6515-06-6

The trypanocidal activity of naturally occurring 6-(3,4-dihydroxystyryl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyrone (hispidin) prompted us to examine its cytotoxic activity toward normal and cancerous cells in culture. Hispidin synthesized in our laboratory to a high degree of purity (checked by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy) was shown to be cytotoxic (between 10-3 mol/L and 10-7 mol/L) toward normal human MRC-5 fibroblasts, human cancerous keratinocytes (SCL-1 cell line), and human cancerous pancreatic duct cells (Capan-1 cell line). Interestingly, addition of hispidin in three successive doses (between 10-5 mol/L and 10-7 mol/L) led to a 100-fold increase in activity with an enhanced activity on cancer cells compared to normal cells (50%). Synthetic hispidin was found to inhibit isoform β of protein kinase C (IC50 of 2 x 10-6 mol/L), but not E. coli and placental type XV alkaline phosphatases. The enhanced activity of hispidin toward the cancerous cell lines is discussed.

1. Bavachinin isolated from Psoralea corylifolia has various activities, such as antimicrobial, antiallergic, antitumor and so on. Our previous study showed that natural bavachinin exhibits peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-agonist activity.2.

A new C(sp3)?H functionalization reaction consisting of the oxidative α-allylation of allyl- and benzyl- methyl ethers has been developed. The C?C coupling could be carried out under mild conditions thanks to the use of cheap and green oxoammonium salts. The scope of the reaction was studied over 27 examples, considering the nature of the substituents on the two coupling partners.

Loss of neuronal tissue is a hallmark of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Since adult neurogenesis has been confirmed in the human brain, great interest has arisen in substances stimulating the endogenous neuronal regeneration mechanism based on ad

Broussochalcones A (BCA, 1) and B (BCB, 2) are major bioactive constituents isolated from Broussonetia papyrifera, a polyphenol-rich plant belonging to the family Moraceae. Due to their low yields from natural sources, BCA (1) and BCB (2) were prepared sy

The compounds 2-amino-3-carboxamido-thieno[2,3-b]pyridines have demonstrated excel-lent anti-proliferative activity against human cancer cell lines, including the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. In this study, 81 novel thieno[2,3-b]pyridines were synthesised in four series to further improve their anti-proliferative activity, in particular by targeting an adjacent lipophilic pocket in the putative target enzyme phosphoinositide phospholipase C (PI-PLC). Overall, it was found that appending a propyl-aryl group at C-5 on 2-amino-3-carboxamido-thieno[2,3-b]pyridine resulted in compounds with potent biological activity, exhibiting IC50 values in the nanomolar range. The propyl linker could be an α,β-unsaturated ketone or a saturated propyl ketone, but the highest activity was obtained when allylic alcohols were the tether between thieno[2,3-b]pyridine and the appended aryl group, with compound 21r having IC50 values lower than 50 nM. Compounds with one extra carbon in the tether (i.e., a four-atom chain) were found to be considerably less active. Molecular modelling revealed this propyl tether places the newly introduced aryl ring in an untargeted lipophilic pocket within the active site of the phosphoinositide phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzyme.

2′-hydroxy-chalcones are naturally occurring compounds with a wide array of bioactiv-ity. In an effort to delineate the structural features that favor antioxidant and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitory activity, the design, synthesis, and bioactivity profile of a series of 2′-hydroxy-chalcones bearing diverse substituents on rings A and B, are presented. Among all the synthesized derivatives, chalcone 4b, bearing two hydroxyl substituents on ring B, was found to possess the best combined activity (82.4% DPPH radical scavenging ability, 82.3% inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and satisfac-tory LOX inhibition value (IC50 = 70 μM). Chalcone 3c, possessing a methoxymethylene substituent on ring A, and three methoxy groups on ring B, exhibited the most promising LOX inhibitory activity (IC50 = 45 μM). A combination of in silico techniques were utilized in an effort to explore the crucial binding characteristics of the most active compound 3c and its analogue 3b, to LOX. A common H-bond interaction pattern, orienting the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups of the aromatic ring A towards Asp768 and Asn128, respectively, was observed. Regarding the analogue 3c, the bulky (-OMOM) group does not seem to participate in a direct binding, but it induces an orientation capable to form H-bonds between the methoxy groups of the aromatic ring B with Trp130 and Gly247.

Curcumin (CUR) is a symmetrical dicarbonyl compound with antibacterial activity. On the other hand, pharmacokinetic and chemical stability limitations hinder its therapeutic application. Monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin (MACs) have been shown to overcome these barriers. We synthesized and investigated the antibacterial activity of a series of unsymmetrical MACs derived from acetone against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Gram-negative and Gram-positive species. Phenolic MACs 4, 6 and 8 showed a broad spectrum and potent activity, mainly against M. tuberculosis, Acinetobacter baumannii and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values ranging from 0.9 to 15.6 μg/mL. The investigation regarding toxicity on human lung cells (MRC-5 and A549 lines) revealed MAC 4 was more selective than MACs 6 and 8, with SI (selectivity index) values ranging from 5.4 to 15.6. In addition, MAC 4 did not demonstrate genotoxic effects on A549 cells and it was more stable than CUR in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) for 24 h at 37 °C. Fluorescence and phase contrast microscopies indicated that MAC 4 has the ability to disrupt the divisome of Bacillus subtilis without damaging its cytoplasmic membrane. However, biochemical investigations demonstrated that MAC 4 did not affect the GTPase activity of B. subtilis FtsZ, which is the main constituent of the bacterial divisome. These results corroborated that MAC 4 is a promising antitubercular and antibacterial agent.

Arginase is involved in a wide range of pathologies including cardiovascular diseases and infectious diseases whilst it is also a promising target to improve cancer immunotherapy. To date, only a limited number of inhibitors of arginase have been reported. Natural polyphenols, among them piceatannol, are moderate inhibitors of arginase. Herein, we report our efforts to investigate catechol binding by quantum chemistry and generate analogues of piceatannol. In this work, we synthesized a novel series of amino-polyphenols which were then evaluated as arginase inhibitors. Their structure-activity relationships were elucidated by deep quantum chemistry modelling. 4-((3,4-Dihydroxybenzyl)amino)benzene-1,2-diol3tdisplays a mixed inhibition activity on bovine and human arginase I with IC50(Ki) values of 76 (82) μM and 89 μM, respectively.

Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is a neurological disorder with still no preventive or curative treatment. Flavonoids are phytochemicals with potential therapeutic value. Previous studies described the flavanone sterubin isolated from the Californian plant Eriodictyon californicum as a potent neuroprotectant in several in vitro assays. Herein, the resolution of synthetic racemic sterubin (1) into its two enantiomers, (R)-1 and (S)-1, is described, which has been performed on a chiral chromatographic phase, and their stereochemical assignment online by HPLC-ECD coupling. (R)-1 and (S)-1 showed comparable neuroprotection in vitro with no significant differences. While the pure stereoisomers were configurationally stable in methanol, fast racemization was observed in the presence of culture medium. We also established the occurrence of extracted sterubin as its pure (S)-enantiomer. Moreover, the activity of sterubin (1) was investigated for the first time in vivo, in an AD mouse model. Sterubin (1) showed a significant positive impact on short- and long-term memory at low dosages.

The first total synthesis of novel skeleton natural compounds kinkeloids A and B, a group of newly discovered flavan alkaloids isolated fromthe African plant Combretum micranthum, are described in this study. The key and final step are achieved by Mannich reaction, through which the piperidine moiety couples to the flavan moiety. The identities of synthesized kinkeloids were further confirmed through a comparison with the ones in the plant leaves extract using LC/MS.

Herein, we demonstrate that butein (1) can prevent swelling in a murine lymphedema model by suppressing tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) production. Butein derivatives were synthesized and evaluated to identify compounds with in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Among them, 20 μM of compounds 7j, 7m, and 14a showed 50percent suppression of TNF-α production in mouse peritoneal macrophages after lipopolysaccharide stimulation. Compound 14a, exhibited the strongest potency with an in vitro IC50 of 14.6 μM and suppressed limb volume by 70percent in a murine lymphedema model. The prodrug strategy enabled a six-fold increase in kinetic solubility of compound 1 and five-fold higher levels of active metabolite in the blood for compound 14a via oral administration in the pharmacokinetics study. We suggest that the compound 14a could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent targeting anti-inflammatory activity to alleviate lymphedema progression.

A structure activity relationship study of curcumin analogues for the inhibition of amyloid β aggregation is described. Optimization of the o-phenol and olefin spacer resulted in the identification of the C5-monoketone type curcumin analogue AY1319, which

The cyclohexene moiety of the tricyclic 6,7-diaryl-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromene core of palodesangrens could be assembled in a biomimetic and step-economical fashion by the Diels-Alder reaction between the electron-rich (E)-1,3-butadienylarenes as the diene and the electron-deficient chalcones as the dienophile. During the reduction of ketone to the corresponding alcohol by LiAlH4, the mixture of endo and exo isomers underwent a novel diastereoconvergent LiAlH4-mediated isomerization to install the desired stereochemistry at C10a. Subsequent pyran ring closure under acidic conditions installed the stereochemistry at the remaining C6. Overall, the tricyclic core of palodesangrens could be prepared in three steps and up to 38% yield.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonists have been used for the treatment of diabetes with the effect of lowering blood glucose levels and improving insulin sensitivity. Natural compounds such as flavones, flavanones, and isoflavones

The TWIK-related K+ channel, TREK-1, has recently emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for the development of a novel class of analgesic drugs, suggesting that activation of TREK-1 could result in pain inhibition. Here, we report the synthesis of a series of substituted acrylic acids (1-54) based on our previous work with caffeate esters. The analogues were evaluated for their ability to modulate TREK-1 channel by electrophysiology and for their in vivo antinociceptive activity (acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate assays), leading to the identification of a series of novel molecules able to activate TREK-1 and displaying potent antinociceptive activity in vivo. Furyl analogue 36 is the most promising of the series.

Background: Ease of preparation and alkaline stability of methoxymethyl (MOM) makes it an important hydroxyl protecting group. A number of methods are available for the deprotection of MOM. Though the methods are good in general, they use solvents, require prolonged reaction time and tedious work up. A solvent free, solid phase, fast deprotection of MOM has been developed and is the major theme of this paper. Methods: A mixture of MOM protected compounds and pTSA is triturated in a mortar (5 min) and left at room temperature for 30 min. On addition of water (4°C), pTSA, methanol and formaldehyde dissolved leaving the products as precipitates. Results: A series of different MOM ethers were deprotected by this method in good to excellent yield (85-98%). The compatibility of MOM in the presence of other protections such as methoxyl, benzyl, ester, amide, allyl and lactone was also established. Acetate protection is not stable under these conditions. Conclusion: An efficient, selective and high yielding deprotection MOM groups by pTSA under solvent free condition is described. The process is environment friendly since no solvent was used in the deprotection process. The reaction conditions are mild and should be useful for the deprotection of MOM derivatives of complex and labile molecules.

The Vernohia anthelmintica L.'s extract is one of the most popular Uygur medicines used for vitiligo. It is believed that the chalcone compounds of the plant play an important role in the treatment since they may activate tyrosinase and improve melanin production. In this study, twenty-one chalcones and nine analogues were synthesized in view of three different components of chalcone (A, B ring and α, β-unsaturated carbonyl). After biological evaluation of their activity on tyrosinase in cell-free systems, the result showed that most compounds (except polyhydroxy chalcones) possess activator effect on the tyrosinase, especially for 13a–15a, 20a and 1b, which bearing a comparable activity to the positive control 8-MOP. SAR of these tyrosinase activator was summed up for the first time as well. Finally, compound 13a was found to increase melanin contents and tyrosinase activity 1.75 and 1.3 fold, respectively, compared with that of untreated murine B16 cells at the concentration of 40?μg/mL.

Background: Ovarian cancer remains a disease with a poor five year survival rate. As such, novel therapies are needed. Natural chalcones as well as their synthetic derivatives have shown biological activity in a number of areas including the inhibition of cancer cell growth. Objective: To synthesize a library of chalcone derivatives, including novel structures, and determiner the inhibition of ovarian cancer cell growth and Structure-activity-relationships. Methods: The Claisen-Schmidt condensation reaction between substituted acetophenones and aromatic aldehydes was used to produce a series of novel chalcones in moderate to excellent yields and good purity. Cellular proliferation of CA-OV3 cells was measured with a MTS assay. Results: Out of the thirty-four synthesized compounds, eight are new derivatives. The synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Biological evaluation of these β-phenylacrylophenone derivatives in CA-OV3 cells showed interesting antiproliferative activities providing initial structure – activity information. Conclusion: Fourteen of the thirty-four tested compounds showed significant activity, with several showing near complete inhibition of growth at 100 μM. The structure-activity relationships suggest that modification to the A ring is widely tolerated and that electron-donating modifications to the B ring are beneficial to activity. Electron-withdrawing modifications to the B ring did not show inhibition of cell growth.

Four new metal complexes [Cu(ISO)2], [Cu(BUT)2] and [Zn(ISO)2], [Zn(BUT)2] of the polyhydroxychalcones (isoliquiritigenin and butein) are synthesized, structurally characterized and their antioxidant activity is investigated. The formation of the complexes [Cu(ISO)2] and [Zn(ISO)2] is followed by Job’s plot using NMR titration. The resulting compounds are characterized by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Studies on the radical scavenging activity are performed using DPPH as substrate. The results showed that the antioxidant activities of isoliquiritigenin and butein are enhanced after binding to copper or zinc. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

In this study, we evaluated the abilities of a series of chalcones to inhibit the activity of the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO) and to scavenge radicals. 20 mono- and polyhydroxylated chalcone derivatives were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt condensation reactions and then tested for inhibitory potency against XO, a known generator of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In parallel, the ability of the synthesized chalcones to scavenge a stable radical was determined. Structure-activity relationship analysis in conjunction with molecular docking indicated that the most active XO inhibitors carried a minimum of three hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the most effective radical scavengers had two neighboring hydroxyl groups on at least one of the two phenyl rings. Since it has been proposed previously that XO inhibition and radical scavenging could be useful properties for reduction of ROS-levels in tissue, we determined the chalcones' effects to rescue neurons subjected to ROS-induced stress created by the addition of β-amyloid peptide. Best protection was provided by chalcones that combined good inhibitory potency with high radical scavenging ability in a single molecule, an observation that points to a potential therapeutic value of this compound class.

To explore the structure-activity relationships on the inhibitory activity of flavanonols against nitric oxide (NO) production in inflammatory cells, we synthesized 19 flavanonols which shared a common 3,5,7-trihydroxychroman scaffold. A range of substitutions was included in the B ring in order to investigate the structure-activity relationship. We also succeeded in isolating stereoisomers from 16 of the flavanonols using chiral column chromatography. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on NO production were examined in RAW 264.7 cells (a murine macrophage-like cell line), which were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We only observed inhibitory activity against NO production in (2R,3R) stereoisomers, while the inhibitory activities of (2S,3S) stereoisomers were significantly weaker. We also evaluated the free radical scavenging potential of the flavanonols using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Each stereoisomer indicated the equivalent DPPH scavenging potential as expected. The radical scavenging activity was not correlated with the inhibitory activity against NO. The inhibition of NO production by flavanonols is stereospecific and cannot simply be explained by their radical scavenging activity. We propose the possible existence of a 'target' molecule for flavanonols which is involved in the production and/or regulation of NO in RAW 264.7 cells.

The TWIK-related K+ channel, TREK-1, has recently emerged as an attractive therapeutic target for the development of a novel class of analgesic drugs. It has been reported that TREK-1 -/- mice were more sensitive than wild-type mice to painful stimuli, suggesting that activation of TREK-1 could result in pain inhibition. Here we report the synthesis of a series of substituted caffeate esters (12a-u) based on the hit compound CDC 2 (cinnamyl 3,4-dihydroxyl-α-cyanocinnamate). These analogs were evaluated for their ability to modulate TREK-1 channel by electrophysiology and for their in vivo antinociceptive activity (acetic acid induced-writhing assay) leading to the identification a series of novel molecules able to activate TREK-1 and displaying potent analgesic activity in vivo.

The large tendency of catechol rings to adsorb on surfaces has been studied by STM experiments with molecular resolution combined with molecular-dynamics simulations. The strong adhesion is due to interactions with the surface and solvent effects. Moreove

A one-pot synthesis of aurones from substituted acetophenone and benzaldehyde has been developed on the basis of an improved Algar-Flynn-Oyamada reaction. By using this method, several aurones were prepared in three steps from commercial starting materials. The usefulness of this one-pot strategy was confirmed by a synthesis of aureusidin, an inhibitor of iodothyronine deiodinase, in 41% overall yield. In comparison with a two-step synthesis of this product from the same substrates, the one-pot strategy was more effective, giving a higher yield and requiring fewer and simpler operations. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart New York.

A systematic investigation of the human metabolism of hydroxycinnamic acid conjugates was carried out. A set of 24 potential human metabolites of coffee polyphenols has been chemically prepared, and used as analytical standards for unequivocal identifications. These included glucuronide conjugates and sulfate esters of caffeic, ferulic, isoferulic, m-coumaric and p-coumaric acids as well as their dihydro derivatives. A particular focus has been made on caffeic and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid derivatives, especially the sulfate conjugates, for which regioselective preparation was particularly challenging, and have so far never been identified as human metabolites. Ten out of the 24 synthesized conjugates have been identified in human plasma and/or urine after coffee consumption. A number of these conjugates were synthesized, characterized and detected as hydroxycinnamic acid metabolites for the first time. This was the case of dihydroisoferulic acid 3′-O-glucuronide, caffeic acid 3′-sulfate, as well as the sulfate and glucuronide derivatives of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid.

Three series of aza-caffeic acid derivatives with different linkers were designed and synthesized. Each of the synthesized derivatives was then used in cytotoxicity screening on either 8 or 12 human cancer cell lines. The structure-activity relationships on three structural regions A, B, and C are analyzed in detail, indicating that a nine bond linker B, containing a piperazine unit, is the most favorable linker leading to the generation of molecules with potent cytotoxicities. Compound (E)-1-(4-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl) piperazin-1-yl)-3-(4-(4-ethoxybenzyloxy)-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (80) exhibited the most significant and selective cytotoxicity to KB, BEL7404, K562, and Eca109 cell lines, with IC50 values of 0.2, 2.0, 1.7, and 1.1 μM, respectively, stronger than that seen for caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and cisplatin (CDDP). Flow cytometric and western blot analysis indicate that compound 80 plays a role in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis activity by suppressing K562 cell proliferation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.

Starting from bisphenolic bis-styrylbenzene DF-9 (4), β-amyloid (Aβ) binding affinity and specificity for phenolic bis-styrylbenzenes, monostyrylbenzenes, and alkyne controls were determined by fluorescence titration with β-amyloid peptide Aβ1-40 and a fluorescence assay using APP/PS1 transgenic mouse brain sections. Bis-styrylbenzene SAR is derived largely from work on symmetrical compounds. This study is the first to describe Aβ binding data for bis-styrylbenzenes unsymmetrical in the outer rings. With one exception, binding affinity and specificity were decreased by adding and/or changing the substitution pattern of phenol functional groups, changing the orientation about the central phenyl ring, replacing the alkene with alkyne bonds, or eliminating the central phenyl ring. The only compound with an Aβ binding affinity and specificity comparable to 4 was its 3-hydroxy regioisomer 8. Like 4, 8 crossed the blood-brain barrier and bound to Aβ plaques in vivo. By use of a DPPH assay, phenol functional groups with para orientations seem to be a necessary, but insufficient, criterion for good free radical scavenging properties in these compounds.

In screening experiments for rat intestinal α-glucosidase (sucrase and maltase) inhibitors in 325 plants cultivated in Japan's southern island, of Tanegashima, marked inhibition against both sucrase and maltase was found in the extract of the fruit of Solanum torvum. Enzyme-assay guided fractionation of the extract led to the isolation of methyl caffeate (1) as a rat intestinal sucrase and maltase inhibitor. We examined 13 caffeoyl derivatives for sucrase- and maltase-inhibitory activities. The results showed that methyl caffeate (1) had a most favorable structure for both sucrase and maltase inhibition, except for a higher activity of methyl 3,4,5-trihydroxycinnamate (14) against sucrase. Its moderate inhibitory action against α-glucosidase provides a prospect for antidiabetic usage of S. torvum fruit.

A series of C7-O- and C20-O-amidated 2,3-dehydrosilybin (DHS) derivatives ((±)-1a-f and (±)-2), as well as a set of alkenylated DHS analogues ((±)-4a-f), were designed and de novo synthesized. A diesteric derivative ofDHS((±)-3) and two C23 esterifiedDHSanalogues ((±)-5a and (±)-5b) were also prepared for comparison. The cell viability of PC12 cells, Fe2+ helation, lipid peroxidation (LPO), free radical scavenging, and xanthine oxidase inhibition models were utilized to evaluate their antioxidative and neuron protective properties. The study revealed that the diether atC7-OHand C20-OHas well as the monoether at C7-OH, which possess aliphatic substituted acetamides, demonstrated more potent LPO inhibition and Fe2+chelation compared to DHS and quercetin. Conversely, the diallyl ether at C7-OH and C20-OH was more potent in protection of PC12 cells against H2O2-induced injury than DHS and quercetin. Overall, the more lipophilic alkenylated DHS analogues were better performing neuroprotective agents than the acetamidated derivatives. The results in this study would be beneficial for optimizing the therapeutic potential of lignoflavonoids, especially in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

A series of 2′-hydroxy-chalcones and their oxidative cyclization products, aurones, have been synthesized and tested for their antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. The natural product aureusidin (31) was synthesized in high yield by a new approach. An extensive structure-relationship study was performed and revealed that several chalcones and aurones possess an appealing pharmacological profile combining high antioxidant and lipid peroxidation activity with potent soybean LOX inhibition.

The first total synthesis of (4E,6E)-1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-hepta-4, 6-dien-3-one and an alternative synthesis of (4E,6E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)- hepta-4,6-dien-3-one, two natural diarylheptanoids, mainly based on Claisen-Schmidt condensation were described. The crucial steps of the syntheses were the condensation of OH-protected 4-aryl-2-butanones with OH-protected 3-aryl-acrylaldehydes by the in situ enamination and then deprotection of OH groups to give the corresponding natural diarylheptanoids. Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

The DPPH radical scavenging activity of 2′,4′,6′- trihydroxy- and 2′-hydroxy-4′,6′-dimethoxychalcones carrying a 2,3- and 3,4-dihydroxylated, and 3,4,5-trihydroxylated B-ring was evaluated in alcoholic and non-alcoholic solvents. All test compounds scavenged more than two equivalent of radicals by a possible conversion to the corresponding B-ring quinones and in most cases subsequently underwent cyclization to aurones and flavanones, these being identified in the reaction solutions by an in situ NMR analysis. Interestingly, the reaction between 2′,3,4-trihydroxy-4′, 6′-dimethoxychalcone and the DPPH radical was significantly affected by the solvent used, which might be accounted for by the difference in readiness for cyclization to an aurone.

Fifteen chalcones and three thiazolidinedione (TZD) chalcones were prepared to evaluate their peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) ligand-binding activities. Among the three TZDs, one compound possessed PPAR-γ transactivation potential, while the others showed antagonistic activity against PPAR-γ transactivation. Among the chalcones, compound 5 was the most potent, and structure-activity relationship studies indicated that a methoxyl group in position C-4 and hydroxyl group in position C-4′ or 5′ in chalcone plays a key role in determining the potency of PPAR-γ activation.

The transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB), which regulates expression of numerous antiinflammatory genes as well as genes that promote development of the prosurvival, antiapoptotic state is up-regulated in many cancer cells. The natural product resveratrol, a polyphenolic trans-stilbene, has numerous biological activities and is a known inhibitor of activation of NF-κB, which may account for some of its biological activities. Resveratrol exhibits activity against a wide variety of cancer cells and has demonstrated activity as a cancer chemopreventive against all stages, i.e., initiation, promotion, and progression. The biological activities of resveratrol are often ascribed to its antioxidant activity. Both antioxidant activity and biological activities of analogues of resveratrol depend upon the number and location of the hydroxy groups. In the present study, phenolic analogues of resveratrol and a series of substituted trans-stilbenes without hydroxy groups were compared with resveratrol for their abilities to inhibit the human tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced (TNF-α) activation of NF-κB, using the Panomics NF-κB stable reporter cell line 293/NF-κB-luc. A series of 75 compounds was screened to identify substituted trans-stilbenes that were more active than resveratrol. Dose-response studies of the most active compounds were carried out to obtain IC50 values. Numerous compounds were identified that were more active than resveratrol, including compounds that were devoid of hydroxy groups and were 100-fold more potent than resveratrol. The substituted trans-stilbenes that were potent inhibitors of the activation of NFκB generally did not exhibit antioxidant activity. The results from screening were confirmed using BV-2 microglial cells where resveratrol and analogues were shown to inhibit LPS-induced COX-2 expression.

The synthesis of side-chain 13C-labeled geranylgeranyl-4- hydroxybenzoic acids and geranylgeranyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids is described. The synthesis starts from O-protected methyl hydroxyiodobenzoates, which are transformed into Grignard re

Synthesis of 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propyl-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) propanoate (18), a cytotoxic natural ester, was carried out by a convenient synthetic path with a total yield of 49%. Sixteen of its analogues (19-34) were also prepared. Seventeen unsaturated derivatives of 18, compounds 1-17, were also synthesized to examine the structure-activity relationship of this type of ester. All of the synthetic compounds were passed through the cytotoxicity screenings on human tumor cell lines, such as PC-3, Hela, A549, BEL7404, CNE, and KB. Some of the esters exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on these tumor cell lines. The phenolic derivatives exhibited the highest cytotoxicity among these derivatives, while the unsaturated esters were more cytotoxic than the saturated analogues. Some of the compounds also exhibited inhibition on α-glucosidase.

5, 6, 7, 3′, 4′-Pentamethoxyflavone (8) isolated from the leaves of Orthosiphon stamineus has been synthesized by following an unambiguous route. All the new products have been characterised on the basis of spectral data and microanalysis.

Cytoprotective compounds, many of which are phenolic derivatives characterized by a substituted phenol having certain conjugated bonds, are useful in the treatment of certain ischemic or inflammatory conditions, including but not limited to stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and skin disorders characterized by inflammation or oxidative damage. They are also useful in the manufacture of pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations for the treatment of such conditions.

Carboxylic acid derivatives of the amyloid-binding dye Congo red do not enter the brain well and are thus unable to serve as in vivo amyloid-imaging agents. A neutral amyloid probe, (E,E)-1-(3′,4′-dihydroxystyryl)-4-(3′-methoxy-4 ′-hydroxystyryl)benzene (3), devoid of any carboxylate groups has been designed and synthesized via a 12-step reaction sequence with a total yield of 30%. The unsymmetric compound 3 has also been labelled with C-11 via [11C]methyl iodide ([11C]CH3I) methylation of a symmetric 4,4′-dimesyl protected precursor followed by deprotection. Preliminary evaluation indicated that compound 3 selectively stained plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in post-mortem AD brain, and exhibited good binding affinity (Ki = 38 ± 8 nM) for Aβ(1-40) fibrils in vitro. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated that [11C]3 exhibited higher brain uptake than its carboxylic acid analogs and good clearance from normal control mouse brain. [11C]3 also exhibited specific in vivo binding to pancreatic amyloid deposits in the NOR-beta transgenic mouse model. These results justify further investigation of 3 and similar derivatives as surrogate markers for in vivo quantitation of amyloid deposits. Copyright

The first synthesis of clusiparalicoline A, a prenylated and geranylated biphenyl compound isolated from the roots of Clusia paralicola, has been achieved by applying the sequential palladium-catalyzed Stille and Suzuki reactions to the formation of all t

A catechol pendant polystyrene polymer was prepared from the Merrifield resin via a convenient procedure with high-density loading. Due to the high affinity binding between catechol and boronic acid, the polymer resin readily captures boronic acid compounds. The feasibility of using immobilized catechol to capture boronic acid products for purification and solid-phase transformation was demonstrated. Moreover, the immobilized catechol was also used for the preparation of resin-bound catecholborane, which can be used as a solid-phase amidation reagent.

This invention relates to piperidine derivatives having antitumor activity and useful as pharmaceuticals such as an antitumor agent.

Aldose reductase, the key enzyme of the polyol pathway, and oxidative stress are known to play important roles in the complications of diabetes. A drug with potent inhibition of aldose reductase and oxidative stress, therefore, would be a most promising drug for the prevention of diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to develop new compounds with these dual-effects through synthesis of chalcone derivatives and by examining the structure-activity relationships on the inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase as well as on antioxidant effects. A series of 35 flavonoid derivatives were synthesized by Winget's condensation, oxidation, and reduction of appropriate acetophenones with appropriate benzaldehydes. The inhibitory activity of these derivatives on rat lens aldose reductase and their antioxidant effects, measured using Cu2+ chelation and radical scavenging activities on 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl in-vitro, were evaluated. Their effect on sorbitol accumulation in the red blood cells, lenses and sciatic nerves of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was also estimated. Among the new flavonoid derivatives synthesized, those with the 2′,4′-dihydroxyl groups in the A ring such as 2,4,2′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone (22), 2,2′,4′-trihydroxychalcone (11), 2′,4′-dihydroxy-2,4-dimethylchalcone (21) and 3,4,2′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone (18) were found to possess the highest rat lens aldose reductase inhibitory activity in-vitro, their IC50 values (concentration of inhibitors giving 50 % inhibition of enzyme activity) being 1.6 × 10-7, 3.8 × 10-7, 4.0 × 10-7 and 4.6 × 10-7 M, respectively. All of the chalcones tested except 3, 18, 23 with o-dihydroxy or hydroquinone moiety showed a weak free radical scavenging activity. In the in-vivo experiments, however, compound 18 with o-dihydroxy moiety in the B ring showed the strongest inhibitory activity in the accumulation of sorbitol in the tissues. It also showed the strongest activity in transition metal chelation and free radical scavenging activity. Of the 35 4,2′-dihydroxyl and 2′,4′-dihydroxyl derivatives of flavonoid synthesized, including chalcone, flavone, flavanone, flavonol and dihydrochalcone, some chalcone derivatives synthesized were found to possess aldose reductase inhibition and antioxidant activities in-vitro as well as inhibition in the accumulation of sorbitol in the tissues in-vivo. 3,4,2′,4′-Tetrahydroxychalcone (18, butein) was the most promising compound for the prevention or treatment of diabetic complications.

A method for treating a fungal infection is disclosed. The method includes administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound of formula (IA): where each R is independently H, OH, Br, Cl, I, amino, thiol, nitro, C1-4a

Desmodol (VII) isolated from the roots and stems of Desmodium caudatum DC has been synthesized by following an unambiguous route. 3-Methylphloroacetophenone on treatment with chlorobutyne afford 2,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-6"-dimethylpyranoacetophen

The present invention relates to an anti-ulcer agent comprising a compound represented by the following general formula I as the effective ingredient, and a novel chalcone derivative included in the compound represented by this general formula I: STR1 wherein X and Y independently stand for a hydrogen atom or together form a single bond, R1 stands for a hydroxyl group, an acetoxy group, a carboxymethoxy group or a methoxycarbonylmethoxy group, R2 stands for a hydrogen atom, an isoprenyl group, isopentyl group or a propyl group, R3 stands for hydroxyl group or a methoxy group, R4 stands for a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a methoxy group, R5 stands for a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or an isopentyl group, R6 stands for a hydroxyl group, a methoxy group or a carboxymethoxy group, and R7 stands for a hydrogen atom or a methoxy group.

Racemic aromadendrin and fustin have been stereoselectively synthesized.Reduction of the O-substituted derivatives of these flavanonols provides the corresponding derivatives of gleditsin, leucopelargonidin and mollisacacidin (leucofisetinidin).

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