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ABSTRACT: In a preliminary article, we reported a series of 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole derivatives as neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitors. Here we present the data about the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) of these compounds. In general, we can confirm that these pyrazoles are nNOS selective inhibitors. In addition, taking these compounds as a reference, we have designed and synthesized a series of new derivatives by modification of the heterocycle in 1-position, and by introduction of electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents in the aromatic ring. These derivatives have been evaluated as nNOS and iNOS inhibitors in order to identify new compounds with improved activity and selectivity. Compound 3r, with three methoxy electron-donating groups in the phenyl moiety, is the most potent nNOS inhibitor, showing good selectivity nNOS/iNOS.
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry 05/2013; · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The (1) H and (13) C NMR resonances of twenty-seven 2,2-dimethyl-5-(2-nitrophenyl-5-substituted)-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazoles, and twenty-seven 3-acyl-5-(2-amino-5-substituted)-2,2-dimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1,3,4-thiadiazoles were assigned completely using the concerted application of one-dimensional and two-dimensional experiments (DEPT, HMQC and HMBC). NOESY experiments, X-ray crystallography and conformational analysis confirm the preferred conformation of these compounds.
Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry 06/2012; 50(7):515-22. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data of 13 new compounds containing a 4-(dimethylamino)- or 4-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pyridinium moiety linked to the N-9 or N-3 nitrogen atom of an adenine moiety were assigned. 1D and 2D NMR experiments (DEPT, HSQC and HMBC) allowed the unequivocal identification of N-9 and N-3 isomers.
Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry 04/2012; 50(6):466-9. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Nitric oxide (NO), which is produced by oxidation of L-arginine to L-citrulline in a process catalyzed by different isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), exhibits diverse roles in several physiological processes, including neurotransmission, blood pressure regulation and immunological defense mechanisms. On the other hand, an overproduction of NO is related with several disorders as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Taking melatonin as a model, our research group has designed and synthesized several families of compounds that act as NOS inhibitors, and their effects on the excitability of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-dependent neurons in rat striatum, and on the activity on both nNOS and iNOS were evaluated. Structural comparison between the three most representative families of compounds (kynurenines, kynurenamines and 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole derivatives) allows the establishment of structure-activity relationships for the inhibition of nNOS, and a pharmacophore model that fulfills all of the observed SARs were developed. This model could serve as a template for the design of other potential nNOS inhibitors. The last family of compounds, pyrrole derivatives, shows moderate in vitro NOS inhibition, but some of these compounds show good iNOS/nNOS selectivity. Two of these compounds, 5-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid methylamide and cyclopentylamide, have been tested as regulators of the in vivo nNOS and iNOS activity. Both compounds prevented the increment of the inducible NOS activity in both cytosol (iNOS) and mitochondria (i-mtNOS) observed in a MPTP model of Parkinson's disease.
Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 04/2012; 12(7):600-17. · 2.53 Impact Factor
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Octavio Caba,
Fernando Rodríguez-Serrano,
Mónica Díaz-Gavilán,
Ana Conejo-García,
Raúl Ortiz,
Antonio Martínez-Amat,
Pablo Alvarez, Miguel A Gallo,
Joaquín M Campos,
Juan A Marchal,
Antonia Aránega
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ABSTRACT: Advance in the knowledge of molecular biology has thrown light on many aspects of apoptosis regulation mechanisms. This has allowed a change in anti-cancer therapy trends, from classic cytotoxic strategies to the development of new non-harmful therapies which target the apoptosis response selectively only in tumour cells. We have selected an anthranilic alcohol-derived acyclic 5-fluorouracil O,N-acetal (5) to carry out the anti-cancer studies. This compound shows activity as a potent growth inhibitor of the tumour cell line MCF-7 at a very low concentration. Moreover, when this compound was administered to the non-neoplastic cell line, MCF-10A displayed less toxicity resulting in lower rates of apoptosis. Further studies by microarray hybridization, real-time PCR and western blot showed that when administered to human breast cancer cells, MCF-7, 5 had no activity against classic pro-apoptotic genes such as p53, and even induced the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes such as Bcl-2. In contrast, several pro-apoptotic genes related with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress-induced apoptosis, such as BBC3 and Noxa, appeared up-regulated. These results seem to show that the mechanism of action and selectivity of 5 was via the activation of the ER stress-induced apoptosis. The selective activity of this compound against tumour cells via the ER stress-induced apoptosis supposes a great advantage for future therapeutic use.
European journal of medicinal chemistry 02/2012; 50:376-82. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Inhibition of Choline Kinase (ChoK) has been reported as a therapeutical target in the treatment of some kinds of tumor. In this paper, the design and synthesis of new non-symmetrical monocationic ChoK inhibitors is described, bearing a cationic head and an adenine moiety connected by linkers of different lengths. Docking studies indicate that the cationic head of these compounds could be inserted into the choline binding site of the enzyme, while the adenine moiety could be stabilized into the ATP binding site. Docking studies also support the difference of activity of the synthesized compounds, which depends on both the substituent at position 4 of the cationic head and the linker length, being dimethylamine and 1,4-diphenylbutane respectively, the most appropriate ones. Compounds 14 (IC(50) = 10.70 ± 0.40 μM) and 17 (IC(50) = 6.21 ± 0.97 μM) are the most potent ChoK inhibitors and suitable for further modification with a view to obtain more potent antitumor compounds.
European journal of medicinal chemistry 02/2012; 50:154-62. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The synthesis of new compounds with a 1,3,4-thiadiazole structure, and their in vitro biological evaluation as inhibitors of both neuronal and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS and iNOS) is described. These compounds have been designed by an isosteric modification of a series of 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole derivatives, previously described as the nNOS inhibitors. The insertion of the S atom in the heterocyclic ring induces a selective inhibition of the iNOS isoform. Some of these compounds show as iNOS inhibition percentage near of 100% at a concentration of 50 μM, and the IC(50) values measured for the more potent compounds are in a range of 20-40 μM.
European journal of medicinal chemistry 02/2012; 50:129-39. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The (13) C NMR resonances of 19 1-acyl-3-(2-nitro-5-substitutedphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles, and 19 1-acyl-3-(2-amino-5-substituted)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazoles, were completely assigned using the concerted application of one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments (DEPT, gs-HSQC and gs-HMBC).
Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry 01/2012; 50(1):58-61. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Completing a SAR study, a series of (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-7H or 9H-purines was previously prepared. The most potent antiproliferative agent against the MCF-7 adenocarcinoma cell line that belongs to the benzoxazepine O,N-acetalic family is (RS)-9-[1-(9H-fluorenyl-9-methoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl]-6-chloro-9H-purine (16, IC(50) = 0.67 ± 0.18 μM), whilst (RS)-7-{2-(N-hydroxymethylphenyl)-2-nitrobenzenesulfonamido]-1-methoxyethyl}-6-chloro-7H-purine (37) shows the lowest IC(50) value between the family of acyclic O,N-acetals (IC(50) = 3.25 ± 0.23 μM). Moreover, 16 showed the better in vitro Therapeutic Index in breast cell lines (3.19), whilst 37 was found to be 3.69-fold more active against HT-29 human colon cancer cell line than versus IEC-6 normal rat intestinal epithelial cell line. The global apoptotic cells caused by 16 and 37 against MCF-7 were 80.08% and 54.85% of cell population after 48 h, respectively. cDNA microarray technology reveals potential drug targets, which are mainly centred on positive apoptosis regulatory pathway genes, and the repression of genes involved in carcinogenesis, proliferation and tumour invasion.
European journal of medicinal chemistry 05/2011; 46(9):3802-9. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Herein are reported the synthesis and anticancer activity against the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 of a series of substituted (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives and (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives. When the Mitsunobu reaction was carried out between (RS)-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-3-methanol and the heterocyclic bases 6-chloro-, 2,6-dichloro, and 6-bromo-purines under microwave-assisted conditions, a formal 1,4-sulfur migration takes place through two consecutive oxyranium and episulfonium rings, giving rise to the corresponding (RS)-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-3-ylmethyl)-9H-purine derivatives, previously reported by us. The most active compound (RS)-2,6-dichloro-9-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzoxathiin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purine shows an IC(50) = 2.75 ± 0.02 μM. When the cancerous cells were treated with this compound, a significant increase of apoptotic cells (70.08 ± 0.33%) was obtained in relation to the control ones. The induction of the G(2)/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by the three most active compounds is associated with increased phosphorylation of eIF2α in human breast cancer cells.
European journal of medicinal chemistry 05/2011; 46(9):3795-801. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A molecular library of quaternary ammonium salts (QASs), mainly composed of symmetrical bis-quaternary heterocyclic bromides exhibiting choline kinase (ChoK) inhibitory activity, were evaluated for their ability to inhibit acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BChE, respectively). The molecular framework of QASs consisted of two positively charged heteroaromatic (pyridinium or quinolinium) or sterically hindered aliphatic (quinuclidinium) nitrogen rings kept at an appropriate distance by lipophilic rigid or semirigid linkers. Many homodimeric QASs showed AChE and BChE inhibitory potency in the nanomolar range along with a low enzymatic selectivity. Computational studies on AChE, BChE, and ChoK allowed identification of the key molecular determinants for high affinity and selectivity over either one of the three enzymes and guided the design of a hybrid bis-QAS (56) exhibiting the highest AChE affinity (IC(50) = 15 nM) and selectivity over BChE and ChoK (SI = 50 and 562, respectively) and a promising pharmacological potential in myasthenia gravis and neuromuscular blockade.
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 03/2011; 54(8):2627-45. · 4.80 Impact Factor
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Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry 10/2009; 47(12):1101 - 1109. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The 1H and 13C NMR resonances of 22 5-(5-substituted-2-nitrophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides, 22 5-(5-substituted-2-aminophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides, and 9 5-phenyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamides were assigned completely using the concerted application of one- and two-dimensional experiments (DEPT, gs-HMQC and gs-HMBC). NOE studies and conformational analysis confirm the preferred conformations of such compounds.
Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry 10/2009; 47(12):1101-9. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Melatonin prevents mitochondrial failure in models of sepsis through its ability to inhibit the expression and activity of both cytosolic (iNOS) and mitochondrial (i-mtNOS) inducible nitric oxide synthases. Because Parkinson's disease (PD), like sepsis, is associated with iNOS induction, we assessed the existence of changes in iNOS/i-mtNOS and their relation with mitochondrial dysfunction in the MPTP model of PD, which also displays increased iNOS expression. We also evaluated the role of melatonin (aMT) and its brain metabolite, N(1)-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK), in preventing i-mtNOS induction and mitochondrial failure in this model of PD. Mitochondria from substantia nigra (SN) and, to a lesser extent, from striatum (ST) showed a significant increase in i-mtNOS activity, nitrite levels, oxidative stress, and complex I inhibition after MPTP treatment. MPTP-induced i-mtNOS was probably related to mitochondrial failure, because its prevention by aMT and AMK reduced oxidative/nitrosative stress and restored complex I activity. These findings represent the first experimental evidence of a potential role for i-mtNOS in the mitochondrial failure of PD and support a novel mechanism in the neuroprotective effects of aMT and AMK.
Journal of Neuroscience Research 06/2009; 87(13):3002-10. · 2.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The goal of cancer chemotherapy with classical drugs - the destruction of the tumor cells - is often complicated by significant toxicity. As an alternative, induced differentiation modulates the cell programme by transforming malignant cells into mature cells with no proliferative potential. Our data demonstrate that (+/-)-1-{[3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-1-isopropoxy]propyl}-5-fluorouracil inhibits proliferation, induces myogenic differentiation, increases the expression of proteins specifically present in normally differentiated skeletal muscle cells, and modifies the adhesion capacity of these cells against the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line RD. From a designing point of view, a benzene ring was fused to the side chain in order to increase the lipophilicity and anticancer activity of our molecules. Herein we report the preparation and biological activity of three compounds having the general formula (+/-)-1-[2-(5-substituted-2-hydroxybenzyloxy)-1-methoxyethyl]-5-fluorouracils. A catechol-derived compound such as (+/-)-1-[3-(2-hydroxyphenoxy)-1-methoxypropyl]-5-fluorouracil and two salicyl-derived compounds such as (+/-)-(Z)-1-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxy-but-3-enyl]-5-fluorouracil [(Z)-43] and its dihydrogenated derivative (+/-)-1-[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-methoxybutyl]-5-fluorouracil were prepared to complete the set of six O,N-acetals. The most active compound against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was (+/-)-(Z)-43 with an IC(50) = 9.40 +/- 0.64 microM. Differentiated breast cancer cells generate fat deposits within the cytoplasm. The MCF-7 cells trea-ed with (+/-)-(Z)-43 caused an increase in the lipid content over control cells after 3 days of treatment. Our results suggest that there may be significant potential advantages in the use of this new differentiating agent for the treatment of breast cancer.
Current Medicinal Chemistry 02/2009; 16(9):1166-83. · 4.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The issue of drug chirality is now a major theme in the design and development of new drugs, underpinned by a new understanding of the role of molecular recognition in many pharmacologically relevant events. In general, three methods are utilized for the production of a chiral drug: the chiral pool, separation of racemates, and asymmetric synthesis. Although the use of chiral drugs predates modern medicine, only since the 1980's has there been a significant increase in the development of chiral pharmaceutical drugs. An important commercial reason is that as patents on racemic drugs expire, pharmaceutical companies have the opportunity to extend patent coverage through development of the chiral switch enantiomers with desired bioactivity. Stimulated by the new policy statements issued by the regulatory agencies, the pharmaceutical industry has systematically begun to develop chiral drugs in enantiometrically enriched pure forms. This new trend has caused a tremendous change in the industrial small- and large-scale production to enantiomerically pure drugs, leading to the revisiting and updating of old technologies, and to the development of new methodologies of their large-scale preparation (as the use of stereoselective syntheses and biocatalyzed reactions). The final decision whether a given chiral drug will be marketed in an enantiomerically pure form, or as a racemic mixture of both enantiomers, will be made weighing all the medical, financial and social proficiencies of one or other form. The kinetic, pharmacological and toxicological properties of individual enantiomers need to be characterized, independently of a final decision.
Current Medicinal Chemistry 02/2009; 16(16):2064-74. · 4.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have previously described a series of 3-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole derivatives as moderately potent nNOS inhibitors. As a follow up of these studies, several new 5-phenyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide derivatives have been synthesized, and their biological evaluation as in vitro inhibitors of both neural and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS and iNOS) is described. Some of these compounds show good iNOS/nNOS selectivity and the more potent compounds 5-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxilic acid methylamide (QFF205) and cyclopentylamide (QFF212) have been tested as regulators of the in vivo nNOS and iNOS activity. Both compounds prevented the increment of the inducible NOS activity in both cytosol (iNOS) and mitochondria (i-mtNOS) observed in the MPTP model of Parkinson's disease.
European journal of medicinal chemistry 01/2009; 44(6):2655-66. · 3.27 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Tryptophan is mainly metabolized in the brain through methoxyindole and kynurenine pathways. The methoxyindole pathway produces (among other compounds) melatonin, which displays inhibitory effects on human and animal central nervous systems, including a significant attenuation of excitatory, glutamate-mediated responses. The kynurenine pathway produces kynurenines that interact with brain glutamate-mediated responses. Nitric oxide (NO) increases glutamate release, and melatonin and kynurenines may act via modification of NO synthesis. In the present study, the effects of melatonin and four synthetic kynurenines were studied on the activity of rat striatal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and on the response of rat striatal neurons to sensorimotor cortex (SMCx) stimulation, a glutamate-mediated response. Melatonin inhibited both NOS activity and the striatal glutamate response, and these effects were dose-related. Compound A (2-acetamide-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyric acid) did not inhibit NOS activity but inhibited the striatal response similarly to melatonin. Compound B (2-acetamide-4-(2-amino-5-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyric acid) was more potent than melatonin in inhibiting both NOS activity and the striatal response. Compound C (2-butyramide-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyric acid) did not change NOS activity, but increased the striatal response. Compound D (2-butyramide-4-(2-amino-5-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxobutyric acid) showed potent inhibitory effects on both NOS activity and striatal glutamate-mediated response. A structure-related effect of the kynurenine derivatives was observed, and those with an amino group in position 2 of the benzenic ring had more potent effects than melatonin itself in inhibiting striatal NOS activity and the response of striatal neurons to SMCx.
Journal of Neuroendocrinology 10/2008; 10(4):297 - 302. · 3.14 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The (1)H and (13)C NMR resonances of 22 1-alkyl-pyrazole and 25 1-alkyl-pyrazoline derivatives were assigned completely using the concerted application of one- and two-dimensional experiments (DEPT, gs-HMQC and gs-HMBC). Nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) effects, conformational analysis and X-ray crystallography confirm the preferred conformation of those compounds.
Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry 09/2008; 46(9):878-85. · 1.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Completing a SAR study, a series of (RS)-1- or 3-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-pyrimidines and (RS)-6-substituted-7- or 9-(1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl)-7H- or 9H-purines have been prepared. Their antiproliferative activities on MCF-7 cells are here presented and discussed. (RS)-6-Chloro-9-[1-(9H-9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl)-1,2,3,5-tetrahydro-4,1-benzoxazepine-3-yl]-9H-purine (28) is the most active (IC(50)=0.67+/-0.18 microM) of the series so far described. cDNA microarray technology reveals potential drug targets, which are mainly centred on apoptosis regulatory pathway genes.
Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters 03/2008; 18(4):1457-60. · 2.65 Impact Factor
