Bahjat A. Saeed

Synthesis and evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activities of new substituted bis(1,3,4-oxadiazoles), 3,5-bis(substituted) pyrazoles and isoxazoles.

Two series of five membered heterocyclic bis(1,3,4-oxadiazole) derivatives 2(a-h) and 3,5-bis(substituted)pyrazoles, isoxazoles 3(a,b,d-i), 4(a-c) were synthesized via oxidative cyclization of some diaroylhydrazones using chloramine-T and cyclocondensation reaction with hydrazine hydrate and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, respectively. The newly synthesized compounds were screened for antioxidant and anti-microbial activities. Compounds 2(b), 3(b), and 4(a) showed higher antioxidant activity at 10 μg/ml while compounds 2(a), 3(a), 3(f), and 4(a) exhibited better anti-microbial activity at 100μg/ml compared with standard vitamin C and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Structures of newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis and spectral IR, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR data.

Modulation of P-glycoprotein activity by novel synthetic curcumin derivatives in sensitive and multidrug-resistant T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines

BACKGROUND Multidrug resistance (MDR) and drug transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) represent major obstacles in cancer chemotherapy. We investigated 19 synthetic curcumin derivatives in drug-sensitive acute lymphoblastic CCRF-CEM leukemia cells and their multidrug-resistant P-gp-overexpressing subline, CEM/ADR5000. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cytotoxicity was tested by resazurin assays. Doxorubicin uptake was assessed by flow cytometry. Binding modes of compounds to P-gp were analyzed by molecular docking. Chemical features responsible for bioactivity were studied by quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) analyses. A 7-descriptor QSAR model was correlated with doxorubicin uptake values, IC50 values and binding energies. RESULTS The compounds displayed IC50 values between 0.7±0.03 and 20.2±0.25μM. CEM/ADR5000 cells exhibited cross-resistance to 10 compounds, collateral sensitivity to three compounds and regular sensitivity to the remaining six curcumins. Molecular docking studies at the intra-channel transmembrane domain of human P-gp resulted in lowest binding energies ranging from -9.00±0.10 to -6.20±0.02kcal/mol and pKi values from 0.24±0.04 to 29.17±0.88μM. At the ATP-binding site of P-gp, lowest binding energies ranged from -9.78±0.17 to -6.79±0.01kcal/mol and pKi values from 0.07±0.02 to 0.03±0.03μM. CEM/ADR5000 cells accumulated approximately 4-fold less doxorubicin than CCRF-CEM cells. The control P-gp inhibitor, verapamil, partially increased doxorubicin uptake in CEM/ADR5000 cells. Six curcumins increased doxorubicin uptake in resistant cells or even exceeded uptake levels compared to sensitive one. QSAR yielded good activity prediction (R=0.797 and R=0.794 for training and test sets). CONCLUSION Selected derivatives may serve to guide future design of novel P-gp inhibitors and collateral sensitive drugs to combat MDR.

New CYP17 Hydroxylase Inhibitors: Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, QSAR, and Molecular Docking Study of New Pregnenolone Analogs

A new series of pregnenonlone analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against cytochrome P450 (CYP17 hydroxylase enzyme). In general, the 5‐aryl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazol‐2‐yl)‐imino‐pregnenolone derivatives 11–15 were more active than the sulfonate 24–31 and the ester 37–41 analogs. Derivative 12 showed optimal activity in this series, with IC50 values of 2.5 µM compared with the standard abiraterone (IC50 = 0.07 µM). However, the analogs 11 and 25 showed a better selectivity profile (81.5 and 82.7% inhibition of hydroxylase, respectively), which may be a useful lead in CYP17 inhibition studies. Molecular docking studies demonstrated quite similar binding patterns of all new pregnenolone derivatives at the active site of CYP17 through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction.

New biaryl-chalcone derivatives of pregnenolone via Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Synthesis, CYP17 hydroxylase inhibition activity, QSAR, and molecular docking study.

A new class of steroids is being synthesized for its ability to prevent intratumoral androgen production by inhibiting the activity of CYP17 hydroxylase enzyme. The scheme involved the synthesis of chalcone derivative of pregnenolone 5 which was further modified to the corresponding biaryl-chalcone pregnenolone analogs 16-25 using Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The synthesized compounds were tested for activity using human CYP17α hydroxylase expressed in Escherichia coli. Compounds 21 was the most active inhibitor in this series, with IC50 values of 0.61μM and selectivity profile of 88.7% inhibition of hydroxylase enzyme. Molecular docking study of 21 was performed and showed the hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interaction with the amino acid residues of the active site of CYP17.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of acyclic C-nucleosides from 1,2- and 1,3-diketones.

A simple, rapid and regioselective approach for the synthesis of C-acyclic nucleosides 3, 4, 6, and 9 of dihydropyrimidine, imidazole and indeno[1,2-b]pyridine-9-one derived from 1,2- and 1,3-diketones was performed. By using DMF or pyridine as solvent or bentonite clay as a support, in the presence of TMSTf, ZnCl2, NH4OAc, or NH4NO3, all the desired products were obtained within 5–25 minutes under microwave irradiation (MWI). Acid hydrolysis of 6 and 9 afforded the free acyclic C-nucleosides 7 and 10, respectively. Upon treatment with NaOMe under MWI, 3 and 14 rearranged to the C-nucleoside 4 and 16.

A new pregnenolone analogues as privileged scaffolds in inhibition of CYP17 hydroxylase enzyme. Synthesis and in silico molecular docking study

A new series of 17-(N-(arylimino)-5-pregnen-3β-ol derivatives 19-32 as well as carboxylate and acrylate analogues of pregnenolone 37-40 were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against human CYP17 hydroxylase expressed in Escherichia coli. Compounds 32 and 37 were the most potent analogues in this series, showing inhibition activity with IC50 = 2.11 and 1.29 μM, respectively. However, the analogue 37 revealed a better selectivity profile (83.21% inhibition of hydroxylase), which is a leading candidate for further development. Molecular docking study of 37 showed binding with the amino acid residues of CYP17 through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interaction.

Synthesis and Modeling Study of Some Potential Pyrimidine Derivatives as HIV Inhibitors

A new series of 2-amino-6-((4-aryldiazenyl)benzyloxy)-4-chloropyrimidine derivatives 4 - 13 and 2,6-diamino-5-arylazo-4-chloro-pyrimidine analogs 15 - 20 were synthesized from the pyrimidine scaffolds 3 and 14, respectively, via diazotization with various amines. Nucleophilic displacement at the 2,4-diamino-5-arylazo-6-chloro-pyrimidine 16 by different amines afforded the 4-alkylamino analogs 21 - 27. All new compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anti-HIV activity in MT-4 cells as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors on the basis of our previous work. Screening results indicated that 10 and 11 were found to be the only compounds in the series inhibiting HIV-1 replication in cell cultures with EC50 of >1:23 and >2:92 μg mL-1 of a CC50 of 12.30 and 17.52 μg mL-1, resulting in a selectivity index of 10 and 6, respectively. In addition, preliminary structure-activity relationships and molecular modeling of these new analogs are detailed in this manuscript. Graphical Abstract Synthesis and Modeling Study of Some Potential Pyrimidine Derivatives as HIV Inhibitors

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Novel 2,3-Dihydro-4-Pyridinones

Novel 2,3-dihydro-4-pyridinones were synthesized via the reaction of curcumin and primary amines or amine acetates under microwave irradiation. Montmorillonite K-10 was used as a catalyst. Reaction times did not exceed 120 s. The structures of the compounds were established by elemental analysis and from their mass, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectra.

Potassium Tellurocyanate Mediated Coupling Reactions of N-(1-Chloroethylidene)Arylamines

Abstract The reaction of potassium tellurocyanate (prepared in situ) with N-(1-chloroethylidene)arylamines (i.e., 4-RC6H4N = C(CH3)Cl, where R = H, Cl, CH3 and NO2) in DMSO solution gave unexpectedly, after hydrolysis, the corresponding N-(3-(arylamino)butan-2-ylidene)arylamines in 63–78%. Reaction of N-(3-(arylamino)butan-2-ylidene)arylamines with SOCl2 or with Br2 resulted in the substitution of a halogen on the aromatic rings. The presence of a water molecule within the structure of the synthesized diimines was rationalized theoretically by Density Functional Theory (DFT). All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR and mass spectroscopic data. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

NMR, MP2 and DFT Study of Thiophenoxyketenimines (o-ThioSchiff bases): Determination of the preferred form

Five new thiophenoxyketinimines have been synthesized. 1H and 13C NMR spectra as well as deuterium isotope effects on 13C chemical shifts are determined, and spectra are assigned. DFT and MP2 calculations of both structures, chemical shifts, and isotope effects on chemical shifts are done. The combined analysis reveals that the compounds are primarily on a zwitterionic form with an NH+ and a S− group and with a little of the neutral form mixed in. Very strong intramolecular hydrogen bonding is found and very high NH chemical shifts are observed.