation of mitotic markers of the M phase, and apoptosis showed that antimitotic activity is the primary mechanism of the cytotoxic effects of these compounds. Experiments performed on isolated tubulin confirmed that the compounds act by inducing tubulin polymerisation, like taxanes. The binding model against tubulin was also examined by molecular modelling and docking. The results support the proposed binding model, which is able to explain the activity of the oxadiazole derivatives on the basis of their docking energy.

A reagent combination of NaBH4 and TMEDA in the presence of a Pd-catalyst is found to be an efficient system for the regioselective hydrobromination of polybrominated indoles having a N-methyl or N-methoxycarbonyl substituent.

A number of 9H-indeno[2,1-c]pyridazine N-oxides (3a-c) and benzo[f]cinnoline N-oxides (4,5a-c) have been synthesized and tested for antimicrobial activity. All new products were inactive against Gram negative bacteria and fungi. In contrast, among the compounds synthesized, 3b, 4b and 5b showed a moderate activity against Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Of the present series, the 9-nitro-benzo[f]cinnoline N-oxide 5b possessed the highest activity especially against Trichomonas vaginalis (MIC = 3.9 micrograms/ml).

A new series of thieno[3,2-h]cinnolinone analogues was synthesized which is structurally related to 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydrothieno [3,2-h]cinnolin-3-one 1, a weak inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-8 (human neutrophil collagenase). Preliminary SAR studies have shown that while C4a-methyl, C7-acetylamino, C7 and C8-nitro substitution, and C4-C4a olefination provided no increase in activity relative to 1, C8-acetylamino substitution as in 5 and 8 was favourable. Moreover, to predict how the thieno[3,2-h]cinnolinone inhibitors might bind to MMP-8, the unsubstituted compound 9 was docked into the MMP-8 crystal structure. These studies revealed that inhibitor 9 does not seem to be able to coordinate the catalytically-active zinc ion but preferably interact with the peptide-binding region of the active site.

The isomeric compounds 5,6-dihydrothieno[2,3-h]cinnolin-3(2H)-one (7a) and 5,6-dihydrothieno-[3,2-h]cinnolin-3(2H)-one (7b) rapidly tautomerise to the corresponding 1,4-dihydrothienocinnolinones 8a,b when kept in refluxing hydrazine hydrate. With longer reaction times the initially formed 8a,b dehydrogenate to the thienocinnolinones 9a,b which eventually are aminated to 4-aminothienocinnolinones 10a,b. This behaviour recalls that reported for the related 5,6-dihydrobenzocinnolin-3(2H)-one (1) which under the same conditions undergoes dehydrogenation to benzo[h]cinnolin-3(2H)-one (2) followed by 4-amination to 3, but differs for the stability of the intermediates, for the mechanism of the final amination, and for the higher reaction rate. All these differences can be rationalised in terms of the heats of formation of the intermediates and products of the two series of transformations.

The chemistry underlying how diazabicycloheptanes are assembled is described, subdivided according to chemical structure of two types, the 3,6 diazabicyclo[3.1.1]heptane and the 2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane ring system. Detailed information on myriad of activities of compounds derived from the two scaffolds are reported.

The synthesis of cyclic analogues (VIII) and (IX) of the potent and selective CB1 antagonist rimonabant is developed.

We have synthesized and tested for their antiinflammatory activity a new series of 3-aryl-4,5-dihydro-4-isoxazoleacetic acids ( IVa-IVg ). Preliminary pharmacological results seem to indicate the 3-phenyl derivative IVa as the most interesting compound. In fact, when tested against carrageenin edema in Wistar rats, it shows antiinflammatory activity comparable to that of naproxene, taken as reference drug, though of shorter duration. All the substituted phenyl derivatives were less active ( IVd-IVf ) or inactive ( IVb, IVc, IVg ).

The synthesis of 7-mono or 7,8-disubstituted 4,5-dihydro-1-methyl-1H- benzo[g]indoles bearing a methyl-N-isopropylcarbamate group in position 2 or 2,3 of the pyrrole ring is described, in order to evaluate in vitro, anticancer activity. The preliminary results of this screening at the NCI of Bethesda showed a certain cellular subpanel selectivity between 10(-5) and 10(-4) molar concentrations.

A new series of 4-carbamoyl-6-beta-thienyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-(2H)ones 4a-g have been synthesized and tested for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Among the tested compounds, only 4f at 1 mmole/Kg showed antiinflammatory activity that was comparable with that of indomethacin (5 mg/Kg) though of shorter duration. Compounds 4a, 4e and especially 4g at 0.2 mmoles/Kg displayed relevant analgesic activity, 4g being the most potent derivative in the writhing test. Compounds 4c and 4g were found to possess analgesic activity also in the hot plate test.

Two new dihydrobenzo[f]cinnolin-2(3H)ones (4a,b) have been synthesized and tested for their hypotensive, antihypertensive and antiaggregating activities in comparison with the lead 8-acetylamino-4,4a,5,6-tetrahydrobenzo[h]cinnolin-3(2H)-one 1. In vivo tests indicated that 4a,b displayed hypotensive and antihypertensive properties weaker than the model compound. On the contrary both compounds were more potent than 1 in inhibiting collagen-induced platelet aggregation.

A series of various bis(hydroxymethyl) carbamate derivatives of 7-mono- and 7,8-disubstituted- l-methyl-benzo[g]indoles was prepared in order to evaluate their cytostatic and cytotoxic activities in vitro. Compounds 2a-h showed significant tumor growth inhibition activity and were more potent than the 4,5-dihydrobenzo[g] indole analogues previously described. Compound 2a was the most active in this series, showing high activity and selectivity for some human cancer cell lines in the National Cancer Institute screen.

A number of chiral C 1 -symmetric 2,2′-bypyridines were prepared and assessed in the enantioselective palladium catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethylmalonate. Enantioselectivity up to 89% was obtained.

Diastereomerically pure hydroxy and thiol derivatives of (5 S ,7 S )-5,7-methane-6,6-dimethyl-2-phenyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline were prepared and assessed in the enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde: enantioselectivities up to 62% were obtained.

Dehydrogenation and amination of 4,4a,5,6-tetrahydro and 5,6-dihydrobenzocinnolinones in refluxing hydrazine hydrate to give new benzo[h]cinnolinones and 4-aminobenzo[h]cinnolinones are reported, and reaction mechanisms proposed. Experiments were also extended to 4,4a-dihydro-5H-indenopyridazinone which underwent hydrazine induced dehydrogenation to 5H-indenopyridazin-3-one but not subsequent amination.

A series of 5-p-substituted phenyl-pyrrole-3-carboxamide derivatives was designed as hybrid analogs of the dopamine D2-like 5-phenyl-pyrrole and heterocyclic carboxamide antipsychotics. The title compounds were synthesized and evaluated for dopamine D2-like receptor by means of [3H]YM-09151-2 receptor binding assay. The compound bearing a 1-ethyl-2-methyl-pyrrolidine moiety as the basic part of 5-phenyl-pyrrole-3-carboxamide derivative 1a together with its 2-chloro analog 1f were found to possess affinity in the low micromolar range. Substituted phenyl-pyrrolecarboxamides containing groups such as F, Cl, NO2, CH3, at the 4-position of the phenyl ring, gave ligands with lower D2-like affinity.

Chiral oxazolinylpyridines bearing an oxazolinyl [bis(oxazolinyl)pyridines] or a cyano group in the 6-position of the pyridine ring were prepared and assessed in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. The electronic and steric properties of substituents hardly affected either the catalytic activity or the enantioselectivity of the substitution reaction. Enantioselectivities up to 94% were obtained.

A new series of thieno[3,2-h]cinnolinone analogues was synthesized which is structurally related to 2,3,4,4a,5,6-hexahydrothieno [3,2-h]cinnolin-3-one 1, a weak inhibitor of the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-8 (human neutrophil collagenase). Preliminary SAR studies have shown that while C4a-methyl, C7-acetylamino, C7 and C8-nitro substitution, and C4-C4a olefination provided no increase in activity relative to 1, C8-acetylamino substitution as in 5 and 8 was favourable. Moreover, to predict how the thieno[3,2-h]cinnolinone inhibitors might bind to MMP-8, the unsubstituted compound 9 was docked into the MMP-8 crystal structure. These studies revealed that inhibitor 9 does not seem to be able to coordinate the catalytically-active zinc ion but preferably interact with the peptide-binding region of the active site.

A series of bis(benzo[ g ]indoles) bridged by CX-(CH 2 ) n N(Me)(CH 2 ) n -CX (X = O, S, H 2 ; n = 2,3) was synthesized as bifunctional antitumor agents and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against diverse human cancer cell lines by the National Cancer Institute. The parent compounds 2a,b exhibited a good level of activity and derivates 2c - g,i,k demonstrated significant inhibitory effects, all with IC 50 values in the low micromolar range. The thioamide analogue 2j showed less potency. It is interesting to note that introduction of substituents on the benzene ring of the benzo[ g ]indole portion of 2a,b did not affect activity, with the only exception of the 7,8-dichloro derivative 2h which became less potent. One member of this series, 2i, was then tested in the hollow fiber cell assay to evaluate, in a preliminary fashion, its in vivo antineoplastic activity. Molecular modelling studies were performed on amide 2a and thioamide 2j to explain the loss of activity of 2j as to 2a. Finally, compound 2a behaved as a typical DNAintercalating agent, as judged from viscosity measurements with Poly(dA-dT) .. poly(dA-dT).

In our search for novel anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 agents, 14 delavirdine analogues were synthesized and evaluated as potential anti-HIV-1 agents in cell-based assays. Compound 1Aa exhibited potent and selective anti-HIV-1 activity in acutely infected MT4 cells, with effective concentration (EC50) values in the submicromolar range.

1-Methyl-2-phenyl (1) and 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl (2)-substituted pyrrole[2,3-d]pyridazinones, as well as their tetracyclic analogues 3—6, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro by the National Cancer Institute against 60 human tumor cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types. Biological results showed that the antitumor activities of these compounds were related to the planarity of their ring systems with potency increasing in the order 2

The synthesis of enantiomerically pure C2-symmetric dipyridylmethane ligands and related N,N′-dioxides is reported. A procedure for the synthesis of a few new enantiomerically pure C2-symmetric pyridine N-oxides and the preparation of four pyridine N-oxides with oxygen and nitrogen atoms as further coordinating elements in the heterocycle framework is described. All compounds were prepared from naturally occurring monoterpenes. These new compounds were assessed as organocatalysts in two different reactions, namely the allylation of aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilane that afforded homoallylic alcohols in good yields and up to 85% ee and the stilbene oxide opening by the addition of tetrachlorosilane that gave chlorohydrin in quantitative yield and up to 70% ee.

N-1-Unsubstituted-3-aryl-4-pyrazoleacetic acids and their 4,5-dihydro derivatives can conveniently be prepared by cyclization of 3-benzoyl-3-butenoic acids with hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid and subsequent treatment with bromine in acetic acid or, respectively, with diluted mineral acids.

A protocol for the one-pot synthesis of internal alkynes from 1,1-dibromoalkenes is reported. The method is hinged upon the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of 2-aryl- or 2-heteroaryl-1,1-dibromoalkenes with aryl or heteroaryl boronic acids or borate esters followed by dehydrobromination of the intermediate coupled products. Yields up to 89% were obtained.

A protocol for the synthesis of quinolines substituted on both pyridine and benzo-fused rings is reported. The method is based on the formylation of a substituted N-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)aniline followed by direct cyclisation and aromatisation of the intermediate product obtained by condensation of the formed N-Boc o-aminobenzaldehyde with an enolisable carbonyl compound. Yields up to 88% have been obtained.

Tricyclic pyrazole dimers that comprise two kinds of CONH-(CH(2))(n)-N(CH(3))-(CH(2))(n)-NHCO bridges to which are linked potential DNA-intercalating groups such as 1H-benzo[g]indazole, 2H-benzo[g]indazole and 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazole were designed, synthesized and some of them evaluated in vitro by NCI (Bethesda, USA) against nine types of cancer cells. Compounds 2a, 2f-i and 2o-r demonstrated significant antiproliferative activity, all with GI(50) values in the low micromolar range. Preliminary analysis of the structure-activity relationship for dimers 2 indicated that: (i) in the ground terms (2a and 2k) antitumor activities were strongly related to the type of chromophore, (ii) in contrast, either 1H-benzo[g]indazole- or 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazole-dimers when bore a N(1)-aryl group (2g, 2h, 2i, 2o, 2p, 2q and 2r) generally showed a good level of antitumor potency and (iii) for the most representative compounds (pairs of compounds: 2g,2h; 2o,2p and 2q,2r) the length of the bridges did not significantly contribute to the variations in cytotoxicity. Two members of this series, 2f and 2q, were selected and tested in the hollow fiber cell assay to evaluate in a preliminary fashion their in vivo antitumor activity. Finally, viscosity measurement of 2f with poly(dA-dT)(2), confirmed that these promising compounds behaved as typical DNA-intercalating agents.

New chiral quinolylmethyloxazolines and acridininyloxazolines were prepared and assessed in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enyl acetate with dimethyl malonate. The introduction of a benzo-fused substituent on the pyridine ring not containing the chiral backbone resulted in the switch of the expected chiral sense of enantioselection of the reaction. Enantiomeric excesses up to 78% were obtained.

N-1-Unsubstituted-3-aryl-4-pyrazoleacetic acids and their 4,5-dihydro derivatives can conveniently be prepared by cyclization of 3-benzoyl-3-butenoic acids with hydrazine hydrate in acetic acid and subsequent treatment with bromine in acetic acid or, respectively, with diluted mineral acids.

Several substituted benzo[h]cinnolinones 3 and 3H-benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-c]pyridazinones 4, which were designed as less rigid congeners of 5H-indeno[1,2-c]pyridazinones 2, were synthesized and tested as antihypertensive, inotropic, antithrombotic, antiinflammatory, and antiulcer agents. While the seven-membered ring derivatives displayed only antithrombotic properties, which were comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid, most of the benzo[h]cinnolinones exhibited significant antihypertensive, inotropic, and antithrombotic properties. In this respect, the 8-amino (3b) and 8-acetylamino (3c) together with the 4,4a-dehydro analogue of 3c (11) were found to possess the most potent and long-lasting antihypertensive activity. In particular, the dextro isomer of 3c was more active than the racemic form, with lower tachycardiac effects. Unlike the lower homologues 2, none of the compounds showed significant antiinflammatory or antiulcer activity.

A series of bis(benzo[ g ]indoles) bridged by CX-(CH 2 ) n N(Me)(CH 2 ) n -CX (X = O, S, H 2 ; n = 2,3) was synthesized as bifunctional antitumor agents and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against diverse human cancer cell lines by the National Cancer Institute. The parent compounds 2a,b exhibited a good level of activity and derivates 2c - g,i,k demonstrated significant inhibitory effects, all with IC 50 values in the low micromolar range. The thioamide analogue 2j showed less potency. It is interesting to note that introduction of substituents on the benzene ring of the benzo[ g ]indole portion of 2a,b did not affect activity, with the only exception of the 7,8-dichloro derivative 2h which became less potent. One member of this series, 2i, was then tested in the hollow fiber cell assay to evaluate, in a preliminary fashion, its in vivo antineoplastic activity. Molecular modelling studies were performed on amide 2a and thioamide 2j to explain the loss of activity of 2j as to 2a. Finally, compound 2a behaved as a typical DNAintercalating agent, as judged from viscosity measurements with Poly(dA-dT) .. poly(dA-dT).

A number of 7-amino and 7-acylamino substituted 4,4a-dihydro-5H-indeno[1,2-c]pyridazin-3-ones have been synthesized as rigid congeners of hypotensive 6-aryl-5-methyl-4,5-dihydro-3(2H)-pyridazinones and tested as antihypertensive, antithrombotic, antiulcer, and antiinflammatory agents. Unlike the previously described 7-cyano derivative, which displayed only antiinflammatory action, the new series exhibited significant antihypertensive and antithrombotic properties. In this respect, the 7-amino (2b) and the 7-acetylamino (2c) derivatives were found to be the most potent and long lasting in reducing the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in protecting mice from the induction of thrombosis. These compounds, as well as the 7-(2-chloropropionyl) derivative 2d, also exhibited antiinflammatory activity; in addition, 2c,d were highly effective in inhibiting indomethacin-induced ulcers in the rat.

Representative terms of the new heterocyclic system 9H-indeno[2,1-c]pyridazine have been synthesized. Their antiinflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities were evaluated, in order to compare the pharmacological profiles with those of the isomeric series of 5H-indeno[1,2-c]pyridazine previously investigated. The new compounds were, in general, equiactive as analgesic but less active as antiinflammatory and antipyretic agents with respect to their 5H-isomers.

The as yet unknown 1-amino-4-chloroisoquinoline was synthesised from 1,4-dichloroisoquinoline through the 1-phenoxy-4-chloro derivative. This procedure was also suitable for obtaining 1-aminoisoquinoline from 1-chloroisoquinoline in good yields.