Biological evaluation of arylsemicarbazone derivatives as potential anticancer agents

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/ph12040169

Fourteen arylsemicarbazone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in order to find agents with potential anticancer activity. Cytotoxic screening was performed against K562, HL-60, MOLT-4, HEp-2, NCI-H292, HT-29 and MCF-7 tumor cell lines. Compounds 3c and 4a were active against the tested cancer cell lines, being more cytotoxic for the HL-60 cell line with IC50 values of 13.08 μμM and 11.38 μμM, respectively. Regarding the protein kinase inhibition assay, 3c inhibited seven different kinases and 4a strongly inhibited the CK1δ/ε kinase. The studied kinases are involved in several cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, cell death and cell cycle progression. Additional analysis by flow cytometry revealed that 3c and 4a caused depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, suggesting apoptosis mediated by the intrinsic pathway. Compound 3c induced arrest in G1 phase of the cell cycle on HL-60 cells, and in the annexin V assay approximately 50% of cells were in apoptosis at the highest concentration tested (26 μμM). Compound 4a inhibited cell cycle by accumulation of abnormal postmitotic cells at G1 phase and induced DNA fragmentation at the highest concentration (22 μμM).

Full text of DOI:10.3390/ph12040169

Article
Biological Evaluation of Arylsemicarbazone
Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents
Anne Cecília Nascimento da Cruz 1, Dalci José Brondani 2, Temístocles I´talo de Santana 1, Lucas
Oliveira da Silva 2, Elizabeth Fernanda da Oliveira Borba 1, Antônio Rodolfo de Faria 2, Julianna
Ferreira Cavalcanti de Albuquerque 1, Sylvie Piessard 3, Rafael Matos Ximenes 1, Blandine
Baratte 4,5, Stéphane Bach 4,5, Sandrine Ruchaud 4, Francisco Jaime Bezerra Mendonça Junior 6,
Marc-Antoine Bazin 3, Marcelo Montenegro Rabello 2, Marcelo Zaldini Hernandes 2, Pascal
Marchand 3,* and Teresinha Gonçalves da Silva 1,*
1
Departamento de Antibióticos, Centro de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE,
50740-520, Brazil; annececilia2006@hotmail.com (A.C.N.d.C.); temistoclesitalo@gmail.com (T.I.d.S.);
elizabethfernanda_7@hotmail.com (E.F.d.O.B.); julianna@ufpe.br (J.F.C.d.A.); ximenesrm@gmail.com
(R.M.X.)
2
Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal de
Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50740-520, Brazil; brondani.dj@gmail.com (D.J.B); luc.osilva@gmail.com (L.O.d.S.);
rodolfo.ufpe@gmail.com (A.R.d.F.); montenegro.rabello@gmail.com (M.M.R.); zaldini@gmail.com (M.Z.H.)
3
Université de Nantes, Cibles et Médicaments des Infections et du Cancer, IICiMed, EA 1155, Nantes, F-
44000, France; sylvie.piessard@univ-nantes.fr (S.P.); marc-antoine.bazin@univ-nantes.fr (M.-A.B.)
4
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, USR3151, « Protein phosphorylation and human diseases » Unit, Station
Biologique, Roscoff, F-29688, France; baratte@sb-roscoff.fr (B.B.); bach@sb-roscoff.fr (S.B.);
sandrine.ruchaud@sb-roscoff.fr (S.R.)
5
Sorbonne Université, CNRS, FR2424, Kinase Inhibitor Specialized Screening Facility - KISSf, Station
Biologique, Roscoff, F-29688, France
6
Laboratory of Synthesis and Drug Delivery, Department of Biological Sciences, State University of Paraiba,
João Pessoa, PB, 58071-160, Brazil; franciscojbmendonca@yahoo.com.br
*
Correspondence: pascal.marchand@univ-nantes.fr (P.M.); teresinha.goncalves@pq.cnpq.br (T.G.d.S.); Tel.:
Tel.: +33 253 009 155 (P.M.); +55 31 81 2126 8347 (T.G.d.S.)
Received: 10 October 2019; Accepted: 14 November 2019; Published: 17 November 2019
Abstract: Fourteen arylsemicarbazone derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in order to find
agents with potential anticancer activity. Cytotoxic screening was performed against K562, HL-60,
MOLT-4, HEp-2, NCI-H292, HT-29 and MCF-7 tumor cell lines. Compounds 3c and 4a were active
against the tested cancer cell lines, being more cytotoxic for the HL-60 cell line with IC50 values of
13.08 µM and 11.38 µM, respectively. Regarding the protein kinase inhibition assay, 3c inhibited
seven different kinases and 4a strongly inhibited the CK1δ/ε kinase. The studied kinases are
involved in several cellular functions such as proliferation, migration, cell death and cell cycle
progression. Additional analysis by flow cytometry revealed that 3c and 4a caused depolarization
of the mitochondrial membrane, suggesting apoptosis mediated by the intrinsic pathway.
Compound 3c induced arrest in G1 phase of the cell cycle on HL-60 cells, and in the annexin V assay
approximately 50% of cells were in apoptosis at the highest concentration tested (26 µM).
Compound 4a inhibited cell cycle by accumulation of abnormal postmitotic cells at G1 phase and
induced DNA fragmentation at the highest concentration (22 µM).
Keywords: semicarbazones; cytotoxicity; anticancer activity; cell cycle; apoptosis; kinase inhibition
Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12, 169; doi:10.3390/ph12040169
www.mdpi.com/journal/pharmaceuticals

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1. Introduction
Cancer is a group of potentially fatal diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal
cells due to defects in intracellular signaling, being responsible for enormous health costs around the
world [1]. Despite the growing advances of medical science in recent years, cancer remains the
leading cause of morbidity and mortality across all age groups worldwide. The GLOBOCAN 2018
report indicates that there will be an estimated 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.6 million cancer
deaths in 2018 [2] and according to estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO), 15 million
people will die from this disease by 2030 [3].
Several factors contribute to the onset of cancer. These factors may be inherent to the organism,
such as age, gender, and genetic inheritance; or external to the organism, such as smoking, inadequate
eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, exposure to mutagens, among others [4].
The main therapeutic approaches used to treat cancer are surgery, radiotherapy and systemic
therapy. Such treatments may be used alone or in combination and the form employed depends on
the type and location of the tumor, stage of the disease and conditions concerning the patient to be
treated [5]. The systemic therapies include hormone therapy [6], targeted therapy [7],
immunotherapy and chemotherapy [8]. Chemotherapy is based on the use of cytotoxic agents that
disrupt the cell cycle by altering the structure of DNA, inhibiting DNA synthesis, and disturbing
microtubules. Cancer cells differ from normal cells because they are self-sufficient in cell division and
survival [9]. Thus, chemotherapeutics cause the death of cells by directly interfering with the DNA
or key molecules necessary for cell division [8]. However, as this treatment is systemic, its action is
not limited to cancer cells and profound side effects occur in the hematopoietic system, in the mucous
cells of the gastrointestinal tract, hair follicle and others [10].
Chemotherapy is one of the pillars of cancer treatment, but targeted therapy has been notable to
selectively affect cancer cells based on specific molecular characteristics [10]. Antibodies and other
molecules capable of altering the action of ligands (growth factors), receptors and intracellular
pathways, are used as targeted therapy. This therapy is directed for the purpose of inhibiting
dysregulated pathways in order to block multiplication of malignant cells [11].
Protein kinases are important targets in the treatment of cancer because they regulate various
signal transduction pathways responsible for critical physiological processes such as cell cycle
progression, migration, cell proliferation and differentiation, survival and apoptosis [12].
Deregulation of kinases results in aberrant responses associated with various types of cancer [13].
Therefore, researchers around the world are searching for more potent and selective molecules to
specific cellular targets involved in cancer cell signaling.
Semicarbazones represent an important class of chemicals described in the literature with
diverse biological properties such as anticonvulsant [14], antimicrobial, antinocipeptive and anti-
inflammatory [15], anti-Alzheimer [16], antichagasic [17], antiproliferative, cytotoxic and pro-
apoptotic activity [18], among others. The anticancer activity of semicarbazones is also known and
some studies describe these compounds as protein kinase inhibitors [19,20].
Semicarbazones are important pharmacophores in the search for new drugs [21]. The possibility
of choosing the substituents of the chain, always seeking a better interaction with biological targets,
and possible modulation of the lipophilic character of new derivatives, make semicarbazone
intermediates important for the design of drugs [22]. In this context, in continuation of the work of
our research groups in the development of new antitumor agents [23–30], the present study aimed to
synthesize arylsemicarbazone derivatives with the purpose of evaluating their anticancer activity and
their inhibition of protein kinases. Although the synthesis of some of these compounds has already
been described in the literature [22,31–33], the study of anticancer activity is reported for the first time
in this work.
Cytotoxic screening was performed against seven cancer cell lines. Among the tested
derivatives, seven presented cytotoxicity for at least three cancer cell lines associated with the
determination of the corresponding IC50 value. The inhibitory activity was also evaluated against a

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panel of 10 protein kinases. Compounds 3c and 4a showed cytotoxicity for all tested cell lines,
particularly on HL-60, so both were chosen for further studies of possible mechanisms of action.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Chemistry
The aryl semicarbazone derivatives 3a-3m were obtained by the classical condensation reaction
between suitable aryl and (hetero)aryl aldehydes and semicarbazide in the presence of catalytic
hydrochloric acid in ethanol (Scheme 1). Selective one-pot N2-alkylation of 5-nitro-2-furfuraldehyde
semicarbazone 3m was carried out by nucleophilic substitution on butyl bromide using basic
conditions (K2CO3) in DMF as previously described in the literature by Brondani et al. [22].
The introduction of such a butyl chain would allow us to check the influence of such a
lipophilic appendage on biological activities examined within the framework of the study. Indeed,
the other analogues of the series remained unsubstituted at the level of this nitrogen.
O
H2N
O
O
Ar
Ar
N
HClcat, EtOH
rt
N
H
+
N
H
NH2
H
NH2
H
1
2
3a-m
O
n
-C4H9Br, K2CO3
O2N
N
O
N
NH2
DMF, rt, 65%
H
for 3m
4a
Scheme 1. General routes for the synthesis of semicarbazone compounds 3a-m and 4a.
2.2. Cytotoxicity Assays
The cytotoxicity assessment was performed against three human cancer cell lines in suspension
(K562, HL-60 and MOLT-4) and four adhered (HEp-2, NCI-H292, HT-29 and MCF-7). Initially, all
compounds 3a-3m and 4a) were tested in a single concentration of 25 µg/mL. Compounds that
exhibited a percentage of inhibition greater than 75% in at least three cell lines were considered active.
Among the 14 evaluated derivatives, seven (3c-3h, 3m and 4a) met this criterion and had their IC50
values determined after 72 h of incubation. As shown in Table 1, the derivatives showed different
cytotoxicity values.
Only compounds 3c (2-hydroxynaphthyl) and 4a (N2-butyl-5-nitro-2-furfuraldehyde
semicarbazone) showed antiproliferative activity against all the tested cell lines, whereas 3a-b,
bearing activating groups (electron-donating groups) and heterocyclic derivatives 3i-l were inactive.
Compound 3m presented high toxicity on MCF-7 (IC50 = 8.56 ± 0.01) and low cytotoxic activity on
HL-60, with IC50 =24.33 ± 0.16. In addition, cytotoxic activity against some cancer cell lines was
observed for halogenated and alkylated compounds 3d-h.

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Table 1. IC50 values (µM) of the arylsemicarbazone derivatives in tumor cell lines or Peripheral Blood
Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) performed by the MTT test after 72 h of incubation.
IC50 (μM)
Compound
K562
> 100
> 100
52.34
± 1.15
25.19
± 2.43
58.69
± 0.97
26.28
± 1.86
33.29
± 0.71
HL-60
> 100
> 100
13.08 ±
0.62
MOLT-4
> 100
HEp-2
> 100
> 100
37.08 ±
1.50
NCI-H292
> 100
HT-29
> 100
> 100
40.57 ±
1.02
MCF-7
> 100
> 100
34.02 ±
1.06
PBMC
> 100
> 100
82.01 ±
1.63
3a
3b
> 100
> 100
41.00 ±
0.7
3c
3d
3e
3f
56.27 ± 3.05
> 100
16.93 ±
1.10
37.17 ±
0.84
23.13 ±
0.80
33.46 ±
0.75
46.26 ±
0.97
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
22.26 ±
0.40
33.90 ±
0.80
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
14.22 ±
1.41
8.61 ±
0.35
23.26 ±
1.55
> 100
48.53 ±
1.63
56.43 ±
0.97
24.26 ±
0.97
3g
3h
> 100
> 100
25.53 ±
1.9
42.86 ±
0.75
46.97 ±
0.75
58.37 ±
1.86
49.70 ±
1.06
> 100
> 100
48.79 ± 0.97
3i
3j
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
24.33
±0.16
11.38 ±
0.27
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
28.42±
8.56
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
> 100
3k
3l
3m
4a
N.T.
N.T.
N.T.
31.9±0.07
37.89 ± 1.50
0.18 ± 0.02
8.56 ±0.01
>100
24.21
± 1.15
1.47 ±
0.09
19.53 ±
0.62
34.37 ±
0.88
36.32 ±
0.97
33.59 ±
0.71
51.21 ±
0.75
0.11 ±
0.01
0.73 ±
0.08
1.28 ±
0.11
0.73 ±
0.09
0.20 ±
0.03
5.33 ±
0.62
Doxo a
a
Data are expressed as mean ± SD from three different experiments. N.T.: Not tested. Doxo
(doxorubicin) was used as a positive control.
Compound 3l, which bears a simple furan, was inactive, while its nitro derivative showed some
activity. One possible mechanism of the cytotoxic action of 3m could be the bioreduction of the nitro
group to highly reactive radical intermediates and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This is
a mechanism already well described in the anticancer activity of other nitro compounds [34].
However, more specific experiments should be conducted to prove this hypothesis. Interestingly, the
counterpart 4a remained active after the alkylation of 3m (Table 1).
We next decided to determine the lipophilicity of each tested compound. Indeed, lipophilicity is
one of the fundamental factors for the biological activity of drugs because it is directly linked to the
degree of permeability of the cell membranes and how much the molecule will be available to interact
with the intended biological target(s) [35]. Moreover, solubility was calculated to verify whether
compounds were sufficiently water soluble to allow a relevant interpretation for cytotoxicity assays.
ClogD7.4 and solubility values are shown in Table 2.
Overall, the predicted solubility obtained for the synthesized compounds were moderate for 3c,
3f, 3h and 4a (S values between 0.01 and 0.06 mg/mL) and high for all other molecules (S values
higher than 0.06 mg/mL).
Analyzing the aromatic core of the arylsemicarbazones, it was observed that ClogD7.4 values
span values ranging from −0.07 to 2.87. Notably lipophilicity for compounds 3c-h and 4a, higher than
1.5 (i.e. 1.54–2.87), could be considered as a suitable parameter for the active compounds to display
enhanced pharmacokinetic properties.

Pharmaceuticals 2019, 12, 169
Table 2. Physicochemical parameters of compounds 3a-m and 4a: ClogD7.4 and aqueous solubility.
5 of 23
Solubility
(mg/mL)
Compound
3a
Structure
ClogD7.4
LogS
H C
O
3
O
0.99
−2.27
1.038
N
N
NH2
H
CH
O
3
HO
O
3b
3c
0.70
1.93
−1.87
−3.72
2.822
N
N
NH2
H
O
0.044
N
N
NH2
H
OH
Br
O
3d
3e
2.03
1.76
−3.36
−3.01
0.106
0.193
N
N
NH2
H
Cl
O
O
N
N
N
NH2
H
Cl
Cl
3f
2.28
−3.76
0.040
N
H
NH2
NH2
H3C
O
3g
3h
3i
1.71
2.87
−2.76
-3.87
−1.10
0.308
0.030
N
N
H
(CH3)3C
O
N
N
NH2
H
N
O
−0.07
13.040
N
N
NH2
H
O
O
3j
3k
3l
0.64
1.06
0.19
0.09
−2.46
−2.24
−1.62
−2.90
0.864
0.974
3.674
0.249
N
N
H2N
N
H
N
N
N
NH2
H
O
S
N
NH2
H
O
N
O
N
H
NH2
O
O2N
N
N
3m
O
N
NH2
H
O
O2N
O
N
NH2
4a
1.54
−4.24
0.015
ClogD7.4 and solubility at pH 7.4 were predicted using MarvinSketch v. 15.3.16. Solubility values at
pH 7.4 can be classified in three categories: low solubility if s < 0.01 mg/mL, moderate solubility if 0.01
< s < 0.06 mg/mL and high solubility if s > 0.06 mg/mL.

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After discussing the cellular activity against cancer cell lines and the importance of some
physicochemical parameters, the data allowed us to identify compounds 3c and 4a as the most
promising derivatives. These derivatives displayed cytotoxic activity against all the tested cell lines
and the best results were against the HL-60 cell line. Compound 3c showed IC50 values ranging from
13.08 to 56.27 µM, while 4a had IC50s between 11.38 to 37.89 µM, being more cytotoxic for all the panel.
In order to evaluate the cytotoxic potential in normal cells, all the derivatives were tested against
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) and the most promising compounds were again
compounds 3c and 4a, which offered more selectivity against the cancer cells. The selectivity indexes
(SI = IC50 PBMC/ IC50 cancer cells) of derivatives 3c and 4a for the cell line with the lowest IC50 (HL-
60) were 6.2 and 4.5, respectively.
2.3. Inhibition of Protein Kinases
The eight most cytotoxic compounds (3c-3h, 3m and 4a) were tested in vitro against a panel of
ten different protein kinases known to be involved in the process of initiation and progression of
cancer. The protein kinases studied were: CDK2/CyclinA, CDK5/p25, CDK9/CyclinT (cyclin-
dependent kinases), HASPIN (haploid germ cell-specific nuclear protein kinase), PIM1 (PIM family
kinase 1), CLK1 (cdc2-like kinase 1), DYRK1A (dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated
kinase), CK1δ/ε (casein kinase 1 isoforms), GSK3α/β (glycogen synthase kinase 3) and AURKB
(aurora kinase B). Initially, all compounds were first tested at 10 µM. Compounds displaying less
than 50% inhibition were considered as inactive (IC50 > 10 µM). Compounds displaying more than
50% inhibition at 10 µM were next tested over a wide range of concentrations (usually 0.01–10 µM),
and IC50 values were determined from the dose-response curves (Sigma-Plot). The results are shown
in Table 3.
Table 3. Kinase inhibitory activity of arylsemicarbazone derivatives.
IC50 (μM)
Protein Kinases
3c
0.53
0.35
0.86
> 10
0.52
0.29
0.073
> 10
> 10
5.1
3d
3e
3f
3g
3h
3m
N.T.
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
N.T.
N.T.
N.T.
> 10
N.T.
4a
CDK2/CyclinA
CDK5/p25
CDK9/CyclinT
HASPIN
PIM1
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
1.9
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
0.76
> 10
> 10
CLK1
DYRK1A
CK1δ/ε
> 10
> 10
> 10
> 10
GSK3 α/β
AURKB
Data expressed as mean ± SD of at least three assays. NT: no tested.
Compound 3c was the most active kinase inhibitor, with IC50 values ranging from 0.073–5.1 µM,
except towards HASPIN, CK1 and GSK3 kinases. Compound 3c showed inhibitory activity against
seven protein kinases and the highest activity was against DYRK1A. The other counterparts remained
inactive in this assay. Compound 4a exhibited a selective submicromolar IC50 of 0.76 µM against the
CK1δ/ε isoforms. More specifically, in comparison with other compounds, the presence of a H-donor
group in position 2 of the naphthalene ring (compound 3c) could display efficient interactions with
the tested kinases.
2.4. Molecular Modeling
For the docking study, three kinases were chosen according to the results of the in vitro assays:
tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A), in which compound 3c was active in the
nanomolar range, casein kinase 1 (CK1δ/ε), agianst which compound 4a was active, and CDK2 for its

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importance in the cell cycle. Several CDK2 inhibitors have been developed and some of them
(including roscovitine, CYC065, dinaciclib, AT7519, milciclib) have undergone clinical evaluation
[36]. On the other hand, with dual specificity, DYRK1A plays a key role in Down syndrome and
Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, DYRK1A has been shown to be expressed ubiquitously, and its
functional role in cancer is still largely obscure, however several compounds caused inhibition of this
kinase in HL-60 cells, decreasing its proliferation in vitro [37].
In order to elucidate how the 3c molecule interacts with CDK2, a detailed docking study was
conducted, also including compound 3g for comparison reasons. Figure 1A illustrates the docking
pose for 3c and Figure 1B illustrates the docking pose for 3g. As can be seen in Figure 1, the molecular
reasons for the greater stability (greater docking score) or affinity of 3c ligand in the active site of
CDK2 can be explained mainly by the presence of important intermolecular interactions, in particular
one hydrogen bond that the hydroxyl group in position 2 of the naphthalene ring of compound 3c
additionally establishes with the residue ASP-145 (3.0 Å), when compared with molecule 3g (Figure
1B). A detailed comparison between the docking results obtained for these two ligands can be found
in Table 4. The fact that the molecule 3c has a greater docking score in comparison with the molecule
3g, i.e., a greater in silico affinity for the target, correlates with the higher in vitro activity of the
molecule 3c (see Table 3), or the higher inhibition capacity of the molecule 3c on this target (CDK2).
Figure 1. Detailed view of the docking pose for (A) compound 3c and (B) compound 3g, regarding
the target CDK2. Residues involved in hydrophobic interactions (green), hydrogen bonds (colored
per element with carbon atoms in cyan) are highlighted.
Additionally, docking of compound 3c was made on two of the six kinases, and a comparison
with compound 3g was done. This study supported the fact that 3c inhibits DYRK1A well and better
than 3g (see Table 3). Figure 2A illustrates the docking pose for 3c and Figure 2B illustrates the
docking pose for 3g. The molecular reasons for the greater stability of the 3c ligand in the active site
of DYRK1A can be explained mainly by the presence of two additional hydrogen bonds that the
hydroxyl group in position 2 of the naphthalene ring of compound 3c establishes with the residues
GLU-239 (3.0 Å) and LEU-241 (2.9 Å), when compared with molecule 3g (Figure 2B). A detailed
comparison between the docking results obtained for these two ligands, regarding the DYRK1A
target, can also be found in Table 4.

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Figure 2. Detailed view of the docking pose for (A) compound 3c and (B) compound 3g, regarding DYRK1A
target. Residues involved in hydrophobic interactions (green), hydrogen bonds (colored per element with carbon
atoms in cyan) and the involved in both interaction (colored per element with carbon atoms in green) are
highlighted.
The fact that DYRK1A has a greater docking score in comparison with CDK2 target, regarding
compound 3c, agrees with the in vitro assay (see Table 3) results and can be explained by the shorter
hydrogen bonds and the greater amount of hydrophobic contacts observed in the complex formed
by compound 3c and the DYRK1A enzyme. It is also important to highlight that the hydroxyl group
in position 2 of the naphthalene ring of compound 3c establishes at least one hydrogen bond with the
CDK2 and DYRK1A kinases.
Figure 3. Detailed view of the docking pose for compound 4a regarding the CK1δ/ε target. Residues
involved in hydrophobic interactions (green) and hydrogen bonds (colored per element with carbon
atoms in cyan) are highlighted.

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Table 4. Molecular interaction of CDK2 and DYRK1A with molecules 3c and 3g, and CK1δ with
molecule 4a.
CDK2
Molecules
DYRK1A
Molecules
CK1δ
Molecule
4a
Residues
Residues
Residues
3c
3g
2.8
-
3c
2.9
3g
2.9
-
ILE-10
VAL-18
ALA-31
LYS-33
3.1/3.1
HC
HC
HC
HC
HC
2.9
ILE-165
ALA-186
LYS-188
VAL-222
PHE-238
GLU-239
LEU-241
SER-242
LEU-294
VAL-306
ILE-15
LYS-38
MET-82
GLU-83
LEU-85
SER-88
LEU-135
ILE-148
HC
HC
HC
2.9
HC
-
HC
HC
HC
HC
-
HC
HC
HC
2.9/3.0
HC
HC
-
HC
VAL-64
PHE-80
ASP-86
LEU-134
ALA-144
ASP-145
HC
2.8
3.0
2.9
2.9/HC
3.0
HC
3.1
HC
HC
HC
HC
HC
-
HC
3.0
HC
Docking score 33.37
29.63 Docking score
35.00
28.64 Docking score
23.47
HC means hydrophobic contacts and the numbers are the hydrogen bond distances between donor
and acceptor, in Ångströms.
According to in vitro assay, compound 4a is active only at the CK1δ/ε target, therefore docking
analysis was performed in order to elucidate the molecular reasons of his potency (0.76 µM). It can
be explained mainly by the presence of three hydrogen bonds and by five residues interacting
through hydrophobic contacts, as can be seen at Figure 3 and Table 4.
Protein kinases are involved in several cellular functions, such as gene transcription, cell cycle
progression, cytoskeletal rearrangement, proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell death
[38,39]. Deregulation of the signaling pathways of these proteins is associated with several diseases,
including cancer [40,41]. Consequently, this class of enzymes represents important therapeutic
targets for treatment of diseases [42].
In the literature some semicarbazone derivatives are reported as protein kinase inhibitors
[19,20]. Thus, this information motivated the accomplishment of the kinase testing that indicated 3c
as a promising compound for further studies to determine the possible mechanism of action.
Compound 4a was also included, because it was active for all the tested cancer cell lines, and
presented CK1δ/ε kinase inhibitory activity, of interest because casein kinase 1δ/ε has been identified
as a promising therapeutic target for oncology application.
2.5. Detection of Cell Viability Using the Guava ViaCount Kit
Initially, the percentage of viable cells in apoptosis or necrosis was determined by the ViaCount
assay at the Guava EasyCyte HT flow cytometer (Merck-Millipore, Hayward, CA, USA). The
ViaCount kit (Merck-Millipore, Hayward, CA, USA) determines cell viability based on membrane
permeability. The concentrations used in the cytometric tests were values corresponding to the IC50
and 2x IC50 of 72 h and the chosen cell line was HL-60 (promyelocytic leukemia). The results showed
that the two compounds significantly decreased cell viability (Figure 4).
At the two concentrations tested, 3c increased the number of cells in apoptosis. Compound 4a
increased the number of cells in early apoptosis, mainly at the concentration of 22 µM, where 65.3%
of the cells were in early apoptosis. Doxorubicin increased the number of cells in apoptosis and that
died.

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Figure 4. Effect of compounds 3c and 4a on cell viability of HL-60 cells using the ViaCount kit after
72 h of incubation. (A) Dot plots, where viable cells are located in the upper left quadrant, and non-
viable cells in the upper right quadrant; (B) The percentage of non-viable cells was shown as the mean
± SD from three independent experiments performed in triplicate. * p < 0.05 compared with the
negative control by ANOVA followed by Student Newman-Keuls test. C = control; Doxorubicin
(Doxo, 0.11 µM) was used as a standard drug. The negative control was treated with the vehicle
(DMSO; 0.1%).
2.6. Evaluation of Mitochondrial Transmembrane Potential (ΔΨm)
Mitochondria play an essential role in the life and death of cells, as they are responsible for the
energy production necessary for cell survival and also regulate apoptosis. The good performance in
energy production and the integrity of the mitochondria are guaranteed by the maintenance of
mitochondrial electrical potential [43]. Some drugs act by inducing the loss of mitochondrial
transmembrane potential leading to a process called mitochondrial depolarization, which is one of
the early events in the process of cell death by apoptosis triggered by the intrinsic (mitochondrial)
pathway [44].
Figure 5. Effect of compounds 3c and 4a on the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) of
HL-60 cells after 72 h of incubation. (A) Depolarized cells (apoptotic) are stained in purple, while non-
depolarized cells (non-apoptotic) are stained in green. (B) The percentage of cells with depolarized

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mitochondrial membrane (apoptotic cells). C = Control, cells were treated with the vehicle (DMSO;
0.1%); Doxorubicin (Doxo, 0.11 µM) was used as a standard drug. Results are expressed as mean ± SD
of at least three different experiments performed in triplicate. * p < 0.05 compared with the negative
control by ANOVA followed by Student Newman-Keuls test.
In this sense, in order to evaluate if compounds 3c and 4a induce apoptosis by alterating the
mitochondria transmembrane potential, this assay was performed by flow cytometry using the
fluorochrome rhodamine 123, because this is able to accumulate in cells with unchanged
mitochondrial transmembrane potential. After 72 h of incubation, 3c and 4a were found to be able of
inducing mitochondrial depolarization in HL-60 cells (Figure 5).
Cells treated with 3c at concentration values of 13 and 26 µM produced 30.9% and 34.2% of
depolarized cells, respectively. These data suggest the cell death caused by 3c involves other death
pathways beyond the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. On the other hand, compound
4a was more active and induced depolarization in 59.3% of the cells at a concentration of 22 µM. The
positive control, doxorubicin, led to 41.8% of depolarized cells.
Apoptosis is a key programmed cell-death pathway involved in numerous processes. One of
them is the balance between cell proliferation and death, essential for the maintenance of tissue
homeostasis. In general, two major signaling pathways control apoptosis: (i) mitochondria-mediated
or intrinsic pathway and (ii) death receptor-mediated or extrinsic pathway [45]. When the cell
undergoes pro-apoptotic stimuli, such as deprivation of growth factors, DNA damage, hypoxia,
activation of oncogenes, among others, the signals that are translated converge mainly to
mitochondria causing the collapse of the potential of the internal mitochondrial membrane (Δψm)
that trigger death by apoptosis [46]. The results obtained in this test demonstrated that the
compounds elicited pro-apoptotic effects that induced mitochondrial depolarization in HL-60 cells.
2.7. Cell Cycle Assay
In order to improve the study of the mechanism of death induction by compounds 3c and 4a in
HL-60 cells, a test was performed on the flow cytometer after staining with propidium iodide to
evaluate the effect of the compounds on cell cycle progression (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Effect of compounds 3c and 4a on the cell cycle of HL-60 cells after 72 h of incubation. A)
(A) Cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry and representative histograms on
different colors representing show the distribution of cells in the G0/G1, S and G2/M phase. (B)
Summary histograms indicating the percentage of cells in each phase are presented. Doxorubicin
(Doxo, 0.11 µM) was used as a standard drug. C = control, the cells were treated with the vehicle
(DMSO; 0.1%). Results are expressed as mean ± SD of at least three different experiments performed

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in triplicate. * p<0.05 compared with the negative control by ANOVA followed by Student Newman-
Keuls test.
After the treatment period with 3c (13 µM), 63.3% of the cells were in the G1 phase. At the
concentration of 26 µM, the population in the G1 phase increased to 66.2%. These results indicate that
3c causes cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase.
Treatment with 4a increased the cell population in the G1 phase by 62.7% (11 µM) and 81.9% (22
µM), respectively, indicating cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. In the histogram (4a; 22 µM) it is
possible to visualize large amounts of cell debris. The chemotherapeutic doxorubicin caused arrest at
G2/M. The cell cycle is the process by which cells multiply. This is divided into four phases: G1, S, G2
and M. To ensure correct progression through the cell cycle, cells have developed checkpoints that
are mechanisms that evaluate cell conditions before beginning the next phase, thereby ensuring cell
division fidelity [47]. At these checkpoints, if necessary, cell cycle arrest occurs and DNA repairs are
performed, however, depending on the efficacy of the process, the cycle is not completed and the cell
is referred for apoptosis. The regulation of the cell cycle is a balance between the positive regulators
which induce cell replication and negative regulators that prevent replication [48].
Positive regulators are formed by protein kinases that act together stimulating the continuity of
the cycle [49]. Previously, CDK5 was thought to function in a cell cycle independent manner,
however, recently the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) was discovered as a downstream target of CDK5.
Expression of CDK5 leads to the phosphorylation of Rb, ultimately leading to the expression of
cyclins and others cdks [50]. In the protein kinase inhibition test, it was found that 3c inhibited the
CDK5/p25 complex, probably preventing the phosphorylation of pRb protein, preventing the cell
leaving the G1 stage and entering the S phase. The stop of the cell cycle in G1 caused by 3c
corroborates with this hypothesis.
According to Huart et al. [51], more than four hundred proteins interact with p53 and many of
them act as inhibitors. Studies have shown that the casein kinase 1 (CK1) family phosphorylates the
MDM2 protein and modulates the interaction with p53 under different conditions. Inuzuka et al. [52]
observed that under normal conditions, the CK1δ/ɛ isoforms are able to phosphorylate several serine
residues in the acid domain of MDM2 that are involved in the degradation of p53, acting as a negative
regulator of this protein.
Studies suggest that dysregulation of these cellular processes contributes to oncogenesis, and
that pharmacological inhibition of CK1 can increase p53 protein levels in cells and induce cell death.
Thus, the inhibition of these kinases represents an important approach in anticancer therapy [53,54].
Compound 4a inhibited CK1δ/ε isoform activity. That result may be associated with cell cycle
arrest at G1 checkpoint caused by 4a in HL-60 cells, since CK1δ/ε inhibition prevents the transition
of abnormal postmitotic cells from G1 to S phase [55].

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Figure 7. Effect of compounds 3c and 4a on DNA fragmentation of HL-60 cells after 72 h of incubation.
(A) Apoptotic cells with fragmented DNA (pink color) are identified as the sub-G1 population, seen
to the left of the G1 peak (blue color). (B) Histograms indicating the percentage of cells with DNA
fragmentation. Doxorubicin (Doxo, 0.11 µM) was used as standard. C = negative control treated with
the vehicle (DMSO; 0.1%). Results are expressed as mean ± SD of at least three different experiments
performed in triplicate. * p < 0.05 compared with the negative control by ANOVA followed by Student
Newman-Keuls test.
2.8. DNA Fragmentation Assay
Cell death by apoptosis is characterized by marked morphological changes such as chromatin
condensation, DNA fragmentation, cell membrane blebbing and formation of apoptotic bodies [56].
DNA fragmentation is initiated after chromatin condensation and depends on several variables,
such as the time required for the depolarization of the mitochondria and activation of the caspase
cascade. In response to DNA damage the p53 protein is activated causing cell cycle arrest in G1 [57].
At flow cytometry the apoptotic cells with fragmented DNA can be identified as the sub-G1
population, seen to the left of the G1 peak [58]. Thus, using the fluorochrome propidium iodide and
the same principle of the cell cycle test, an assay was performed to identify HL-60 cells with
fragmented DNA (Figure 7).
Compound 3c induced fragmentation in 3.2% and 7.5% of cells at concentrations of 13 µM and
26 µM, respectively. Compound 4a induced fragmentation in 7.0% and 40.3% of the cells at
concentrations of 11 and 22 µM, respectively. This result corroborates the inhibition of CK1δ/ε and
the accumulation of abnormal postmitotic cells at G1 phase [55].
2.9. Study of the Induction of Cell Death by the Annexin V test
Aiming to better study the mechanism of induction of death involved in HL-60 cells after
treatment with compounds 3c and 4a, a flow cytometric test was performed after double staining
with annexin V-FITC/7-AAD. This assay is based on the ability of annexin V to bind with high affinity
to phosphatidylserine which is translocated to the outer membrane of apoptotic cells and the 7-AAD
dye binds to the DNA of cells with loss of membrane integrity. Thus, in this test it is possible to
identify four distinct populations: viable cells [Annexin V(−) and 7-AAD(−)], initial apoptotic cells
[Annexin V(+) and 7-AAD(−)], late apoptotic cells [Annexin V(+) and 7-AAD(+)] and dead cells
[Annexin V(−) and 7-AAD (+)] [59]. The results are shown in Figure 8.

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Figure 8. Effect of compounds 3c and 4a on the induction of death of HL-60 cells after 72 h of
incubation. (A) Distribution of cells positive for Annexin V and/or 7-AAD is reported inside the
quadrants. (B) The percentage of viable, apoptotic and dead cells. Doxorubicin (Doxo, 0.11 µM) was
used as standard. C = control, was treated with the vehicle (DMSO; 0.1%). Results are expressed as
mean ± SD of at least three different experiments performed in triplicate. * p<0.05 compared with the
negative control by ANOVA followed by Student Newman-Keuls test.
After treatment with 3c (13 and 26 µM), it was observed that 16.7 and 27.2% of the cells were in
initial apoptosis and 7.4 and 18.1% in late apoptosis phase, respectively. In the treatment with 4a (11
µM) 5.4% of the cells were in initial apoptosis, 8.3% in late apoptosis and 9.1% were dead. Cells
treated with 4a (22 µM) showed 4.7% of the cells in initial apoptosis, 12.5% in late apoptosis and
almost 50% of the cells were dead. Regarding the treatment with doxorubicin, 23.7% of the cells were
in initial apoptosis and 19% in late apoptosis.
In cell death by apoptosis, the cell undergoes morphological changes striking and coordinated.
Initially, the cellular plasma membrane remains intact but undergoes structural changes, such as the
distribution of phosphatidylserine in the outer layer of the membrane, which is a signal for
recognition by phagocytes. Thus, the dead cell is rapidly phagocytosed by macrophages and removed
without extravasation of the cytoplasmic content [60].
The main death mode caused by 3c was apoptosis, confirmed in all the tests. The action of 3c on
cell death by apoptosis is probably related to strong inhibition of protein kinases, which causes cell
cycle arrest and triggers pro-apoptotic signals that lead to the collapse of mitochondrial membrane
potential, culminating in apoptosis.
Derivative 4a, at the highest concentration (22 µM), showed strong cytotoxicity and caused DNA
fragmentation in HL-60 cells. The compound 4a is a nitro derivative and the effect can be associated
with the mechanism of action of this class of substances that is related to the reduction of the nitro
group, resulting in reactive species that interact with the plasma membrane of the cells and with
essential biomolecules, causing the cytotoxic effect. However, further studies need to be done to
elucidate the mechanism of action of this compound.
3. Materials and Methods
3.1. Chemistry
3.1.1. General Experimental Procedures
All melting points were determined using a Fisatom 430D apparatus (Fisatom, São Paulo, Brazil)
and are uncorrected. FTIR spectra were obtained on a model IFS66 spectrophotometer (Bruker,

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Billerica, MA, USA) using KBr pellets. NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Avance 400
spectrometer (1H-NMR at 400 MHz and 13C-NMR at 100 MHz), the residual signal of the solvent was
used as internal reference. Chemical shift (δ) values are expressed in parts per million (ppm) and
coupling constants (J) values are given in Hz. Abbreviations: s = singlet; d = doublet; t = triplet; q =
quadruplet; m = multiplet. Elemental analyses were performed on a PE-2400 instrument
(PerkinElmer Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) and the results were within acceptable range. Thin layer
chromatography (TLC) was carried out on silica gel plates with a fluorescence indicator of F254 (0.2
mm, E. Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). All reagents used in the present study were of analytical grade
and were purchased from Aldrich or Fluka (both São Paulo, Brazil) and were used without additional
purification.
3.1.2. General Procedure for the Preparation of arylsemicarbazones 3a–3m
Compounds 3a-3i and 3k-3m were obtained by reaction of 2.5 mmol of semicarbazide
hydrochloride and an equimolar amount of the appropriate aryl aldehyde in 15 mL of absolute
ethanol as solvent. Three drops of hydrochloric acid were added to the medium as catalyst. The
reaction was kept at room temperature and under constant magnetic stirring for a period of 3-5 hours.
To obtain derivative 3j, 5 mmol of semicarbazide hydrochloride (two equivalents) were added to 2.5
mmol of the respective aldehyde. The reactions were monitored by means of thin layer
chromatography and, upon completion, the arylsemicarbazone precipitated in the reaction medium
was filtered in sintered funnel and washed with water, followed by washing in hexane. Purification
of the synthesized compounds was performed by recrystallization from distilled water.
3.1.2.1. 4-Methoxybenzaldehyde semicarbazone (3a)
M.F.: C9H11N3O2, M.W.: 193.20, White solid; yield: 82%; m.p.: 210–212 °C [31]; Rf: 0.53 (ethyl
acetate). 1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 3.78 (s, 3H, OCH3); 6.42 (s, 2H, NH2); 6.93 (d, 2H, J = 8.80 Hz,
Ar-H3,5); 7.64 (d, 2H, J = 8.80Hz, Ar-H2,6); 7.78 (s, 1H, CH=N); 10.10 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-
d6 ( ppm): 159.98, 156.78, 139.13, 127.97 (2C), 127.40, 114.01 (2C), 55.16. Anal. Calcd.: C, 55.95; H, 5.75.
Found: C, 56.12; H, 5.89.
3.1.2.2. 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde semicarbazone (3b)
M.F.: C9H11N3O3 M.W.: 209.20, yellow solid; yield: 81%; m.p.: 237–239 °C [32]; Rf: 0.43 (ethyl
acetate). 1H-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 3.81 (s, 3H, CH3); 6.45 (s, 2H, NH2); 6.75 (d, 1H, J = 7.79 Hz, Ar-
H5); 6.96 (d, 1H, J = 7.79 Hz, J = 1.20 Hz, Ar-H6); 7.37 (d, 1H, , J = 1.20 Hz, Ar-H2); 7.71 (s, 1H, CH=N);
9.29 (s, 1H, OH); 10.03 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 157.02, 148.14, 148.11, 139.92, 126.49,
121.16, 115.34, 109.15, 55.84. Anal. Calcd.: C, 51.67; H, 5.29. Found: C, 51.77; H, 5.36.
3.1.2.3. 2-Hydroxynaphthaldehyde semicarbazone (3c)
F.M.: C12H11N3O2 M.W.: 229.23 yellow solid; yield: 82%; m.p.: 220–223 °C; Rf: 0.59 (ethyl acetate).
RMN 1H NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.40 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.19 (d, 1H, J = 8.99 , Ar-H); 7.37 (t, 1H, J = 7.49,
Ar-H); 7.55 (t, 1H, J = 7.49, Ar-H); 7.83 (d, 2H, J = 7.49, Ar-H); 8.37 (d, 1H, J = 8.99, Ar-H); 8.87 (s, 1H,
CH=N); 10.25 (s, 1H, NH); 11.20 (bs, 1H, OH). 13C NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 156.26, 156.00, 140.05,
131.57, 131.51, 128.84, 128.13, 127.64, 123.43, 122.15, 118.63, 109.98. Anal. Calcd.: C, 62.87; H, 4.83.
Found: C, 62.79; H, 4.96.
3.1.2.4. 4-Bromobenzaldehyde semicarbazone (3d)
F.M.: C8H8BrN3O M.W.: 242.07 white solid; yield: 83%; m.p.: 237–239 °C [31]; Rf: 0.64 (ethyl
acetate). 1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.54 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.56 (d, 2H, J = 6.59 Hz, Ar-H); 7.69 (d, 2H, J
= 6.59 Hz, Ar-H); 7.79 (s, 1H, CH=N), 10.33 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 156.58, 137.87,
134.10, 131.44 (2C), 128.40 (2C), 121.99. Anal. Calcd.: C, 39.69; H, 3.33. Found: C, 39.87; H, 3.29.

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3.1.2.5. 4-Chlorobenzaldehyde semicarbazone (3e)
F.M.: C8H8ClN3O M.W.: 197.62 white solid; yield: 81%; m.p.: 235–236 °C [32]; Rf: 0.65 (ethyl
1
acetate). H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.55 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.42 (d, 2H, J = 8.39 Hz, Ar-H); 7.75 (d, 2H,
J= 8.39 Hz, Ar-H); 7.81 (s, 1H, CH=N); 10.32 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 156.57, 137.77,
133.76, 133.27, 128.53 (2C), 128.13 (2C). Anal. Calcd.: C, 48.62; H, 4.08. Found: C, 48.71; H, 4.13.
3.1.2.6. 3,4-Dichlorobenzaldehyde semicarbazone (3f)
F.M.: C8H7Cl2N3O M.W.: 232.06 white solid; yield: 88%; m.p.: 246–247 °C [31]; Rf: 0.60 (ethyl
acetate). 1H NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.67 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.65 (d, 1H, J= 8.00 Hz, Ar-H5); 7.71 (dd, 1H,
J = 8.00 Hz, J = 1.60 Hz, Ar-H6); 7.82 (s, 1H, CH=N); 8.16 (d, 1H, J = 1.60 Hz, Ar-H2); 10.45 (s, 1H, NH).
13C NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 156.55, 136.40, 135.70, 131.59, 130.91, 130.60, 127.61, 126.81. Anal. Calcd.:
C, 41.40; H, 3.04. Found: C, 41.56; H, 3.12.
3.1.2.7. 4-Methylbenzaldehyde semicarbazone (3g)
F.M.: C9H11N3O M.W.: 177.20 white solid; yield: 82%; m.p.: 215–217 °C [33]; Rf: 0.51 (ethyl
acetate). 1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 2.31 (s, 3H, CH3); 6.43 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.19 (d, 2H, J = 8.00 Hz, Ar-
H3,5); 7.59 (d, 2H, J = 8.00 Hz, Ar-H2,6); 7.80 (s, 1H, CH=N); 10.16 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-d6
( ppm): 156.68, 139.28, 138.54, 132.03, 129.11 (2C), 126.44 (2C), 20.89. Anal. Calcd.: C, 61.00; H, 6.25.
Found: C, 61.23; H, 6,28.
3.1.2.8. 4-tert-Butylbenzaldehyde semicarbazone (3h)
F.M.: C12H17N3O M.W.: 219.28 white solid; yield: 92%; m.p.: 216–218 °C; Rf: 0.57 (ethyl acetate).
1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 1.28 (s, 9H, (CH3)3); 6.44 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.39 (d, 2H, J = 8.69 Hz, Ar-H); 7.62
(d, 2H, J = 8.69 Hz, Ar-H); 7.81 (s, 1H, CH=N); 10.19 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 156.67,
151.64, 139.18, 132.03, 126.26 (2C), 125.27 (2C), 34.41, 30,95 (3C). Anal. Calcd.: C, 65.72; H, 7.81. Found:
C, 65.59; H, 7.98.
3.1.2.9. 4-Pyridinecarboxaldehyde semicarbazone (3i)
F.M.: C7H8N4O M.W.: 164.16 white solid; yield: 66%; m.p.: 225–226 °C; Rf: 0.84
1
(chloroform/methanol 7:3). H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.67 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.69 (d, 2H, J = 4.80 Hz,
Ar-H3-5); 7.80 (s, 1H, CH=N); 8.55 (d, 2H, J = 4.80 Hz, Ar-H2-6); 10.59 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-
d6 ( ppm): 156.62, 150.09 (2C), 142.16, 136.72, 120.76 (2C). Anal. Calcd.: C, 51.21; H, 4.91. Found: C,
51.32; H, 4.89.
3.1.2.10. 2,6-Pyridinedicarboxaldehyde semicarbazone (3j)
M.F.: C9H11N7O2 M.W.: 249.23 yellow solid; yield: 55%; m.p: 270–272 °C [32]; Rf: 0.66
(chloroform/methanol 1:1). 1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.63 (s, 4H, NH2); 7.79 (t, 1H, J = 7.80 Hz, Ar-
H4); 7.85 (s, 2H, CH=N); 8.07 (d, 2H, J = 8.00 Hz, Ar-H3-5); 10.53 (s, 2H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 (
ppm): 156.61 (2C), 153.53 (2C), 139.57 (2C), 136.86, 119.23 (2C). Anal. Calcd.: C, 43.37; H, 4.44. Found:
C, 43.23; H, 4.48.
3.1.2.11. 2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde semicarbazone (3k)
M.F.: C6H7N3OS M.W.: 169.20, clear yellow solid; yield: 84%; m.p.: 227–230 °C; Rf: 0.54 (ethyl
acetate). 1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.27 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.07 (dd, 1H, J = 3.59 Hz, J = 5.09 Hz, Ar-H4);
7.31 (d, 1H, J = 3.59 Hz, Ar-H3); 7.55 (d, 1H, J = 5.09 Hz, Ar-H5); 8.03 (s, 1H, CH=N); 10.24 (s, 1H, NH).
13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 156.46, 139.59, 134.96, 128.86, 127.80, 127.53. Anal. Calcd.: C, 42.59; H,
4.16. Found: C, 42.53; H, 4.19.
3.1.2.12. 2-Furfuraldehyde semicarbazone (3l)

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M.F.: C6H7N3O2, M.W.: 153.14, off-white solid; yield: 72%; m.p.: 202–204 °C [31]; Rf: 0.49 (ethyl
acetate). 1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.32 (s, 2H, NH2); 6.57 (dd, 1H, J = 2.99 Hz, J = 3.59 Hz, Ar-H4);
6.81 (d, 1H, J = 3.59 Hz, Ar-H3); 7.74 (d, 1H, J = 2.99 Hz, Ar-H5); 7.76 (s, 1H, CH=N); 10.23 (s, 1H, NH).
13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 156.58, 150.05, 144.16, 130.05, 112.09, 110.99. Anal. Calcd.: C, 47.05; H,
4.60. Found: C, 47.23; H, 4.62.
3.1.2.13. 5-Nitro-2-furfuraldehyde semicarbazone (3m)
M.F.: C6H6N4O4, M.W.: 198.14, yellow solid; yield: 70%; m.p.: 190–191 °C [22]; Rf: 0.51 (ethyl
acetate). 1H-NMR: DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 6.61 (s, 2H, NH2); 7.23 (d, 1H, J = 3.60 Hz, Ar-H3); 7.78 (d, 1H,
J = 3.60 Hz, Ar-H4); 7.79 (s, 1H, CH=N); 10.79 (s, 1H, NH). 13C-NMR, DMSO-d6 ( ppm): 155.82, 153.07,
151.18, 127.30, 115.18, 112.09. Anal. Calcd.: C, 36.37; H, 3.05. Found: C, 36.56; H, 3.07.
3.1.3. Procedure for the Preparation of N2-alkylated Arylsemicarbazone 4a
3.1.3.1. 5-Nitro-2- (N2-n-butyl)furfuraldehyde semicarbazone (4a)
Compound 4a was obtained following the literature procedure described by Brondani et al. [22].
M.F.: C10H14N4O4, M.W.: 254.24, orange solid; yield: 65%; m.p.: 110–112 °C; Rf: 0.66 (ethyl
1
acetate/hexane 6:4). H-NMR: CDCl3 ( ppm): 0.97 (t, 3H, CH3, J = 7.2 Hz); 1.35–1.45 (m, 2H, CH2);
1.52–1.60 (m, 2H, CH2); 3.95 (t, 2H, CH2N, J = 7.6 Hz); 5.01 (s, 1H, NH2); 6.52 (s, 1H, NH2); 6.81 (d, 1H,
J = 3.6 Hz, Ar-H3); 7.39 (d, 1H, J = 3.6 Hz, Ar-H4); 7.43 (s, 1H, CH=N).13C-NMR, CDCl3 ( ppm): 155.92,
152.75, 151.79, 123.54, 113.45, 110.65, 40.77, 27.21, 20.05, 13.71. Anal. Calcd.: C, 47.24; H, 5.55. Found:
C, 47.25; H, 5.62.
3.2. Molecular Modeling
To elucidate the binding mode of the compound 3c that showed the highest activity among the
compounds, docking calculations were done against CDK2, CDK5, CDK9, CLK1, DYRK1A, PIM1
and CK1δ. For comparison purposes, the compound 3g, with IC50 > 10 µM, were also included, as a
negative result. The compound 4a, that showed activity against CK1δ target was also evaluated. The
optimized structure for ligands 3c, 3g and 4a were obtained by application of the RM1 method [61],
available as part of SPARTAN program [62], using internal default settings for convergence criteria.
The targets structures used in the docking studies were taken from the RCSB Protein Data Bank,
available online: http://www.rcsb.org (accessed on: 17 July 2019), under the following codes: CDK2
(6GUE), CDK5 (1UNL), CDK9 (3MY1), CLK1 (6FT8), DYRK1A (4YLK), PIM1 (3VBV) and CK1δ
(3UYT). GOLD software [63] was used for these calculations. The binding mode for the ligands was
determined as the highest (most positive) score among the possible solutions for each ligand,
generated according to the Chemscore fitness function. The active site was defined after performing
the alignment of all six targets, as all atoms within a radius of 7.0 Å from the co-crystallized ligand of
CDK2 “FB8”. Ten aminoacids residues in each target were treated as flexible during the calculations,
in order to take into account the effects of the induced fit, see table S1 at supplementary materials.
Then, BINANA program [64] was used to analyze the molecular interactions found in the docking
results, using default settings, with the exception of the hydrogen bond distance that was changed to
3.5 Å.
3.3. Biological Activity
3.3.1. Ethical Aspects of the Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Assay
The project was submitted and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the
Federal University of Pernambuco, which is in accordance with Resolution 466/12 of the National
Health Council and approved with CAAE opinion 67004017.3.0000.5208.
3.3.2. Isolation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

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Mononuclear cells were obtained from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers by heparin
tube collection and isolated by Ficoll-Histopaque gradient centrifugation. After centrifugation, the
cells were harvested, washed and resuspended in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 20% fetal
bovine serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/mL penicillin and 100 µg/mL streptomycin (Gibco™ Life
Technologies, Waltham, MA, USA). The phytohemagglutinin mitogen 2% was also added into the
culture medium. After that, using the neubauer chamber, the cells were counted and plated in a 96-
well plate at a concentration of 106 cells/mL and then were maintained for overnight under incubation
at 37 °C and 5% CO2 [65].
3.3.3. Culture of Tumor Cells
The cells were obtained from the Cell Bank of Rio de Janeiro and maintained in the Laboratory
of Cell Culture of the Department of Antibiotics of the Federal University of Pernambuco. The lines
K562 (myeloblastic leukaemia), HL-60 (promyelocytic leukemia) and MOLT-4 (lymphoblastic
leukemia) were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and the lines HEp-2 (larynx carcinoma), NCI-H292
(lung carcinoma), HT-29 (colon adenocarcinoma) and MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) were cultured
in DMEM medium, supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 2 mM glutamine, 100 U/mL
penicillin and 100 µg/mL streptomycin (Gibco™ Life Technologies), at 37 °C and 5% CO2.
3.3.4. Cytotoxicity Assessment by MTT Assay
The evaluation of the cytotoxicity of the compounds was performed by the method of 3-(4,5-
dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) (Sigma Aldrich Co., St. Louis,
MO, USA). To perform the assay the cells were seeded in 96-well plates at the following
concentrations: HL-60 and K562 (0.3 × 106 cells/mL); MOLT-4 and PBMC (106 cells/mL); NCI-H292,
HT-29, HEp-2 e MCF-7 (105 cells/mL). Briefly, the compounds previously dissolved in DMSO
(dimethylsulfoxide, Vetec, São Paulo, Brazil), were diluted in medium and added to each well at the
desired concentrations. For the calculation of the concentration that inhibits 50% of cell growth (IC50)
the compounds were serially diluted to obtain the final concentrations between 0.19–25 µg/mL.
Doxorubicin was used as the standard in the concentration range between (0.078–10 µg/mL). After
72 hours of contact of the cells with the compounds, it was added to each well 25 µL of MTT solution
(5 mg/mL). Plates were left for another 3 hours in incubator at 37 °C and at the end of that period the
supernatant was aspirated. To perform the reading, 100 µL of DMSO was added in each well for the
dissolution of the formazan crystals. The amount of formazan was measured by reading the plate at
560 nm absorbance. The IC50 was calculated from the nonlinear regression in the Prisma 7.0 software
(GraphPad, San Diego, CA, USA). Each sample was tested in triplicate in three independent
experiments.
3.3.5. Kinase Inhibition Assays
Kinase activities were assayed in appropriate kinase buffer, with either protein or peptide as
substrate in the presence of 10 µM ATP in a final volume of 6 µL using the ADP-GloTM assay kit
(Promega, Madison, WI, USA, as described in Zegzouti et al. [66]). Controls were performed with
appropriate dilutions of dimethylsulfoxide (solvent of the tested compounds). Peptide substrates
were obtained from Proteogenix (Schiltigheim, France).
The buffers used for kinase assays are the following: (A) 10 mM MgCl2, 1 mM EGTA, 1 mM DTT,
25 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 50 µg/mL heparin; (B) 25 mM MOPS, pH 7.2, 12.5 mM -glycerolphosphate,
25 mM MgCl2, 5 mM EGTA, 2 mM EDTA, 0.25 mM DTT.
A panel of ten native or recombinant protein kinases was used during this study:
HsPIM1 (human proto-oncogene, recombinant, expressed in bacteria) was assayed in buffer B
with 0.8 µg/µL of histone H1 (Sigma #H5505) as substrate.

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HsHASPIN (human, kinase domain, amino acids 470 to 798, recombinant, expressed in bacteria)
was assayed in buffer with 0.007 µg/µL of Histone H3 (1-21) peptide
A
(ARTKQTARKSTGGKAPRKQLA) as substrate;
HsCDK2/CyclinA (human, cyclin-dependent kinase-2, kindly provided by Dr. A. Echalier-
Glazer, Leicester, UK) was assayed in buffer A with 0.8 µg/µL of histone H1 as substrate.
HsCDK9/CyclinT (human, recombinant, expressed by baculovirus in Sf9 insect cells) was
assayed in buffer A with 0.27 µg/µL of the following peptide: YSPTSPSYSPTSPSYSPTSPSKKKK, as
substrate.
HsCDK5/p25 (human, recombinant, expressed in bacteria) was assayed in buffer A, with 0.8
µg/µL of histone H1 as substrate.
HsAURKB (Human Aurora kinase B, recombinant, expressed by baculovirus in Sf9 insect cells,
SignalChem, product #A31-10G) was assayed in buffer B with 0.2 µg/µL of MBP as substrate.
SscGSK-3 (Sus scrofa domesticus, glycogen synthase kinase-3, affinity purified from porcine
brain) was assayed in buffer A with 0.010 µg/µL of GS-1 peptide, a GSK-3-selective substrate
(YRRAAVPPSPSLSRHSSPHQSpEDEEE, “Sp” stands for phosphorylated serine).
SscCK1δ/ε (Sus scrofa domesticus, casein kinase 1δ/ε, affinity purified from porcine brain) was
assayed in buffer A, with 0.022 µg/µL of the following peptide: RRKHAAIGSpAYSITA (“Sp” stands
for phosphorylated serine) as CK1-specific substrate.
RnDYRK1A (Rattus norvegicus, amino acids 1 to 499 including the kinase domain, recombinant,
expressed in bacteria, DNA vector kindly provided by Dr. W. Becker, Aachen, Germany) was assayed
in buffer A with 0.033 µg/µL of the following peptide: KKISGRLSPIMTEQ as substrate.
MmCLK1 (from Mus musculus, recombinant, expressed in bacteria) was assayed in buffer A with
0.027µg/µL of the following peptide: GRSRSRSRSRSR as substrate.
3.3.6. Flow Cytometry Analysis
HL-60 cells (3 × 105) were plated in 24-well plates and treated with the compounds 3c (13 and 26
µM) and 4a (11 and 22 µM) for 72 h at 37 °C with 5% CO2. In all trials, doxorubicin was used as a
positive control. After the incubation period, an aliquot of 500 µL of treated and untreated cells
suspension was transferred to an Eppendorf tube and centrifuged to remove the supernatant and
continue the protocol of the test. In the cell viability and annexin V assays, kits were used, ViaCount
kit and guava nexin kit (Guava Technologies), respectively. The protocols performed in these tests
followed the manufacturer's instructions. For to analyze mitochondrial depolarization, rhodamine
123 fluorescent dye was used. In the assay for cell cycle analysis and DNA fragmentation propidium
iodide was used. The experiments were performed on Guava EasyCyte HT (Merck-Millipore) flow
cytometer, acquiring 5000 events. The data were analyzed in Guava-Soft™ software version 2.7.
Three independent experiments were performed in triplicate.
4. Conclusions
In this study, two arylsemicarbazone analogs were identified as valuable compounds for the
development of novel anticancer agents. Especially, cytotoxic properties were directed against HL-
60 (promyelocytic leukemia) cancer cell line associated with encouraging safety profile (SI PBMC =
6.2 and 4.5 for 3c and 4a, respectively). The proposed mechanism of action of 3c was the induction of
cell death through apoptosis by alteration in the mitochondria transmembrane potential. Regarding
compound 4a, DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells was found to induce cytotoxic properties.
1
Supplementary Materials: The following materials are available online at http://www.mdpi.com/xxx/s1. H-
and 13C-NMR spectra for compounds 3a-3m and 4a, as well as molecular docking calculation parameters
Author Contributions: T.I.S., L.O.S., A.R.F., J.F.C.A., S.P., R.M.X. and F.J.B.M.J. reviewed the draft manuscript.
M.Z.H. and M.M.R. performed the molecular modeling study; A.C.N.C. and E.F.O.B. performed the research in
relation to the synthesis, biological evaluation and characterization of novel compounds; R.M.X. participated in
the analysis and interpretation of the data. M.A.B. performed the lipophilicity and solubility calculation and

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interpretation. B.B., S.B. and S.R. designed and performed the kinase assays. T.G.S., P.M. and D.J.B. coordinated
the research and drafted the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Funding: The authors would like to acknowledge Capes/Cofecub Program Me 865-15 for financial support.
Acknowledgments: The authors also thank the Cancéropôle Grand-Ouest (axis: Marine drugs, metabolism and
cancer), GIS IBiSA (Infrastructures en Biologie Santé et Agronomie, France) and Biogenouest (Western France
life science and environment core facility network) for supporting KISSf screening facility (Roscoff, France).
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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