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The rising levels of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the poor medical effects of the commercially available antidiabetic drugs necessitate the development of potent analogs to treat this multifactorial metabolic disorder. It has been demonstrated that targeting two or more biochemical targets associated with the onset and progression of diabetes along with oxidative stress and/or cancer could be a significant strategy for treating complications related to this metabolic disorder. The 3,5-dibromo-4,6-dimethoxychalcones (2a–f) and the corresponding flavone derivatives (3a–f) were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic (NMR, HR-MS and FT-IR) techniques. The inhibitory effect of both series of compounds against α-glucosidase and α-amylase was evaluated in vitro through enzymatic assays. Selected compounds were also evaluated for potential to activate or inhibit superoxide dismutase. Compound 3c was selected as a representative model for the flavone series and evaluated spectrophotometrically for potential to coordinate Cu(II) and/or Zn(II) ions implicated in the metal-catalyzed free radical generation. A plausible mechanism for metal-chelation of the test compounds is presented. Furthermore, the most active compounds from each series against the test carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes were selected and evaluated for their antigrowth effect on the human breast (MCF-7) and lung (A549) cancer cell lines and for cytotoxicity against the African Green Monkey kidney (Vero) cell line. The parent chalcone 2a and flavone derivatives 3a, 3c and 3e exhibited relatively high inhibitory activity against the MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 4.12 ± 0.55, 8.50 ± 0.82, 5.10 ± 0.61 and 6.96 ± 0.66 μM, respectively. The chalcones 2a and 2c exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the A549 cells with IC50 values of 7.40 ± 0.67 and 9.68 ± 0.80 μM, respectively. Only flavone 3c exhibited relatively strong and comparable cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 and A549 cell lines with IC50 values of 6.96 ± 0.66 and 6.42 ± 0.79 μM, respectively. Both series of compounds exhibited strong activity against the MCF-7 and A549 cell lines compared to the analogous quercetin (IC50 = 35.40 ± 1.78 and 35.38 ± 1.78 μM, respectively) though moderate compared to nintedanib (IC50 = 0.53 ± 0.11 and 0.74 ± 0.15 μM, respectively). The test compounds generally exhibited reduced cytotoxicity against the Vero cells compared to this anticancer drug. Molecular docking revealed strong alignment of the test compounds with the enzyme backbone to engage in hydrogen bonding interaction/s and hydrophobic contacts with the residues in the active sites of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. The test compounds possess favorable drug-likeness properties, supporting their potential as therapeutic candidates against T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 2-arylbenzo[b]furan-appended 4-aminoquinazoline hybrids were prepared and evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro against the human lung cancer (A549), colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), hepatocellular carcinoma (C3A) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines. Compounds 10d and 10j exhibited significant cytotoxicity against the C3A and Caco-2 cell lines and induced apoptosis in these cell lines. Likewise, compounds 10d and 10e exhibited significant inhibitory activity towards epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase phosphorylation (IC50 values of 29.3 nM and 31.1 nM, respectively) against Gefitinib (IC50 = 33.1 nM). Molecular docking of compounds 10 into EGFR-TK active site suggests that they bind to the region of EGFR like Gefitinib does. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2-amino-5-(3/4-fluorostyryl)acetophenones were prepared and reacted with benzaldehyde derivatives to afford the corresponding 5-styryl-2-aminochalcone hybrids. The trans geometry of the styryl and α,β-unsaturated carbonyl arms, and the presence of NH...O intramolecular hydrogen bond were validated using 1H-NMR and X-ray data. The 2-amino-5-styrylacetophenones and their 5-styryl-2-aminochalcone derivatives were screened in vitro for their capability to inhibit α-glucosidase and/or α-amylase activities. Their antioxidant properties were evaluated in vitro through the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging assays. Kinetic studies of the most active derivatives from each series against α-glucosidase and/or α-amylase activities have been performed supported by molecular docking studies to determine plausible protein–ligand interactions on a molecular level. The key aspects of the pharmacokinetics of these compounds, i.e., absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion have also been simulated at theoretical level. The most active compounds from each series, namely, 2a and 3e, were evaluated for cytotoxicity against the normal monkey kidney cells (Vero cells) and the adenocarcinomic human epithelial (A549) cell line to establish their safety profile at least in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of indole-aminoquinazolines was prepared via amination of the 2-aryl-4-chloroquinazolines with the 7-amino-2-aryl-5-bromoindoles. It was then evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro against human lung cancer (A549), epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), hepatocellular carcinoma (C3A), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. A combination on the quinazoline and indole moieties of a 2-phenyl and 2-(4-fluorophenyl) rings in compound 4b; 2-(4-fluorophenyl) and 3-chlorophenyl rings in compound 4f; or the two 2-(4-fluorophenyl) rings in compound 4g, resulted in significant and moderate activity against the Caco-2 and C3A cell lines. The indole-aminoquinazoline hybrids compounds 4f and 4g induced apoptosis in Caco-2 and C3A cells, and were also found to exhibit moderate (IC50 = 52.5 nM) and significant (IC50 = 40.7 nM) inhibitory activity towards epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) against gefitinib (IC50 = 38.9 nM). Molecular docking suggests that 4a–h could bind to the ATP region of EGFR like erlotinib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]