Anderson C. Mantovani

Iron(III) chloride and diorganyl diselenides-mediated 6-endo-dig cyclization of arylpropiolates and arylpropiolamides leading to 3-organoselenyl-2H-coumarins and 3-organoselenyl-quinolinones.

Combination of iron(III) chloride and diorganyl diselenides was used for cyclization of arylpropiolates and arylpropiolamides in formation of 3-organoselenyl-2H-coumarins and 3-organoselenyl-quinolinones, respectively. Systematic study to determine the ideal conditions revealed that the two substrates reacted in the same way using identical reaction conditions. The versatility of this method has been demonstrated by extension of the best reaction conditions to substrate having a variety of substituents. Analyses of the optimization reaction also showed that diorganyl diselenides have a dual role by acting as cycling agent and base to restore the aromatic system. Mechanistic investigation studies and analyses of the products obtained have revealed that the cyclization reactions follow an initial 6-endo-dig process to give the six-membered heterocycles without involving an intramolecular ipso-cyclization route.

The antidepressant-like effect of 7-fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline-1-amine in the mouse forced swimming test is mediated by serotonergic and dopaminergic systems.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of monoaminergic system in the antidepressant-like action of 7-fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline-1-amine (FDPI), a derivative of isoquinoline class, in Swiss mice. The antidepressant-like effect of FDPI was characterized in the modified forced swimming test (FST) and the possible mechanism of action was investigated by using serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic antagonists. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and [(3)H]serotonin (5-HT) uptake were determined in prefrontal cortices of mice. The results showed that FDPI (1, 10 and 20mg/kg, i.g.) reduced the immobility time and increased the swimming time but did not alter climbing time in the modified FST. These effects were similar to those of paroxetine (8mg/kg, i.p.), a positive control. Pretreatments with p-chlorophenylalanine (100mg/kg, i.p., an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis), WAY100635 (0.1mg/kg, s.c., 5-HT1A antagonist), ondansetron (1mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist), haloperidol (0.2mg/kg, i.p., a non-selective D2 receptor antagonist) and SCH23390 (0.05mg/kg, s.c., a D1 receptor antagonist) were effective to block the antidepressant-like effect of FDPI at a dose of 1mg/kg in the FST. Ritanserin (1mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT2A/2C receptor antagonist), sulpiride (50mg/kg, i.p., a D2 and D3 receptor antagonist), prazosin (1mg/kg, i.p., an α1 receptor antagonist), yohimbine (1mg/kg, i.p., an α2 receptor antagonist) and propranolol (2mg/kg, i.p., a β receptor antagonist) did not modify the effect of FDPI in the FST. FDPI did not change synaptosomal [(3)H]5-HT uptake. At doses of 10 and 20mg/kg FDPI inhibited MAO-A and MAO-B activities. These results suggest that antidepressant-like effect of FDPI is mediated mostly by serotonergic and dopaminergic systems.

Synthesis of natural polyacetylenes bearing furan rings.

The first total syntheses of four new polyacetylene compounds have been achieved using convergent routes, which involved Cadiot--Chodkiewicz copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions to sp-sp centers as the key steps. 19-Furan-2-ylnonadeca-5,7-diynoic acid (1), 19-furan-2-ylnonadeca-5,7-diynoic acid methyl ester (2), 2-pentacosa-7,9-diynylfuran (3), and 21-furan-2-ylhenicosa-14,16-diyn-1-ol (4) were stable and could be readily identified, isolated, and purified in high overall yields.

Synthesis of pharmacologically active 1-amino-isoquinolines prepared via silver triflate-catalyzed cyclization of o-alkynylbenzaldoximes with isocyanates.

The synthesis of a series of 1-amino-isoquinolines prepared via electrophilic cyclization [3+2] cycloaddition/rearrangement reactions of o-alkynylbenzaldoxime 1 with isocyanates 2 in the presence of catalytic amount of AgOTf was demonstrated. The cyclized products were obtained in good yields under an air atmosphere. 1-Amino-isoquinoline derivatives 3a, 3b, 3j and 3t were screened in vitro for the antioxidant potential and efficacy to inhibit cerebral monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. The antidepressant-like action of some 1-amino-isoquinolines was performed in the mouse forced swimming test (FST). The pharmacological screening of 1-amino-isoquinoline derivatives indicated that 3a, 3b, 3j and 3t were antioxidants and inhibited cerebral MAO-A and B activities at low concentrations. Although at different doses 3a, 3b, 3j and 3t were effective antidepressant-like drugs in the mouse FST. None of 1-amino-isoquinolines tested caused acute cerebral, hepatic or renal toxicity in mice.

A novel isoquinoline compound abolishes chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive-like behavior in mice

Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) elicits aspects of cognitive and behavioral alterations that can be used to model comparable aspects of depression in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidepressant-like potential of 7-fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline-1-amine (FDPI), a novel isoquinoline compound, in CUMS, a model that meets face, construct and predictive criteria for validity. Swiss mice were subjected to different stress paradigms daily for a period of 35 days to induce the depressive-like behavior. The animals received concomitant FDPI (0.1 and 1mg/kg, intragastric) or paroxetine (8mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and CUMS. The behavioral tests (splash test, tail suspension test, modified forced swimming test and locomotor activity) were performed. The levels of cytokines, corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) hormones were determined in the mouse prefrontal cortex and serum. The synaptosomal [(3)H] serotonin (5-HT) uptake, nuclear factor (NF)-κB, tyrosine kinase receptor (TrkB) and pro-brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were determined in the mouse prefrontal cortex. CUMS induced a depressive-like behavior in mice, which was demonstrated in the modified forced swimming, tail suspension and splash tests. FDPI at both doses prevented depressive-like behavior induced by CUMS, without altering the locomotor activity of mice. FDPI at the highest dose prevented the increase in the levels of NF-kB, pro-inflammatory cytokines, corticosterone and ACTH and modulated [(3)H]5-HT uptake and the proBDNF/TrkB signaling pathway altered by CUMS. The present findings demonstrated that FDPI elicited an antidepressant-like effect in a model of stress-induced depression.

Swimming exercise and diphenyl diselenide-supplemented diet affect the serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines differently depending on the age of rats

The increase in the inflammatory process is one of the main factors that contribute to aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a diphenyl diselenide (PhSe)2-supplemented diet (1p.p.m., 4weeks) and swimming exercise (3% of body weight, 20min per day, 4weeks) on the serum levels of cytokines in Wistar rats of different ages. The results demonstrated an increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα and INFγ) and a decrease in the levels of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, with age. In middle-age rats, the swimming exercise and (PhSe)2-supplemented diet decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the levels of IL-10. By contrast, in old rats the swimming exercise protocol increased the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased the levels IL-10. Diet supplemented with (PhSe)2 did not alter the serum levels of cytokines in old rats. Middle-age and old rats subjected to swimming exercise and supplemented with (PhSe)2 in the diet had a decrease in the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increase in the levels of IL-10. This study demonstrated that swimming exercise and (PhSe)2-supplemented diet affect the serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines differently depending on the age of rats. (PhSe)2 supplemented in the diet had an anti-inflammatory effect, similar to that of induced by swimming exercise, in middle-age rats and reversed the pro-inflammatory effects of swimming exercise in old rats.

7-Fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline-1-amine abolishes depressive-like behavior and prefrontal cortical oxidative damage induced by acute restraint stress in mice

There is a complex relationship between stressful situations and the onset of depression. 7-Fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline-1-amine (FDPI) has been reported to have an antidepressant-like effect in the forced swimming test (FST). The aim of this study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of FDPI administered to mice before or after the acute restraint stress (ARS). The mice were submitted to the ARS for 7 h. Two treatments with FDPI (10 mg/kg) were performed: in the first treatment, the mice received FDPI 30 min before ARS (pre-treatment) and in the second treatment mice received FDPI 10 min after the ARS (post-treatment). Thirty minutes after FDPI administration, the FST and locomotor activity were carried out. ARS induced depressive-like behavior in the FST. Both treatments with FDPI were effective against the increase in immobility time in the FST.Moreover, ARS increased lipid peroxidation and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as decreased catalase activity in prefrontal cortical samples of mice. Pre- and post-treatments with FDPI reduced lipid peroxidation and ROS, and post-treatment restored catalase activity. Superoxide dismutase was not altered by stress and/or FDPI. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities increased in the prefrontal-cortices of mice submitted to the ARS protocol and treatments with FDPI abolished this increase. Hepatic MAO activities were not altered in the livers of mice submitted to ARS and FDPI treatments. The serotonin uptake was increased in the prefrontal-cortices of mice submitted to the ARS protocol and both treatments with FDPI abolished this increase. The antidepressant-like effect of FDPI appears to involve the modulation of oxidative stress and the monoaminergic system, without inhibiting hepatic MAO activity.

Contribution of NMDA, GABAA and GABAB receptors and l-arginine-NO-cGMP, MEK1/2 and CaMK-II pathways in the antidepressant-like effect of 7-fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline-1-amine in mice.

It has been reported that the antidepressant-like effect of 7-fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline-1-amine (FDPI) may result from the modulation of brain monoaminergic systems. However, the mechanisms of FDPI action are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems as well as l-arginine-nitric oxide-(NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-(cGMP), mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK1/2) and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK-II) signaling pathways in the antidepressant-like effect of FDPI in the mouse forced swimming test (FST). The levels of NO and uptake of [(3)H]glutamate and [(3)H]GABA were determined in prefrontal cortices of Swiss mice. Pretreatments with NMDA (0.1 pmol/site, i.c.v., a NMDA receptor agonist), bicuculline (1mg/kg, i.p., a GABAA receptor antagonist), phaclofen (2mg/kg, i.p., a GABAB receptor antagonist) and l-arginine (750mg/kg, i.p., a NO precursor), KN-62 (1μg/site, a CaMK-II inhibitor), U0126 (5μg/site, a MEK1/2 inhibitor) and PD09058 (5μg/site, a MEK1/2 inhibitor) blocked the antidepressant-like effect of FDPI, at a dose of 1mg/kg, in the FST. ODQ (30 pmol/site, i.c.v., a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor) in combination with a sub-effective dose of FDPI (0.1mg/kg, i.g.) reduced the immobility time in the FST. The administration of FDPI (50mg/kg) to mice increased the glutamate uptake and reduced NO levels in the prefrontal cortex of mice. The results suggest a contribution of NMDA, GABAA and GABAB receptors and l-arginine-NO-cGMP pathway in the antidepressant-like action of FDPI in mice, and this effect is related to CaMK-II and MEK 1/2 activation.

Synthesis of pyridazinones through the copper(I)-catalyzed multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, hydrazines, and alkynylesters.

The copper-catalyzed multicomponent cyclization reaction, which combined aldehydes, hydrazines, and alkynylesters, was applied in the synthesis of pyridazinones. The reaction was regioselective and gave only six-membered pyridazinones in the complete absence of five-membered pyrazoles or a regioisomeric mixture. During this investigation, the use of 2-halobenzaldehyde as the starting material, under identical reaction conditions, gave 6-(2-ethoxyphenyl)pyridazinones after sequential Michael addition/1,2-addition/Ullmann cross-coupling reactions.

7-Fluoro-1,3-diphenylisoquinoline reverses motor and non-motor symptoms induced by MPTP in mice: Role of striatal neuroinflammation

ABSTRACT Parkinsons disease (PD) is a dopaminergic neurodegenerative disorder, which presents motor and non‐motor symptoms. 7‐Fluoro‐1,3‐diphenylisoquinoline (FDPI) is an isoquinoline compound with antioxidant and antidepressant properties. This study investigated whether FDPI reverses motor and non‐motor symptoms in an acute mouse model of PD induced by 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). It was also assessed the anti‐inflammatory mechanisms in FDPI pharmacological action. C57Bl/6 male adult mice received four MPTP (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) or saline (vehicle) injections to induce an acute PD model. FDPI (10 mg/kg, intragastric) was daily administered to mice from the 2nd to 9th day after the induction and mice performed the behavioral tests on the 8th and 9th days. Striatum samples were collected for biochemical and molecular analyses. The results of the rotarod and challenging beam tests demonstrated that the administration of FDPI attenuated the impairments in balance and coordination of mice induced by MPTP. The FDPI reversed the short‐term memory deficit and depressive‐like behavior induced by MPTP in mice. FDPI attenuated the reduction in the striatal tyrosine hydroxylase levels, and it reversed the increase in the cyclooxygenase‐2 levels and myeloperoxidase activity caused by MPTP in mice. Therefore, FDPI reversed motor and non‐motor symptoms induced by an acute PD model and its restorative effects seem to be mediated by an anti‐inflammatory action associated with a modulation of the striatal cyclooxygenase‐2 levels and myeloperoxidase activity.