101451-89-2

Upstream product

• 4225-35-8 4,6-dimethoxycoumaranone 
• 90-02-8 salicylaldehyde 
• 110865-03-7 2-chloro-1-(2,4,6-trihydroxyphenyl)ethan-1-one 
• 3260-49-9 4,6-dihydroxybenzofuran-3(2H)-one 
• 108-73-6 3,5-dihydroxyphenol 

Downstream Products

• 1234352-32-9 4,6-dimethoxy-2-(2'-hydroxybenzyl)benzofuran-3(2H)-one 

Relevant academic research and scientific papers

Synthesis of structurally diverse biflavonoids

Synthetic biflavonoids are associated with interesting biological activities, yet they remain poorly explored within drug discovery. Recent years have witnessed a growing interest in synthetic approaches that can provide access to structurally novel biflavonoids so that the biological usefulness of this compound class can be more fully investigated. Herein, we report upon the exploration of strategies based around Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling and alcohol methylenation for the synthesis of two classes of biflavonoids: (i) rare ‘hybrid’ derivatives containing flavonoid monomers belonging to different subclasses, and (ii) homodimeric compounds in which the two flavonoid monomers are linked by a methylenedioxy group. Application of these strategies enabled the preparation of a structurally diverse collection of novel biflavonoids from readily-available starting materials, thereby facilitating the probing of uncharted regions of biologically interesting chemical space.

Investigation of binding-site homology between mushroom and bacterial tyrosinases by using aurones as effectors

Tyrosinase is a copper-containing enzyme found in plants and bacteria, as well as in humans, where it is involved in the biosynthesis of melanin-type pigments. Tyrosinase inhibitors have attracted remarkable research interest as whitening agents in cosmetology, antibrowning agents in food chemistry, and as therapeutics. In this context, commercially available tyrosinase from mushroom (TyM) is frequently used for the identification of inhibitors. This and bacterial tyrosinase (TyB) have been the subjects of intense biochemical and structural studies, including X-ray diffraction analysis, and this has led to the identification of structural homology and divergence among enzymes from different sources. To better understand the behavior of potential inhibitors of TyM and TyB, we selected the aurone family - previously identified as potential inhibitors of melanin biosynthesis in human melanocytes. In this study, a series of 24 aurones with different hydroxylation patterns at the A- and B-rings were evaluated on TyM and TyB. The results show that, depending on the hydroxylation pattern of A- and B-rings, aurones can behave as inhibitors, substrates, and activators of both enzymes. Computational analysis was performed to identify residues surrounding the aurones in the active sites of both enzymes and to rationalize the interactions. Our results highlight similarities and divergence in the behavior of TyM and TyB toward the same set of molecules. A lighter future: Aurones have been identified as inhibitors of melanin biosynthesis. In this study, 24 aurones were evaluated on mushroom and bacterial tyrosinases (TyM and TyB). The compounds behaved as inhibitors, substrates, or activators of both enzymes. Our results highlight similarities and differences in behavior between TyM and TyB with the same set of molecules.

Discovery of naturally occurring aurones that are potent allosteric inhibitors of hepatitis C virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase

We have identified naturally occurring 2-benzylidenebenzofuran-3-ones (aurones) as new templates for non-nucleoside hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitors. The aurone target site, identified by site-directed mutagenesis, is located in thumb pocket I of HCV RdRp. The RdRp inhibitory activity of 42 aurones was rationally explored in an enzyme assay. Molecular docking studies were used to determine how aurones bind to HCV RdRp and to predict their range of inhibitory activity. Seven aurone derivatives were found to have potent inhibitory effects on HCV RdRp, with IC50 below 5 μM and excellent selectivity index (inhibition activity versus cellular cytotoxicity). The most active aurone analogue was (Z)-2-((1-butyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-4,6-dihydroxybenzofuran-3(2H)-one (compound 51), with an IC50 of 2.2 μM. Their potent RdRp inhibitory activity and their low toxicity make these molecules attractive candidates as direct-acting anti-HCV agents.

Functionalized aurones as inducers of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 that activate AhR/XRE and Nrf2/ARE signaling pathways: Synthesis, evaluation and SAR

The chemopreventive potential of functionalized aurones and related compounds as inducers of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1, EC 1.6.99.2) are described. Several 4,6-dimethoxy and 5-hydroxyaurones induced NQO1 activity of Hepa1c1c7 cells by 2-fold at submicromolar concentrations, making these the most potent inducers to be identified from this class. Mechanistically, induction of NQO1 was mediated by the activation of AhR/XRE and Nrf2/ARE pathways, indicating that aurones may be mixed activators of NQO1 induction or agents capable of exploiting the proposed cross-talk between the AhR and Nrf2 gene batteries. QSAR analysis by partial least squares projection to latent structures (PLS) identified size parameters, in particular those associated with non-polar surface areas, as an important determinant of induction activity. These were largely determined by the substitution on rings A and B. A stereoelectronic role for the exocyclic double bond as reflected in the E LUMO term was also identified. The electrophilicity of the double bond or its effect on the conformation of the target compound are possible key features for induction activity.

Dimethoxyaurones: Potent inhibitors of ABCG2 (breast cancer resistance protein)

A series of 4,6-dimethoxyaurones were synthesized by reacting 4,6-dimethoxybenzofuran-3(2H)-one with various benzaldehydes in a base-catalyzed aldol reaction. A Z configuration was assigned to the aurones based on spectroscopic and crystallographic data.